The Thread

Here is a list of programs that can help you find your first teaching job or volunteer experience abroad. If you have participated in one of these programs, please rate it here. More will be added as we receive the information.

AEON (paid)
AEON recruits teachers from several English-speaking countries to teach in Japan.

Appalachians Abroad - Teach in China (paid)
The Appalachians Abroad Teach in China Program (AATC) is an opportunity for qualified individuals to teach or study in China. Though focused on the Appalachia region, the program is open to individuals from all across the U.S. and Canada who have the qualifications and desire to be a teacher and “goodwill ambassador.”

Assistantship Program in France (paid)
Every year, the French Ministry of Education and the Cultural Services at the French Embassy offer approximately 1,600 teaching assistantship positions in French primary and secondary schools and in the French teaching colleges.

Central European Teaching Program (CETP) (paid as native teachers)
CETP is a teacher recruitment organization. Since 1991 they have been working to provide native-speaking English teachers and other languages and subjects to public schools as well as several parochial schools in Hungary and Romania.

China Teaching Program (paid)
They place foreign teachers at various schools and universities throughout the People’s Republic of China and provide pre-departure orientation through Western Washington University.

Council on International Educational Exchange (paid)
CIEE creates and administers programs that allow high school and university students and educators to study and teach abroad.

English Language Teaching Assistantship Program in Austria (paid)
Since 1963, this program has provided college and university graduates with opportunities to work at secondary schools throughout Austria as teaching assistants.

English Program in Korea (EPIK) (paid)
EPIK, affiliated to the Korean Ministry of Education, was established in 1995 with the mandate to improve the English speaking abilities of students and teachers in Korea, to develop cultural exchanges, and to reform teaching methodologies in English. EPIK extends invitation to responsible, enthusiastic native speakers of English who are motivated to share knowledge with students and teachers.

Global Routes (volunteer)
Global Routes offers international teaching positions for students who wish to volunteer in Costa Rica, Ghana, India, Peru, Tanzania and Thailand.

i-to-i TEFL (paid)
Enrol on their 100-Hour Combined TEFL Course and they’ll help you arrange a job in your country of choice through their free placement service.

International Partnership for Service-Learning and Leadership (volunteer)
Looking to volunteer is a specific setting or field of service? Want to study a language or make sure you can get credit toward your major? Try their IPSL Program Search.

International School Services (paid
Since 1955, the Educational Staffing services of ISS have successfully assisted over 15,000 qualified teachers and administrators in their search for opportunities in 200 American and international schools around the world .

InterExchange Programs (volunteer)
Offer U.S. students and young adults the chance to participate in work and travel, volunteer, education, language school, au pair/childcare and internship programs around the world.

JET Programme - Japan (paid)
The Japan Exchange and Teaching (JET) Programme invites university graduates from overseas to participate in international exchange and foreign language education throughout Japan.

LanguageCorps (paid)
LanguageCorps offers comprehensive programs of training, placement and logistical support for talented people interested in travel, internationalism, and teaching abroad.

Princeton in Asia (paid)
All of their teaching fellowships provide a livable salary, assuming a modest lifestyle, as well as housing or assistance in finding housing. Airfare is generally not included. Teachers in Japan, Korea, Laos, and Singapore may actually have significant savings at the end of the year, but all other posts are “break-even” posts.

Search Associates (paid)
Each year Search Associates places over 1000 teachers, administrators and interns in international schools throughout the world.

Fullbright English Teaching Assistantships in Korea
the largest U.S. international exchange program offering opportunities for students, scholars, and professionals to undertake international graduate study, advanced research, university teaching, and teaching in elementary and secondary schools worldwide.

Teach and Study Program - Israel (volunteer - teach & study)
Teach and Study Program (TASP) interns are university graduates who wish to participate in a two year work study program during which they will teach English in the Israeli public school system and study for an MA degree in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL).

VaughanTown Program - Spain (volunteer)
A volunteer program where participants exchange conversation for room and board in the Spanish countryside.

Via Programs (volunteer)
They provide U.S. Citizens and U.S. Residents (between the ages of 18 and 75) volunteer opportunities and fellowships in China, Vietnam, Indonesia, Myanmar, Laos, Cambodia, and Thailand, where volunteers may teach English or work with a local non-profit.

Volunteer Service Overseas (VSO) (volunteer)
They recruit volunteers from a wide range of professional backgrounds.