Teaching English abroad has a wide array of benefits. In addition to discovering new places, it’s a great way to engage with different cultures, make friends from different parts of the world. You don’t need to be a native speaker, either. You can qualify through a Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL) certification program. There are so many ways to use your English language skills, why not use it to fund your travel experience?
Curious to know the best places to go? Click on to find out.
Have you ever wanted to travel the world but don’t know how you could make that happen? What if your language skills could help you do that?
Teaching English abroad is a great way to get to live in a different country and experience a different culture for a prolonged period.
A great benefit of teaching as a modality for your travel plans is that it’s not just an extended time off, but rather, you’re building your resume while enjoying the benefits of cultural exchange.
Finding a paid teaching program is a great place to start. Often, these institutions will also help you settle in and facilitate housing and other needs that will come up.
Teaching while traveling is a good option for those who can’t just take off on an adventure without a paycheck coming in.
Often, these programs will have a few requirements that you’ll need to fulfill in order to qualify for the candidacy.
For native English speakers, you might just need a Bachelor’s degree to apply for the role. The degree doesn’t need to be in any specific subject, but the obtainment of higher education is usually a prerequisite.
Some schools may require that you are a certified teacher before applying for their program. You can look into teacher certification programs to see if that would be an option for you.
Other programs may require you to obtain a Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL) certification, which is a good tool to help develop your teaching skills.
Non-native English speakers with a strong command of the language may be required to take either a TEFL course or complete some sort of assessment to demonstrate their language skills.
Some countries are more attractive to prospective teachers than others. Variances in terms of salaries, safety, and cost of living may be important points to consider when thinking of where you’ll go.
Regardless, the demand is significant for foreign teachers to provide high-quality English-language education around the world.
So what are you waiting for? Pack your bags and check out this list of the 10 best countries to teach English abroad.
Vietnam is one of the most attractive countries for those seeking to teach English abroad. The demand for English language education is quite high.
In Vietnam, you can look for opportunities in public and private schools, as well as in language centers that provide immersive learning experiences.
Next on the list is Thailand. While you might not be teaching English on one of its dreamy islands, you’ll be able to have frequent, quick getaways from the country’s big cities.
Particularly in Bangkok, there is a strong demand for foreign teachers, especially in the many international schools the city hosts.
Spain is another country that attracts a lot of English teachers. The demand is extremely high throughout the country.
Often, you’ll be able to find a teaching post with just a Bachelor’s degree. If you don’t have a degree, you’ll definitely need the TEFL certification to teach English in Spain.
South Korea is considered one of the best countries to relocate to for teaching. A typical contract includes airfare, vacation, and a comfortable salary.
South Korea boasts one of the largest markets for TEFL teachers, providing attractive benefits, cool cities to explore, and a reasonable cost of living.
Mexico is another option for those seeking to teach English abroad. Often, institutions do require that you hold the TEFL certification.
While salaries for foreign language teachers aren’t particularly high in Mexico, the cost of living is low, so making ends meet isn’t a problem for most teachers.
Japan also makes the list for best countries to teach English abroad. Among the Japanese, fluency in English is quite low, making international business a challenge in some contexts.
Therefore, the demand for English teachers in the country is quite high. Teachers can earn a good salary and live comfortably, especially outside the big cities.
Germany is one of the best countries to teach English abroad in. Most teaching jobs are in private language schools, but you can also provide private lessons, as the market is quite attractive.
Germany has a high demand for English teachers. While other countries have a rolling basis for teaching jobs, in Germany, it’s easier to find posts at the beginning of the school year (September) or beginning of the year (January).
Colombia is another great option for teaching English abroad. You’ll likely need a teacher’s certification to qualify for the posts.
Average salaries mirror that of the average teacher’s salary in the US, while the cost of living is generally much lower.
Last but not least is China. There is a great deal of demand for English teachers in the country, but be warned, the market is quite competitive as many teachers wish to travel to China.
Sources: (World TESOL Academy) (The TELF Org) (World Population Review) (Teacher Horizons) (Teach Away)
See also: These celebs were teachers before they were famous
The best countries for teaching English abroad
Travel the world by putting your teaching skills to use.
TRAVEL Professions
Teaching English abroad has a wide array of benefits. In addition to discovering new places, it’s a great way to engage with different cultures, make friends from different parts of the world. You don’t need to be a native speaker, either. You can qualify through a Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL) certification program. There are so many ways to use your English language skills, why not use it to fund your travel experience?
Curious to know the best places to go? Click on to find out.