There are 7.6 billion people on this planet—well even more since the time you started reading that first sentence. About 1.5 billion of the earth’s population speaks English. Of the 1.5 billion who speak English, almost 400 million are native speakers.
Ok, not here to give you a math lesson, but with these stats, it’s understood that over a billion people on earth today somehow had to learn the English language—maybe Youtube, maybe movies, maybe an app.
Our list of the countries that need English teachers might surprise you!
There are many countries with high demand for English teachers. Non-native English students are likely to have learned, are learning, or will learn to speak English at a school or academy.
And those schools need teachers! Teachers like you who are thrilled at the prospects of moving abroad, living in a new culture, and finding those countries with a bustling job market for English teachers!
If you’re looking to teach abroad, head to the countries with high demand for English teachers. Regardless of where you go, you will find adventure in any part of the globe.
The global population is getting bigger and technology is making it easier to connect and make the world much smaller than in the past. Countries that need English teachers are growing more than ever before.
Teaching abroad will give you the ability to help people connect with those who really need to speak English for business, education, travel, and more.
Read on to learn our take on what countries need English teachers!
Which countries need English teachers? 9 destinations to look at
In no particular order, these are the places that where your Native skills are in high demand.
Finding meaningful, profitable work as an ESL teacher abroad.
1. Brazil
Brazil is one of the countries in high demand for English teachers due to a boom in business, trade, and tourism. The most popular cities to teach in are Rio de Janeiro and Sao Paolo.
Typically, a Bachelor’s degree is not required, but it will be a huge advantage in getting you a better job. A TEFL certificate is generally required. However, in some cases, just speaking English is a good enough requirement depending on what area of Brazil you are going.
Peak hiring seasons are March and August. Who wouldn’t want to go to one of the world’s best coffee countries while enjoying the amazing landscape throughout South America’s largest country?
- Recommended teaching job: International TEFL Academy
- See ALL teaching jobs in Brazil
2. Cambodia
ESL teaching positions in Cambodia’s job market are growing quickly. Tourism has grown drastically ever since the fall of the Khmer rouge just decades ago which means that English is needed more for people to get better jobs.
You can explore the ruins of the Angkor temples or head to the beaches to relax on your weekends. It’s fairly easy to secure a job since a degree and experience are not required. However, it’s highly recommended and sometimes required to have a TEFL certificate in hand to teach abroad in Cambodia.
Hiring happens year round and interviews typically take place in person. Salaries are not high, but enough to live on.
There’s tons to explore in Cambodia and securing a teaching job will give you the ability to stay long term. But make sure you don’t just go because it’s easy; go because you genuinely want to teach.
- Recommended teaching job: TEFL Heaven
- See ALL teaching jobs in Cambodia
3. China
Over 300 million people are learning English in China. That's about the population of the United States and has likely grown!
There’s an estimated 100,000 English teachers who receive loads of benefits at their teaching jobs. Teachers typically get free rent and have salaries where they are easily able to save.
Hiring happens year round with peak hiring in September. In order to legally obtain your work visa, teachers must prove that they have a four year degree. It’s also highly recommended to have a TEFL certificate.
Although China typically hires native English speakers, it’s not a requirement. It’s possible to be a non-native speaker with a killer resume and snag a job in one of the top countries with high demand for English teachers.
- Recommended teaching job: EF English First
- See ALL teaching jobs in China
The countries desperate for English teachers span continents, time zones, cultures, & more.
4. Colombia
Colombia is on the newbie list for countries that need English teachers and growing the amount of in-country ESL teachers is crucial. In fact, English as the country’s second language is high up on the list for education initiatives.
To teach in Colombia, a four-year degree is not required. However, it will definitely give you a bit of a head start, especially with the ESL job market in Colombia growing.
A TEFL certificate is a pretty standard minimum requirement and will make you stand out more while applying for jobs. Hiring seasons happen between January and March and again in July and August.
- Recommended teaching job: Teach Away
- See ALL teaching jobs in Colombia
5. Mexico
Not only is Mexico one of the countries that need English teachers, but what a perfect way to brush up on your own Spanish skills. You also get the bonus of beaches, fiestas, and REAL tacos.
You do not need to have a Bachelor’s degree to teach in Mexico, but it’s recommended that you have a TEFL certificate. Many teachers find the cost-of-living-to-salary ratio doable to break even or maybe even save a bit.
Because many jobs are offered in person, taking a TEFL course in Mexico can easily guarantee job placement. This makes the transition abroad easy and smooth. Hiring happens year round.
- Recommended teaching job: International Teacher Training Organization
- See ALL teaching jobs in Mexico
6. Morocco
The need for English teachers in Morocco is growing. Because of tourism and businesses expanding, it’s another one of the countries that need English teachers as the language is a necessity to compete in the global world.
Although you won’t make loads of money living in Morocco, the cost of living is low. You can experience northern Africa’s cultural mix of French and Arabic. The culture is something you need to experience first-hand!
Besides a quick trip to Fez and Marrakech (the more touristy towns), living and teaching in Morocco will allow you to explore beyond the regular backpacker spots.
To teach in Morocco you will need to be a native English speaker with a degree and a TEFL certificate. It’s recommended to have some experience as well.
- Recommended teaching job: International TEFL Academy
- See ALL teaching jobs in Morocco
7. Russia
You’ll be fascinated by the culture throughout the world’s largest country. The vastness offers unique art, cathedrals, museums, and history that you can’t just get from your school textbooks.
Just like most countries, Russia is realizing that English is a language that is becoming more necessary globally and as such, had to be included on our list of what countries need English teachers!
Russian language schools hire year round making it easy for you to head on over at your own convenience.
Also, if you don’t have a degree, no problem! It’s one of the world’s few countries that does not require a Bachelor’s degree. However, you should make sure that you have a TEFL certificate before you head over.
- Recommended teaching job: Smile English School
- See ALL teaching jobs in Russia
About 1.5 billion of the Earth’s population speaks English. Can you make it 1.5 billion and 1?
8. South Korea
Teaching abroad in South Korea offers a great paycheck on top of experience in a fun K-popping country. Contracts are typically a year long and the ease of living here makes the job and life a breeze.
You will need to have a Bachelor’s degree in any subject and be from a native English speaking country such as the USA, Canada, the UK, Ireland, South Africa, New Zealand, or Australia.
Although it is not required in all schools, a TEFL is going to be a huge advantage. A recent change has been made for public schools to require a TEFL certificate so you may as well make sure to get certified beforehand to be on top of any more changes to come.
Peak hiring seasons are in February and August.
- Recommended teaching job: TravelBud
- See ALL teaching jobs in South Korea
9. Spain
If you are looking into teaching ESL in western Europe, Spain is by far the most practical choice. Spain’s ESL job market accepts more foreign teachers and the cost of living is less than other surrounding countries.
Desperate for English teachers, Madrid has the largest job market. You won’t make a ton, but you can break even while enjoying your free time.
The culture is really relaxed and you’ll have to have a go with the flow attitude while teaching abroad in Spain.
To teach abroad in Spain, you need to have a degree, a TEFL certificate, and be from a native English speaking country.
Peak hiring seasons are September through October and again in early January.
- Recommended teaching job: ConversaSpain
- See ALL teaching jobs in Spain
[Explore ALL English Teaching Jobs Abroad]
The ESL job market is calling
Make a difference! Find English teaching jobs abroad today.
Knowing what countries need English teachers helps get the ball rolling so that you can make a difference abroad! The job market is poppin’ for wannabe ESL teachers.
If you have the proper qualifications, you will have no problem finding a job teaching ESL abroad. The majority of people who teach English overseas are not “lifers.”
This means that people go for an average of one to three years to teach abroad and then head on to something else. The turnover is high, so there are always job vacancies. This is not a negative thing to worry about, though, it’s just how the ESL job market is.
Many people don’t leave their home country for their entire life but want to dip their toes into this career for a short term experience. This means that you can easily find a job if you are patient and work with top notch program recruiters.
Teaching abroad is a great experience. If you have a desire to work with non-English speakers, help others learn one of the world’s most spoken languages, and want to travel the world while making some cash, you will find that being an ESL teacher is a great fit for just that.
Head somewhere unique and out of your comfort zone and remember to fully immerse yourself in the culture. Get abroad by doing some meaningful travel in one of these countries that need English teachers!
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