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Teaching English Abroad Programs

Finding that first English teaching abroad opportunity can be hard – that’s why it’s so important to look at the wide range of teaching programs, from South Korea to Spain!

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When you’re getting started in teaching English as a foreign language, it can be intimidating. Knowing where best to start, what environment works for you, and figuring out the initial costs can make teaching English abroad feel like a bit of a minefield. Especially when it comes to landing that all-important first English teaching job abroad.

What if there was an answer, though? Something that gave you the guidance, support and benefits that an entry-level teacher might need? Or, at the very least, the safety net of an organization to give you help when you need it?

That’s where teaching abroad programs come in. In a range of different countries, organizations - or indeed, governments themselves - are stepping in to upgrade English proficiency at the school level. From South Korea to France, there are a wealth of teaching abroad programs with a litany of job opportunities for those with teaching credentials and TEFL certification.

Teaching English abroad programs represent something different to working in a private language school. It’s not an internship or a deal with a recruiter where some of your salary is passed on to them. It’s not a step to the next big thing; in most cases, it is the next big thing.

Teach Abroad Programs

Before we launch into teaching English programs, an important note: a college degree or a TEFL/TESOL certificate is one of the requirements for teaching English abroad. 

Depending on where you’re going, both might be necessary. As a rule, completion of a TEFL course - with more than 120 hours of training - is the best way to land English teaching jobs abroad. The best teaching abroad programs will ask for this amount of training, as it's the industry standard. When you're teaching English abroad, employers will ask for this, too.

There is no standard teaching abroad program. Some programs will have a great number of added perks, including accommodation, social events, airport pick-ups, or even travel. Others are more "hands off", providing the initial service of setting you up with work, but generally leaving you to experience everything yourself. 

The choice of teaching English programs isn’t just about geography. It’s also about what you need and what sounds like the best fit for you. Thankfully, there are so many to choose from that you’re bound to find plenty of teaching abroad programs you like!

So, where can you go to teach English as part of a program, and what can you do? Let’s have a look at what’s on offer, what you need to get in, and how it can help you carve out a career in teaching English abroad.

South Korea - EPIK

Probably the most well-known and recognizable of South Korea’s teach abroad programs, the EPIK program was started by the South Korean Ministry of Education in 1995. 

The program was set up with the express intent to bring in  “responsible, enthusiastic native English speakers with a motivation to share their knowledge and language” with Korean teachers and students. South Korea, especially over recent decades, has made a real effort to teach English at school level, and proficiency has steadily grown.

To apply, you need a degree, a TEFL certificate, pass a health check, have a clean criminal record, and be a native English speaker from any of the following: USA, Canada, UK, Ireland, South Africa, Australia, or New Zealand. You also need to be below the age of 62.

If you're accepted, you'll land a job placement that has a very decent monthly salary. Salaries start at around 1.9 to 2.7 million Won per month, depending on your level of experience and the area you teach in. That’s equivalent to just over $1,366 - $1,941/£1,000 - £1,700 a month. 

Accommodation and flights for accepted ESL teachers are included. EPIK provides teaching assistants to Korean English teachers, so your role will be to help provide language classes in public schools. Local teachers will appreciate the help, and in turn, you'll be able to learn a lot about class management, teaching skills, and Korean culture for when you begin teaching later on!

Read more about EPIK requirements and application.

South Korea - GEPIK 

GEPIK is a similar program but is specific to teaching positions in the province of Gyeonggi, which includes Seoul. With 22 actual hours of teaching time, the GEPIK program is intense, and it’s a popular way to go about teaching in South Korea.

Salaries start at 2 million Won, with 1-year contracts, 20 days of paid holiday, and the usual perks of accommodation and flights. The requirements are the same as the EPIK program, which also acts as a recruiter for the GEPIK and SMOE programs.

What do you need to get into the GEPIK program? You’ll need to have a bachelor’s degree, hold a TEFL certificate, have a clear criminal record, complete a physical and a medical self-assessment form, and be under the age of 62. Additionally, you’ll need to be an English speaker from the USA, the UK, Canada, the Republic of Ireland, Australia, South Africa or New Zealand. Quebecois Canadians must have been taught at an English-language school from junior high.

South Korea - SMOE 

The SMOE program launches students straight in at the public school level in Seoul, and as such, the requirements are just as demanding as EPIK and GEPIK - if not more so! With the SMOE program, you have your own dedicated hours of teaching time, but you’ll also be working alongside teachers to give the best English lessons possible.

Salary levels depend on your level of academic achievement. Pay grades changed based on whether you hold a Master’s in Education, for example, and you can earn as much as 3 million Won a month if you have 7 years of teaching experience in South Korea, as well as a recommendation from the Head Teacher or Superintendent of the school where you’ve taught. 

If you’re looking for career progression as an English teacher, the SMOE program is ideal. You can progress through the ranks and, at the top level, affect the curriculum at a school board level! 

Download our teaching English in Asia guide

France - TAPIF

The Teaching Assistant Program in France, TAPIF, fulfills a substantial role for English speakers from the USA looking to teach English abroad. TAPIF accepts applicants to work in schools across France, or “​​the overseas departments of France” - countries including French Guiana, Guadeloupe, Martinique, and Réunion. So it's an opportunity to teach abroad in France, but also somewhere more remote.

TAPIF lasts 7 months, giving student teachers the chance to work across different schools and regions, not just teaching English but also learning a great deal about the country of France, as well as the aforementioned French-speaking regions. 

The stipend you'll receive works out to around 790 euros ($844/£667), after tax and national insurance contributions. Accommodation is not provided, so you’ll need to work out somewhere to stay before you head over. So what are the requirements? TAPIF applicants must:

  • be native English speakers
  • be US citizens - US nationals with a green card can apply
  • be aged between 20-35
  • be proficient in French to B1 level
  • have completed at least 3 years of college education

Read our full guide to the TAPIF program here.

Hungary - CETP

Hungary, while not as popular an international education destination as say, South Korea, Japan or France, is still a delightful landing spot for any TEFL teacher. Teaching English in Hungary, with its low cost of living, natural beauty, decent job availability for English teachers and distinct culture, is a strong choice for educators with an interest in Eastern Europe.

A teaching program would only sweeten the deal, and indeed, there is a good option. Admittedly, the Central European Teaching Program (CETP) is a little different to the programs we’ve spoken about here, primarily because there’s an upfront fee, which changes based on where you’re located.

CETP is self-funded. There’s no backing from a government or organization. However, for the initial payment, there are plenty of rewards. You’re guaranteed 10 paid months of teaching, support from the organization (including orientation events, social events, and the like), accommodation, utilities, airport pick-up, and the resources you’ll need to get comfortable.

Flights and a work visa aren’t included, but generally speaking, you will get quite a lot for your initial investment. Wages in Hungary aren’t high, so you’ll likely need to save up before you get there, as well as paying for the aforementioned entry fee.

To be considered, you'll need:

  • a bachelor's degree
  • a TEFL certificate
  • be a native English speaker from the USA, Canada, the UK or a European Union member
  • pass a medical
  • have at least 20 hours of teaching experience

The CETP has a very solid reputation. Since 2006, thousands of teachers have moved to Hungary to teach English abroad, with the organization boasting a roster of more than 100 different schools. The demand is certainly there - CEPT existed as ‘Teach Hungary’ before taking on its current form. Plenty of teachers have gone on to establish careers in Hungary - or use the knowledge gained there - to become fantastic English teachers elsewhere.

Spain - NALCAP

The North American Language and Culture Assistants Program (NALCAP) is a long-acclaimed initiative with the aim of solidifying positive relations between North American nations and Spain. According to the program’s own notes, “your role is to encourage students of all ages in Spain to broaden their knowledge of your language and culture” - no small task, but certainly exciting!

You have to be a college student or hold a bachelor's degree, pass both health and criminal record checks, and be aged 18-60. There are between 12 and 16 hours of teaching time, medical insurance is included, and you’ll earn a stipend of between 700 and 1,000 Euros per month ($748-$1,068/£590-£843).

Amazingly, nearly 40,000 North Americans have taken part in NALCAP, so it certainly comes recommended!

Download our teaching English in Europe guide

Japan - JET Program 

The JET program was introduced in 1987, to increase “mutual understanding between the people of Japan and the people of other nations”. With thousands of applicants every year looking to experience Japanese culture, the JET program only continues to grow in popularity.

With the specific aim of fostering positive international relations and improving the standard of English, the JET program has strict requirements. You'll need TEFL certification at the very least, and for a work visa, you'll need a bachelor's degree. However, it has a lot to offer. If you are accepted, you’ll be working as a teaching assistant, with a 1-year contract, working across different schools for 30-40 hours a week.

The salaries are decent for ESL teachers in Japan; equivalent to $30,390/£24,000 for first-timers, with the potential to rise if you’re accepted for renewal. Included in your salary is cover for travel and accommodation, as well as 10-20 paid holidays. If you want to grab one of the teaching opportunities in Japan and work in local schools long-term, this is the best bet.

Find out more about JET requirements, salary, benefits, and application. 

Georgia - TLG 

If you’re looking to explore Eastern Europe, Teach and Learn with Georgia (TLG) is an ideal route. While the Georgian government has brought a range of German, French, and English speakers from multiple disciplines through to work in Georgia, it’s a particularly fruitful opportunity for TEFL teachers. Language, specifically English proficiency, is a key focus of the TLG project, especially in recent years, with admission becoming stricter.

To teach English through TLG, you’ll need a bachelor’s degree, be a native English speaker (or speak French, German, or Italian alongside fluent English), and pass a criminal record check. 

Successful applicants to the TLG program will make ლ750 (GEL: Georgian lari), which is roughly $240/£185 per month. It might not sound like a significant salary, but contrasted against the cost of living in Georgia, it’s an ample wage. You’ll also receive incentives including round-trip flights, free medical care, and free accommodation with a host family.

China - CEAIE 

Given the size of China, the demand for English, and its enormity within the TEFL world, it’d be a bit odd if there weren’t any prominent teaching programs worth shouting about. Step forward the China Educational Association of International Exchange program (CEAIE), which helps teachers from the United Kingdom, the USA, Australia, Canada, and New Zealand find work in China for twelve months.

With teachers being sent out to locations from Beijing to Jiangsu, via Hunan, Anhui, Zhejiang, and Guangdong, there is a lot of variety for applicants to get excited about. Not only are there great locations, but teachers can look forward to working across a variety of schools, and with different age groups.

What do you need to apply? The eligibility for CEAIE is quite strict - you have to be:

  • a native speaker (though native-level English speakers from listed countries can apply)
  • a citizen of New Zealand, Australia, Canada, the UK or the USA
  • aged between 20-55
  • Hold a bachelor’s degree or above
A TEFL certificate or two years of teaching experience is also preferred. In return, you’ll receive a raft of bonuses, including a competitive salary, international airfare, visa fees, free housing, medical insurance, and more.

Hong Kong - (NET) Scheme

Are you looking to teach English in Hong Kong through a teaching program? You’re in luck! NET is a government-run scheme that aims to improve the English proficiency of children and teenagers in Hong Kong. by placing native, or native-level English teachers in classrooms. Every year, the scheme offers positions to hundreds of teachers throughout the region in both secondary and primary schools across the small island nation. 

In a TEFL context, Hong Kong is famous for its generous wages and benefits. This is very much the case for NET teachers in Hong Kong. If accepted, you can enjoy benefits like a generous housing allowance, paid holidays, free return flights, and a salary of between $30,000 - $70,000 HKD ($3,820 - $8,915/£3,190 - £7,450). For a permanent job, let alone a teaching program, these are excellent incentives!

You’ll need at least a bachelor’s degree and a TEFL certificate to teach through the ​​NET scheme, with teaching contracts lasting for two years. There are more specific requirements depending on which route you choose: PNET (placements teaching primary school students between the ages of 6-12) or SNET (placements teaching secondary school students).

Government programs for teaching jobs abroad don't tend to come with so many fantastic benefits, so expect competition for places!

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Q. What is the best country to teach abroad?

    The best country to teach abroad is the one that you like the most! Salaries, working conditions, and various other factors change from country to country, and it’s a matter of preference for each English teacher.

  • Q. What are the highest-paying teaching abroad jobs?

    In most countries, the highest-paying teaching abroad jobs can be found in international schools and private schools. However, in countries like Hong Kong and UAE, state school jobs can pay exceptionally well. Living expenses are also important to consider - while some countries pay high salaries, they might also have high living expenses.

  • Q. What is the best qualification to teach abroad?

    Having a degree and a TEFL certification - with at least 120 hours of training - is the best way to set yourself up for a career teaching English abroad.

  • Q. Which country is best for teaching courses?

    With so many online options these days, there’s no “best” country for teaching courses! You can take a TEFL course anywhere in the world, nowadays.