Where to find TEFL jobs

Well done, you’re TEFL certified. Now, you’re looking to get out into the exciting English teaching job market, with a certificate in hand, and you’re wondering where to go. 

As it is for most things these days, the internet is the place to search for English teaching work. Yes, among all the arguments with strangers and the cat videos are fantastic avenues for TEFL employment, with more fantastic TEFL jobs than you can shake a proverbial stick at. 

So, where are all of these incredible opportunities? Where should teachers be looking, and are there better places to look than others for specific vacancies? Let’s dive head-first into the world of TEFL jobs and where they’re all hidden!

But wait: not all TEFL jobs are advertised online!

Ah, but! There’s a caveat. It’s important to note that the jobs you can find online don’t necessarily paint a full picture of what’s out there. For example, if you’re trying to find work in South America, you’ll find there aren’t loads of jobs advertised online. Though jobs are increasingly found online, you’re still as likely to find work by looking around in person. 

The same is true in parts of Europe, particularly in countries with more competitive markets where they prefer to hire teachers already residing locally. Now, this can be tricky for newer teachers, as you’ll normally need a visa to enter a country in the first place, and that usually requires you to have a teaching job. However, for experienced teachers looking for new opportunities, keeping your ear to the ground is often the most fruitful way to find work.

If you’re aiming to teach in a country where it’s less common for positions to be advertised online, here are a couple of tips:

• If it’s possible, fly out to that country to look for work. If employers aren’t advertising online this usually indicates that they’re not looking to hire from abroad and want to source teachers already in the country.
• Check for a Yellow Pages or equivalent and search for language schools to contact directly.
• Search online and on Facebook for expat groups in that country. These can be a great place to get advice, make connections, and hear about upcoming opportunities.
• Hand in your CV to schools directly in person.

Where to find TEFL jobs abroad

So then, let’s get into it! Are you looking for teaching jobs abroad? We’ve gathered together some of the best job boards to help you find that perfect position.

Worldwide

Below are some of the top TEFL jobs boards online that list positions across the globe. These are some of the biggest hitters in the industry, starting - of course - with our own much-loved Jobs Centre.

The TEFL Org Jobs Centre
TEFL.net
TEFL.com
ESL Base
Dave’s ESL Cafe
ESL Jobs
The Guardian

Asia

If you want to teach English in Asia , you’re far from alone! Thousands of TEFL teachers head out to Asia every year to explore work opportunities, the fascinating history and diverse cultures of this fascinating and vast continent. These job boards are great places to look for positions in specific countries, allowing you to focus your search if you know exactly where you want to teach.

Ajarn  – for jobs in Thailand
GaijinPot  – for jobs in Japan
ChinaESLjob  – for jobs in China
ESLROK  – for jobs in South Korea
Tealit  – for jobs in Taiwan
cpjobs  – for jobs in Hong Kong

Download our free Guide to Teaching English in Asia to learn more about TEFL in countries including China , Japan , South Korea , Thailand , Vietnam and loads more!

Central & South America

We mentioned earlier that, in some locations, you might find more success applying for jobs in person. In Latin America, you’ll notice that while there are job boards online, they’re more sparse than in other regions. You’re more likely to find work in person than say, in Asia.

That said, there are some great online resources for TEFL jobs in Central and South America - try the following!

Serious Teachers – for jobs across South America
Jobs Abroad Bulletin  – for jobs across South America
Empregos  – for jobs in Brazil (note: site in Portuguese)

Read our guide to teaching English in Latin America for more on this gorgeous, passionate and somehow underrated teaching destination!

Europe

Teaching English in Europe is a consistently popular choice for TEFL teachers and it’s not exactly hard to see why. Whether you yearn for long, sunny evenings in Spain , you’re desperate to explore the ancient splendour of Croatia or you fancy a historic capital like Paris or Rome , there’s a lot to enjoy.

You’ll need a teaching job, though. Thankfully there are plenty of great places to look. Try some of these: 

TESOL France  – for jobs in France (note: membership fee required)
Lingobongo  – for jobs in Madrid, Barcelona, and Berlin
GoYellow  – for a list of language schools in Germany (note: site in German)
Madrid Teacher  – for jobs in Madrid
Etas  – for jobs in Switzerland
Expats CZ  – for jobs in the Czech Republic
ESL Job Station

Download our free Guide to Teaching English in Europe , where you’ll find information about the continent’s top TEFL destinations!

Where to find online TEFL jobs

Nowadays, finding online TEFL jobs couldn’t be easier. The online teaching industry has been rapidly growing for years, with new companies always emerging. You can find online teaching jobs by searching through jobs boards - and we’ve listed some for your convenience - or you can apply directly through company websites.

It’s important to note a key distinction here. There are online teaching companies and online teaching platforms. Online teaching companies are typically employers, who you’ll apply to work for, with an application and interview process as you’d expect. Online platforms, on the other hand, are spaces for you to advertise your services as an English teacher, where you set your rates for lessons, and (in most cases) pay a commission to a platform for hosting you. To find out more, read our guide to teaching English online , which also features several great online companies and platforms!

Here are some resources to get you started:

The TEFL Org Jobs Centre
Indeed
ESL Authority
Glassdoor
LinkedIn

Keep safe when applying for jobs

Any reputable job board will do its best to ensure that the adverts posted are legitimate. However, there are scam adverts out there and caution is always advised. 

It’s a sad truth that there are scam artists who try to take advantage of EFL teachers looking for work both abroad and online. So, before you start your job search, you should make sure you know how to spot such scams. We put together a handy guide for avoiding TEFL scams and bad employers , which is essential reading at the beginning of your TEFL journey.

We’d also recommend steering clear of TEFL courses which offer a “guaranteed job placement” at the end. While these seem like a streamlined way of getting qualified and into work, they can come with a raft of issues and may be best avoided!

Useful links for jobseekers

Finally, it would be rude of us to leave you out there to fend for yourself. Finding jobs is all fine and well, but what about applying, writing CVs and cover letters, nailing your interview, and everything else you might need?

Here are some resources to help you navigate through the world of job applications!

TEFL CVs – The Ultimate Guide
10 top tips for writing a cover letter
How to prepare for a TEFL interview
5 common interview questions
7 questions to ask at your next TEFL interview
How to find a TEFL job without teaching experience

Are you looking to start your TEFL journey? Get started with a TEFL course today, through the world’s most accredited TEFL course provider. It’s that simple!