Teach English in India

Teach English in India: Overview

Wondering what it’s like to teach English in India? English is one of India’s official languages and is widely spoken throughout the country as the world’s second most populated country. Unfortunately, while many Indians are learning English, there is a shortage of paid TEFL teachers; however, as you will discover, that does not mean it will be easy to secure a paid position for various reasons. In India, there are several volunteer opportunities to teach English, but because few state schools can afford to hire a foreigner, only those who apply to expensive international schools are likely to obtain a paid job. However, finding a spot for volunteer teaching isn’t difficult for those drawn to this fascinating culture and can be a valuable experience for beginning TEFL teachers.

Despite the fact that India still has many problems, it has made significant economic progress and output in recent years. Even if you aren’t paid, teaching English in India can be a terrific opportunity to give back to a local community. Hindi is the government’s official language, and most Indians speak it as their first language. Because English is widely used in business and administration, as well as in education, particularly as a medium of higher education, there will be opportunities for you to volunteer to teach children or adults.

India has a lot to offer the adventurous TEFL teacher: low living costs, vibrant cities, world-renowned cuisine, white-knuckle rickshaw rides, incredible wildlife, epic train excursions, shopping paradise, and historic cultural attractions. However, in order to teach English in India, most teachers will require a bachelor’s degree and TEFL or CELTA certification. The average salary for teaching in India is $150-$1,000 per month. 

In the guide, you will find everything you need to know about teaching English abroad in India. There is a lot of information about living and working in this amazing country, as well as the types of teaching jobs, qualification requirements and the visa process. Everything you need to decide whether teaching English in India is for you.

Types of teaching jobs

International Schools

There are various international schools to consider for English teachers who hold their licence, especially those from the United Kingdom, Australia, and Canada, such as The International School Bangalore or The British School in New Delhi. International schools are the main source of paid English teaching jobs in India. Still, there will be a lot of competition so the more TEFL experience you have or teaching experience in any country, the better your chances will be. 

Volunteering

There are also several unpaid volunteer opportunities available to teach English in India, particularly for teachers who work in rural areas. These can provide a variety of fulfilling experiences, not just teaching. Living there will also see you getting involved in many other things, such as working on other projects, for example, in an orphanage or assisting a women’s club. These are excellent life experience projects, and for younger teachers starting their careers, they are a valuable talking point on your CV for future endeavours. Finally, it is worth noting that Global Crossroad charges a fee to allow people to travel to India and other countries, live with host families, and volunteer their time and skills to help others in need.

Private sector

Finding a paid English teaching position in India, as previously stated, is quite tough. Because most Indian schools lack the financial resources to recruit native English teachers, conversational English is scarce in classrooms. In addition, because English is India’s second official language, there are many locals who can teach it, so there is not the same need for teaching English in India as there is in other countries. However, it can still be a valuable experience, so don’t rule it out entirely as there are some paid posts, and volunteering could be a terrific way to spend a gap year or summer break. 

Another point to note is because English is the business language, assistance from a native English speaker will be extremely beneficial for customer service agents and information technology specialists where American corporations outsource. A large number of English teachers are able to find work in call centres. The goal is to assist call centre staff in acquiring an American accent while on the phone and sounding confident in English speaking, so the customer has faith in the call. So if you like working with adults teaching English in India based call centres could be the perfect role for you.  

When are where to look for English teaching jobs in India

Jobs are available in modern cities such as New Delhi, Jaipur, Bangalore, and Mumbai, as well as in rural places near the Himalayas. Although it is feasible to interview for a job in India, it is preferable that you arrive with a work offer, so you may have to go for a visit and interview before returning to the UK to sort the paperwork. This will make applying for a visa and a resident permit much more straightforward.

The Times of India and The Telegraph are two excellent internet job search resources when it comes to looking for paid English teaching jobs in India. These are English-language newspapers with strong employment and apartment classified sections, so they are worth checking out. The application process typically begins with the teacher sending a resume or CV showing why they are suitable for the position teaching English in India, followed by a phone interview with the prospective employer. In some cases, you may be asked to visit before the job is finalised.

New Delhi, the capital, has a population of almost 20 million people. With a total metropolitan population of 20.5 million, Mumbai, formerly known as Bombay, surpasses it. Despite the fact that Mumbai has a large expatriate population, more English teaching positions are posted in New Delhi, Bangalore, Calcutta, and other locations.

Teach English in India: Salary

An English teacher in India can make enough money to live comfortably, but not enough to save much money, so it depends on what is important to you. In comparison to other Asian nations, the TEFL/TESL market is weak, and the bulk of English teaching jobs in India is unpaid and voluntary work. On the other hand, it is worth remembering that most volunteer programmes do provide participants with lodging, meals, support, and activities meaning your living costs will be virtually taken care of, and you gain some amazing experience.

In terms of pay, an English teacher in India can earn as little as €134 per month and as much as €838 per month, or even more if they bargain with the employer. That should be enough to cover living expenses and even travel around India.

Work visas

The company usually sponsors the visa for an English teacher in India. As part of the required papers, the English teacher will need an employment contract, as well as a valid passport for up to six months and two passport photos. If you would like to learn more about obtaining a visa for teaching English in India, then Travisa contains a wealth of tools and information about the Indian visa process, as well as vaccines and country profiles.

Classroom culture in India

The structure of the classroom looks to be similar to that of any Western classroom. English teachers should anticipate working 20-40 hours per week, with class sizes ranging from 20 to 60 students depending on their location. Some teachers may appreciate the fact that their coworkers and students are likely to have a good grasp of English, which will help explanations, lectures, and conversations go more smoothly!

Remember that, due to Indian religious traditions, the dress code must be more conservative. Indians, like Americans, greet each other with a handshake. Teachers may be required to wash their hands before eating, although this is just good hygiene, and the feet are the dirtiest parts of the body.