Do you want to travel the world and experience life in another country? Well, you’re in luck, and you don’t need to have a lot of money to do it!
In fact, you can experience life in another country and make good money doing it.
In this article, we will look at the top places to teach English abroad.
People from all around the globe use the English language to communicate, making English teachers in high demand, especially in developing countries.
Non-fluent English-speaking countries need English speakers to help integrate themselves into the world economy. After all, they require their future generations to be fluent English speakers.
If you are a fluent English speaker and have a Bachelor’s degree, then you too can travel the world by teaching.
Let’s take a look at some of the best countries in the world to live in and work as an ESL teacher:
- Best for Liberal Arts Students: France
- Best for Keeping in Touch: Chile
- Best for LGBTQ+: Spain
- Best for Saving Money: China
- Best for Perks: South Korea
- Best For Career Growth: United Arab Emirates
- Best for Side Money: Anywhere
1. Best for Liberal Arts Students: France
France boasts some of the finest museums, architecture, art galleries, and culinary experiences of any country in the world.
Liberal arts students who wish to delve into the heart of Europe would find no better place to go to than France.
Its central location also makes it easy to visit the rest of Europe during your stay. And since the entire European Union shares a visa program, once you have the right to teach in France, you can travel anywhere else in Europe.
Average salary:
- From $800 to $2000 USD per month
Average cost of living:
- From $1600 to $2100 USD per month
Minimum qualifications:
- Bachelor’s degree
- CELTA certification or equivalent
2. Best for keeping in touch with friends and family: Chile
Chile is a rapidly developing and stable democracy in South America.
Because Chile is on the Western side of South America, it is just one time zone ahead of the United States east coast. This does shift with daylight savings time but regardless, no need for midnight zoom calls!
Chile is one of the world’s longest countries measured from North to South. This means it hosts a wide variety of geographical and climatic conditions.
In the North there are deserts, to the East there are the Andes mountains, and there are forests to the South. Travelers and hikers will find a breathtaking range of environments to experience.
Average salary:
- From $500 to $800 USD per month
Average cost of living:
- $600 USD per month
Minimum qualifications:
- Bachelor’s degree
3. Best for LGBTQ+: Spain
Located in the Mediterranean, Spain offers a relaxed atmosphere and affordable living costs.
Spain’s capital, Madrid, is often called the “Gay capital of Europe,” and hosts Europe’s largest gay pride festival, every year. Its main neighborhood, Chueca, is home to a wide variety of LGBTQ+ bars and clubs.
Barcelona also hosts a large LGBTQ+ district, the Eixample also referred to as the “Gaixample.”
On the downside, teaching salaries in Spain are somewhat lower than in many other places in Asia or South America. The reason is that Spain already has many English teachers.
However, Spain is more affordable than most other Western European nations, as you still get all the conveniences of a modern first-world country.
Average monthly salary:
- From $835 to $1900 USD
Average cost of living:
- From $800 to $1200 USD per month
Minimum qualifications:
- Bachelor’s degree
- Teaching license (for private schools)
- Teaching assistants must be under age 60
Typical perks:
- Health insurance
4. Best for Saving Money: China
China is a rapidly developing nation with a population of over 1.4 billion! With this development comes an increased demand for English teachers.
English teachers are typically paid well in China, although not as much as in the UAE.
However, living expenses in China are incredibly cheap, and teachers can find themselves saving with ease.
Since the start of the global pandemic, teaching in China has become harder with their borders closed most of the time. But, with the right credentials, you are able to go, you just must be prepared for several weeks of quarantine.
Average salary:
- From $1200 to $3500 USD per month
Average cost of living:
- $380 to $1000 USD per month
Minimum qualifications:
- Bachelor’s degree
- Fluent English speaker from English speaking country
- TEFL certification
- Under age 60 for men and 55 for women
Perks:
- Housing
- Flights
- Health insurance
5. Best for Perks: South Korea
South Korea takes good care of its foreign teachers.
Schools typically offer free housing and healthcare. They also usually offer a flight allowance to get there, and a severance package if you have to leave early.
Although South Korea can be expensive, teachers tend to be compensated well to fit the costs of living.
Average salary range:
- From $1350 to $3100 USD per month
Average cost of living:
- About $1000 USD per month
Typical perks:
- Housing
- Healthcare
- Flights
- Severance package
6. Best for Future Career Growth: United Arab Emirates
The United Arab Emirates is famously home to Abu Dhabi and Dubai. The country has modernized rapidly over the last several decades and has a high demand for English teachers.
The UAE takes a different approach to hire teachers than most other nations.
They prefer to get the cream of the crop, and they pay extra for it. English teachers in many schools in Dubai, for example, must have several years of teaching experience. They also must possess formal teaching credentials.
Teaching in the UAE is often a good idea for experienced English teachers in the United States who want to get out of the country. Because most US teachers already have credentials, it is easier for them to obtain a job here.
Teachers who only have a Bachelor’s degree are at somewhat of a disadvantage. However, if you have already spent several years teaching abroad, it will also make it easier to get a job in the UAE.
In any case, teaching in UAE is usually a mid to late-career move, since it requires significant experience and credentials.
Average salary range:
- From $3300 to $5500 USD per month
Average cost of living:
- From $1350 to $1900 USD per month
Minimum qualifications:
- Bachelor’s degree
- TEFL certification
- 2+ years teaching experience
- Fluent speaker
Typical perks:
- Housing
- Flights
- Health insurance
7. Best for side money: Anywhere!
The whole world has taken a turn for the digital, with everyone being a video call away.
And so, you can also choose to teach English online from virtually anywhere, so long as you have a good internet connection.
Hourly wage:
- From $10 to $25 per hour USD
Average cost of living:
- Depends on where you live!
Minimum qualifications:
- Be a fluent English speaker
Typical perks:
- Work without having to leave your house
Begin to teach English abroad
If you want to teach English, the world is your oyster. English teaching is one of the most consistently in-demand jobs for foreigners around the globe.
Depending on your personal needs and preferences, you may find one place or another more suitable.
Western Europe may be more expensive, but it can also offer valuable cultural experiences.
East Asia tends to have a better reputation for allowing you to save money, as you receive stellar perks.
And if you want to keep in touch with friends and family in Canada or the US, then a South American nation like Chile might be your best bet.
And if you just want to make some side money, or don’t want to leave your home country, you can always try teaching online.
Allow your curiosity to take you on an adventure and start teaching English abroad.
