Thinking about teaching abroad but wondering what the easiest countries to teach English are? If you perpetually suffer from the travel bug, like money, and are an Anglophone, the decision to get paid to teach English abroad is a no-brainer. I mean, why be a teacher at the same elementary school you attended 20 years ago, if you can stand in front of the classroom while flaunting new fashions, collecting passport stamps, and even getting a tax break?
The world is your oyster! Go find the best places in the world to teach English.
Whether speaking from a philanthropic, adventurous, financial, professional, or cultural point of view, there are as many reasons to teach English abroad as there are accents within the population. And while it is a meaningful endeavor to educate the world anywhere, there are some countries that make the entire experience just a tad bit easier. Welcoming communities, a comfortable lifestyle, clean visa processes, and a scrumptious food scene make the following countries some of the best places in the world to teach English abroad.
So, what countries need English teachers?
1. South Korea
With a raging modern sector and increasing reliance on international commerce, South Korea is one of the easiest countries to teach English for its sheer demand and economy. Teachers receive some of the highest salaries (average $2000 a month) and the ability to lead a cheaper lifestyle means both endless kimchi and extra cash in your pocket. This can be used to fund future travels in and around Korea, which is brimming with natural wonders and crazy K-pop bars.
Well-disciplined students and relatively easy visa requirements make teaching English in Korea a breeze, despite the A.M. transportation chaos in the Land of the Morning Calm. Additionally, teacher perks and benefits have a high standard, with flight tickets and accommodation sometimes included in the position. Hagwon (private for-profit educational centers) are numerous, which offer even more teaching positions to both new and experienced teachers.
Recommended teaching jobs:
2. Japan
No one minds waking up early for school when THIS is your view.
Like South Korea, Japan also offers competitive pay and benefit packages to English teachers from abroad. Education is valued very highly in the Land of the Rising Sun, which means that job requirements are usually a bit more strict and that students have less discipline issues in the classroom. Cost of living is higher than surrounding countries, but there is a thriving street food culture and compensation packages can be very generous.
Since 1987, the Japan Exchange and Teaching Program (JET) has been offering classroom opportunities to young college graduates to develop a resume, experience the culture, and build an international network. From elementary to high school, teaching positions are carefully selected with the ideal of establishing grass-roots internationalism at a neighborhood level, which means abundant mingling activities after class hours. This polite island is a lot more than just sushi and Sailor Moon!
Recommended teaching jobs:
- ITTT
- i-to-I TEFL
- See all English teaching jobs in Japan
3. Colombia
Teaching opportunities in Colombia are just as caliente as its salsa rhythms. After years of seclusion, the Ministry of Education has recently opened its doors to recruit English teachers from abroad, with its biggest centers in hoppin’ Medellin and Bogota. Private language schools are booming, as the nation’s economy becomes more and more global, but local school openings are also numerous, with their intimate classrooms and homestay options.
Boasting the world’s most smiling population, Colombia is bound to welcome you with a big glass of canelazo, an endearing nickname, and fiesta invitations any day of the week. Price of living is low, food standards are high, the social scene is constant, and there are plenty more buried treasures than the Lost City. Between rainbow waterfalls and positive pupils, Colombia leaves a sway in even the stiffest international teachers’ hips.
Recommended teaching jobs:
4. Morocco
Don’t count out Morocco in your quest to get paid to teach English abroad.
The Strait of Gibraltar continues to dominate international exchange, and Morocco’s connection to the surrounding continent means that English is essential for effective communication. With UK-owned Gibraltar just across the sea (hullo, weekend mash and bangers!), many people from Morocco have their eyes set on work opportunities in Europe. Similarly, the tourism sector is booming in Morocco due to its year-round summer conditions and English dominates most conversations.
Most English teaching opportunities are at large international schools and private language institutions, with adult tutoring becoming more common. The diversity of students, native languages, and beliefs make Morocco an always-changing kaleidoscope of sounds and mindsets, so mentally prepare yourself for a deep cultural immersion (remember that Morocco is predominantly Islam, so it tends to be more conservative than its western counterparts).
Recommended teaching jobs:
5. Mexico
Listen to Ernesto de la Cruz’s wise advice: “seize your moment.” Clearly, he was talking about getting your cha-cha on while teaching English in Mexico! With one of the best expat populations, the #1 ranked street food worldwide, and a different taco flavor for every day of the year, even Mexico’s beaches can’t compete with the heat of teaching in North America’s southern country. With an economy and population closely linked to the USA, the demand for English is higher than the Pyramid of the Sun.
Teaching qualifications are not super strict, positions usually operate with a work visa (whereas most teaching positions in Latin America work with a tourist visa, which means no health care and a questionable legal status), and there are many positions to fill in advance, which makes Mexico one of the best places in the world to teach English. Furthermore, teaching English online is really gaining popularity throughout the country, so you can always supplement any missing income with work from home.
Recommended teaching jobs:
6. Germany
One of the easiest countries to teach English also just so happens to have the best beer and pretzels around.
While Germany is sometimes mocked for its rule-following and seriousness, these are great pros when speaking about classroom teaching. With a high quality of life, great work-play balance, and a central European location, Germany attracts English teachers that don’t really want the additional stress of messy bureaucratic procedures.
The income is not too shabby (average $2000 per month), rising significantly with proper TEFL certification (up to $5000!), so we definitely recommend supplementing your bachelor’s degree with an extra certificate of awesomeness. English language teaching positions range from daycare to international schools to adult business centers. Coupled with the fact that Germany is suffering a shortage of teachers, available educational positions are many and the perks are generous. Lederhosen not required.
Recommended teaching jobs:
7. Czech Republic
Enchanted forests, medieval castles, and an endless combination of meat and pastries make the Czech Republic one of the most fun and interesting countries to teach English abroad. Plus, czech this out: huge tourism sector, work visas for non-EU citizens, year-round job openings, and beer that is cheaper than water make the CR one of the easiest countries to teach English in.
Private schools make up the vast majority of English teaching positions in the Czech Republic, with graduate-level teachers filing the public school slots. Pay isn’t high in comparison to other countries, but the cost of living is very low. Plus, all of Eastern Europe is a stone’s throw or short train ride away to explore on a small budget. With a quickly-growing tech start-up and tourism industry, Prague’s population is growing rapidly in size and diversity. Even the astronomical tower clock will be chiming in English soon!
Recommended teaching jobs:
8. United Arab Emirates
Opportunities to get paid to teach English abroad in the UAE are sky high.
The UAE is known to have the highest teacher qualifications, but if you make the cut, you’ll be living on top of the world (kinda almost literally). Workplace atmospheres are relaxed, hours are short, income is tax-free, and conditions for living are posh. Furthermore, the UAE is centrally-located between continents, the cultural opportunities are stark, and the population is one of the most international in the world.
International schools are the powerhouse of the English language teaching force, with younger students not at all uncommon. There are also many additional educational opportunities with the English language, as schools are looking to hire knowledgeable staff in a range of subjects to be taught in English. If you’re dying to race camels around exquisite sandcastles, now’s your chance.
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Find jobs in the easiest countries to teach English!
Which of the best places in the world to teach English is the best for you?
This list of best places in the world to teach English just proves that there is an opportunity to be someone’s Dumbledore or Mr. Miyagi anywhere in the world. With positions aplenty and the English language continuing to boom, now is the ideal time to get paid to teach English abroad. Grab your suitcase, pack your favorite highlighters, and get ready for the most meaningful adventure of your life!
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