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Step-by-Step Application Overview
CIEE Teach Abroad programs seek out individuals who hold a bachelor's degree from an accredited school and are enthusiastic about the opportunity to represent and share their culture for a committed period of time. CIEE utilizes an online application system that will include fill-able forms in your My CIEE account and e-mailing supporting documents to applyteach@ciee.org.
- Review your goals
Why do you want to go? Where do you want to teach? What do you want to achieve? What place do you want to hold in the local culture? These are all important questions to evaluate during the application process. Use the program comparison tool and the find program tool to help you in your initial steps. CIEE recommends you apply for only one program at a time.
- Review the program eligibility requirements
- Create your My CIEE account and open an application
Applications are managed through an online system called My CIEE. My CIEE will not only store all of your personal information, but it will also provide you with a checklist system that will walk you through the process from application to departure. The online checklist in you my CIEE account is very important as it will provide you with an up-to-date list of materials needed, sent to, and received by CIEE. Make sure you monitor your checklist frequently throughout the process.
- Finish the details in your application
- Log into your My CIEE account
- Complete your personal data into My CIEE
- Answer the personal statement questions for your program. Personal Statement should not exceed 1,000 words (excluding questions).
Choose your Program...
- Choose the program you are interested in from the dropbox above.
Teach in Chile
- Is English your first language? (If so, please write "yes" and skip to the next question). If English is not your first language please provide a throrough description of your English-acquisition history as well as a statement about why you feel you are qualified to teach English to others.
- How does the Teach in Chile program meet your short-term and long-term goals?
- What are your perceptions of Chile? Why do you think you will be successful living and working independently in Chile?
- What previous teaching, tutoring, or other related experience do you have? Why are you a good candidate to teach English?
- Describe a situation you have experienced in which you have had to make cultural adaptations. What skills or qualities did you draw upon to be successful?
- Teach in Chile most often requires teachers to teach English in a technical college setting, where English classes may be more of a requirement than a desire for the students. What skills or experiences do you have that will enable you to make English class interesting and exciting?
- CIEE teachers are assigned their teaching placements at one of the DuocUC school campuses in either Santiago or the two-city area of Valparaíso and Viña del Mar. Please indicate your preferred location below.
Teach Immersion Chile
- How does Teach Immersion Chile fit into your short and long-term goals? Why have you chosen Immersion Chile as your teach abroad program?
- Why do you believe you are a good candidate to teach English in Chile? Do you have formal teaching experience or other transferrable experience?
- Communication in Chile is quite different than in the U.S. In some occasions the information is last minute or slow in responding. How would you handle communication problems with your partner teacher or regional coordinator? Schedule changes, last minute requests, cancelled classes, etc?
- In general Chilean families are very close-knit and the parents play a strong role in their children’s lives. How would you adjust to living with a family again after living an independent life either at college or in another capacity?
- Although Chile has made notable economic strides, it is still considered a developing nation. This is especially true in small towns and rural areas. For instance, most schools and host families do not have central heating. In the winter months inside environments can be just as cold and damp as outside, so most Chileans wear their jackets even when they are inside. Another important aspect to consider is that most Chilean families do not have internet in their home. How would you adapt to living conditions that do not offer the same material comforts as the United States?
- Participants are never placed within the same school, and rarely with the same host family. How would you integrate into the school, host family, and local community to avoid isolation?
- Describe a situation you have experienced in which you have had to make cultural adaptations. What skills or qualities did you draw upon to be successful?
Teach in China
- Is English your first language? (If so, please write "yes" and skip to the next question). If English is not your first language please provide a throrough description of your English-acquisition history as well as a statement about why you feel you are qualified to teach English to others.
- How does the Teach in China program meet your short-term and long-term goals?
- What are your perceptions of China? Why do you think you will be successful living and working independently in China?
- What previous teaching, tutoring, or other related experience do you have? Why are you a good candidate to teach English?
- Describe a situation you have experienced in which you have had to make cultural adaptations. What skills or qualities did you draw upon to be successful?
- Although China is the most populous nation in the world, being surrounded by people can be remarkably lonely. How will you act and what characteristics and/or strategies will help you avoid isolation and cope with homesickness?
- Strong international competition makes China’s well-known international cities (Shanghai, Beijing, Nanjing) an unlikely placement except for qualified or experienced teachers. CIEE teaching positions in China are frequently available in the smaller cities outlying Shanghai and extending to urban areas around Beijing, Nanjing, and Chongqing. Placements are also common in Anhui, Jiangsu, and Hebei Provinces. Please briefly indicate your placement preferences below. Feel free to mention specific locations (ex: "1-Hangzhou, 2-Suzhou") or general preferences (ex: "urban").
- Teachers typically work with students at the university level, however positions are also frequently available at the primary and secondary level. Please briefly indicate your student age preferences below as either primary, secondary, or university. Or, write "no preference."
Teach Immersion China
- Is English your first language? (If so, please write "yes" and skip to the next question). If English is not your first language please provide a throrough description of your English-acquisition history as well as a statement about why you feel you are qualified to teach English to others.
- How does the Teach Immersion China program meet your short-term and long-term goals?
- What are your perceptions of China? Why do you think you will be successful living and working independently in China?
- What previous teaching, tutoring, or other related experience do you have? Why are you a good candidate to teach English?
- Describe a situation you have experienced in which you have had to make cultural adaptations. What skills or qualities did you draw upon to be successful?
- Although China is the most populous nation in the world, being surrounded by people can be remarkably lonely. How will you act and what characteristics and/or strategies will help you avoid isolation and cope with homesickness?
- The Teach Immersion China program works with students of all levels. Please indicate preferences you have (i.e. I want to work with young children or I cannot work with young children).
Teach in China Professional
- Is English your first language? (If so, please write "yes" and skip to the next question). If English is not your first language please provide a throrough description of your English-acquisition history as well as a statement about why you feel you are qualified to teach English to others.
- How does the Teach in China program meet your short-term and long-term goals?
- What are your perceptions of China? Why do you think you will be successful living and working independently in China?
- What previous teaching, tutoring, or other related experience do you have? Why are you a good candidate to teach English?
- Describe a situation you have experienced in which you have had to make cultural adaptations. What skills or qualities did you draw upon to be successful?
- Although China is the most populous nation in the world, being surrounded by people can be remarkably lonely. How will you act and what characteristics and/or strategies will help you avoid isolation and cope with homesickness?
- Strong international competition makes China’s well-known international cities (Shanghai, Beijing, Nanjing) an unlikely placement except for qualified or experienced teachers. CIEE teaching positions in China are frequently available in the smaller cities outlying Shanghai and extending to urban areas around Beijing, Nanjing, and Chongqing. Placements are also common in Anhui, Jiangsu, and Hebei Provinces. Please briefly indicate your placement preferences below. Feel free to mention specific locations (ex: "1-Hangzhou, 2-Suzhou") or general preferences (ex: "urban").
- Teachers typically work with students at the university level, however positions are also frequently available at the primary and secondary level. Please briefly indicate your student age preferences below as either primary, secondary, or university. Or, write "no preference."
DR-PUCMM
- Is English your first language? (If so, please write "yes" and skip to the next question). If English is not your first language please provide a throrough description of your English-acquisition history as well as a statement about why you feel you are qualified to teach English to others.
- How does the Teach in the Dominican Republic program meet your short-term and long-term goals?
- What are your perceptions of the Dominican Republic? Why do you think you will be successful living and working independently in the Dominican Republic?
- What previous teaching, tutoring, or other related experience do you have? Why are you a good candidate to teach English?
- Describe a situation you have experienced in which you have had to make cultural adaptations. What skills or qualities did you draw upon to be successful?
- Teach in the Dominican Republic is a full immersion program incorporating the use of culture and technology. What personal qualities will help you maximize your in-class activities? What will be your measure of success at the end of your time in the DR?
Teach Immersion DR
- Is English your first language? (If so, please write "yes" and skip to the next question). If English is not your first language please provide a throrough description of your English-acquisition history as well as a statement about why you feel you are qualified to teach English to others.
- How does the Teach in the Dominican Republic program meet your short-term and long-term goals?
- What are your perceptions of the Dominican Republic? Why do you think you will be successful living and working independently in the Dominican Republic?
- What previous teaching, tutoring, or other related experience do you have? Why are you a good candidate to teach English?
- Describe a situation you have experienced in which you have had to make cultural adaptations. What skills or qualities did you draw upon to be successful?
- Teach in the Dominican Republic is a full immersion program incorporating the use of culture and technology. What personal qualities will help you maximize your in-class activities? What will be your measure of success at the end of your time in the DR?
Teach in South Korea
- Is English your first language? (If so, please write “yes” and skip to the next question). If English is not your first language, please provide a thorough description of your background with the language. Why do you feel you are a good candidate to teach English to others?
- How does the Teach in South Korea program meet your short-term and long-term goals?
- What are your perceptions of Korea? Why do you think you will be successful living and working independently in Korea?
- What previous teaching, tutoring, or other related experience do you have? Why are you a good candidate to teach English?
- Describe an experience in which you have had to make cultural adaptations. What skills or qualities did you draw upon to be successful?
- The Teach in Korea program primarily places teachers with students aged 3-7. Do you have any previous interaction with young children? What are your personal attributes that will help you create a positive learning environment for young children as well as to negotiate overbearing parents?
Teach in Spain
- Is English your first language? (If so, please write “yes” and skip to the next question). If English is not your first language, please provide a thorough description of your background with the language. Why do you feel you are a good candidate to teach English to others?
- How does the Teach in Spain program meet your short-term and long-term goals?
- What are your perceptions of Spain? Why do you think you will be successful living and working independently in Spain?
- What previous teaching, tutoring, or other related experience do you have? Why are you a good candidate to teach English?
- Describe a situation you have experienced in which you have had to make cultural adaptations. What skills or qualities did you draw upon to be successful?
- Teach in Spain is only a partial-time workweek. What personal qualities will help you maximize your contact time with students? How do you envision yourself spending non-working time in Andalusia? What will be your measure of success at the end of your time in Spain?
Teach Immersion Spain
- Is English your first language? (If so, please write “yes” and skip to the next question). If English is not your first language, please provide a thorough description of your background with the language. Why do you feel you are a good candidate to teach English to others?
- How does the Teach in Spain program meet your short-term and long-term goals?
- What are your perceptions of Spain? Why do you think you will be successful living and working independently in Spain?
- What previous teaching, tutoring, or other related experience do you have? Why are you a good candidate to teach English?
- Describe a situation you have experienced in which you have had to make cultural adaptations. What skills or qualities did you draw upon to be successful?
- Teach in Spain is only a partial-time workweek. What personal qualities will help you maximize your contact time with students? How do you envision yourself spending non-working time in Andalusia? What will be your measure of success at the end of your time in Spain?
Teach in Spain: The Basics
- Is English your first language? (If so, please write “yes” and skip to the next question). If English is not your first language, please provide a thorough description of your background with the language. Why do you feel you are a good candidate to teach English to others?
- How does the Teach in Spain program meet your short-term and long-term goals?
- What are your perceptions of Spain? Why do you think you will be successful living and working independently in Spain?
- What previous teaching, tutoring, or other related experience do you have? Why are you a good candidate to teach English?
- Describe a situation you have experienced in which you have had to make cultural adaptations. What skills or qualities did you draw upon to be successful?
- Teach in Spain is only a partial-time workweek. What personal qualities will help you maximize your contact time with students? How do you envision yourself spending non-working time in Andalusia? What will be your measure of success at the end of your time in Spain?
Teach in Spain Professional
- Is English your first language? (If so, please write “yes” and skip to the next question). If English is not your first language, please provide a thorough description of your background with the language. Why do you feel you are a good candidate to teach English to others?
- How does the Teach in Spain program meet your short-term and long-term goals?
- What are your perceptions of Spain? Why do you think you will be successful living and working independently in Spain?
- What previous teaching, tutoring, or other related experience do you have? Why are you a good candidate to teach English?
- Describe a situation you have experienced in which you have had to make cultural adaptations. What skills or qualities did you draw upon to be successful?
- Teach in Spain is only a partial-time workweek. What personal qualities will help you maximize your contact time with students? How do you envision yourself spending non-working time in Andalusia? What will be your measure of success at the end of your time in Spain?
Teach in Thailand
- Is English your first language? (If so, please write “yes” and skip to the next question). If English is not your first language, please provide a thorough description of your background with the language. Why do you feel you are a good candidate to teach English to others?
- How does the Teach in Thailand program meet your short-term and long-term goals?
- What are your perceptions of Thailand? Why do you think you will be successful living and working independently in Thailand?
- What previous teaching, tutoring, or other related experience do you have? Why are you a good candidate to teach English?
- Describe a situation you have experienced in which you had to make cultural adaptations. What skills or qualities did you draw upon to be successful?
- Participants are sometimes placed in schools without other westerners. How will you act and what characteristics and/or strategies will help you avoid isolation and cope with homesickness?
- Placement Request: Please keep in mind that placements are made on a rolling basis – the earlier CIEE receives your application, the better chances are that your requests will be met.
- The Teach in Thailand program strives to place applicants in their preferred environment, but final hiring decisions are made by the individual schools in Thailand based on candidates’ qualifications and school needs. The need for English teachers exists throughout the country in urban, town, and rural areas - with the majority of teaching placements at schools in inland settings. Please briefly indicate your placement preferences below. Feel free to mention specific locations (ex: ”1-Chiang Rai, 2-Trang”) or general preferences (ex: “town”).
- Most assignments are at the secondary level (grades 7-12) but there are often openings teaching kindergarten and primary aged learners. Please briefly indicate your student age preferences below as either primary, secondary, or university. Or, write “no preference.”
Teach in Thailand Professional
- Is English your first language? (If so, please write “yes” and skip to the next question). If English is not your first language, please provide a thorough description of your background with the language. Why do you feel you are a good candidate to teach English to others?
- How does the Teach in Thailand program meet your short-term and long-term goals?
- What are your perceptions of Thailand? Why do you think you will be successful living and working independently in Thailand?
- What previous teaching, tutoring, or other related experience do you have? Why are you a good candidate to teach English?
- Describe a situation you have experienced in which you had to make cultural adaptations. What skills or qualities did you draw upon to be successful?
- Participants are sometimes placed in schools without other westerners. How will you act and what characteristics and/or strategies will help you avoid isolation and cope with homesickness?
- Placement Request: Please keep in mind that placements are made on a rolling basis – the earlier CIEE receives your application, the better chances are that your requests will be met.
- The Teach in Thailand program strives to place applicants in their preferred environment, but final hiring decisions are made by the individual schools in Thailand based on candidates’ qualifications and school needs. The need for English teachers exists throughout the country in urban, town, and rural areas - with the majority of teaching placements at schools in inland settings. Please briefly indicate your placement preferences below. Feel free to mention specific locations (ex: ”1-Chiang Rai, 2-Trang”) or general preferences (ex: “town”).
- Most assignments are at the secondary level (grades 7-12) but there are often openings teaching kindergarten and primary aged learners. Please briefly indicate your student age preferences below as either primary, secondary, or university. Or, write “no preference.”
Teach in Vietnam
- Is English your first language? (If so, please write "yes" and skip to the next question). If English is not your first language please provide a throrough description of your English-acquisition history as well as a statement about why you feel you are qualified to teach English to others.
- How does the Teach in Vietnam program meet your short-term and long-term goals?
- What are your perceptions of Vietnam? Why do you think you will be successful living and working independently in Vietnam?
- What previous teaching, tutoring, or other related experience do you have? Why are you a good candidate to teach English?
- Describe a situation you have experienced in which you have had to make cultural adaptations. What skills or qualities did you draw upon to be successful?
- Although Eastern cultures value collectivism, the sense of isolation felt while in the East can be immense. How will you act and what characteristics and/or strategies will help you avoid isolation and cope with homesickness?
- Positions are available in many different locations. If you have a preference of the size of city you would like to work in, please state so here.
- Teachers typically work with students at the university level, however positions are also frequently available at the primary and secondary level. Please briefly indicate your student age preferences below as either primary, secondary, or university. Or, write "no preference."
Teach in Vietnam: The Basics
- Is English your first language? (If so, please write "yes" and skip to the next question). If English is not your first language please provide a throrough description of your English-acquisition history as well as a statement about why you feel you are qualified to teach English to others.
- How does the Teach in Vietnam program meet your short-term and long-term goals?
- What are your perceptions of Vietnam? Why do you think you will be successful living and working independently in Vietnam?
- What previous teaching, tutoring, or other related experience do you have? Why are you a good candidate to teach English?
- Describe a situation you have experienced in which you have had to make cultural adaptations. What skills or qualities did you draw upon to be successful?
- Although Eastern cultures value collectivism, the sense of isolation felt while in the East can be immense. How will you act and what characteristics and/or strategies will help you avoid isolation and cope with homesickness?
- Positions are available in many different locations. If you have a preference of the size of city you would like to work in, please state so here.
- Teachers typically work with students at the university level, however positions are also frequently available at the primary and secondary level. Please briefly indicate your student age preferences below as either primary, secondary, or university. Or, write "no preference."
- Application materials can take 2-4 weeks to process in peak application periods
- Supplementary materials are due by the application deadline.
Acceptance Decision
- For rolling admissions programs, made 2-4 weeks after application is marked complete by CIEE. Competetive porgams are evaluated after the program deadline.
- CIEE does not process applications for the following departure until the current departure has finished (ex: 2012 Spain applications will not open until after the 2011 group is in Spain.)
Participation Confirmation
- Payment receipt begins placement efforts by CIEE
School Placement
Visa Paperwork processed
Why? Who? Where?
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