Travel, but make it meaningful. That’s exactly what a job teaching English abroad can offer.
You’ll get to immerse yourself in the local culture, give back to the community, and earn some money so you can explore along the way. Still, if you’re not from a narrow list of countries, you might find even getting considered for a position teaching English harder than you expect.
But not impossible! There are opportunities out there if you know where to look.
You’re in good company if you’re wondering about the best countries to teach English for non-native speakers. After all, many employers and government programs stick to a non-native English speaker definition that labels anyone who isn’t from the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand, or South Africa a non-native speaker.
We get it. It can feel incredibly frustrating to see jobs that don’t just want English teachers, but want English teachers from a specific set of countries, if you’re fluent in English but from, well, anywhere else in the world. Fortunately, some places will welcome you and your English-teaching dreams, no matter where you call home.
Are there teaching job opportunities for non-native English speakers?
You’ll absolutely find teaching job opportunities for non-native English teachers out there, so don’t panic if you don’t check all the boxes in the restricted definition of “native English speaker.”
Yes, English-teaching gigs may be more difficult to find than options open to “native” English speakers, and you may have some extra application steps to prove you’re qualified once you do find jobs open to you. But teaching opportunities exist in many amazing places to live and work.
You can even use your status as a non-native speaker to your advantage when you’re applying to jobs. You put in the time and effort to learn English. You know what it takes to learn the language, you have a clear picture of the ins and outs of all those grammar rules and spelling quirks, and you have your own tips for mastering the language to pass on to your future students.
Non-native teachers of English like you can relate better than anyone to the English learners in their classrooms, so play up how your own experiences inform your teaching practices. Then find jobs in countries that welcome non-native speakers and apply with confidence.
What is a native English speaker? What is the definition of a non-native English speaker?
Many countries and job providers define “native English speaker” in a narrow way.
Defining what it means to be a native English speaker in the job market can get tricky. You may think anyone who grew up speaking English could be considered a native English speaker, meaning you’re eligible to teach just as long as you have the requisite fluency.
But the international job market takes a more narrow approach to its native English speaker (and non-native English speaker) definition. Job postings often define native English speakers only as people from the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa, excluding folks from many places where English is widely spoken and even considered an official language.
That means aspiring English teachers from places like India, the Philippines, Singapore, or Caribbean islands run up against that frustratingly narrow approach to defining “native English speaker” when they’re starting the job search. The same goes for anyone who learned English as a second language.
Sometimes, the requirement for native English speakers from specific nations comes from a job provider. Often, though, countries themselves set these hiring requirements.
Real talk: Your birthplace doesn’t dictate if you’re fluent in English. So while you may find it harder to find a teaching job than your “native” English speaker counterparts, there are many places that will welcome the expertise you can bring to the role.
5 best countries to teach English (for non-native speakers of English)
Don’t worry if you don’t fit neatly into the narrow native English speaker meaning most places use when hiring for teaching jobs. These countries offer the opportunity for non-native English speakers to teach English abroad:
1. Cambodia
There’s so much to appreciate about life in Cambodia.
You’ll find plenty of reasons to teach English in Cambodia. Rich culture and history? Check. Amazing food? Check. Affordable cost of living? Yeah, you guessed it.
It’s no surprise this country consistently attracts English teachers overall, and Cambodia also tops the list of places to job hunt for teaching job opportunities for non-native English teachers. The requirements here are much less strict than in neighboring countries in Southeast Asia.
You won’t need a four-year degree, TEFL certification, or native-speaker residence to start teaching in Cambodia. Though lower barriers to entry typically mean lower teaching salaries compared to Vietnam or Thailand, cost of living isn’t high, either. In other words, you can support yourself and have some funds left over to explore Cambodia and the wider region.
- Salary range: $700 to $1,200 per month
- Recommended program: Get Paid to Teach English Abroad with a TEFL Certification from International TEFL Academy
2. Argentina
Argentina awaits when you’re on the hunt for an ideal opportunity for non-native English speakers to teach English abroad. Like many countries in Latin America, you don’t need to come from any particular place to land a teaching job in Argentina.
You will, however, need a TESOL, TEFL, or CELTA certification, degree in teaching, or prior teaching experience (or combination of the above). Once you get those necessary resume features under your belt, you’ll find Argentina is an ideal place to take your teaching dreams.
Whether you’re looking for laid-back countryside living or a teaching adventure in a big city, this country has you covered. You’ll find a community of expats and international teachers just about anywhere you go.
- Salary range: $600 to $1,200 per month
- Recommended program: Teaching Jobs with International TEFL & TESOL Training
3. Thailand
Teaching English during the week and beach trips on the weekend? Yes please!
From the landscape to the culture to the culinary scene, Thailand has something for everyone. It’s no wonder a big expat community—including many teachers—calls this country home.
Even better? Thailand welcomes non-native teachers of English as long as they can demonstrate certain English-language skills.
A four-year college degree plus an IELTS score of 5 or higher or TOEIC score of 600 or higher are standard asks. The Thai government doesn’t require a TEFL certificate, but getting one can help boost your chances of finding a job as a non-native speaker. And while your monthly pay won’t reach the totals you’d get in countries like Vietnam, South Korea, or in the Gulf, you can look forward to a very low cost of living.
Salary range: $800 to $2,500 per month
Recommended program: TEFL Certification and Teaching English in Thailand
4. Spain
Come from an EU country? The passport-based non-native English speaker meaning that disqualifies many folks from teaching positions will play less of a role in your job search. That’s because most EU citizens can legally work in other EU countries, so your school won’t need to worry about getting you a visa.
As long as you have top-notch English skills (and likely a bachelor’s degree and TEFL or CELTA certificate), you’re eligible as an EU citizen to teach English in most other EU nations. Spain is a great place to look for teaching jobs.
You’ll find a variety of opportunities, especially teaching English to young learners, with camps, volunteer opportunities, and full-time employers all searching for skilled teachers. Salaries vary, but many on the lower end also offer homestays as part of the package—cutting your monthly expenses while boosting your own language and cultural immersion.
- Salary range: $500 - $1,700
- Recommended program: Teach in a Spanish School (No Fees)
5. Chile
If you love hiking and the outdoors, this is the place for you.
One look at the map of Chile will have you eager to start your job search. The range of flora, fauna, and landscapes (think: everything from glaciers to deserts, penguins to Patagonian pumas) is enough to inspire plane-ticket research sessions before you have the rest of your plan worked out.
Chile also comes through with a range of teaching possibilities. Opportunities include government-sponsored programs, public schools, private language schools, and volunteer gigs.
As in Argentina and other countries in Latin America, your citizenship won’t play a big role in getting you hired to teach English in Chile. Here, you’ll likely need a bachelor’s degree along with certification in TEFL, TESOL, or CELTA. You’ll find many teaching job opportunities for non-native English teachers if you have those qualifications.
- Salary range: $500 to $1,200
- Recommended program: Teach English Abroad with OnTESOL
Get matched with 5 English teaching opportunities abroad for FREE
The perfect opportunity to teach English abroad is out there!
Don’t let a narrow non-native English speaker meaning stop your dream of teaching English in its tracks. Once you know where to look, you’re well on your way to landing a teaching job abroad. Get ready to pack your bags, draft those lesson plans, and set off to teach the next group of aspiring English speakers.
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