Madelyn knows a thing or two about TEFL contracts. After teaching theater and drama for years and switching careers to TEFL, Madelyn knew exactly what she wanted in her TEFL contract, and she has tips to cover every part of one. Let's take a look.
A Little Bit About Me
Hello! My name is Madelyn, and I currently teach in Seoul, South Korea. I have been living in Korea for the last year but have been an avid traveler for the last 10 years. Seoul has definitely won my heart and is an incredible city to teach in. The food and people are amazing, and I adore my students! I began my education journey 7 years ago but stepped into teaching English last April. I got TEFL certified through Premier TEFL and then started their internship program soon after.
The first time I moved abroad I was filled to the brim with anxiety about finding a job. I wanted to be somewhere that paid me fairly, gave me good housing and was a positive experience overall. So I knew getting a proper contract was going to be key to my safety and comfort while away from home.
Below are the things I look for every time I sign a new TEFL contract. I hope they help you land an awesome job abroad!
Knowing Your TEFL Contract Rights
One of the most important things you can do to protect yourself is to understand your rights as an employee. Whatever country you choose to teach in, look up its labor laws! Before I even start applying for jobs, I look at the visa I'll be traveling on and research:
- How many hours I am legally allowed to work each week
- What subjects I am allowed to teach
- Government-mandated holidays, holiday pay and overtime pay
- Student age restrictions (sometimes you are only allowed to teach a certain age range)
Understanding your rights matters because, unfortunately, not all employers will be looking out for you. It is even more critical to understand your visa restrictions, as breaking them can get you deported. A few years ago there was a big cull of teachers in South Korea who were found to be teaching subjects such as science and math. Many of them argued this should have been the employer's responsibility, but they were deported anyway.
Understanding Your TEFL Salary
Taxes, medical, payday and other little fees
Make sure you fully understand your salary before and after taxes. What deductions will there be? How much are you paying, and does your employer match some of these costs (for example, medical)? Do they help you set up a bank account for direct deposit? When do you get paid? Make sure your TEFL contract states the exact date you get paid each month so there is no excuse to pay you late.
Taxes depend on the country you are in, but regular deductions typically include:
- Government tax
- Utilities (gas, water, electricity, internet)
- Building maintenance fee
- Medical (in some countries this is split 50/50 between employer and employee)
Confirm what your medical benefits cover, for example dental.
It's always worth asking your employer what your approximate net salary will look like. Then factor in living costs for the area you're moving to and check it will cover your needs.
TIP: Always get a pay stub. Read that again. It shows exactly what is being taken from your paycheck and why, and it should match the terms of your TEFL contract. Employers are human and can make mistakes, so always check that everything adds up.
Hours, Vacations and Sick Days
After your salary, always check your hours in your TEFL contract. Are you working 4 hours a day or 12? Standards vary by country, so make sure your hours are in line with your visa.
Make sure you understand when you will have vacation days. Are they paid or unpaid? Are they flexible or fixed? How many paid sick days do you get a year, and what happens when you run out? If you need to miss a class for a doctor's appointment, how much will be deducted? How does class coverage work?
Knowing this will save you a lot of stress if you get sick or need a last-minute dental appointment, and it means no surprises on payday.
Free Housing or Housing Stipend
Most countries will offer you either free housing or a housing stipend (money to put toward housing). Know which one you will receive and whether the company will help you find a place to live.
This is another great time to know your rights! In South Korea, the company must provide housing within a 20-minute walk or one train stop of the school. They have to pay the deposit (which can be upwards of $10K) and make sure the apartment is kept at a livable standard.
You should also understand what costs come with the building (maintenance fees) and where you can put your trash or collect your packages.
Flight Reimbursement
Most companies will offer you flight reimbursement. Depending on the country, its laws and the company (another know-your-rights moment!), they will pay for either a one-way or a round-trip ticket. In some countries, companies must provide a round-trip ticket with a TEFL contract, but be aware that laws change. In South Korea before 2021, the company had to provide round-trip airfare. That changed, and now they only have to pay for a ticket to get you into the country.
What Are You Responsible For?
As always, it depends on the country, but make sure you understand what you are responsible for. Do you need to pay your own bills, or will those costs be deducted from your paycheck? Are there any move-in or cleaning costs? What exactly will you be expected to pay for upfront, during and at the end of your contract? You can ask your employer for a list so you have the right savings set aside.
Also understand what you are responsible for at your job. A clear job description makes sure you are not taken advantage of later on.
Breaking Your TEFL Contract
When you move abroad, you might not want to think about what would happen if you need to break your TEFL contract. But this is a very important thing to know. In some countries, you may need to pay back your flight cost or even part of your salary. In others, you may have to pay back almost 6 months' worth of salary as a "fine."
Knowing this ahead of time helps you decide whether to sign a TEFL contract at all. I personally do not sign contracts with these clauses, as you never know the environment you are going to be working in until you're there. I only sign a TEFL contract when I can leave after giving one or two months' notice with no fees for departing. If it is vague in any way, do not sign the contract.
Sometimes there will be bad managers. Sometimes they change your hours or benefits, or you show up and your housing isn't safe to live in. Sometimes there is a family emergency and you need to go home. You never know what might happen, so being prepared is always important.
Finally, confirm the TEFL contract states what happens if the company ends the contract. It does happen, and you should receive money from the school and a flight home. Double-check that this is stated in writing.
TIP: If it's not in writing, it's not binding. This goes for everything. Picking up an extra class? Get it in writing. Being paid for overtime? Get it in writing. Always get it in writing.
Check Every Part of Your TEFL Contract
Lastly, read over your contract many times. Get your friends to read it too. Check everything and clarify any questions you have. In particular, make sure the school name, contact details and address on the TEFL contract match the school you will actually be working at. Some schools put different information to avoid tax payments, and that is something that can get you deported. If it seems fishy, know your rights and triple-check everything.
Main Takeaways
- Know your rights
- Triple-check everything
- Get everything in writing
It does not matter how nice someone seems: if it is not in writing, it does not count.
Moving abroad can be scary, but it is truly a life-changing experience. A strong contract protects you as you start this new adventure. If you still have questions, you can always ask to be connected to a teacher at the school. You will usually be put in touch with the head teacher (a manager for the foreign teachers), so take what they say with some caution, but it can help you get a feel for the school. No matter what, taking the jump into teaching is an incredibly rewarding experience!
If you have more questions about moving abroad, check out the posts below or browse Premier TEFL's full blog library.
