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Have you been dreaming of ways to travel the world, explore new cultures, try new foods, and more? Teaching English abroad may be your ticket to your next adventure! You may wonder, “Is teaching English abroad in demand?” The answer is a resounding, “Yes!” There are so many opportunities to teach English abroad in locations around the world.
Now you may be wondering how to decide where to go, asking questions like “Which country pays English teachers the most?” or “Where is the easiest place to teach English abroad?” Whether you want to experience a new culture, earn a high salary while enjoying a low cost of living, or advance your career by conquering new challenges, we’ve gathered the 10 best places to teach English abroad in 2024, providing insights into each destination.
If you’re new to teaching, you’ll want to get initial training and qualification with a TEFL certificate so you can qualify for jobs abroad. You can explore our online TEFL courses to get started!
1. Taiwan
Average salary: $1,700 to $2,200 per month
Typical requirements: 120-hour TEFL certificate and BA degree
When you think about teaching abroad in Asia, you probably think of popular TEFL/TESOL locations like South Korea and Japan, but Taiwan is slowly but surely rivaling these TEFL/TESOL powerhouses as one of the best places to teach English abroad.
Located just off the coast of mainland China, Taiwan is a culturally diverse and economically booming country with a vibrant culture and friendly locals. Teaching salaries are on the rise in Taiwan and many schools include a bonus at the end of the teaching contract.
There are opportunities to teach English in private language schools, universities, summer camps, and as a private tutor. Taiwan also offers a digital nomad visa, which allows you to teach remotely for 1-3 years, making this a great location for digital nomad teachers. With its affordable cost of living and diverse mix of bustling cities, national parks, and historical sites, Taiwan is a fantastic location for digital nomads.
Get started with teaching English online as a digital nomad.
2. South Korea
Average salary: $1,700 to $2,200 per month
Typical requirements: 120-hour TEFL certificate and BA degree
South Korea is one of the most desired TEFL/TESOL locations among Bridge grads, and it makes the list of best places to teach English abroad year after year! Modern cities, competitive salaries plus free accommodations, stunning natural beauty, and more await EFL teachers who travel abroad to teach in this East Asian country.
With an estimated 100,000 institutes offering English lessons and a government actively promoting English teaching in public schools, TEFL/TESOL jobs in South Korea can be found year-round, either through a program like EPIK or by applying for TEFL/TESOL jobs directly. Requirements generally include a bachelor’s degree in any subject, TEFL/TESOL certification of 120 hours or more, and sometimes teaching experience.
Korea is notoriously safe and also boasts excellent public transportation, making it easy to discover the wonders of the country, including the iconic Seoul Tower and 600-year-old Bukchon Hanok Village. If you’re looking for a modern teach abroad experience in a dynamic country, South Korea could be the TEFL/TESOL location for you in 2024.
South Korea also just rolled out a new digital nomad visa in 2024. Already a great digital nomad location, the new visa will make it even easier to teach and travel in South Korea. With coworking locations and high-speed Wi-Fi, digital nomads can teach online for tutoring marketplaces, freelance with online language programs, or work as teacherpreneurs, running their own online teaching businesses.
3. Vietnam
Average salary: $1,500-$2,000 per month
Typical requirements: 120-hour TEFL certificate and BA degree
If you’re looking for a teaching-abroad adventure in Southeast Asia, Vietnam has a vibrant mix of natural wonders, lively cities, and delicious cuisine. Brimming with English teaching opportunities, the fast-growing economy of Vietnam means you’ll find jobs in public schools, international schools, universities, and training centers.
A minimum 120-hour TEFL certificate is required for English teaching jobs in Vietnam, and in most cases, a bachelor’s degree will be needed. Some employers, like some schools and universities, will require a teaching license, a bachelor’s degree in education, or a master’s degree.
As living in Vietnam is quite affordable, it has also become an increasingly popular digital nomad location. With many coworking spaces for remote workers, reliable Wi-Fi in most locations, and unique landscapes to explore, you can teach English online full-time or supplement a brick-and-mortar job.
Ready to learn more about teaching English in Vietnam? Read The Ultimate Guide to Teach English in Vietnam.
4. Japan
Average salary: $2,100 to 2,700 per month
Typical requirements: 120-hour TEFL certificate and BA degree
Japan reigns as one of the most popular destinations to teach English. It should come as no surprise, with its rich cultural heritage, vibrant city life, and quaint towns.
TEFL pay is high in Japan, but the cost of living can be high in some locations as well. The good news is that English teachers will find that many public schools offer subsidized housing, even in very affordable rural areas. TEFL/TESOL positions can also be found in private schools across the country, including in many of the larger cities. These private schools often offer benefits such as airfare reimbursement, but the hiring environment tends to be more competitive.
Currently, the JET Program, a Japanese government initiative, is open to applicants across the world. Teachers will get placed in local schools at different levels. There is an interview process that goes along with the application, where you’ll have to bring up your teaching experience as well as your willingness to learn and embrace Japanese culture. The biggest perk? Contracts are one to five years.
Japan is also a great location for digital nomads with many coworking spaces and high-speed internet. There are countless places to explore, and many cafes and restaurants have high-speed Wi-Fi.
Art, nature, and jobs… What’s not to love about Japan? Whether you choose a remote village where you’ll be the only English speaker or a cosmopolitan city, moving to this Asian powerhouse will make 2024 a memorable year.
5. Spain
Average salary: $1,300-$1,500 per month
Typical requirements: 120-hour TEFL certificate, BA degree preferred
Lovely beaches, great wine, and a prominent expat community make this Mediterranean country a top destination. There are many opportunities to teach in Spain, as the government has placed great emphasis on English language instruction for school children.
Reach, Venture, Find International (RVF), a Bridge Preferred Employment Partner, places English teachers in preschools and elementary, middle, and high schools all across Spain. Teachers must be from the U.S., Canada, Australia, or New Zealand and must have an associate’s degree to participate in the program.
Other programs, such as the Ministry of Education Auxiliares program and BEDA, which places teachers in charter schools, are also great options if you’re looking to spend a year or more in Spain. Monthly pay for TEFL teachers in Spain can take you a long way if you’re outside of big cities like Madrid or Barcelona.
Spain is another location with a digital nomad visa, making it another destination for those who want to teach online and travel. You’ll find a strong internet connection, plenty of locations with high-speed Wi-Fi for work on the go, and access to an incredible amount of places to explore.
6. France
Average salary: $1,100-$2,180 per month
Typical requirements: 120-hour TEFL certificate and BA degree
France is a world-class destination for EFL teachers, with its incredible architecture, world-famous food and wine, and sophisticated culture. The French TEFL market has been growing, with expanded opportunities for EFL teachers dreaming of teaching in France.
While there is a high demand for English teachers in France, the market is very competitive. Demand is higher in the outskirts of Paris and smaller cities and towns in other parts of the country, so you’ll likely find more opportunities looking in these locations. It’s also important to consider France’s strict visa laws that limit opportunities for non-EU citizens. If you are not an EU citizen, you’ll likely need to teach on a student visa or, if you are from the U.S., through the Teaching Assistant Program in France (TAPIF).
A 120-hour TEFL certificate will be required to teach in France, although TAPIF does not require one. However, it’s still recommended as the program is competitive. Many employers will also prefer a bachelor’s degree and prior teaching experience.
The cost of living in some locations – like Paris – can be high, but other places are more affordable. There are also opportunities to privately tutor, and many teachers supplement pay by teaching online as well.
While France doesn’t yet have a digital nomad visa, there are other visa pathways digital nomads use to explore France. The country has been embracing ways to attract remote workers, and if you are able to show sufficient proof of financial means to support yourself, you can teach English online independently and enjoy traveling the country.
7. Saudi Arabia
Average salary: $2,300-$3,000 per month
Typical requirements: 120-hour TEFL certificate and BA degree
If you’re looking for a high salary and a chance to explore the Middle East, then perhaps Saudi Arabia is the perfect destination for you in 2024.
Education has always been important to the Saudi government, which is reflected in the high number of public and private institutions offering positions for foreign English teachers. Teaching in private language schools and colleges throughout Saudi Arabia is often lucrative, as pay is higher than average.
Some of the other perks that Saudi Arabia offers is that furnished housing is often provided, as is airfare to and from your country of origin. If you’re looking to teach at an international school, keep in mind that most contracts are for over a year. Given all of these benefits, it’s no surprise that previous teaching experience is oftentimes required to teach here.
Read about the expanding industry of digital nomad English teachers.
8. United Arab Emirates
Average salary: $2,200-$6,000 per month
Typical requirements: 120-hour TEFL certificate and BA degree
The UAE is an increasingly popular destination for EFL teachers. About 90 percent of the UAE population is made up of expats, so while Arabic is the official language, English is commonly spoken as well. Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Ajman, Fujairah, Ras al Khaimah, Sharjah, and Umm al Quwain – the seven emirates that make up the UAE – have high demand for English teachers, driven by the country’s goal of promoting English proficiency.
To qualify to teach English in the UAE, you’ll need a minimum 120-hour TEFL certification and a bachelor’s degree. Some employers may require an advanced degree. Most employers will prefer candidates with prior teaching experience.
Average TEFL pay in the UAE is among the highest in any country in the world. There are opportunities to teach in public or private schools, language schools, or international schools, or you can explore teaching Business English with companies, teaching test prep, and much more, so pay may vary. The cost of living is also high, but many employers will include free accommodation and other benefits.
9. Costa Rica
Average salary: $800-$1,200 per month
Typical requirements: 120-hour TEFL certificate
Costa Rica is a gorgeous location with pristine beaches and a laid-back culture. There’s a strong demand for English teachers and while a TEFL certification will be required, you may not need a degree to teach English. With that said, some private international or bilingual schools may require a bachelor’s degree.
Bilingual and international schools usually pay the highest. The good news is that the cost of living in Costa Rica is fairly low, so you can live within those means. Many teachers also supplement income by teaching English online as marketplace tutors, freelance language school teachers, or private tutors.
Already a great location for digital nomads, Costa Rica is yet another location that offers a digital nomad visa. Whether you’re traveling while building your online English teaching business or combining marketplace tutoring with freelance teaching for an online language school, Costa Rica is a great location to teach online and explore.
Looking for advice on starting an independent online English teaching career? Download the eBook, New to TEFL? How to Become an Independent English Teacher.
10. Argentina
Average salary: $700 to $1,500 per month
Typical requirements: 120-hour TEFL certificate
Argentina has been a popular TEFL destination for quite some time now and continues to draw English teachers from around the world. With its vibrant nightlife and varied landscapes, this destination has plenty of opportunities to teach English through language institutes and international schools, as well as options for private tutoring or teaching online as a digital nomad.
You’ll want to have a TEFL certificate but may not need a bachelor’s degree to find work. However, some companies may require a degree. In some cases, a TEFL/TESOL certificate and teaching experience may offset a college or university degree requirement.
The cost of living in Argentina is fairly low, so it’s very possible to live comfortably and cover your basic expenses in most regions. And Argentina is among the most popular locations for digital nomads. The country’s digital nomad visa will allow you to teach remotely while residing in Argentina, so you can freelance, tutor, and build your online teaching business while exploring Argentina’s beautiful destinations.
Ready to start your teaching English abroad adventure in one of these popular destinations? Be prepared with your TEFL certification by exploring Bridge’s online TEFL/TESOL courses. Stand out among the competition with Specialized Certifications and Micro-credentials. Do your research on your destination of choice, start applying, and pack your bags!
