Re-evaluating Your Skills

One thing we should do before beginning to seek work abroad is to edit the most recent CV/Resume. But why stop there? If the goal is to seek, not only, a new job but in fact a new life; why not use that time to brainstorm what new skills have been acquired and what skills can be used in a different field?

What an opportunity! The decision to live abroad can also present the moment where one can design a new life. To get started, try to forget about your current position and make a list of all the skills and expertise that you have. Try to list as many things as possible.

Next do your internet research; begin to look at job posts in the country of your choice. Remember, if you are a native English speaker there are positions available that would not be possible in your home country. Keep all options open. Don't leave out the possiblity of working for yourself. Some countries make starting a small business is easy. Brainstorm what skills you have that may meet the needs of the country of choice.

For inspiration, have a look at some blogs of expatriates who live in your target country. Many expatriates are free- lance workers or small business owners. From that research and brainstorming, try to think of five different things that you could do for money in your new life abroad. Maybe three are very realistic but make the last two options your wild card choices. That is to say, two things you would absolutely love to do in your new life abroad. Keep this list and go back to editing your CV/Resume. Re-invention is a process and the best way to get started is to write down what you really want. Write the CV for the job of your dreams. GG

Before You Can Move Forward....

Before you get started on planning a life abroad, I first suggest that you determine where you are now, what do you really want.

Ask yourself these questions;

What do you want out of life?
What are your goals as it concerns living abroad?
What would you do right now if you knew you could not fail?

While these quesions demand some time for reflection, if you can answer them honestly, the answers can help you begin to discover if living abroad is right for you as well as begin to pinpoint what your next step will be towards living abroad.

GG

Research Where You Want To Live Abroad

I am always asked,"How do I get started with the project of living abroad?" One of the first tasks is to do the research. Decide where in the world you'd like to pass some time. Criteria should be, but not limited to, things like, culture, language, climate, economic growth as well as lifestyle.

Consider yourself to be a reporter with an open mind who wants to get all the angles of the story. Obviously, you will take your search to the internet but dont stop there. Network with others who have or plan to live abroad as well. Keep a file and/or notebook of all the information you collect. While ultimately the decision must be yours, you want to have the most thorough information available to make that decison as well as to stay motivated in taking the big step of living abroad.

Forget Expensive Volunteer Abroad Programs

If you really want to volunteer abroad, you don't have to spend the exhorbitant amount of money that a lot of these so-called volunteer programs charge as placement fees. Any program that charges a weekly fee should be considered suspicious. While I definitely agree that a placement fee is justified, you shouldnt have to pay several thousand dollars unless you are also being trained to perform a skill that is necessary in order to accomplish the work which is involved.

For many countries, if you would like to help where help is needed, the best thing you can do is to show up. I see a lot of programs for volunteering in a country like Morocco. But there, you can easily get paid to contribute to their society. A good example is to teach English because there is a good demand for it and there are plenty of schools that are looking for native English speakers.

While its true that other countries in Sub Saharan Africa don't have the resourses to pay, its still easy enough to approach schools and ask if your help would be needed. Often they are so happy to have help that they are willing to provide a place for you to stay for free.

Its a big risk to show up in a country that you're unfamilar with and try to carve out a life there whether it be for a few weeks, a few months or a few years. But you must not let that fear of the unknown push you into giving away a lot of money without knowing exactly where every penny is going.

Spend Three Months in the South of France

Not sure if living abroad is right for you? Why not start slow and participate in a short term program where you can see for yourself if the desired country and culture of choice is a good fit for you.

Take advantage of a great opportunity to spend time in the south of France as a Language Assistant. This volunteer programme is a great opportunity to experience French lifestyle and improve your linguistic skills at a low cost. You live with a host family and in exchange for your own room and meals, you share your language with the host family for around 15 hours per week.


This programme has a focus on cultural exchange, it is designed for flexible people wishing to experience the French culture in depth. Participating implies sharing daily life with a French family, learning their language and culture and adopting it as their own for a period of time. At the same time, the participant will share his/her own language and culture with the members of the local family.

Graduates of our TESOL/TEFL or Language Training programs get a 20% discount off the placement fee. Come and Join Us!

Take advantage of the Financial Crisis

Whether things are going your way or not during these difficult economic times, now more than ever is the time for investing in one's self. Turn this time of uncertainty into an opportunity by changing your life. If you've always wanted to live abroad but never knew where to start, we can provide you with help to living the life you've always wanted.

The Language House provides services such as language training, our signature job coaching and ESL teacher training which helps put you on the path to finding a job quickly in the Mediterranean.

Come and Join Us!

The Language Dilemma

One issue that can potentially stop people from carrying out their dream of living abroad is fear of the language barrier. While it is a justified concern, it certainly should not impede you from having the life you've always wanted. Many people who live abroad today did not speak the local language when they first arrived to the country of their choice including yours truly. You can still get things done and you'll pick up some of the language gradually.

I've also met people who have lived in a given country for many years and still can't speak the local language. While its possible to get by doing this, I really recommend making an effort and embracing the local language.

There are several ways to approach this. Its possible to learn the language without taking any language lessons. This approach can work if you are on your own and are somewhat extroverted. You really have to work hard at speaking as often as you can with the locals. If you are traveling as a couple, it will be more difficult because you'll always be speaking to each other in English.

This brings us to the opposite side of the spectrum. You could take long term language lessons. Intensive language training will get you real results. However, I should say that even lessons will only get you to a certain point. Real fluency means communicating with real people, or rather native speakers, about real topics which can only happen in real situations, not in the classroom.

I have lived in quite a few different countries and have tried many different approaches and have had varying levels of success. The best advice I can give is to start with a minimum of three months of language lessons. From there, take a break from the lessons and try to start meeting people and more importantly just speaking. If you find yourself hitting a wall go back for another month of lessons.

As language lessons can get expensive, I would even say try one month of lessons then a one month break and then add another month of lessons. Pay attention to your progress...some people do better outside of class then inside.

Whatever your approach, don't let language be the obstacle to the life you really want. Come and Join Us!

Live Abroad without Delay

Often I am asked, "How can I live abroad as quickly as possible?" The best way to get started quickly is, if you are a native or near native English speaker is to teach English. It doesnt have to be a permanent career but its a great way to get your foot in the door to living abroad.

Teaching English abroad is an excellent way to travel and experience new cultures, while earning a living and helping to improve the education and futures of others. There are a wide variety of options all over the world when teaching English abroad. In no time at all you could be living in a place, and living a life that most people only dream about. All you need to be able to teach English abroad is fluency, or near fluency, in the English language and a TESOL (or TEFL) certificate.

****In order to find an ESL position in specifically Europe and the rest of the Mediterranean, a TESOL/TEFL certificate is required without much exception.****

What is a TEFL/TESOL Certificate?

TESOL (also known as TEFL) is the acronym for Teaching English to Speakers
of Other Languages and taking a certificate course is your passport to a world of travel and adventure teaching English abroad. There is a tremendous demand for certified teachers worldwide with job options in just about every country around the globe.

The Language House provides an International TESOL Teacher Training TESOL
Program. Course options include the following:

4 week intensive, classroom based TESOL certificate courses. Center
attendance required.

Combined TESOL certificate course with language lessons

Certificate in teaching business English

Our training centers are located in France, Italy, Morocco and coming soon
Turkey.

Courses are available every month, all year round.

Who can take a TESOL course?

TESOL courses are open to all native or fluent English speakers. There is no requirement to have any previous teaching experience or qualifications. There is no strict age limit and each application for one of our TESOL courses is given full consideration. We welcome all applications regardless of sex, age, race or nationality.


Why choose The Language House?

-The Language House Teacher Training is your gateway to creating a new
life in the Mediterranean.
-We are the only program that focuses soley on one region allowing our
clients to be provided with a wide range of expertise.
-All of our courses are internationally recognized and accredited.
-Outstanding value and course quality
-Lifetime assistance with finding teaching jobs worldwide.
-Additional specialized TESOL courses.
-Teaching advice and support throughout your teaching career.
-Included in the course fee is our signature "Job Coaching" service which is composed of interviewing techniques, employer contact sheets, Resume and CV help and advice for setting up in a new country.

We are dedicated to supporting and planning your new life abroad by providing Life
Abroad Coaching and Language Lessons

I want to take a TESOL Course, what’s the next step?

Read through our website and then complete our on-line application form (without any obligation). If you have additional questions or concerns please contact us at gb@tesolhouse.com

We assist our graduates in finding work during and upon completion of the course.

Get started now and visit our website at www.teflanguagehouse.com.

Where do I Start?

"I know I want to live abroad but where do I start?" I am often asked this question. There are three main points to start out with.

1. Choose your target location carefully. First you need to decide in what region, or, even better, what country you'd like to live. Its too difficult to try for many different countries. You'll spread yourself out too thin. Each region and country has its own language, culture and ways of doing things. Therefore if you cast your net too wide, it will take much longer to reach your goal of living abroad.

Conversely, if you narrow your desired location down to one city or even one small town you are then limiting yourself to a place that may or may not end up being the right location for you.

My advice would be to choose one or two countries that you belive would be right for you.

2. Do your homework. Research, research and research some more. Thanks to the web, there are so many resourses available for you to make a decision. Factors to consider are, but not limited to:

Climate
Work Ethic
Employment Possibilities
The native language
The cultural demands
Housing options
Cost of Living
Religious climate
Typical Lifestyle

3. For most people, the two things that you'll need to secure as soon as possible are a job and a place to live. If its important that you have work quickly, you should spend a lot of time researching the job market in your target country or countries. If you can find a job first, securing, at least, temporary housing won't be overly difficult.

While its possible to find the same work that you do in your home country abroad, it may take you longer if you don't speak the local language or are not familar with the process of job seeking in the target country. For that reason, I often suggest to native English speakers that initially they start out teaching English. It doesn't have to be forever but there are some advantages. Its not necessary to speak the native language. The minimum requirements are usually English speaking ability and a TESOL/TEFL Certificate.
Your CV/resume can usually be submitted in English. You can earn a wage comprable to that of the average worker in the given location. It gives you time to learn some of the language, to network, to meet the locals as well as other foriegners, to find out the best places to live and in general get a feel for how things work in your desired country. Once you have some of these things under your belt, you then have the tools to find the job you really want.

Don't Postpone Joy!

These days, we're hearing mostly negative talk about the economy and the overall security of our future. Now more than ever people are looking for a safe place to invest their money as well as putting off their dreams. When we hear of investment scams and the uncertainty of the banking system, its only normal to hesitate as to where to put one's money. But to put off our dreams?...Don't even consider it. One investment where you can't go wrong is spending it on career training and education. An investment in your future will always produce healthy dividends.

If you've always wanted to live and work abroad, now more than ever is your chance to break out of the rat race and invest in your future. A future where you can live out your dreams, earn a living and enjoy those healthy dividends.

Job Abroad Coaching can do just that for you. As its clear that there are no guarantees in life, why put off the life you've always wanted? Come and join The Language House to change your dreams into reality with coaching tools that can be used right away.

This blog will be dedicated to exploring and dicussing the truth about starting a life abroad. Come and Join Us!