How to teach English abroad as a couple or with a friend

Every day, we hear incredible stories from our students who become teachers and embark wide-eyed on fascinating journeys worldwide. It’s exciting, and for many people, the opportunity of teaching English abroad is to make it on their own, to grow as a person, to test themselves in new environments, and, in a sense, to “find themselves” along the way.

We love to hear that, of course. However, teaching English abroad doesn’t have to be a solo venture. Is it possible to teach abroad as a couple or with a friend? It’s a question our TEFL advisers are always asked here at The TEFL Org, and the answer is the firmest possible “yes!”. In fact, it’s way more common than you might think.

Embarking on a TEFL adventure with your partner or best friend means you always have someone there for support. You’ll have someone you can trust along with you for the journey to share new experiences, the good times and the challenges, and see parts of the world you’ve never seen before.

So, obviously, there are advantages to TEFLing with a partner or friend. However, there are also a few things to be aware of before diving in. What are the requirements? How do you find teaching positions if there are two of you? Where are the best places to find TEFL jobs? 

Travelling the world and working as an English teacher doesn’t always need to be a solo mission, so let’s break down how to do it.

What you both need to teach English abroad

Before anything else, we must look at the requirements for most TEFL jobs. Remember, because there are two of you, you both need to fit the criteria stipulated by employers and visa regulations if you’re going to find work. Don’t worry, though - it’s pretty straightforward!

TEFL qualification

Both of you must have a TEFL qualification. The days of English speakers being able to walk into a job without any experience or a single qualification are over. The employers willing to recruit unqualified teachers these days are best avoided .

You need a 120-hour TEFL qualification from an accredited TEFL course provider. Accreditation is key here. It ensures the quality of the TEFL course and its recognition by employers abroad. That’s why we’ve worked hard to become the most accredited TEFL course provider in the world, gaining our accreditation from a range of established bodies .

A degree

A degree is a requirement for many – but not all! – TEFL jobs. If you have a degree but your partner doesn’t (or vice versa), you will be restricted to countries where a degree isn’t a visa requirement. However, there are many fantastic TEFL destinations where you can teach English without a degree across various continents, so you definitely won’t miss out on a worldwide adventure just because you don’t have a degree.

English proficiency

You need an excellent level of English to teach it. Even if English isn’t your first language, you can find work. However, it can be a bit more of a challenge. This is because of non-native English bias and visa requirements that can restrict your options for teaching English abroad. If one or both of you are non-native English speakers, then it’s absolutely essential to be aware of the possible restrictions to focus your job search appropriately.

It would help to have a TOEFL or IELTS certificate in your arsenal. Both of these qualifications are proof of proficiency in English, with different grades and levels to demonstrate your ability. This removes any doubt in an employer’s mind if you’re not a native English speaker. Alternatively, a bachelor’s degree from an English language institution demonstrates high-level English ability.

“ Non-native English speakers can TEFL abroad” is the headline here!

Visa requirements

Visa requirements can vary wildly from nation to nation, and you must research them. Depending on the country, there can be restrictions based on the following: 

• Age
• Degree status/qualifications
• Criminal record
• Native/non-native status, and more. 

Unfortunately, there isn’t any flexibility when it comes to visas. If you don’t meet a country’s requirements, there isn’t any way around it. Establishing a place where you can both teach at the very start avoids disappointment later and will help you focus on your job search. 

Where can you teach English abroad together? 

There are TEFL jobs to be found right across the globe. But where are the best countries to find work together?

Our main tip is that if you want to work together as a couple or as friends, go where the demand is.

Asia

There’s immense demand for English teachers, solo or together. There are many great countries in Asia to choose from, with the most popular destinations being China , Japan, and South Korea . The JET and EPIK programmes can make it easier to find state school employment in Japan or South Korea. Other vastly popular TEFL destinations in Asia, like Thailand , Cambodia , and Vietnam are very popular TEFL destinations because there’s a lot of demand for English learning. 

The Americas

With more relaxed entry requirements and so many great opportunities on offer, you’d be daft not to explore your options across Central, Latin or South American countries . Not only are there a range of amazing destinations where you don’t need a degree, like Costa Rica , Honduras , Colombia and Argentina , but there are also loads of places where non-native English speakers are welcomed with open arms. For any duo, this opens up a wealth of opportunities.

Middle East

If you’re searching for the highest salaries, the Middle East delivers. With ultra-modern metropolises like Dubai and Abu Dhabi, the UAE represents an exciting, lucrative option, while countries like Saudi Arabia , Oman, and Qatar have similar economic opportunities. A warning: jobs can be ultra-competitive!

Europe

Though it can be extremely competitive, and in most cases, both members of a couple or best friend will need degrees and experience, there are plenty of amazing teaching opportunities in Europe . Though destinations like France , Germany , Italy, and Spain are always popular, it’s worth trying less-heralded but no less worthy TEFL destinations like Turkey and Croatia .

Africa

If you’re a pair looking for a unique adventure with stunning natural beauty, buzzing metropolises, and so much to explore, Africa represents a fantastic choice. The most popular destinations are South Africa , Tunisia , Morocco , Algeria and Egypt , though there are plenty of volunteering and paid opportunities across the continent.

Some advice…

Due to not having one but two jobs to secure, you want to focus your search on big cities. This gives you the option of finding work with the same employer or at different schools but still being able to live in the same place. Rural areas and countries with highly competitive job markets will be a challenge if there are two of you.

Tips for teaching English abroad together

Finding a teaching job together can be more challenging than it is for an individual, so here are some tips to help you find what you’re looking for.

Focus your job search

To have the best chance of finding a job together, you should focus your job search on areas with a strong TEFL jobs market. If you want to teach somewhere more rural or off the beaten track, then it’s going to be much more difficult to do this as a couple or friends.

Instead, focus on big cities where there’s a massive demand for EFL teachers. You’re much more likely to find employers recruiting for more than one position, and it also gives you the option to work in the same city but in different places of work.

Flexibility is key

Knowing where you want to work is essential, but you must also be flexible in your approach. If you’re set on working at the same school on precisely the same contracts, that will limit your job search. 

It’s good to be open to working in different schools within the same city or town. In some cities, there are hundreds of language schools, so it’s possible to find work in the same place!

Negotiate

If you’ve moved abroad together with the intention of exploring the country, you’ll want to carefully consider any contract before signing it. If you’re working for different employers, ideally, you’ll want to secure the same time off. Put it this way: it’s going to be a bit of a problem if you have Saturdays and Sundays off, but your partner/friend has Mondays and Tuesdays!

It’s possible to negotiate your contract to ensure this doesn’t happen. Additionally, if you’re in a country where accommodation is included, you can request a stipend instead if you plan on living together to save money.

Do your research

We feel like we’re repeating ourselves sometimes, but research is so important. You need to make sure you both meet the visa requirements for any country you want to work in and understand the demand for teachers in that country. 

What’s more, it’s worth reading about contract and employment law in each country to contextualise your agreement with an employer. In short, don’t get a bad deal just because you haven’t read up beforehand!

Hiring seasons

Hiring seasons vary depending on the country (in some, there are plenty of jobs to be found year-round!). Being aware of these and applying at the right time will make it easier to secure a job. Find out when school terms tend to be since they can vary widely. Hiring seasons tend to be a few months before the school year begins!

The benefits of teaching abroad with your partner or friend

Setting out on an adventure abroad with your loved one or best friend has many benefits beyond the joy of just being together. Let’s take a look at some of them!

Shared costs

Teaching together can be good for the bank balance. Sharing the cost of things like accommodation, bills, and food is going to be a lot cheaper than for a single person.

Sharing financial responsibilities is a great idea. Not only can you have a more varied experience while you’re abroad, but you can also save up for projects at home. A wedding, a house, or another sojourn abroad, for example. 

Support

Moving abroad to start a new job is a huge step for most people. A new job, a new country and a new culture are many new things to adapt to! Having a friend or partner who’s going through the same thing can help you settle in. 

A word of advice, though: don’t fall into the trap some couples do and not make an effort to make friends in the country you’ve moved to! It’s easy to become isolated within your own little bubble, but that prevents making the most of being somewhere new. Whether you’re a couple of pals or a long-term couple, get out there and mingle!

Someone to explore with

Not everyone is made for solo travel. Teaching English abroad together means you’ll always have company during your time off to get out there and experience the country you’re in. 

One of you might have many ideas, and the other might be better with directions. Maybe there’s an organised and idealistic one within your two-person unit. Combining your best attributes will make for a really exciting journey!

Strengthen relationships

If you’re moving abroad to teach English with someone else, it’s going to really bring you together. You’ll face challenges and overcome them, share new experiences, and so much more. It can be a real test of a relationship!

Couple stories

We’ve trained over 185,000 EFL teachers, including many couples! Some of them have written or recorded videos about their experiences teaching abroad together over the years, and here are a few of our favourites.

Perlie and Matt

Matt and Perlie have turned their TEFL certificate into an opportunity to explore the world together. Matt, who’s featured on ‘I Taught English Abroad’ , has expressed a desire to visit every country possible, and Perlie clearly feels the same way, with the pair jet-setting and teaching together.

This pair of digital nomads regularly tell their stories of TEFL and travel online. Here’s a video of the two of them explaining how they’ve managed to do it:

Celi and Wiley

What are the chances of teaching as a couple in Japan? Well, quite high, provided you put the work in. Celi, a successful applicant to the JET programme and another podcast guest of ours , also travels and works with her partner, Wiley. The duo also love to share their experiences of working and teaching overseas, and you can take a look at their life in Japan below:

Katherine and her pals climb Mt. Fuji

If you want to experience travel and TEFL with friends, Katherine’s experiences are the inspiration that’ll turn “wanting” into “doing”. Katherine’s vlog of climbing Mt. Fuji, with friends old and new is a perfect display of how you can make new connections through teaching but can also nurture some of your closest friendships.

Also, there’s a postbox at the top of Mt. Fuji to send postcards! Who knew?!

Set out on your TEFL adventure… together

So, what’s stopping the two of you?

Now that you know how to TEFL and travel as a pair, get out there and do it! Teaching English abroad is one of the best ways to experience the world, so why wouldn’t you want to share the adventure with your significant other or a friend?

Happy Valentine’s Day, and here’s a bit of free advice: planning the next part of your life, all while using your TEFL certificate, is one of the more romantic things you can do. That’s just a fact.

Looking to get your start in the TEFL world? Take our highly-accredited, super popular 120-hour Premier Online TEFL Course .