Guest Blogger: LeAnna Porter, English First
‘Just graduated and still unsure what direction you’d like your career to move in? Teaching English overseas could be a great option that opens a world of possibilities! In this blog, LeAnna Porter from English First (an industry leader in language learning and teaching) summaries the five main reasons you should consider teaching abroad.’
Deciding to teach English overseas is one of the best decisions you can make. It gives you a chance to live in a new country, immersing yourself in a new culture, it’s an awesome way to travel to new places, and it gives you a regular salary and work experience whilst you’re having the adventure of a lifetime. But the benefits don’t stop there – by gaining international work experience, you’re ensuring that you stand out from the crowd when you make your next career move. Keep reading to find out the top five ways that teaching abroad can benefit you.
1: Global workforces are the future
You might be familiar with “Emotional Quotient” (EQ) or emotional intelligence, but have you heard of “World Quotient” (WQ)? WQ reflects the ability to understand the world and the people in it, regardless of cultures, borders of beliefs.
With employers looking for people who can fit into their international offices, gaining valuable work experience with an overseas employer is a great way to get the edge on the competition.
2: Get first-hand knowledge about the world
Living in a new country allows you to immerse yourself in the local culture which raises your awareness of diverse cultures, new languages and dialects, different lifestyles, and global issues. Whether you return to your home country or continue your adventures abroad, you’ll have gained invaluable experiences that will support your professional career.
3: A multicultural workplace teaches valuable skills
Working in a multicultural environment is a great way to gain skills in effective communication and emotional intelligence. With a variety of perspectives & experiences at play, you’ll find that your collaboration, empathy, cooperation, and communication skills grow. These are the soft skills that employers value.
4: Gain a global mindset
Living abroad will help you develop respect and openness for alternate ways of life. We are all connected to each other and this global mindset will help you when working on multicultural teams or exploring diverse ways of thinking.
5: Stand out from the crowd by learning new values
Understanding cultural diversity and different cultural heritages, as well as appreciating the shared human experience, are values that increase your ‘world quotient and help you stand out from the crowd in an incredibly competitive employment market. You’ll bring new perspectives and ideas to the table, and provide innovative solutions, having experienced diverse ways of acting and thinking. Employers find this invaluable, and is one of the reasons 80% of employers are looking for people with international experience (QS Employer Survey).
Taking your career to the next level by working overseas is a big decision, but it comes with huge rewards both for your day-to-day life and your career. Stand out from the crowd by teaching English abroad. Take the next step – apply now to start your new adventure!