Many newly-qualified teachers are now looking for roles in another country to gain experience teaching English as a foreign language (TEFL).

One of the most popular destinations for English teaching talent is Thailand where many pupils are eager to learn the language.

As such, the Phuket News recently interviewed Michael Keag, who has worked in the education sector for ten years and now helps his wife run Phuket Academic Language School, about how people looking for a teaching English as a foreign language job can get the role they want.

He said that the qualities that he looks for in a candidate are creativity, reliability and professionalism, while arrogance and a poorly-written cover letter are two things that will make a candidate unsuccessful.

"Interviews are secondary to teaching ability. Anyone can flatter and impress during a formal interview, it's during a demo lesson that we know if the candidate is suitable," Mr Keag added.

He also had some advice for TEFL teaching candidates who are looking specifically at working in a Thai classroom, stating that the lessons would be far more beneficial to pupils if the teacher was familiar with the local culture.

"Get to know Thai culture; don't fight against it. Culture is relative, so teachers need to learn that the values they once held may not apply here," he said.

When asked about the changes that may occur as the result of the Association of South East Asian Nation coming into effect in 2015, Mr Keag said there would be increase in competition in Phuket for jobs and the ability to speak English well will be a major benefit, so this could increase the demand for TEFL jobs even more. 

If you are a teacher with experience of working overseas, do you have any advice for newly-qualified teachers? Let us know on our Facebook page.