Why 2025 is the perfect year to TEFL

With clear travel routes to destinations across the globe, demand for English teaching worldwide, and an even bigger online and offline English teaching industry than ever before, there’s never been a better time to think about TEFL.

Now, maybe it feels as though we say this every year. This is because we do. Why? Well, it’s not some marketing tactic to draw you in or a nebulous sentiment nobody can prove or disprove. We mean it because it’s true. With each passing year, the need for English teaching worldwide and the number of places you can pursue your dreams of teaching and travelling seems to grow and grow.

If you’ve ever sought financial freedom, locational independence, and a career that lets you explore the world’s geography and the limits of your potential, teaching English as a foreign language offers all that and more.

Don’t just take our word for it - ask the thousands of students joining us to become TEFL-certified teachers and take on new, exciting challenges online or overseas.

So why is this the perfect year for teaching English as a foreign language? Is every year a great year to take up TEFL? Well, let us explain…

You can travel to all kinds of amazing places

By and large, travel restrictions are a thing of the past, and there is a smorgasbord of incredible locations where you can teach English as a foreign language. Countless schools, private language learning businesses and universities are crying out for employees, but you can also become a digital nomad and work freelance while you travel.

There are, of course, the most popular destinations for English teaching abroad. China , Spain , Japan , and South Korea remain the most sought-after teaching destinations, with Thailand , Taiwan , and Vietnam not far behind. Teaching in the Middle East , searching for fantastic teaching salaries in the UAE or Saudi Arabia is increasingly popular. At the same time, scores of talented educators choose to teach English in Latin America , with Colombia , Chile , Argentina and Brazil providing plenty of opportunities.

That’s before we consider the options in Europe, Croatia , Turkey , or Germany or pick the more obscure but just as worthy options for teaching. Have you thought about Laos or Papua New Guinea ?

We’re really just scratching the surface here—the point is, there’s a whole world out there to explore.

Sensible financial decision

Stay with us here, but an excellent economic case exists for moving abroad to teach English as a Foreign Language. For example, if you live in the UK, the USA, Ireland or Canada, average wages haven’t grown to meet inflation over recent years. So, your pay packet might have stayed similar for a long time while the cost of living has only risen. This isn’t a radical political statement. It’s mainstream news .

In many popular TEFL markets, the cost of living has stayed roughly the same, but wages have either increased or stayed around where they were - above the annual average. In countries like China, Hong K ong , and sections of Latin America and South Asia, the yearly salary for teachers is quantifiably higher than national averages - though much depends on the institution you work in, your qualifications and your level of experience.

Depending on where you go, that matters significantly. You can save some money in TEFL destinations in Latin America and South Asia, for example, where the cost of living is considerably lower than in the US, Canada, Ireland, or the UK. In that case, you’ve given yourself a substantial head start. If not, don’t worry - your wages abroad will be worth more, even at lower salary rates, especially in countries like Colombia and Thailand, emergent economies but still places where the cost of living is comparatively cheap.

Teaching salaries - and again, we say this in general terms - still compare well to the cost of living in most places. What’s more, employers are once again in a position to help out, so you might be able to save on transport costs, accommodation and the like. This is a case-by-case story, and it’s always worth checking our salary advice to get a clearer picture.

2025 is crammed with amazing events

As if the lure of teaching abroad wasn’t enough, you’ll be delighted to know that 2025 is packed with brilliant events. If you’re the sporty type, it’s a stacked calendar. Depending on where you are, you can catch Rugby Union in the form of the Six Nations and attend incredible football matches worldwide. In the summer, Switzerland hosts the Women’s European Championships - can England retain their title?

If that’s not enough, add the Argentinian Superclasico between Boca Juniors and River Plate or the incredible Atlético Nacional–Millonarios derby in Colombia to your itinerary if you’re considering a South American adventure. If you’re more into athletics, the 2025 World Games are in China and will attract millions of visitors. In May, Monte Carlo hosts its famous Grand Prix , not long after the French Open delights tennis fans worldwide.

From a non-sporting perspective, the big hitters worldwide are also very much in play. There’s Songkran Festival in Thailand, Carnivale in Rio de Janeiro, Harbin International Snow & Ice Festival in China, La Tomatina in Valencia, Spain (essentially a gigantic food fight), Dia De Los Muertes in Mexico… the list goes on and on. Every year, there are unique, authentic, one-of-a-kind experiences that you must see to believe, and teaching English as a foreign language is your ticket.

Demand remains sky-high

If, for some reason, you thought TEFL teachers weren’t in enormous demand worldwide, we’re afraid to say you’re way off the mark. Whether you want to teach online to people around the world or do the travelling yourself, there’s immense scope for a career in teaching English as a foreign language.

Where is the demand for English teaching highest? China remains the dominant market for TEFL. That said, demand is high in Latin America , with 659 million people, many of whom are in the market for English lessons. It’s also one of the best places for non-native English speakers and those who don’t hold a degree to get started in the industry. 

Over recent years, the Middle East has made plenty of headlines for its enormous investment and infrastructure projects. Dubai, the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and other countries in the region have English jobs for highly qualified candidates. Expect to see the most lucrative jobs in English teaching while pursuing opportunities in the Middle East.

South Asia is a go-to TEFL destination, so it’s about finding opportunities while they’re available. Cambodia, for example, is a fantastic place to live and work , as is Vietnam, which is crammed with excellent street food, art, and eye-catching fashion. For more on living and working in Cambodia, Vietnam, and a whole host of other locations, check out our TEFL podcast, I Taught English Abroad .

Teaching programmes around the world

If Thailand is more your thing, why not consider applying for the Thailand Teaching Programme in 2025? It’s a great opportunity to get started in the TEFL industry, with airport pick-up, a competitive salary, and visa assistance included!

Or, if you want to venture to East Asia, there’s always an extremely high demand for TEFL teachers. Nowhere is this more true than in Japan and South Korea, where government-run programmes such as JET and EPIK integrate hundreds of teachers annually into the Japanese and South Korean schooling systems.

Don’t discount opportunities in Europe, either. The TAPIF Programme in France is constantly looking for enthusiastic, qualified applicants. And there are always European job openings at our The TEFL Org Jobs Centre ; at the time of writing, institutions in Romania, Italy, Poland, Portugal, Greece and more need TEFL teachers.

So why not you, and why not now?

Do you see the picture now? 2025 is your year to forge a career in TEFL, pick up where you left off before, or consider getting TEFL qualified.

The jobs are out there, the culture is out there, and the sights, sounds, and smells are out there; they are just waiting for you.

What do you have to lose?

Interested in getting TEFL qualified and starting your own TEFL adventure in 2025? Look at our highly-accredited, acclaimed courses and see which suits you best!