Teaching English Abroad – What Countries Are Hiring Now?

Teaching English abroad as a foreign language remains one of the most unique ways to explore the world and see the sights. However, what should you know if you are going to attempt such an undertaking? Well, we feel you should know which locations are hiring these days to stand the best chance at getting yourself a job. Let’s take a look at what you need to know. 

Why Teach English Abroad?

When it comes to teaching English as a foreign language in any part of the world, the truth is that there is a high demand for your skillset in 2024 and beyond. The great thing about the world right now is that COVID-19 is a thing of the past, and the job markets have opened up in a big way. 

Roughly 375 million people around the world choose to learn English as a foreign language. This means that the TEFL industry creates about 100,000 jobs every year. You could be one of those people, and honestly, it is well worth doing.

The great thing about teaching English as a foreign language is that you have many opportunities. You can choose where you live and work, so you can see the world no matter what you want to do. Furthermore, many TEFL teachers can maintain a high standard of living by embracing local lifestyles and earning a good teaching salary. 

How to Teach English Abroad

Before you can go ahead and get started teaching English as a foreign language, there are a few things to keep in mind. You’ll need a few things before you can crack on with teaching – here’s a basic list for most countries. 

A TEFL Certification 

First and foremost, one of the most important requirements for any TEFL job is to have a good TEFL certification. We offer plenty of those. Your qualification is a key part of ensuring that you present yourself as being qualified, experienced and worth hiring. 

You’ll want to make sure that you get your qualifications from a reputable source. We’re happy to help with this! 

A Visa or Work Permit

Whether you need a visa or a work permit will depend on where you want to teach, what you want to do with yourself, and where you’re coming from. Most countries need a working visa for their new TEFL teachers, but the exact requirements can vary. If you live near an embassy for the country you want to visit, it’s worth chatting. 

Other Qualifications

Some countries require you to have other types of qualifications if you want to live and work in the country. Most of the time, these qualifications take the form of a degree. However, it can be in pretty much any field you choose. 

Proficiency in English 

If you’re going to teach English as a foreign language, you should probably speak it fluently. It’ll make a big difference to how well your career goes! You should have a C1 level or relative fluency in English to be able to teach it properly. 

The Best Countries to Teach English as a Foreign Language

China

First up on our list of destinations to teach English as a foreign language is China. From Beijing to Shanghai, China is a unique place to live, regardless of where you go. 

If you want to teach English in China, you’ll need a bachelor’s degree along with your TEFL certification. You’ll make the equivalent of $1500 to $2000 per month, which is enough for a good standard of living.

Japan 

Over the last few years, we’ve seen a massive uptick in the number of TEFL teachers, and the area continues to increase in popularity each year.

There are plenty of reasons to love life in Japan – it’s every bit as beautiful and contrasting as the media depicts it to be – you’ll see modern and futuristic technology seamlessly blend in with traditional ideas and concepts. Plus, the salary is pretty good for a teacher. 

The qualifications for teaching in Japan can be a bit strict—this is a place for experienced teachers. You’ll need to get an instructor’s visa or a visa for what is classed as “humanities specialist / international services.” To get either of these visas, you’ll need a bachelor’s degree and your TEFL certificate. You’ll also need to submit a job offer as part of your visa application. 

South Korea

South Korea has earned a reputation as one of the oldest TEFL countries to teach in, and it isn’t difficult to see why. There’s an attractive compensation package for most jobs, along with plenty of demand for TEFL teachers. 

If you want to teach in South Korea, you’ll need your degree and TEFL certification. It’s worth noting that this can be a tough teaching career—the hours can be long, but you’ll get a lot of experience. 

Morocco 

Morocco is one of the more recent places to start offering a TEFL industry, but it has done so out of necessity – the country is trying to keep up with the massive tourist industry it is entertaining every year. 

The demand for English-speaking natives is prevalent in places everywhere, from the universities to state schools and especially in business, where business English is in heavy demand. If you teach in Morocco, you’ll experience a unique fusion of European, Arabic and North African culture.

You’ll generally need to have a level 5 TEFL certificate, which we offer. You can expect to get a contract for about 25 hours of teaching a week. 

Vietnam 

If you’re a new teacher, Vietnam is the place to go. It’s one of the most appealing places for backbackers and nomads – the cost of living is low and teaching jobs pay well while being easy enough to get into. 

The expat community has a strong presence in Vietnam, and they appreciate the country’s very relaxed, highly enjoyable nature. Plus, the fact that so many people have made Vietnam their home often helps to reassure anyone who is new and nervous about teaching English abroad. 

Thailand 

Thailand has a reputation for being a paradise which is pretty welcoming for visitors and permanent guests alike. There are a lot of TEFL jobs on offer and it’s pretty easy to learn how the local culture works. Plus, the whole area is in a convenient location for exploring Asia during your free time.

Now, here’s the thing about teaching in Thailand—it is one of those places that requires a degree in addition to your TEFL qualification. However, that’s not such a bad thing. The average salary may not seem much—about $1200 in USD—but the overall cost of living is super slow. You can have a pretty nice life in Thailand on your salary, and that’s not including any tutoring you do on the side to improve your income. 

Lots of people point out that despite feeling like a poorer country overall – relative to others in Asia – the transport system is still modern, and when you get past the grittier exterior than other places, you’ll be pleasantly surprised by what you find. 

Spain 

It shouldn’t come as a surprise to anyone that there is a strong TEFL presence in Europe. After all, as nearly all the natives of each country speak English as a second or third language, learning it is a priority and not everyone can do it in schools. Spain is just one example of a place where you could make it as a TEFL teacher. 

The bulk of TEFL positions in Spain are in language schools or privately run summer camps. It’s still a good way to make a living, so it’s worth looking into. You’ll need a TEFL certificate to teach in Spain, but you don’t need a bachelor’s degree (it is helpful, though).

As Spain is part of the EU, anyone coming from outside of Europe may find that it is harder to get a visa than they might first assume. However, don’t be discouraged—most people can get their applications approved. 

Those who put down roots in Spain will tell you it’s a cheap place to live with good weather. Most of them finished work by mid-afternoon, opening up some opportunities to explore the local area and relax at the same time. 

Taiwan

Taiwan is not quite the same as Thailand, although they sound similar. Living and teaching in Taiwan is a good opportunity though, so it is worth checking out. 

If you’re a TEFL teacher in Taiwan, you’ll be able to make between $2000 and $3000 a month—not including tutoring on the side. The cost of living in the area is pretty low, so it’s not hard to have a nice life while you’re there. 

There are a LOT of incentives for TEFL teachers in Taiwan. First of all, many contracts include things like housing and healthcare as part of the deal, and your earning potential can go up with more experience. Schools in Taiwan definitely take care of their employees. 

UAE

The UAE is a good place to live and work as a TEFL teacher, especially for those with good qualifications. 

The first and most obvious benefit of working in the UAE is that you’ll get a good salary and barely pay any tax, if any at all. However, it’s also a beautiful place to live and work, and it’s very modern—all the comforts of home are probably available. 

If you want to teach in the UAE, your best bet is to have a bachelor’s degree, a TEFL certificate, and some teaching experience. However, it’s well worth it, as your salary could hit €5000 each month. 

France

If you’re a hopeless romantic at heart, then you’ll want to take a look at the country of France for your next TEFL job. French is a place that’s honestly just good for the soul – the food is delicious, the culture is everywhere and the landscapes are gorgeous. 

If you want to be able to teach English in France, then you’ll need to try and get yourself a TEFL qualification and a bachelor’s degree. If you’re in the EU, the standard rules apply, if not, check the specific entry requirements for your country. 

Costa Rica

Costa Rica is a place where the cost of living isn’t too high and it’s easy to find yourself a good teaching job that will pay the bills and give you time to kick back and enjoy the simple things in life.

Although Costa Rica’s average salary is lower than that of many places, it’s not about the money—it’s about the experiences. You’ll be pleased to know that, in keeping with this attitude, you don’t need a degree—but your teaching experience is preferred, and the TEFL certification is still a must. 

The Honourable Mention – Teaching Online

Teaching English online is the honourable mention for this list because it is easy to find a job when you don’t have geographical limits. As long as you have an internet connection and are willing to be a little flexible, you can teach anywhere you’d like and in any way you’d like. 

Final Thoughts

The beauty of TEFL right now is that there are jobs in most places across the world. There’s usually a need for English in one form or another, which helps keep you in a job. However, it isn’t just about the role you take; it’s also about the experiences you have. You need to be able to enjoy yourself and see the sights, and that’s a lot easier when you pick the right place. Don’t be afraid to do a bit of research and find what is best for you.