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Teach English Abroad With TEFL
Move abroad with TEFL (Teaching English as a foreign language)! With high demand for teachers worldwide, and the ability to gain the certification employers require for under $300, TEFL is one of the best options for making a move abroad.
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What is TEFL?
TEFL - Teaching English as a Foreign Language - is exactly what it says on the tin. You might also know it as TESOL, TESL, ESL or EFL - all are acronyms used to refer to teaching English to English language learners.
TEFL is the practice of teaching English as a foreign language. It includes things like grammar, punctuation, sentence structure, syntax and all the functions of English you’d expect.
According to The Washington Post, English is spoken in 101 countries, with 1.5 billion learners worldwide. Naturally, then, there’s a huge demand for teachers who are native-level English speakers across the globe.TEFL, then, is a booming industry. Not only that, it presents a massive opportunity for individuals looking to broaden their travel experience, change career or simply try something different!
Who can teach English abroad?
When we ask “why not you?”, we do mean you. There is always a smorgasbord of ESL jobs available to all sorts of applicants, from the new and inexperienced to the veteran teachers, the career changers, the recent graduates to retirees.
There really are English language learners everywhere, but who is in a position to teach them? Let’s discuss who can teach English abroad.
Students and graduates
Some people finish college, school or university and aren’t sure of their next steps. It’s not uncommon to wonder what’s next. On the other hand, there are others who are certain they want to see more of the world and bolster their CV before picking a career path.
Some people might want to give the vocation a try first, before committing to a postgraduate teaching course, with the aim of teaching English overseas in the future.
Teaching English as a Foreign language offers prospective university students, university graduates and young people, in general, a perfect opportunity. TEFL-certified teachers see new corners of the world and gain priceless, international work experience. Even if you’re unsure of whether in-person teaching, or indeed teaching in general, is something you want to pursue long-term, living and working abroad as an English teacher can nurture a range of skills that transfer into different job markets.
Living abroad and teaching abroad have their own challenges that you’ll have to adapt to, learn from, and overcome. By doing that, a person can build character and really invest in their personal development. In other words, it really does change people for the better.
Even if you haven’t graduated yet, there are opportunities to teach English during the summer months. Summer schools recruit huge numbers of English teachers every year. So whether you’re a student or a graduate - or neither - TEFL offers opportunities to develop both yourself and your career opportunities.
Top 5 places for TEFL in 2025
Every year, we look at a selection of great teaching spots, and if they’re deemed worthy of top 5 status for the coming 12 months, we put them under the spotlight. 2025 is no different, and while South Korea remains from last year’s top spots, there are some exciting, emerging locales where you can teach English overseas.
Let’s take a look!
South Korea
South Korea is a perennial favourite, and it remains so for 2025.
As a country, South Korea is quite simply incredible, with 15 UNESCO Heritage sites, buzzing cities and a hybrid of rural, traditional living and modern, forward-thinking industry. It’s also just a very cool place - so much Korean pop culture has dominated the western world over recent years, from the work of Oscar-winning South Korean director Bong Joon-ho, to massive pop groups like BTS.It’s also an ideal destination for any TEFL teacher. A lot of jobs in South Korea provide benefits, like accommodation and subsidised air travel. There are a wide range of positions available within South Korea, from the government-run EPIK programme to the tens of thousands of hagwons (private language schools). Not only that, there are government jobs, businesses are hiring English teachers, and many prestigious universities have openings. You won’t be short of opportunities.
What’s more, the demand is huge, and the wages compare well with anywhere in Asia. Yes, it’s popular, and you’ll have competition, but schools and businesses in South Korea are constantly hiring.
Thailand
Thailand hosted over 7 million tourists between January and October 2022. That’s more tourists than there are citizens in Scotland, Croatia and Uruguay. Its popularity with crowds of curious international tourists, then, speaks for itself.
What about as a destination for teaching English abroad? Well, Thailand remains very popular. This is aided by initiatives like the Thailand Teaching Programme, which pays well and includes airport pick-up, visa assistance, flexible contracts and teacher-friendly working hours. If you’re looking to go straight into permanent employment, though, there’s considerable demand for English teachers from kindergarten to the university level and beyond.
Additionally, it’s one of the more suitable locations for non-native-level English speakers – so don’t feel intimidated if you’re qualified to teach, but English isn’t your first language.With a low cost of living, don’t be put off by Thailand’s starter wages. On less than $1000/£1000 a month, you can comfortably live an exciting life while teaching. Even better, public transport is hard to beat if you want to explore the Land of Smiles. If you want to take a look at the wider region, Cambodia, Laos, Malaysia, Vietnam and Myanmar are a stone’s throw away!
Vietnam
Increasingly, emergent economies in the Southeast of Asia have become perfect landing spots for teachers. That’s handy because Vietnam is a fascinating, beautiful country that’s calling out for qualified English teachers.
For teachers, the demand is constant – you’ll find plenty in our Jobs Centre at any given time. Once you’ve settled in Vietnam, you’ll find warm and friendly locals, innovative fashion and street food par excellence.
Southeast Asian countries like Cambodia, Malaysia and aforementioned Thailand are aiming to improve their English proficiency from kindergarten level to adulthood, due to their emerging industries and English being the lingua franca of business. So it’s a perfect time to explore a hugely underrated gem!
You’ll need a bachelor’s degree along with a TEFL qualification, but the rewards – especially in relation to the cost of living – make Vietnam a fantastic destination for any English teacher. From the countless beautiful attractions to the stunning and dramatic history, Vietnam is a fascinating destination, with the potential to be an English learning powerhouse in the coming years.
Best to get involved now while the jobs are going, because availability for teachers in terms of jobs and accommodation won’t last forever!
Colombia
Forget what you know about Colombia. Today, the South American nation is outward-looking with a tourist-friendly image, and as far as teaching English goes, there’s been plenty of strategising in their schooling system.
The clamour for TEFL teachers continues apace, with the government really pushing for heightened proficiency in English. For first-time or less experienced teachers who want to try something a bit different, and help a place build its English infrastructure, Colombia is a great choice.
Obviously, the weather is beautiful, and Colombia has so much to see - UNESCO has heralded gems like the National Archeological Park of Tierradentro and the Historic Centre of Santa Cruz de Mompox. The wages are good, on average, especially considering the cheap cost of living in Colombia. It’s cheaper to live in than 91% of the world, so expect your teaching wages to reach pretty far.
A degree is preferred, but optional, meaning that in many cases you only need a high-quality TEFL certificate to get going. Perfect, then, if you’re looking to add stamps to your passport and get started on your teaching journey.If you’re particularly intrepid and ambitious, you won’t struggle to find work in Colombia. The only difficulty will be matching the experience you have elsewhere!
Digital Nomadism
There is another way to do things. Working remotely, especially since the pandemic raged through 2020 and 2021, has become something of a norm. Companies are seeing the benefits of a global office, where people can cover different hours, and offer a range of perspectives. The lack of a central job location means that anyone with the energy and resources can work for a range of different companies, or indeed, for themselves.
Being a digital nomad means locational independence. You can work from anywhere. To be a digital nomad English teacher, all you need are:
- At least a 120-hour TEFL certificate
- A laptop
- Access to reliable WiFi
- An online teaching job and/or your own freelance online teaching business
In 2025, the conditions are excellent for people who want to travel while they work. If this lifestyle sounds appealing, read our guide to becoming a digital nomad!
How much you can earn teaching English abroad
The salary you’ll receive teaching English abroad will vary depending on where you are in the world. Obviously, your experience and attributes will also determine the actual amount you take home each month. To put it in simple terms, some countries value English teachers more than others would and will gladly pay top dollar for the best ones.
You can expect to earn more if you teach in Asian countries, such as China, Japan, and South Korea. These are countries where you’re more likely to require a degree to teach English as a foreign language. These nations in particular are known for offering highly competitive compensation packages but expect a lot from their teachers.
There are 1.5 billion English language learners, and a lot of them are in Asia. With English being the de facto language of business worldwide, it helps to have knowledge of the English language to get into prestigious colleges, find lucrative jobs and forge a path in business.
Meanwhile, in Latin America and Europe, your salary will be enough to rent a flat, visit restaurants, and travel. You won’t become a millionaire, but at least you can supplement your income by teaching English online, or offering private lessons. Tutoring outside of school, if you have the time, is obviously a great way to generate extra income.
Some employers might offer additional benefits, for example, air travel, insurance, help with accommodation, or access to local amenities like gyms, libraries and other public services. It’s worth seeing if an employer will provide any extras with their offer of a job - free travel, for example, could be a significant boost to your coffers!
Where can you earn the most as a TEFL teacher?
A reality of life is that everyone needs to pay the bills. That’s true whether you’re an English teacher abroad, a CEO of a multinational company or you’re, say, a content writer. We’ve put together some useful tables detailing the average salaries and requirements for countries across the globe. These are intended as a guide rather than a rule, but we’ve done our best to ensure the information is accurate as possible.One of the best ways of getting an idea of how much you can earn in a specific country is to look up job adverts there. You can take a look at what’s listed on our TEFL Jobs Centre.
Salaries in Europe
The amount you can earn in Europe really varies by region, with higher salaries to be found in the North and West, and lower in the East and South. But remember that where salaries are higher the cost of living is also going to be higher!
In many European countries, it’s common for teachers to work for multiple companies and schools for an hourly rate. Across the board, it can be harder for non-EU citizens to gain a working visa, so make sure to follow guidelines from your nearest embassy, and look into region-specific visa rules.
Salaries in Asia
If you’re looking for the best entry-level salaries then Asia is your safest bet. China represents the biggest jobs market in the world for English teachers, but you can find strong demand in the likes of Thailand, Vietnam, South Korea, and Japan. You’ll need a degree to teach in most of Asia, with Cambodia as the only exception.
In some countries, like China and South Korea, it’s standard for accommodation to be included in a teacher’s contract, which frees up a lot of your wage. In places like Cambodia and Vietnam, some meals are included in your day of teaching!
Salaries in Central & South America
Central and South America offer a fantastic gateway into teaching abroad, especially for newcomers and career changers. Requirements are less strict, and although wages aren’t as lucrative as teaching jobs in Asia, for example, there’s an excellent standard of living to be had, with eager students.
Living costs are generally very low but don’t expect to be able to save much after accommodation and other essentials. It’s also important to note that it can be hard to get a sense of what the current going rate is as many employers won’t advertise online – finding work in this part of the world is best done on the ground.
Salaries in the Middle East & Africa
The Middle East, somewhat unsurprisingly, is where you’ll find the highest teaching salaries. High, tax-free salaries, mean there’s plenty of competition for teaching positions, which means employers can afford to be picky. Consequently, you’ll need a couple of years experience under your belt to be eligible for jobs in countries like Saudi Arabia and the UAE.
In Africa you’ll find most paid opportunities are in the north of the continent, in countries such as Egypt, Morocco, and Algeria. Elsewhere most positions are on a voluntary basis.
What benefits do employers offer?
When it comes to English teaching jobs and employee benefits, it very much depends on where you are in the world, and who you’re teaching for. While public schools might offer a free lunch, private international schools could potentially fly you over to teach English overseas.
Unfortunately, there’s no definitive list of employee benefits offered to every English teacher. However, a benefit that’s available in some areas is accommodation. Some employers understand that you’ll need a home base when you move abroad to teach English, and offer an apartment - either on-site or accommodation owned by the employer. This is more common in China, South Korea and Japan, though it’s not a guarantee.
Similarly, travel canrack up a hefty bill, and many employers will help out, again depending on the size and repute of who you’re working for. This more often comes as reimbursement later on, so it’s still important to factor flights into your first budget for teaching English abroad.
Some employers might offer additional benefits, for example, insurance (health, home contents or another), lessons in the local language, and access to local amenities like gyms, libraries and other public services. It’s worth seeing if an employer will provide any extras with their offer of a job - free travel, for example, could be a significant boost to your coffers!
How much can TEFL teachers save?
Saving as an English teacher working abroad might seem like a contradiction in terms, but it’s far more achievable than you might think.
Much depends on two things: your salary as a teacher, and the cost of living wherever you’re situated. The more reputable your institution is, and the more experience you have as a teacher, the higher your salary is likely to be. That, of course, can be matched with a high cost of living, depending on where you are.
Budgeting is a really important thing here. No two ways about it, your first month or so of teaching are going to be expensive. Consider this: you might start a teaching job halfway through a month, meaning your first pay packet is less than it might usually be. Then, unless you’re covered for these costs, you’ve got your first month’s rent, a deposit on accommodation, flights, visa - it adds up.
When it comes to budgeting, it’s a great idea to understand the cost of living before you head over somewhere. That way, you can compare what your normal budget would be, versus what you’d be spending in another country. From there, factor in your wages, and it’s more than possible you’ll be able to save up a little each month for a rainy day.
It’s more possible to save in some locations than others, that stands to reason. If you’re an experienced teacher with a degree, working overseas in, for example, the UAE? Your pay will far exceed your outgoings. Meanwhile, if you’re a new teacher working in Colombia, for example, the wages are going to be considerably lower, but the cost of living might well balance that out. For a comprehensive guide to saving while teaching, check out our blog titled ‘Where can you save the most teaching English?’.
With everything we've covered about teaching English abroad, it’s natural to feel an urge. That urge is to look for the right jobs, send applications, and maybe even get packing and find work on the ground!
With that in mind, let’s have a look at some of the most important factors when it comes to successfully teaching English overseas: finding that right job, spotting English teacher job scams and preparing for a move abroad.
How to spot English teacher job scams
Unfortunately, just like any other industry, there are unscrupulous “employers” looking to take advantage of TEFL teachers.
Sadly, exploitative “recruiters” often masquerade as a school, college or other institutions, in order to seek payment from unsuspecting prospective English teachers.
It’s a sad fact, but there are ways to identify if a teaching job isn’t for real. Here are the top things to look out for if you’ve been approached by a potentially fraudulent recruiter or false company:
These are the best ways to identify whether a scammer is “at it”. Although job offers are exciting, use your common sense, along with these tips, and you won’t go wrong.
- They ask you to send money. This most often goes to dodgy third parties, fraudulent insurance providers or travel agencies, or fake schools.
- They don’t have a reputation or online presence to speak of.
- Their email address seems fake, and is not attached to the school’s domain.
- They communicate poorly, and don't use proper spelling or grammar.
Why should you learn to teach English with The TEFL Org?
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How it works
With our 120-hour Premier Online TEFL course, you can study whenever and wherever suits you and get your TEFL certification online. Our courses can be completed from anywhere in the world, from any device, and with fully flexible self-paced study it’s easy to fit studying in around your existing commitments.
This engaging course includes plenty of video material, quizzes, and assignments for an interactive learning experience that will prepare you with all the teaching skills you need to start teaching for the first time. Throughout your TEFL training, you’ll be supported by a personal tutor who is an experienced TEFL teacher.
You’ll have 6 months to complete this course, with the average completion time being 10 to 12 weeks. However, the pace is entirely up to you; complete it in just 4 to 6 weeks if you have the time to dedicate to studying, or take your time and use the full 6 months. If life gets in the way and you need longer, we have a range of extension options to choose from.
The world's most accredited TEFL course provider
Accreditation matters. It's how both you and employers can be certain that a course offers all it claims to. That's why we are regularly assessed by a number of external bodies to ensure that the training we offer continues to be of industry-leading quality. These bodies include: DEAC, BAC, Ofqual, ODLQC, and SQA.
As the most accredited TEFL course provider in the world, a certificate from The TEFL Org is internationally recognised and respected. Wherever you're aiming to teach, you can be confident that training from us will leave you both prepared and qualified to take on an exciting new role as an English teacher!
Career opportunities
Graduates of our 120-hour Premier Online TEFL course have gone on to teach English across the globe. With high demand for qualified English teachers worldwide, our teachers have found work in countries such as Spain, China, Japan, Saudi Arabia, South Korea, and dozens more.
Prefer to stay closer to home? Use your TEFL qualification to teach online or locally. The online teaching industry is constantly developing and growing, providing TEFL qualified teachers with a range of exciting and flexible opportunities.
Over 80% of TEFL Org graduates find a job within 2 months of completing their course.
185,000+ teachers have trusted The TEFL Org to get started with their TEFL careers.
20+ countries with TEFL teaching positions available in our Jobs Center.
Lifetime access to our TEFL Jobs centre included free of charge with your course.
Teach English abroad
Discover 70+ TEFL destinations with The TEFL Org Guide to The World!
Teach English online
Learn how to get started as an online teacher with our Guide to Teaching English Online.
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120-hour Premier Online TEFL course
Book our 120-hour Premier Online TEFL course today and start your TEFL adventure.
As soon as you purchase the course you can start studying immediately. If you have any pre-purchase questions please contact us and our TEFL experts will be happy to help!
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. Is 120-hour online TEFL certification enough?
A. 120 hours is the industry standard and what most employers look for. Online qualifications from accredited providers (like us!) are recognised worldwide.
Q. How many modules are in the 120-hour Premier Online TEFL course?
A. The course is broken down into 5 sections. You can see a full breakdown of modules by navigating to the 'Module breakdown' tab further up the page.
Q. How can I contact my online tutor?
A. If you need help with any of the topics covered on the course or assignments, just send an email to your online tutor. You will find their contact information in the welcome email they will send you after you sign up.
Q. Can I talk to other students on the course?
A. Yes, of course! You will have access to our online forum where you can chat with other students on the same course as you. You can also join our Facebook group where you can share resources and find information on teaching English abroad and online.
Q. Is there a payment plan for course fees?
A. Customers in the UK can pay for the course in four interest-free instalments using ClearPay. We currently do not offer a payment plan outside of the UK.
Q. How do I enrol?
A. Course enrollment is easy. You can sign up online at any time through our website. We accept all major credit and debit cards and PayPal. If you would prefer to speak to one of our advisers, our offices are open Monday to Friday 8am-12am (GMT), and we can process your course enrollment over the telephone or assist on livechat.
Q. What if I need more time to complete my course?
A. If you do find that you need more time to complete your TEFL course, we do offer course extensions. You can purchase a course extension at any time – even after your course has expired. These range from as little as one week up to three months in length.
Q. What support will I receive on the course?
A. You will have access to a personal tutor who will mark and provide feedback on each of your written assignments. They will also be on hand to answer any questions you have about the topics covered in the course. You will also have access to our online forums where you can chat and discuss the course and teaching opportunities with other online TEFL Org students.
Q. Do I need to purchase any textbooks for the course?
A. All required learning materials are included in the course fee. We do recommend purchasing a good grammar reference book when you start teaching English, but this is not essential to complete the course. Browse grammar reference books on our Online Shop.
Q. My grammar isn't the best. Will this be an issue?
A. Don’t worry, a detailed knowledge of English grammar isn’t essential before you start your TEFL training. All of our online course options include a module dedicated to English grammar and language, which covers everything you need to begin teaching it with confidence.