Teaching English Abroad 2021: The Ultimate Guide
To qualify for English teaching jobs abroad, you usually only need a TEFL certificate and a bachelor’s degree, which can be broken down into two categories:. Bachelor’s degree (any major). English fluencyESL certificate (like a TEFL) with a minimum of 100 hours of study.
Teaching ESL abroad requirements by region
TESOL or equivalent bachelor’s/master’s degree required; 1-3 years of teaching experience preferred; in-person ESL certificate, such as CELTA, preferred.
2. OK, but technically I can still teach English abroad without an ESL certification, right?
Teaching English in a foreign country without a TEFL certificate is difficult, and most countries are working to tighten requirements for expat teachers. After all, just because you can speak English fluently doesn’t mean you know how to teach English grammar. However, anecdotal evidence suggests that some school will hire you.
3. You say I need a degree to teach overseas. But I’ve heard of people who’ve landed a job without one?
Although most countries prefer candidates with a bachelor’s degree, if you don’t have one, you can still teach in some countries in Europe, Central and South America, and you’ll have a better chance of landing a TEFL job if you’re willing to network.
4. Do I need to have teaching experience to teach English abroad?
Most private language and ESL schools in other countries don’t require a teaching license; all you need is a degree and TEFL certification. However, you won’t be able to apply to teach at international K-12 schools, Department of Defense schools, or public school systems.
5. Don’t I need to speak the local language to be able to, y’know, communicate with my students?
Most international schools prefer it if you don’t speak the native language; after all, total immersion in a new language has been shown to be the most effective way to learn it faster. You don’t need to be bilingual to teach English in another country; you just need to be good at learning a foreign language.
6. I’m not from a native-English speaking country, do I still qualify for English teaching jobs abroad?
Many people who do not speak English as a first language find work as English teachers, and there are many great-paying jobs available. Having a TEFL certificate is a great way to show employers that you have what it takes to be a great teacher.
7. Am I too old (or too young) to teach abroad?
It is a common misconception that teaching English abroad is only for people in their early to mid-twenties. However, you can teach English abroad in your thirties, forties, fifties, and even sixties! Some Asian countries have an official maximum age of 60 for visa applicants.
8. How much money can I make teaching English abroad?
Salaries for teaching English abroad vary depending on the country and region in which you work, as well as a candidate’s level of experience and qualifications. Asia, particularly China, Japan, and South Korea, are known for their highly competitive compensation packages.
9. What kind of benefits can I expect teaching English abroad?
In Europe, you will almost certainly be responsible for your own airfare as well as health insurance; however, many schools in Asia and the Middle East will cover your health insurance and reimburse you for airfare.
10. What are the basic start-up costs I need to save for?
Here are some things to consider if you want to teach in another country.
a) Getting qualified
A TEFL certificate can cost anywhere from $1,000 USD for an online, self-paced TEFL course to upwards of $2,000 USD for a four-week, full-time, in-person course. Most hiring schools are happy to interview candidates ahead of time, so your start-up costs should be kept to a minimum.
b) Getting there
If money is tight, consider teaching in South Korea or China, or choose a country with a low cost of living, such as Thailand or Vietnam, where your money will go a long way.
c) Getting settled in
Keep an eye on the exchange rate in the lead up to the big move, and do a cost of living comparison before you go. You may also want to set aside a contingency fund in case of any unexpected expenses when you first arrive. We like sites like Numbeo and Expatistan for cost-of-living comparisons.
11. Will I have to pay taxes while teaching abroad?
Will you have to pay local taxes if you move to a new country? For example, in Korea, you pay around 3% tax on earned income; see EY’s Worldwide Personal Tax Guide for more information on how much tax you’ll have to pay.
Example 1: How taxes work for US teachers abroad ?
If you’re a US citizen living abroad and earn more than $10,000 USD, you’ll have to file an annual US federal tax return; however, unless you’re making a lot of money teaching English, you won’t have to pay US income tax.
Example 2: How taxes work for Canadian teachers abroad ?
If the country you’re teaching in has a tax treaty with Canada, the local taxes you pay are deducted from your Canadian tax bill. Do your homework by looking up the full list of countries that have a tax treaty with Canada.
What qualifications do I need to teach English abroad?
The following are the most common TEFL certifications:
- Cambridge CELTA
- Trinity CertTESOL
- Level 5 TEFL Diploma
- Cambridge CELTA
How do I get a job teaching overseas?
How to Get a Teaching Job in a Foreign Country
- Choose a country to teach in.
- Prepare Your Resume/CV.
- Apply for Teaching Jobs.
- Ace the Interview.
- Negotiate Your Salary and Contract.
- Accept Your New Teaching Job.
- Financially Prepare Before You Depart.
How do I get paid to teach English abroad?
There are ten excellent paid programs to teach English in other countries.
- Get TEFL Certified with Premier TEFL.
- Get TEFL Certified with Asian College of Teachers.
- Get TEFL Certified with Entrust TEFL.
- Get TEFL Certified with Language House TEFL.
- Get TEFL Certified with ITTT.
How do I get a TEFL job with no experience?
Without prior teaching experience, there are four steps to finding a TEFL job.
- Step 1: Obtain TEFL certification
- In the past, native English speakers with no teaching experience or qualifications could walk into TEFL jobs abroad.
- Step 2: Select a destination.
- Step 3: Prepare your TEFL CV.
- Step 4: Apply for jobs.
How much does a TEFL certificate cost?
Prices vary depending on a number of factors, but expect to pay around $200 for very basic online certification and closer to $400-500 USD for online certification with sufficient hours to qualify for most TEFL jobs (at least 100).
Is tefl hard to pass?
In general, TEFL is not difficult to pass; however, face-to-face courses require interviews and strict admission requirements, so students who are unlikely to complete or pass the course will not be admitted.
What country pays the most for English teachers?
The top nine countries that pay the most for EFL teachers
| 1. The United Arab Emirates | US$3,500 – 5,000 per month |
|---|---|
| 2. Japan | US$2,200 – 5,000 per month |
| 3. Saudi Arabia | US$3,000 – 4,000 per month |
| 4. Kuwait | US$2,600 – 4,000 per month |
| 5. Oman | US$2,000 – 3,500 per month |
What qualifications do you need to teach abroad?
A teaching qualification or license from a reputable Western university, such as England’s Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE), Scotland’s Postgraduate Diploma in Education (PGDE), Ireland’s BEd/MA in Education, or a US state teaching license, is required to work in the vast majority of schools abroad.
How long does it take to get a TEFL Certificate?
A TEFL certification course can last anywhere from four to six months; shorter, four-week courses are usually full-time (30-40 hours per week) and very demanding.
How much do TEFL jobs pay?
How much do TEFL teachers make? ESL teacher salaries range from $600 USD per month to $4,000 USD per month, depending on where you teach.
What is the best country to teach English in?
Being able to communicate in English opens up the possibility of teaching English in every inhabited continent of the world. This Just In! The Best Place to Teach Abroad in 2022
- China.
- United Arab Emirates.
- Senegal.
- Russia.
- Chile.
- Japan.
- Morocco.
- Colombia.
- Chile.
Is a TEFL certificate worth it?
Is TEFL Certification Worth It? Yes, if you want to get a good teaching job and be an effective teacher for your students. Remember, most schools around the world require a TEFL certification, and once you have it, you can start applying for jobs and interviewing for them.
Can I get a job with online TEFL?
Working for an online company is the best way to gain initial experience and improve your teaching skills. TEFL is similar to other types of freelance jobs in that you must build up a client base, which takes time.
Can you make a living teaching English online?
In general, online English teachers earn between $10 and $40 USD per hour, depending on their level of qualification; if you’re a first-time English teacher with a TEFL certification, you’ll likely earn $10-$20 per hour to begin with, thanks to platforms like VIPKID, which offer base rates plus incentives.
Which TEFL course is the best?
The 7 Best TEFL Courses for Teaching English in a Foreign Country
- TEFLPros.
- MyTEFL.
- International TEFL Academy.
- Vantage.
- International TEFL and TESOL Training (ITTT)
- The TEFL Academy. i-to-i. When it comes to online TEFL courses, i-to-i is one of the best.