Teach Abroad

Whether you’re looking for a change in career or just some extra money while travelling, teaching English abroad offers the experience of a lifetime!

Best Teach Abroad Programs

Reasons to Teach Abroad

Teaching English overseas can be an exciting and fulfilling experience, whatever the reason.

All over the world, in virtually every country, there are people just like you living their dream as an English teacher. Some want to live overseas, experience another culture and learn another language. Some are there to gain valuable international experience for their future. Some are there to earn money and start a new career.

You too could seize this opportunity and embark on a new adventure. You could take a break from what you have been doing or carve a new path for years to come, exploring new places, finding inspiration and immersing yourself in new worlds. While you are enjoying your path you will at the same time be assisting others become proficient in the English language, which in turn will provide greater opportunities for them.

Fluent speakers of the English language have an endless pool of job opportunities available in various different countries. While many people have ambitions to travel the world, it can often be expensive to travel for long periods of time.

Teaching while you travel can provide an extra source of income, while enabling you with the opportunity to learn more about your chosen destination. Some travel jobs abroad can be unfavourable, but teaching English in a foreign country offers a rewarding career, which enables you to do something rewarding, make new friends from all over the world, go sightseeing and embark on unforgettable adventures, while you earn!

So why don’t you take that next step and join other adventurers in the country of your dreams? There is a growing need for English teachers worldwide, so you get to choose where you would like to share your skills and develop your abilities.

The trickiest choice might be ~ where do I want to start? Well our site offers you loads of information to support you to make your decision. Here you will find valuable information on how to become an English teacher along with information on numerous countries to excite you and help you to find the answer of where it is you’d like to be.

Destinations

Browse all opportunities by continent:

• Africa • Asia • Europe • Oceania • Central America • North America • South America • Middle East

Teaching Abroad FAQ

1. Is It Necessary to Speak a Foreign Language?
NO! Even if you can speak the local language, you are not supposed to speak in the classroom! The students have paid for full immersion in English so if, for example, you are in China and you speak fluent Chinese it doesn’t affect your job prospects at all. Your level of English is the only language criteria that is necessary.

2. How Much Can I Earn Teaching Abroad?
This depends on what country you wish to teach in. In public school in Korea the pay is on average $1,500 per month while in China on average is roughly $2000 per month plus free accommodation or rent allowance. In Saudi Arabia and UAE you could expect to earn about 3,000 US Dollar.

3. What Qualifications Do I Need to Teach Overseas?
A degree in any discipline in most cases is sufficient for China and South Korea. A 120 hour online TEFL course is also needed for most roles in China and South Korea. For International Primary and Secondary Schools in places like the UAE and Saudi Arabia you will need to be a qualified Primary or Secondary School Teacher. For English language schools in Saudi Arabia and the UAE you will need to be qualified in Celta or Tesol teacher.

4. What Age Do I Have To Be?
You must be aged between 18 and 55 in most cases.

5. Can I teach if English Isn’t my First Language?
Yes, although some countries have more strict requirements than others.

6. When Do Jobs Start?
Teaching vacancies are advertised all year round and can begin every month.

7. How Long Will I Need To Commit To?
Most recruiters will require at least one school year (10-12 months).

8. What Do I Do About Visas?
Once you have been accepted to a position you will receive a letter of acceptance from your school. Once you have this and a clean police record getting a visa is easy. You will usually be offered help by a visa agency who will collect and organise all your documentation and help you through the process step by step.

9. What Are Typical Working Conditions?
Hugely dependent on the school or university. It can range from air-conditioned lecture halls with electronic white boards to wooden huts in 40 degree heat and 50 students! Just make sure you know what you’re getting yourself into before you commit.

10. What About Travel Costs and Accommodation?
In most cases your school will provide you with accommodation or issue you with a rent allowance. Some schools they will refund the price of your flights when you complete your contract. This is usually paid as a bonus for completing your contract. Initially you will have to pay for your own flights. Take a look at the flight section of this site to see how much it will cost for you to travel to your chosen destination.

11. What Will My Students Be Like?
Depending on the calibre of school, your class size could range from 6-40 people. Often first time English teachers end up teaching primary school kids but if this isn’t what you want then you can easily find schools with adult learners

12. What Happens If I Really Hate the Job or the Country?
This one is easy – leave! especially for people who have never lived away from home so the schools are very understanding and they will send you off with a friendly handshake, a decent reference and unforgettable memories

13. Do I need to do a TEFL course?
For some destinations it is in most cases essential. If you would like to do an online TEFL course (120 hour) this is easy to book and are very affordable. This can be done in your own time at home. Please take a look at the TEFL certification section of our site. In some countries a TEFL certificate is not needed. However completing a TEFL course will really make teaching easier if you choose to teach there.

If you have any questions that have not been answered here then please don’t hesitate to contact one of our team.