Teaching English abroad without a degree is possible—especially in these epic world class cities. ☆
Teaching abroad is an awesome gig. You get paid to live abroad and interact with either adorable children or fun adults, while playing games and teaching them skills they’ll use for a lifetime. It’s easy to see the appeal in teaching abroad, and to want to pursue it!
Teaching abroad is a great way to live abroad!
But are you qualified to teach abroad? Qualifications differ for each country, and for different schools within the country. The bottom line is that anyone with the desire can qualify to teach abroad, even those without a degree! Read on to discover some of our favorite countries and cities for teachers without a degree.
Can I really teach English abroad without a bachelor’s degree?
Short answer: Absolutely!
Long answer, mostly! To teach English abroad, most positions require some sort of teaching experience or training. Unless you have years of teaching experience or a degree in teaching, you’ll probably need to get certified to Teach English as a Foreign Language, or TEFL certified. The majority of teaching positions anywhere for anyone require a TEFL certification, but it’s especially important for those teaching abroad without a degree. Read more about if you really need to be TEFL certified here.
With your TEFL certification, the only barrier to teaching abroad without a degree is certain countries with visa restrictions. For example, a school in China might want to hire you to teach English at their school. However, because of the influx of teachers in China, the Chinese government has tightened requirements for teachers to legally obtain a visa to teach in English. For a legal visa, you need both a TEFL certification and a bachelor’s degree.
Teaching English abroad without a degree is definitely possible. Just make sure to check into visa requirements for each country. Keep in mind that you’ll probably need a TEFL certification too. (See our Ultimate Guide to TEFL Certification here).
8 awesome cities for teaching English abroad without a degree
Where can I teach English abroad without a degree?
1. Barcelona, Spain
Spain is a wonderful country with a very different culture; the way of life in general is slower paced and centered around siestas. That’s right, teaching English in Spain likely means afternoon naps for you. Spain has tons of different opportunities for English teachers, including, but not limited to, private tutoring, private language schools, summer English language camps, public schools, and teaching business professionals. A bachelor’s degree is preferred but not required as long as teachers are TEFL certified.
Barcelona is home to beautiful churches like the Sagrada Familia pictured here.
And Barcelona is a perfect place for teaching English abroad in Spain. Have you ever wondered about the Sagrada Família, an iconic symbol of Barcelona? How about the countless other cool architecture, pristine white beaches, and endless museums that Barcelona has to offer? Teaching in Barcelona puts you right in the cultural heart of Spain. You’ll enjoy afternoons relaxing in a Spanish, munching on tapas, or strolling the city’s many picturesque market streets.
Recommended teaching jobs overseas without a degree in Spain:
2. Mexico City, Mexico
You’ll get to see the gorgeous Palacio de Bellas Artes Cultural center in Mexico City, Mexico
Mexico City is a bright, bustling city, and the capital of Mexico! While it is a modern and vibrant city today, Mexico city also has a lot of history. In fact, it’s known for a thirteenth-century Aztec temple, the Templo Mayor. When you’re not busy exploring ancient ruins, you can buy amazing and authentic street tacos from local street vendors. Add that to the low cost of living, and you’ve got a great place to teach english abroad without a bachelor’s degree.
Today, Mexico City has a great market for English teachers, but it wasn’t always like that. Until a few years ago, Mexico didn’t allow teachers without degrees. Their government recently passed legislation allows teachers with just TEFL certification. That means that, now, the market for English teachers is growing like crazy. Most jobs here don’t include housing, but teachers’ salaries are generally enough to afford a comfortable standard of living.
Recommended teaching jobs overseas without a degree in Mexico:
3. Almaty, Kazakhstan
Never heard of Kazakhstan? We don’t blame you! It’s actually the ninth largest country in the world, bordering both Russia and China. In this gigantic country, for most teaching jobs, a bachelor’s degree is preferred but not required. So long as you have your TEFL certification, you’ll be a-okay! However, definitely be prepared for some competition with teaching jobs, as the degree is preferred.
This gorgeous view is enough to convince anyone to move to Almaty!
When it comes down to it, the competition for teaching jobs in Kazakhstan is 100% worth it! The majority of teaching jobs in Kazakhstan include free housing (yes, free!) and some even offer a small flight allowance to cover your transportation to the country.
The city of Almaty is one of the most gorgeous in all of Kazakhstan! The city features the Ascension Cathedral, a gorgeous Russian Orthodox church that dates back over a hundred years. The city also has tons of museums for you to whittle away afternoons visiting. You’ll get a healthy dose of culture and adventure when you teach abroad in Kazakhstan.
Recommended teaching jobs overseas without a degree in Kazakhstan:
4. Buenos Aires, Argentina
South America countries are generally more open to hiring teachers without degrees, but Argentina is set apart from the rest. Whereas many countries in South America practice in-person (and in-country) interviews, it’s common in Argentina to interview for English teaching jobs beforehand, on the phone or over skype. You’ll have your teaching contract in hand before you get on the plane, because moving abroad can be stressful enough!
Buenos Aires is Argentina’s capital, a beautiful and modern metropolis filled to the brim with culture. You’ll feel right at home in this diverse city, from visiting Teatro Colón, an opera house legendary for its amazing acoustics, to exploring its library, one of the most important libraries in the Americas. Bachelor degrees aren’t required to teach here, but TEFL certification is. Wages are typically break-even, but low cost of living means you’ll live comfortably. Try Argentina for a South American adventure in teaching English abroad without a degree.
Recommended teaching jobs overseas without a degree in Argentina:
5. Hamburg, Germany
This beautiful port town will win your heart with amazing views like this one.
If you’re looking for someplace a little more “Western culture,” then look no further! Many schools in Germany don’t require foreign teachers to have a degree. The only catch is that, to work there legally, you’ll need a work permit visa, which you can’t file for until you have a job contract. Most jobs are interview in person, so you’ll have to get to Germany, interview, snag a job, file for a visa, and wait for the visa to come through before beginning work.
You’ll have to support yourself while waiting for the visa to establish your legal ability to work there, but it’s worth it! Hamburg is a gorgeous port city for Germany, so it’s got beautiful views as well as canals criss crossing the city. Talk about picturesque! Living in Hamburg also means tons of awesome festivals. We’re talking everything from the gay pride parade to the triannual funfair (yes, funfair).
Recommended teaching jobs overseas without a degree in Germany:
6. St Petersburg, Russia
The great thing about TEFL and Russia is the surplus of certification classes hosted in Russia itself. Earning your TEFL certification in country helps you adjust to the culture while also earning you bonus points with potential future employers. It’s a win-win! Teaching in Russia comes with a lot of perks like complimentary housing and a flight stipend. The perks make the market a bit more competitive, especially for teachers without a degree.
However, as long as you have your trusty TEFL certificate, you’ll be able to snag a job in St Petersburg, Russia, where you’ll be constantly amazed by the gorgeous Russian architecture. Known as the “city of palaces,” St Petersburg is home to over 30 beautiful former-palaces, many of which now house museums. The cost of living is fairly low, compared to a slightly higher salary, meaning a bit of saving opportunity for you as well!
Recommended teaching jobs overseas without a degree in Russia:
7. Bratislava, Slovakia
Try teaching in Bratislava, Slovakia where there is a legitimate castle.
Slovakia is in the heart of central Europe. For foreign English teachers, this means that both West and East Europe are within reach for long weekend trips! Slovakia’s location isn’t the only thing that makes it great for teaching English abroad without a degree. It’s also a beautiful country where a degree is typically required; however, because private schools are so popular in Slovakia (and in Bratislava in particular), the a TEFL certification can suffice. It just varies, from private school to private school.
Bratislava is the gorgeous capital of Slovakia, with a beautifully restored historical center full of Gothic churches, adorable cobblestone streets, charming hillside neighborhoods, and pleasant cafes. The entire town is looked down on from the city's impressive castle, a site that’s been inhabited since the Stone Age. Between the history, culture, and charm of the city, Bratislava is a great place to teach English abroad without a bachelor’s degree. You’ll be cultured and earn your place as a seasoned explorer of Europe in no time!
Recommended teaching jobs overseas without a degree in Slovakia:
8. Beirut, Lebanon
This sophisticated cosmopolitan cityscape will draw you in and make your teaching experience amazing!
While Lebanon has a relatively small market for English teachers, its draw lays in its gorgeous scenery such as dreamy white beaches and green mountains, as well as ancient Roman ruins. English teachers everywhere flock to Lebanon’s capital, Beirut. English teachers here typically work just 20-30 hours per week! Many teachers also supplement their income with private tutoring (gotta fund the weekend trips somehow!).
The city, Beirut, is a cosmopolitan hub, an intersection of cultures, and we haven’t even mentioned its incredible food. Both Samkeh Harra, a type of spicy fish, and Akhtabout, a type of Lebanese octopus, are popular foods in the city. The sheer diversity of Beirut makes it an excellent city for English teachers around the globe. From different cultures, a ton of religions, and lots of varying languages, you’re sure to get a large dose of foreign culture when you teach English in Beirut.
Recommended teaching jobs overseas without a degree in Lebanon:
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You’re ready for teaching English abroad without a degree!
Seeing and teaching adorable children like this everyday will become the norm for you!
It’s normal to be nervous about any new job or significant move. But, regardless of whether you have your degree, you have the potential to be an amazing teacher in many different locations abroad! With a TEFL certificate and a positive attitude, you’ll be able to teach English abroad without a degree and touch many people’s lives in significant ways, giving complete strangers the communication skills necessary to help them succeed in their career and their life to come.
You’ll also be living abroad, having adventures through visiting local attractions and maybe even being adventurous with local cuisine. Teaching abroad without a degree is the experience of a lifetime and you are ready to get out there!
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