Teach English in India

Teach English in India: Overview

English is one of the official languages spoken in India and is frequently heard throughout the country. This makes it important to be able to speak English, as India is, after all, the second most populated country in the world. There is a big shortage of paid TEFL teachers, which makes it possible to earn employment & teach English in India.

However, it is important to realize that while the majority of Indians are trying to learn English, the bulk of teaching positions in India are often volunteer-based. The majority of state schools can’t afford to hire somebody to teach English as a foreign language who is from the native English speaking country, which means that the paying jobs are often with international schools.

With that being said, if you are drawn to Indian culture and want to be able to live in a uniquely charming part of the world, it’s not difficult to secure a volunteer teaching position and gain valuable experience when it comes to teaching English as a foreign language.

India may still have problems, but it is one of the most significant countries at the moment in terms of economic prosperity and output. Recently, it has seen a massive surge of growth, and teaching English in India, even as a volunteer, is a very fulfilling way to give back to the local community. The official language of the Indian government is Hindi. Most Indian residents speak Hindi as their primary language. However, English is frequently employed in both business and administration areas, as well as in education. This means that there is a hot demand for people to teach English in India.

As a destination, India has quite a lot to offer a tearful teacher. There are low living costs, vibrant cities, world-renowned restaurants and food, incredible aspects of culture, train rides, shopping trips, and a lot of rich history. 

If you want to teach English in India online as a foreign language, then you are probably going to need access to a TEFL certification and a bachelor’s degree. However, the average teaching salary for someone teaching in India is anywhere between $150 and $1000 per month. 

Types of Teaching Jobs

International Schools

There is a broad selection of different international schools for you to consider, and if you are a teacher who holds a license and comes from somewhere like the UK, Canada, or Australia, then you are more likely to secure a position with them.

Volunteering

Volunteer positions take up the bulk of teaching opportunities in India, so it’s important to understand how they work. There are many unpaid volunteer opportunities on offer, especially for teachers who work in rural areas. These positions may not pay a wage, but they are definitely fulfilling and can help build up valuable teaching experience as well as meaningfully contribute to a local economy and community.

Private sector

It’s challenging to find a paid position within India to teach English as a foreign language. However, the private sector is often considered to be the best way to try and do this. The majority of schools in India lack the financial ability to recruit native TEFL teachers, which is why conversational English is quite rare in the classroom environment. It’s often the case that the local populace teaches each other English as a result of this lack of official educational figures. 

With that being said, as English is the language spoken in the business world, there are many institutions and companies that benefit greatly from having native English speakers work for them. Lots of English teachers often find work in call centres and businesses, teaching staff how to converse in English. A particular goal is getting people to learn how to adopt an American accent.

When And Where to Look For Online English Teaching Jobs in India?

You may not know this, but you can find jobs in the majority of modern cities, such as Mumbai, New Delhi, and Bangalore. However, there are also positions in more rural areas like the Himalayas. Although you can apply for a TEFL jobs in India as a way to secure employment, it’s often much more preferable that you arrive with an offer of employment. This helps a lot when it comes to applying for a residential permit. 

Two great places to go for a job search are the Times of India and the Telegraph. These are both English speaking newspapers that have pretty robust job application sections. Typically, the process begins with the prospective candidate sending a resume, and then there’s a phone interview.

New Delhi is the capital of India and has a population of almost 20,000,000. It is slightly surpassed by Mumbai, which was once known as Bombay, and has a metropolitan population of 20.5 million. Despite the fact that Mumbai has a larger expatriate population, the majority of teaching positions are in New Delhi, Calcutta, and Bangalore. 

Salary Teaching English in India

As a country, India is a place where an English teacher will be able to make enough money to enjoy a comfortable standard of living, but they probably won’t have a lot of money when it comes to savings. The problem is that the TEFL market in India is pretty weak. Because the bulk of teaching positions in the country are either unpaid or voluntary, there isn’t a lot of support for teachers. However, as compensation, the majority of volunteer programs provide their participants with meals, activities, lodging, and financial support where necessary. 

Concerning salary, a teacher can earn as little as $144 a month, but it’s possible to go up to $900 a month. If they bargain with a provider, they could earn a bit more. Typically, that’s more than enough to be able to start travelling around India and cover your living expenses. 

Work Visas

The typical work visa for an English teacher is sponsored by the company. The teacher will need a valid employment contract, as well as a passport for up to 6 months and at least two passport photos. It’s important to know exactly what is required of you in order to get the fastest processing time. After all, not submitting the correct materials will delay the application. 

Classroom Culture in India

You’ll be pleased to know that the average classroom in India looks a lot like any western classroom. As a teacher, you should expect to be working anywhere from 20 to 40 hours a week. The size of the class will vary from 20 to 60 students depending on geographical location. Both students and colleagues are likely to have a reasonable grasp of English, which can help conversation on a day-to-day basis go a lot easier.

The religious traditions of India dictate the dress code is very conservative. Indians often greet each other with a handshake just like Americans do, and teachers are often required to wash their hands before they eat. The feet are actually considered the dirtiest part of the body, so they’re usually kept covered.