11 Best Countries To Teach English Abroad In 2024

But let’s take a step back first. Why should you teach English abroad in 2024?

• The TEFL jobs market is booming! There is a huge pent-up demand for TEFL teachers as countries have opened up after Covid restrictions. There are a reported 375 million English language learners all around the world. Approximately 100,000 TEFL jobs open up every year. Now that online learning has become so popular, the market for TEFL teachers has opened up even more. 
• Endless travel opportunities: Teaching English abroad is an easy, flexible way to travel the world and earn a living. Imagine being able to choose where you live and what kind of work you will do? With TEFL, you can.
• Living the best life: For the most part, TEFL teachers live very comfortable lives. They live modestly and save money to pay off debt back home, or they live like kings and queens off generous teaching salaries and cheap costs of living.
• Show me the money! Teaching English can be a very lucrative job. If money is your aim, there are certain countries you should target with your TEFL job applications.

But before you pack your bags (not yet!), there are certain requirements you need to teach English abroad. 

1. A TEFL certificate

The most important requirement for TEFL jobs is a TEFL qualification. The TEFL Academy offers TEFL courses which are not only developed by professional, experienced TEFL teachers, but are reputable, accredited and internationally recognised. 

Sign up for one of our courses and you’ll be supported every step of your TEFL journey by our dedicated team of TEFL tutors. 

2. A visa

The visa situation depends on where you are going to teach, and your nationality and passport. The majority of countries require a working visa to teach legally, but requirements vary from country to country. Other countries allow you to enter on a tourist visa, which can be later converted to a work permit. Chat to your local embassy to find out exactly what you need for wherever you are going.

3. A degree

Some countries require a Bachelor’s degree for a working visa. Generally speaking, this can be a degree in any field. In other words, your degree doesn’t have to be in English or Education or Teaching. It can be in Psychology or IT or Accounting.

4. English fluency

In many countries it’s not necessary to be a native English-speaker to teach English abroad. If you’re not a native speaker it’s usually sufficient to prove your English proficiency in a test result of C1 or higher, according to the CEFR. Alternatively, if you can show that your degree or schooling were at an English-medium institution, that’s also usually acceptable.

So now let’s get down to business! What are the best countries to teach English abroad?

Best for job opportunities

Living in China is an experience you won’t get anywhere else in the world, and this is one of the reasons TEFL teachers flock there. Whether it’s living the city life in Beijing, Shanghai or Guangzhou or opting for a more traditional existence in Xi’an, Hangzhou or Yangzhou, China offers plentiful jobs, good salaries and a guaranteed crazy adventure.

In order to teach in China you need to have a Bachelor’s degree and a TEFL certificate from a reputable provider. You can expect to earn between ¥10,000 and ¥20,000 ($1,500 – $2,000) a month.

Shannon Lawler’s Story

Shannon has been teaching English in a kindergarten in Beijing for over four years. She met her husband in China and they now have a son together. She says:

“Obviously, teaching can be tiring at times, but not a day goes by when I don’t get a good laugh or a smile. I feel that I have developed a lot as a person since coming to China to teach English: I have become more social, more confident, I have learnt a new language (yes I can speak Mandarin!), met great friends from all over the world, travelled far and wide and fallen in love with a new culture.”

Best for experienced teachers

Japan has been growing in popularity with TEFL teachers over the last few years. This could be down to the interesting blend of the traditional, the modern and the futuristic. It could be because of the cherry blossoms, weird vending machines, or the macaques in hot springs. More likely it’s because of the benefits and the generous salaries!

To teach English in Japan you need an Instructor’s visa or a Humanities Specialist/International Services visa. To get these visas, you need a Bachelor’s degree and preferably a TEFL certificate. You need to secure a job first so that your employer can send you a Certificate of Eligibility which you’ll use to apply for a visa. In Japan you can expect to earn between Y250,000 and Y300,000 ($1,800 and $2,200) a month, though this can be as much as Y600,000 ($4,500) if you work in a university.

Best if you’re not afraid of long hours

South Korea might be as old as the hills when it comes to TEFL destinations but it’s still got that x-factor. Attractive salaries coupled with a high demand for TEFL teachers ensure that it remains a firm favourite with TEFL teachers. 

To teach in South Korea you need a Bachelor’s degree and a TEFL qualification. The average teaching salary in South Korea is between ₩1.5 milliion and ₩4 million ($1,100 – $3,000). It can be a challenging teaching gig when it comes to working hours but if you’re looking to save your cents and get a ton of experience under your belt, South Korea is for you. 

Rea teaches kindergarten in Busan:

“The job is tiring, but I get a lot of time off too. I work Monday to Friday, nine until six and have every weekend off, plus a bunch of national holidays too. They have a holiday for everything in South Korea, including Budda’s birthday, Independence Day and even Children’s Day! 

All this free time has allowed me to explore South Korea. I have even had the opportunity to visit Japan which is just a short two hour ferry ride away from Busan. 

Teachers also get paid a lot in South Korea. Most schools offer you a free apartment and free round-trip airfare from your home country”. 

Best for immersing yourself in a different culture

Morocco is promoting English lessons in its school in a bid to cater to the recent boom in tourism. This demand can be found in universities, state schools, private language institutes, and corporations, where there is a need for Business English. Teaching in Morocco allows you to enjoy a blend of European, north African and Arabic cultures. 

To teach in Morocco, you need a Level 5 TEFL certificate. Contracts generally ask for 20-25 hours of teaching per week. Teachers can expect to earn between DH 4,000 and DH 10,000 ($400 and $950) a month.

Best for new TEFL teachers

Vietnam is undoubtedly a backpacker’s paradise. Teaching jobs are aplenty, salaries are good and the cost of living is low. Vietnam offers amazing opportunities for adventure and travel. 

Because of the laid-back vibes of this country, Vietnam is a great starting point for TEFL teachers. It has a large expat community – which some teachers find reassuring – and a huge number of foreign TEFL teachers.  Teachers earn between ₫23 million and ₫45 million ($1,000 and $2,000) a month.

Alana Redick’s Story:

The TEFL Academy alumna Alana is teaching English to Young Learners in Ho Chi Minh  in Vietnam. She says:

“Vietnam has a huge demand for English teachers as the economy explodes and therefore the pay is relatively high, and the benefits are fairly good because the schools compete for the best teachers. The country is also extremely naturally beautiful, the food is world class and it is slap bang in the centre of South East Asia so it is easy to travel.

The first week I had training with the other teachers and we got to watch TEFL teachers teach a class of grade 1 Vietnamese public school children. The school did a lot to prepare us for our first lesson by giving us books, props, lesson ideas and tips. I did feel nervous about teaching for the first time, given that I had no experience, but the amount of help I had from my school and The TEFL Academy tools, it wasn’t as daunting as I had initially thought it would be.”

Best for laid-back teachers

Thailand is known as the Land of Smiles – and who wouldn’t be smiling if you lived in this paradise? Besides the fact that there are a ton of TEFL jobs available, the lifestyle in Thailand is easy. With its location, it’s super easy to travel around Asia so an adventure is just a tuk-tuk ride away.

To teach English in Thailand you need a degree and a TEFL certificate. You can expect to earn between ฿ 25,000 and ฿ 40,000 ($700 – $1,200), but with the cost of a meal in a (local) restaurant averaging about ฿ 150 ($4.50) there is no doubt you can live a good life on a TEFL teacher’s salary.

Natalie teaches English in-house in Bangkok:

“Every day I feel blessed to live in this country. While the language is one of the more challenging to master, the people here will do all they can to help you. The cost of living is minimal, and the city is full of amazing food and places to visit. Every weekend we are spoilt for choice and visit new places all the time. 

While this country is still poorer than others in Asia you can still feel at home with its modern transportation system, skyscraper apartment buildings and world-class shopping centres. Bangkok sometimes gets a bad rap, but behind its gritty exterior, it’s a beautiful country and will constantly challenge you to experience new things.”

Best for sun worshippers

Sun, sangrias and siestas. If that makes you happy, you should hop on the bandwagon and go and teach in Spain. Spain is a popular tourist and expat destination, so it shouldn’t come as a surprise that it’s top of the list of TEFL destinations. 

The majority of TEFL positions in Spain are in language centres and on summer camps. A Bachelor’s degree is not required but a TEFL certificate is preferred. It’s not so easy for non-EU citizens to get a work visa, as Spain is an EU country. For those without an EU passport, you can look at government programs and language exchanges.

Salaries for TEFL teachers working in schools and language academies in Spain can range from €1,000 – €3,000 ($1,100 – $3,300) a month.

Saoirse is a TEFL Academy alumna from Ireland. She taught on a summer camp in Spain:

“Living in Spain was a dream in itself. The cost of living there is so cheap and the weather is another bonus. I finished work around 2.30 every day once I finished my planning for the following day. I would then walk to the beach and relax for the day. I really was living the life.”

Best for hard-working TEFL teachers

Taiwan (not the same as Thailand!) is an interesting place to live.  

A TEFL teacher in Taiwan makes NT$ 60,000 – NT$ 90,000 ($2,000-$3,000) on average a month. The higher your experience and qualifications, the higher your salary! The cost of living in Taiwan is low, so your salary can go far. As an added bonus, most contracts include flights, housing and healthcare. 

Best for teachers who want to save $$$

Another good financial opportunity is the United Arab Emirates. This is an especially good option for more experienced teachers or those with further qualifications. The obvious perk of working in the UAE is the very generous tax-free salary, but its natural beauty, ultra-modern metropolises and convenience of travel make it even more attractive for intrepid travellers. 

In order to teach in the UAE, you need to have a Bachelor’s degree, a TEFL certificate and a few years of teaching experience. Without a doubt, if you are looking to save up some money, then the UAE is where you should be looking for a job. Teaching English in the UAE you can earn around between AED 9,000 – AED 18,000 ($2,400 – $5,000 USD) a month.

Best for romantics

Are you seeking a romantic adventure amongst stunning landscapes, surrounded by history and architecture from across the ages? Do you want to immerse yourself in culture, mouth-watering food and exquisite wine? Then France is the place for you. 

To teach English in France you need a Bachelor’s degree, a TEFL certificate and preferably an EU passport. For non-EU citizens you can check your eligibility for the Teaching Assistant Program (TAPIF) or try to find work as an au pair. 

The average salary is between €800 and €2,000 ($790 – $2,000).

Best for the low cost of living

If surfing, volcanoes and lush vegetation is your vibe, you’ll feel right at home in Costa Rica. You can earn from ₡ 375,000 – ₡625,000 ($600 to $1,000) but your way of life in Costa Rica will remind you that there’s more to life than a paycheque. 

To teach in Costa Rica you need a TEFL certificate. Teaching experience is preferred but a degree is not needed. 

Best for flexibility

And of course we couldn’t complete this list without mentioning teaching English online. There’s a huge demand for online English teachers. Teaching jobs vary from working for an online English company to teaching private students in a freelance capacity. The beauty of online teaching is that you can teach from Brazil while your students are in Japan!

Maryse teaches English online:

“I’m a personal development blogger, a photographer, and an online undergraduate university student, and I’ve always imagined my long-term career to be quite similar to that of a digital nomad. Online language tutoring is a perfect way to complement my current work, and since I officially started, I love it!

“With my previous years of experience in blogging and my keen interest in digital marketing, setting up and managing a website seemed like a no-brainer. I initially created and shared flyers on social media, which advertised my teaching services, in different languages; English, French, Italian and Spanish. Non-native speakers would then be able to easily understand exactly what I was offering. I then took the leap and created another website, with a scheduling tool and a mailing list, for my teaching journey! 

In this way, I am able to be very flexible with regards to my time and terms, and I am also able to set aside the necessary time to manage my other projects. It benefits me, as well as my students.”

What are you waiting for? Where will you teach English in 2024?

READ MORE:

Start-Up Costs For Prospective TEFL Teachers: How Much To Budget For