The answer might be yes. Learning the
substance of this article alone will not prepare you, but it will point you in
the right direction.
To begin, most employers in this trade require a minimum age of 21. This
varies, but generally those teachers 21 and older find employment much easier,
especially because they are more likely to hold a Bachelor’s
Degree. Having a BA/BS Degree coupled with the proper teacher credentials is
ideal.
Nearly all employers prefer native English speakers, so if
English is your first language, you’re already partially qualified.
Preparation:
Making yourself employable to the greatest number of nations
should always be your goal— it’s good job security. The easiest way to ensure
that your skills are widely marketable (and more valuable than your untrained
competitors) is to earn the Cambridge CELTA certification. For
most teaching positions, this type of certificate establishes your credentials.
Just as a bartender needs a liquor license, so too should you earn your CELTA
certification. The Cambridge CELTA
program offers an internationally-respected professional certificate that can
be acquired through the program centers hosted by Cambridge in England, as well
as 12 other approved locations in the USA and Canada.
Although you may encounter a handful of TEFL/ ESL
instructors who will admit that they have taught illegally in certain
underdeveloped nations you’d do well to avoid this practice. Teaching illegally means that you have no prefessional credentials, or that you do not hold a current work visa. It is not
advisable to work illegally. Many countries (e.g.,
Japan) will not hire you without proper credentials and
certification, but other nations might let you teach a small group at a
community center even if your skills are less than perfect or your work papers are out of order.
It’s your call, but recognize that the best way to avoid
trouble is to comply with the laws. If you intentionally break the laws, not matter how inconspicuous you assume you are, you must
be prepared to deal with any ramifications.
Another legal rule of thumb for travel: most nations
do not honor any inherent form of freedom of speech, so if you feel
critical of the local government, it’s prudent to keep your opinions unspoken.