How to Teach English Overseas
A great way to travel the world and fund your travels is to teach English overseas.
If you want to spend a long time in a destination, teaching English is a popular option for overseas travelers looking to earn funds and reside outside of their home countries.
English teaching offers individuals the chance to travel to exotic locations, learn a new culture, and earn some extra cash.
How to teach English overseas
We both had the good fortune to teach English overseas in Bangkok, Thailand for six months. Caz went through one of the teach English abroad programs and got her TEFL certification, whilst Craig had no experience and no certification.
Some schools want to submerge their students in English and want your Western presence in their schools.
Teach English Abroad Programs (mentioned at bottom of this post) are numerous and do not require that you speak the local language.
Even if you have no teaching experience, you can still find work if you get your TEFL certification.
The Opportunities for teaching English overseas
Your ability to teach English overseas varies tremendously around the world. Your best bet would be to consider Asia as they have a wide availability of jobs, the pay is better than anywhere else, and the cost of living is generally low.
Teaching English abroad is not always easy and there are times you wish you never got involved, but if you place yourself in a location which you are interested in, it makes it so much easier to get out and explore, to meet local people, and to deal with any culture shock issues.
Even if you don’t intend to make teaching a career, the experience of teaching English overseas looks great on your resume, and the experiences of interacting with the locals will last a lifetime.
Dinner with Thai friends in Bangkok
Depending on where you go and what type of job you want, the qualifications needed will vary as will the pay. In some of the top positions, benefits can include airfare and housing.
Here is a detailed list of the ins and outs of teaching English overseas…
1. What are the requirements of teaching English overseas?
2. What is TEFL, ESL,TESL, and TESOL?
3. Where to Teach English overseas
4. Benefits of teaching English overseas
5. Can I teach without a degree?
6. Types of Schools
7. TEFL Tips
8. Courses.
9. Jobs boards, Teach English Abroad Programs, and Volunteering.
1. What Are the Requirements for teaching English abroad?
- Be a native English speaker.
- Have a bachelor’s degree, generally from a 4 year accredited university.
- Have TEFL certification/teaching degree. If you have TEFL certification your chances of getting hired increase greatly. And a teaching degree almost guarantees you a position
2. What is TEFL, ESL,TESL and TESOL?
TEFL (Teaching English as a Foreign Language.) is a certification course to teach English around the world.
The program
- typically lasts for 120 hrs
- combines lectures and classwork with at least 6 hours of observed teaching practice
- is offered in many places around the world
- prices and quality vary depending on where you do the course
ESL stands for English as a Second Language. It’s basically the study of English by people who speak a different native language.
TESL stands for Teaching English as a Second Language.
TESOL is Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages.
3. Where to teach English overseas?
Locations for teaching English overseas include:
- Asia – mainly South Korea, Japan, Taiwan China, and Thailand
- Eastern Europe
- Latin America
- Middle East and North Africa
Teaching English abroad is a big industry and demand for teachers is growing, with the peak hiring season being around July for a September start.
Welcome to Thailand
When choosing a destination there are factors that you need to consider.
- Think about your travel interests and areas that fascinate you.
- Consider your nationality and what countries may have economic, political, or geographic ties to your own.
For example, if you are British you have a good chance of finding work in Europe without any visa or political issues, and also Africa. Whereas an American would find it easier in Asia and Latin America.
Now this is not set in stone, and as long as you are a native speaker, have TEFL certification or a teaching degree, then the opportunity to teach English abroad anywhere there is a demand will be greater.
4. Teaching English overseas: Benefits and salary
Salaries and benefits range from country to country, town to town, school to school, and if you are going through one of the teach English abroad programs, then program to program.
There are SO many variables like your qualifications and experience, the school’s budget, how many hours you work, the type of school etc.
Generally you can earn from $0 as a volunteer, up to around $60,000 per year for elite private schools. And most of the top paying schools expect you to sign a 2 year contract.
There are always exceptions, but generally speaking this is the norm.
Not all schools and countries offer you benefits, but some of the better ones do (especially international schools).
Benefits can include:
- Free round trip airfare (usually refunded at the end of your contract).
- Free Accommodation (type and size will vary)
- One month’s severance package
5. Can I teach English overseas without a degree?
It’s possible to be in the right place at the right time and to find work without a degree. This is rare and not a recommended path.
There are people working without degrees or TEFL certification, and generally in the rural areas where it’s harder for schools to recruit qualified individuals.
6. Types of English schools overseas
Government Schools
Government schools are probably the most reliable. You will get paid, have some level of support, and the school probably won’t close anytime soon! However, they are usually the worst paying jobs.
Language Schools
You should get much better pay here than a government school. For example, Caz worked at a language school in Bangkok on a Saturday, and her pay for one day there was equivalent to half-a-months pay from her full-time government school position.
Also, your schedule and curriculum should have more flexibility, and the resources will be much better. The negatives are that your job may not be as secure and they don’t always deliver what they promise so do your research.
Private Schools
Offer better pay than Government schools, and the students may be slightly better, but you will probably have less flexibility than a language school. Once again, there are good and bad private schools, so do your research and try and speak to current or former teachers.
International Schools
Usually the top of the range schools.The students are children of international expats, diplomats, or very rich locals. Curriculum should be close to or the same as your country of origin.
Teaching should be similar to at home, and obviously most of the students should speak fluent English and be motivated. The pay at International schools should be the best you can get, with added benefits like airfare, accommodation etc thrown in.
The negative is that competition for these jobs is tough, prospective teachers are highly qualified, you are required to sign 2 year contracts, and openings are few and far between.
And like other schools, there are good and bad International schools, and “fake” international schools.
A good guide as to whether it’s a “true” international school is to look at the enrollment of students and the ratio of international kids to locals.
Some International schools advertise themselves as such, but they mainly have local students and are therefore a glorified private school.
Corporate Training
These jobs typically pay very high, the students will be adults who want to learn, your schedule can be somewhat flexible, and the work could last a few months. Hours are usually before or after business hours. These jobs are also typically hard to get and require experience.
With my students in Bangkok
7. TEFL Tips
- Expand Your Circle of Friends – make the effort to not only interact with the natives of the country you are in, but also the other English teachers from all over the globe.
- It’s a Career With Growth Opportunities – if you are passionate enough about teaching English overseas, you can get a Master’s degree and learn how to teach other teachers.
- Learn Another Language – take the opportunity to learn the language of your chosen country, at least be conversational.
- Go Abroad With an Organization – if it’s your first time teaching abroad, you may find going with one of the credible Teach English abroad programs the best way.
- Take the Good With the Bad – there will be fun and easy days and difficult times as well. Take the good with the bad and understand that YOU signed up for this.
- Open Your Eyes – take off the blinkers and see life from other people’s perspectives.
- Make a New Start – turn it into an opportunity to leave your past behind and create an entirely new life.
- Go Somewhere Fun – make sure you’re in a place where you can enjoy your leisure time and have some fun, otherwise, what’s the point?
- Travel Longer – use your hard earned money to travel much longer and don’t just blow it on meaningless things.
- Immerse Yourself in Culture – as a teacher you can be completely immersed in the culture, much more so than as just a traveller.
- High Turnover Rate – don’t be disappointed if you can’t find work straight away. There is a high rate of turnover so there are constantly jobs becoming available.
- Not For Everyone – be aware that teaching isn’t for everyone and those with limited patience, vacation time from home, or English skills may find more enjoyment in other jobs abroad.
- Make Extra Money Teaching on the Side – it’s quite possible that once you actually get to the country you’re teaching in, you’ll probably have many opportunities to make extra money as a private tutor.
- Don’t Be Book Heavy – don’t just rely on the book to do the teaching for you. Think up fun and creative ways to help your students learn the English language.
- It’s not all Easy – it’s not all fun and games, there are lesson plans to be prepared, unruly students to deal with, and paying ‘customers’ to be taught. Most teachers spend 1-3 years in the workplace after receiving certification.
- In-Class Experience – when looking to get qualified, search for a TEFL program that offers in-class teaching time. That way, you know what you’re doing before you step foot in the front of a classroom.
- Career Change Without University Costs – TEFL can be your career change that costs a lot less than going back to university. It’s a great way to combine travel, exploring and learning a new skill.
- Not just for backpackers: Teaching English isn’t just for backpackers. Retirees and people looking for a career change or break and those who wish to pursue English as a Second Language (ESL) degrees are also popular candidates for TEFL programs.
We attended a Buddhist ceremony at Wat Saket, Bangkok
8. Teaching English Courses
TEFL Institute – all your TEFL courses and information.
i-to-i – the world’s leading online and short course TEFL provider.
EBC International TEFL Certificate – accredited online and residential courses.
TEFL International – accredited courses and job placements.
Oxford Seminars – the leading provider of TESOL, TESL and TEFL certification.
American TESOL Institute – internationally recognized teacher training organization.
9. Jobs Boards, Teach English Abroad Programs, and Volunteering
ESL Job Project – made by ESL teachers for ESL teachers.
ESL Jobs World – created by David Rogers, who’s been active in the field of ESL since early 90′s.
Dave’s ESL Cafe – the ONE and ONLY for everything ESL.
Ajarn – Thailand’s number 1 TEFL site.
International Schools Services – learn about International schools.
Council of International Schools – more info on International schools.
Teach English in Asia – TEFL jobs around Asia.
Serious Teachers- International alliance of Teachers & Employers.
Working Abroad – how to become a traveling English teacher.
World Teach – volunteer teaching in Developing countries.
CIEE – teaching Chile, China, the Dominican Republic, South Korea, Spain, or Thailand.
The Beijinger -focused on China
Cross Cultural Solutions – a non-profit with over 25,000 participants.
Transitions Abroad – K-12 and University jobs.
Do you have any other tips on how to teach English overseas?
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35 comments on “How to Teach English Overseas”
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Hi! We’re Caz and Craig…
Our blog is about helping you to get inspired & informed to go travel, & travel more often Read On
I know a number of people who’ve done this and all have seemed to enjoy it. Teaching is a great way to justify (and pay for) extended travel, I just worry that it’s a type of Peter Pan plan for young people today.
IT is a fantastic way to pay for travel and to experience another culture. Maybe a Peter Pan plan is not such a bad idea!!
Thank you Caz and Craig for this really informative piece. We are planning to use TEFL as the key way to fund our overseas travel through Asia and your advice has helped us. We disagree with the previous comment, travel never needs to be justified, if you want to do it then that is reason enough. As for this being a “peter pan plan” we see teaching overseas as a much more rewarding and positive path, compared with sitting in an office cubicle at home in a so called “steady job”. Thanks again-great read
Awesome! You will have such a great time. It really is rewarding and a fantatic way to travel and experience other cultures. Enjoy it
Hello I am from India and I can say that I am good enough to teach English.I just want to clarify that are these opportunities good for Asians who want to teach English like me? Please reply .Travelling and teaching are the biggest things I want to do in my life…please reply!
I think the opportunity is there for anyone who can speak fluent English in order to be able to teach it. The only thing that could stand in your way would be working visas which is different for every country and nationality
So caz i have a question , i am american born in michigan and i have been living most of my life jn egypt , would this still count as being american ? (I have passport and ssn) and secondely , do i need a working permission to travel abroad ? I mean generally wether in a school or restaurant or cafe ? Do u have any idea about that ?
Hi Ismael, You would still be considered American if you have the passport. You would have to check the countries you want to teach in to find their working visa requirements. It’s different for each nationality and country. You would need a work visa for any country you want to work in
What about any other individual whose mother language is not English, but they can express themselves well, for example, I have a university degree in English Language Teaching. I have studied English practically all my life in Peru. What possibility do I have to teach English overseas, Caz?
I think you should be okay Felipe. If you are fluent in English and have those qualifications you should get work pretty easily.
Hi there Caz,
Thank you for this post.
I am not fortunate enough to have a degree to validate my intelligence but feel I am just as, if not more competent than degree-holders. My question is, would you recommend finding a job before arriving in Thailand and if so, do you have any job sites/resources you might recommend which are local. I feel as though the “TEFL” and “Teach Abroad” markets may be saturated with middlemen trying to capitalise from us “Peter Pan” aspirants and am trying to avoid being taken advantage of.
Thank you,
Aimee
Hi Aimee.
You could try to find a job before arriving in Thailand. I went over on a program that is no longer running unfortunately. I don’t really know any other resources. I did find my weekend teaching job via the Bangkok English paper. It was an awesome job as well.
I’m still in high school and I actually have thought about this before I came across this site. I have always wanted to travel and wanted to teach when i was younger and this sounds like it extends the experience. Would you recommend this for as a good career? There is a teacher at my school that actually came here to teach Spanish from Argentina. My last question is how do you teach English if you don’t know the countries language? This was a very helpful. Thank you.
Hi Vanessa! It’s so great you are thinking about this while still in high school. Teaching can be a wonderful career, especially if you really love it. I’d make sure it is something you are passionate about before jumping into it though as it takes a lot of dedication and commitment. It can be a high pressure and demanding job. It was a wonderful way for me to travel around the world.
Teaching English in another country when you don’t know the language is really challenging. But, it is the best way for students to learn the language as they aren’t relying on you to explain it in their language, they have to try and understand what you are teaching. You use a lot of sign language and role playing and simple repetition. The more exposure they get to English the more they will pick up. You can do courses that help teach you how to teach English as a foreign language. It is a really fun job.
Hi Caz, I have 30 years experience as a primary school teacher in NZ (I completed a three year Diploma in Teaching in the 1970s and I have a partly completed Bachelor of Education). Do you think I would have must success securing a job, as I don’t have a degree?
Thanks for your advice.
Hi Kim!
I think you will be able to secure a job teaching English no problem. It’s always best to do a TEFL course (100 hours will cover you) As for other teaching jobs I am unsure. You would have to research in the area you are thinking of teaching in to see what their educational requirements are. Good luck!
Good info, but I would recommend people consider Vietnam as a great destination. I taught there for two years and am about to return for another round. The ratio of pay to cost of living is about as good as it gets. With starting hourly wages at about $18-20. It also offers a very rich experience. I prefer the north to the south, but the whole country has a lot to offer.
Great advice Tyler! We love Vietnam and do prefer the north to the south as well. Awesome to hear the hourly wages, what a great opportunity and experience for those wishing to teach abroad
Thank you for this really great blog! Im looking to go travelling and i think this would be great! To teach english, how good do you have to be? i know that sounds like a stupid question. Im english and fluent, but my written english has never been brilliant, would this matter? or could this cause a problem? Thanks again!
Most of the teaching you do will be related to conversational English, so the written aspect should not matter so much.
Hi!
Thanks for all the info. I have a degree in English teaching– would I still need other certifications like CELTA or DELTA or TEFL etc??
It’s always best to get it just in case. Some countries or institutions have it as a requirement for teaching English, regardless of any other teaching degree you may have.
Thanks for all of the information! I am hoping to teach English in Peru and I am planning on getting my TEFL certification through the TEFL Institute. You had them listed above. Do you know if they have a good reputation? Do you have any tips on how to find a job before I complete the TEFL course?
Hi! I was wondering if there is a possibility to teach English overseas if you’re not a native English speaker?
I’m from Central America and I’m curretly majoring in TESL. I’ve always been interested in teaching English in one of these “Teach English Abroad” programs.
I don’t think it is a problem Guillermo as long as your English is fluent. I think it is great for students learning English to be exposed to different accents and nationalities
So you list what the acronyms stand for but you don’t really explain the difference and if there is an advantage of having one certificate over another? Is one certificate, say the TEFL, better than another such as the TESOL?
Am a Nigeria and I want to teach English in Vietnam but I don’t have a degree.
Like to know the best place to get to teach.
English is my favorite subject in school. Always has been, and always will! I love reading and writing! ^-^ Thank you for posting this! I’ll be a senior next year and I think I really want to go into this field.
hello.I have been teaching english for 7 years and i am from India. I have not certified with TEFL or ESL. But one thing sure I have good command and accent in english. is this enough to apply in abroad. plz suggest me.
Hi Ziauddin,
You really should get your TEFL. It is much easier to get work and most places probably won’t accept any teachers without it now.
Great tips! We’ve always thought we should look into teaching, as we both have experience and having all these resources in one place is priceless. You guys ROCK!
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Sorry to be picky here but there are a number of typos in the text and one thing I’ve learned as an English teacher for many years is that you need excellent English to be able to teach it!
“You’re ability to teach English overseas various tremendously around the world.”
“it’s makes it so much easier”
The point I’m making is that a lot of unqualified and untrained people think that just because they speak English they can teach it.
Nothing could be further from the truth. The idea of “backpacker” teachers is fading fast and schools are demanding higher standards.
Teaching English is no longer a paid holiday.
Jenny
ICAL TFL
Thanks for that Jenny. I appreciate your concern. However I have a teaching degree as well as TEFL and have taught around the world for 15 years. I’ve held leadership positions and have stellar references and results. While I certainly appreciate the need for good spelling, I am definitely not perfect. We punch out an extraordinary amount of content on this blog and have no editors looking over our shoulders. It is very easy when you are writing for 10 hours a day for a few mistakes to slip past, even though you may edit two or three times.
I am so incredibly grateful that we have tens of thousands of readers every month who really appreciate the value we provide to help them travel and enrich their lives. They focus on this and not a few errors here and there that really on the grand scheme of things are quite irrelevant. What I also love about our regular readers is the respect they show us if we do make a mistake–which on the grand scheme of being human, is really quite a normal thing to do– the contact us privately to let us know so we can correct it.
But again thank you for correcting it. I will go and fix those mistakes now. I am sure you will find lots of mistakes in this comment as well, but it will give you something to do to find them all. To be honest, I am too busy right now to even care to edit it. This comment is not a priority for me to do so.
As a teacher yourself you probably already know this, but one thing that I always learned through my training, but most importantly through my experience is that the greatest impact you will ever have upon a person’s growth is to do what you can to raise and support, not try to show them up to be an idiot. (It probably wasn’t the best way for you to highlight your TEFL course and slightly insulting to backpackers to write them off in such a way.)
I’ve taught many children who spent their lives failing in education, but because I put time and energy into believing in them and showing them all the wonderful things they could do, and helping them build strength in the areas they struggled in ( correcting their mistakes in private), they actually began to achieve success. I’ll never forget the beaming smiles they wore on their faces with each new win. Wow, to have that sort of impact as a teacher is amazing. I’ve met many an untrained teachers, some who were backpackers who had this magical ability. I’ve also met many teachers who had perfect spelling and grammar but lacked the magical quality needed to make a difference in the lives of their students. I sure as hell know who I would prefer for my child’s teacher.
It’s all about what people will remember you most for, wouldn’t you agree? But as a teacher who demands excellence I am sure you understand that already.
Hi Caz, i found your web page brilliant, i traveled to Thailand many times and loved Asia, i looked in to teaching there, i have a degree in printing but no TEFL training(i didnt get the training because the people i talked to said even with this training it is so hard to get work), would you agree and can you give me any more ideas of what to do ?.
thanking you Emmet
I would say do the training. It gives you that one extra thing to help you in getting a job. You want to arm yourself with as much as you can, especially if jobs are limited. They definitely won’t even look at you if you don’t have it because there will be plenty of others who will. It’s a great investment which you can use all around the world.