Frequently Asked Questions

We are here to serve you! Call one of our Candidate Counselors today to have your questions answered or hear about their experiences teaching in Asia.

1. Do I need to have teaching experience?
2. Do I serve with a team?
3. Is this a paid position?
4. What do the program costs cover?
5. Do I have to speak the language?
6. Will I be given a place to live?
7. What type of medical insurance is provided?
8. What about my college loans?
9. Do you provide newsletter and communication support?
10. Do you provide financial support management?
11. Is my transportation included?
12. Do I get to participate in your annual conference?
13. What if I have only one year available?
14. When will I learn of my acceptance?
15. What does serving with a family look like?
16. Is schooling available on the field?
17. What field support does ELIC provide for teachers and their families?
18. I’m getting a security certificate error when I try opening one of your forms. What should I do?

1. Do I need to have teaching experience?
No, ELIC is committed to providing the best possible pre-field orientation/training for our new teachers. Orientation includes training in Asian culture, cross-cultural communication, teaching, cross-cultural sharing and team building.

During the month of August, new ELIC teachers who will be in China or Southeast Asia will earn a TEFL Certificate issued by Wheaton College as part of the overall Orientation program. The Certificate will be awarded upon completion of training in three subject areas: 1) Classroom Dynamics Practicum in TESOL, 2) Introduction to TEFL Methodology, and 3) Asian Culture and Communication.

As part of the Classroom Dynamics Practicum course, each new ELIC teacher will have an opportunity to practice teaching Asian students in a classroom setting, as well as be observed by and receive feedback/coaching from experienced ELIC teacher-mentors during the practice teaching segment.

Each new teacher will be awarded a TEFL Certificate upon completion of Orientation requirements. Each teacher may choose between two levels of participation, Certificate Credit or Graduate Credit.


2. Do I serve with a team?
Yes. With ELIC, you are never sent alone. Teams range in size from two to eight or more. ELIC staff members thoughtfully put together each team to better ensure a quality experience for all.


3. Is this a paid position?
ELIC teachers develop partners for financial support to serve overseas. Teachers in China receive a monthly salary in domestic currency from their host institution, which is more than enough to cover basic living expenses. Teachers in all countries may select a financial profile that allows for a standard monthly stipend in hard currency. 


4. What do the program costs cover?
ELIC's all inclusive financial profile includes the following provisions: a monthly personal allowance, housing & utilities, transportation, medical care, ongoing Asia support, North American support services, complete training, annual Thailand conference, team placement and curriculum resources. Actual program costs are substantially higher than the amount ELIC teachers are required to raise. ELIC is able to offset these costs through significant donations from friends and foundations.


5. Do I have to speak the language?
It is not necessary to know the language of your host country in order to teach. National students in all programs are able to speak at least basic English. However, most teachers find that their experience is more rewarding and fruitful when they are able to gain an understanding of the language and culture in which they teach. Because of this, it is ELIC’s hope that all teachers will pursue language study to the best of their ability within the context of their assignment.


6. Will I be given a place to live?
Yes. ELIC teachers live either on or off campus in their own apartment, which is equipped with cooking facilities. Accommodations vary depending on country and program, but ELIC works hard to find suitable housing that meets our requirements for our teachers.


7. What type of medical insurance is provided?
While your host institution in Asia provides basic medical care, ELIC provides additional medical insurance that includes options for emergency medical evacuation and care outside of your assigned country, if required. ELIC also provides a life insurance policy and Foreign Workers Compensation. Canadian teachers are insured by the CCCC, Expatriate Insurance Plan and includes medical, life and dental insurance, LTD and Medical Evacuation Assistance.


8. What about my college loans?
The reality of college loans is no longer a valid reason for postponing meaningful service in Asia. Through our College Loan Repayment Plan, participants may elect to raise additional financial support above the standard profile so that approved college loans may be repaid while they serve in Asia. Most student loans can also be deferred either through ELIC or, for those participating in one of the ELIC graduate programs, through your graduate school. Loans can be deferred for one year at a time, and you can renew them annually by submitting applicable loan deferment forms each service year. You may contact your lender regarding which loan deferment would be applicable to you.


9. Do you provide newsletter and communication support?
Yes. ELIC provides a complete newsletter service, including typing, formatting, printing and mailing of your newsletter on a monthly basis. You'll also receive full-color photo cards to distribute to your support team.


10. Do you provide financial support management?
Yes. We'll handle all receipting, tracking and acknowledging of donations for you before you leave for Asia, while you're there, and for as long as needed after you return.


11. Is my transportation included?
Yes. Complete transportation is provided from your home city in North America to your host institution in Asia and back to your home city. Also included is an allowance for semester break travel. 


12. Do I get to participate in your annual conference?
Yes. As a participant in our University Teaching Program, you'll enjoy an enriching week of rest, fellowship and ongoing training in Thailand during the mid-winter break. All conference expenses are covered, including transportation to and from your home in Asia.


13. What if I have only one year available?
We have one-year opportunities to serve with our vibrant team in Laos.


14. When will I learn of my acceptance?
You will usually hear in two to three weeks after we have received your completed application packet. We will do everything possible to screen your application and arrive at a decision in a timely manner.

15. What does serving with a family look like?
Teachers with families are a vital part of our outreach in Asia. It is amazing how parenting and the influence of children increases our outreach to Asian students! Currently, ELIC has more than 60 families serving throughout East Asia. One spouse assumes a full-time teaching role, while the other spouse is responsible for the care and, in many cases, the schooling of children. Each member of the family has a unique role in Asia, and each has the opportunity to interact with the students and members of the university community.

16. Is schooling available on the field?
ELIC teachers are responsible for providing both the materials and the instruction of their children. Most teachers home-school their children, and some families choose to use North American-based computer curriculum for their children. In addition to their homeschool curriculum, many children also attend classes in the national classroom during the week, where they can benefit from being immersed in the local language and culture.

17. What field support does ELIC provide for teachers and their families?
ELIC values team health and the well-being of all our teachers on the field. ELIC provides pre-field resources to help aid your family’s adjustment to overseas living, and several staff members take the role of providing family support on the field. Each team receives regular visits from staff members who observe classes and meet one-on-one with team members to discuss any team-related or individual issues. Staff will also meet with the team as a whole and give counsel when necessary, and each family receives an annual visit from staff trained in family care. ELIC provides childcare during teacher orientation and a comprehensive children’s program during the Annual Thailand Conference that all ELIC teachers and their families attend.

18. I’m getting a security certificate error when I try opening one of your forms. What should I do?
If you feel comfortable, go ahead and proceed, bypassing the warning. Our site wants to direct you to a secure form so your information is kept safe, and some browsers (specifically we’ve found it in Safari for Mac) aren’t willing to recognize our forms as what they are: secure. We assure you that it’s safe, and the problem is a bug in communication with the browser rather than a bug in our security. If you’re still not sure, try opening the form in another web browser (we suggest Firefox for Mac and Internet Explorer for PC), or feel free to email .