Teaching in a Foreign Country

Question:
Hi. I'm originally from South Africa, but currently live in Brunei. I graduated from high school in 1991, am now 33 years old, and would like to teach. What are my options?

Answer:
Consider teaching English as a Second Language. Brunei has a thriving English Language Teachers' Association (BELTA) that shares job opportunities. You might be able to join their association before completing your degree. In addition to classes in Brunei, you can take ESL (English as a Second Language) classes online. By getting ESL certification, you'll be eligible to apply for teaching jobs around the world.

Teaching subjects other than English might be problematic, unless you already speak Malay. It might be challenging for a foreigner to secure a teaching job in a Brunei school. Another option would be to pursue a position with an international school in Brunei. If you take this route, you may or may not need the ESL training, but you'll likely need at least a bachelor's degree in education or in the field you want to teach. If you'd like to teach in an international school in Brunei, you'll need to check with each school about particular requirements.