TESOL Checklist. Things to know before you go.
Once you are qualified and ready to go – give some thought to a few things before you sign a contract or hop on a plane:
Visa – what is the visa situation for your chosen destination and will your employer be organising this for you?. Don’t let your employer be the only source of your information. Check out www.visalink.com.au, or www.smarttraveller.gov.au for visa information.
Contract conditions – Check the conditions of your contract if you need or want to leave before your 6 or 12 months are up. Schools do not like you buggering off before their school term is up, so make sure there are not any nasty fees or conditions around leaving early.
Flights – Are your employers paying for and organising your flight?. Is it return? Is the cost of your return flight compliant on you completing full 6 or 12 months?
Accommodation – Is your employer organising accommodation for you, and if so what is it and are you expected to pay for all or some of it? If they are paying, will this amount come out of your agreed wage? Is the accommodation shared with other teachers, a local family or convicted criminals?! How far is the accommodation from the school and what transport is available?
Health Insurance – Find out whether your school will be organising this for you, and make sure you are covered for all those little fun things that can happen to you over a long period.
Is this the right place for you? – Not all places are gay friendly so check
