{"id":28066,"date":"2023-08-30T11:10:44","date_gmt":"2023-08-30T17:10:44","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/bridge.edu\/tefl\/blog\/?p=25714"},"modified":"2026-01-14T12:28:24","modified_gmt":"2026-01-14T19:28:24","slug":"rise-of-the-digital-nomad-teacher","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/bridge.edu\/tefl\/blog\/rise-of-the-digital-nomad-teacher\/","title":{"rendered":"From Teaching Abroad to Teaching Online: Rise of the Digital Nomad"},"content":{"rendered":"
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A new day breaks and online English teacher Andrea Beatriz Collados settles in at her desk in her home in Buenos Aires, Argentina to start a new day of teaching. With more than 20 years of experience, Collados has taught students of all ages on five different continents. Her teaching practice focuses on teaching English as a global language with an emphasis on inclusivity and creativity in the online classroom space. She works primarily with adults, teaching them Business English<\/a>, and preparing them for success in a global marketplace. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Some of her students are studying to pass an English language proficiency exam<\/a>, while others are working toward goals of transfers or climbing the ladder in their companies. Like many independent English teachers, Collados transitioned from a traditional, in-person classroom to an online one in recent years. She loves to travel and the shift to digital instruction gave her the ability to continue teaching while traveling the world. She is one of a new breed of TEFL instructors: the digital nomad online English teacher.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Learn how to teach English online as a digital nomad.<\/a><\/em> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Digital nomad teacher Andrea Collados works at her home office.<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The changing landscape of teaching abroad<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

From the rapid evolution of technology to the world-shifting pandemic of 2020, the TEFL industry has seen many shifts<\/a> during the last decade. Among these changes is the evolving format of teaching abroad. While there are still many opportunities to teach abroad in the traditional way \u2013 traveling to a country and teaching in a classroom \u2013 much of that industry has moved to the digital space, providing room for digital nomads to pursue their dual passions of teaching English and traveling. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The term digital nomad<\/em> became popularized in the book The Digital Nomad, by Tsugio Makimoto and David Manners. The authors suggested new technology would allow people to return to their nomadic state, as global digital communication tools empower employees to work from anywhere. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nearly 20 years later, many language teachers are in fact pursuing this dream, traveling the globe and teaching remotely. Collados is just one example of many. While there are certainly challenges in the English teacher digital nomad lifestyle and profession, there are also many rewards. With the right training, resources and support, this community of intrepid teacherpreneurs is able to maintain a rewarding teaching career while traveling the world, meeting new people, trying new foods and discovering new cultures.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The English teacher digital nomad wears many hats, as earning a living teaching online requires online teaching, business and marketing skills. Whether working for a language school, tutoring with a marketplace<\/a> or embracing teacherpreneurship<\/a> with an independent business, this entrepreneurial community is embracing the empowering digital nomad teacher lifestyle.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Find out how to stand out on teacher marketplace platforms.<\/em><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

A fast-track to online learning and innovation<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The biggest recent shift in the TEFL industry occurred as a direct result of the COVID-19 pandemic. As lockdowns swept the globe, teaching institutions of all kinds closed their doors. Education couldn’t be put on hold indefinitely, and so a host of online service providers and internet-based learning options arose. From disruption rises innovation, and we soon saw fast-track innovations in EdTech. From this, the digital nomad lifestyle was born. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

In its infancy, digital nomads were essentially working from home. International travel was restricted, but clients needing English instruction were flocking to online sites such as EdTech to meet their educational learning requirements. From kindergarten groups to IT professionals, the demand for teachers steadily rose. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Like other language schools, Bridge shifted to online instruction as well, transitioning brick-and-mortar courses to an online platform. The transition was not easy \u2013 as many institutions faced the challenges of an almost instantaneous transition to remote instruction \u2013 but the potential inherent in online instruction<\/a> for an industry that provides services to a global audience quickly became clear. Bridge already utilized state-of-the-art technology in courses, understanding the critical need to maximize resources and prepare students with 21st-century skills<\/a> of digital literacy, critical thinking and more. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

This time period became a critical juncture for the language company, and the mission transitioned to providing training for teachers in an online format. While training continued to prepare teachers for the classroom, in person or online, coursework also expanded to prepare teachers for teaching as digital nomads. Today, Bridge offers a suite of Teaching English Online<\/a> courses, as well as other professional development resources such as eBooks<\/a>, Expert Series<\/a> webinars and articles<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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A steady increase in the number of students seeking online instruction has driven global growth in the online English language learning industry and created the increased potential for digital nomad teaching careers.<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Learn about typical TEFL salaries when teaching online or abroad.<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Rise of the digital nomad lifestyle<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

As borders began to open and travel picked back up, online English teachers<\/a> also saw the unique opportunities that arose from their online teaching experiences. No longer were they bound by an office, classroom or strict teaching schedule. They could be in control of their careers. By the scores, teachers of every age, experience level and background began to spread across the globe. Soon teaching hot spots<\/a> began to develop, areas that were a perfect balance of affordability, adventure and opportunity, all possible with WiFi access and the right equipment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

These new pioneers of digital teaching saw both successes and challenges. Teachers found they needed to be resourceful and creative. They also needed to be incredibly adaptive to meet the needs of students with different backgrounds and cultures, and who hailed from different time zones. Teachers saw struggles with internet capabilities for both themselves and their students and with payment logistics. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

EdTech creators also recognized these challenges and a wealth of new technologies arose to support online teaching, including substantial growth in free and subscription-based learning platforms<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Learn about some of the best digital tools for teaching English online.<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The convergence of teaching and digital nomadism<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The sudden surge in online learning spaces revolutionized the way English was taught and learned around the world. Now students are able to connect with teachers across time zones, with specializations, in private tutoring sessions, and for affordable rates. Teachers became able to market themselves, creating their own businesses as online teacherpreneurs<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

EdTech companies began fast-tracking innovations that included learning platforms with video conferencing, a variety of teaching tool integrations, and \u2013 a boon for digital nomad teachers \u2013 integrated marketing, scheduling and payment tools.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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I had the opportunity to teach English to people from diverse ethnic backgrounds such as Catalan, French, Spanish and Portuguese.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

For language schools training teachers, these changes created the need for teacher training in online teaching, technology in the online classroom and much more. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

These advances in the English language teaching industry not only changed the perception of schooling but also created opportunities for more expansion in private-sector language companies<\/a>. The industry has seen remarkable growth in online tutoring marketplaces and online language schools. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Collados was an early adopter of the digital nomad lifestyle. “I had the opportunity to teach English to people from diverse ethnic backgrounds such as Catalan, French, Spanish and Portuguese,” she said. “This experience was absolutely beneficial on a personal as well as professional level because it contributed to the development of flexibility to adapt and the acceptance of diversity.” <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Teacherpreneur and Succeeding as an English Teacherpreneur Tutor Rachel Story sits outside to enjoy the day as she works.<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Read about the ways English tutor marketplaces are continuing to evolve.<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The benefits of the digital nomad lifestyle<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

One great benefit of the digital nomad lifestyle is embracing new cultures, Collados said, pointing out that learning about students’ cultures and backgrounds improves communication and builds rapport. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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While public school teachers were dealing with burnout and layoffs, digital nomad online English techers were chasing opportunity.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

But Collados suggests the greatest advantage is the flexibility and comfortability of working from home or from anywhere else,\u201d Collados said. \u201cThere\u2019s a famous quote that says, \u2018If you don\u2019t like where you are, move. You are not a tree.\u2019 And I completely ascribe to that. It is human nature to explore, discover and connect.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

She also pointed out the benefit of minimized cost of living and a healthy work-life balance that is rarely achieved in the traditional teaching sphere. “While public school teachers were dealing with burnout and layoffs, digital nomad online English teachers were chasing opportunity,” she said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Beyond the traditional format of teaching for an employer or as a freelancer, innovations in technology and the shifting needs of students have also created space for private tutoring and private online teaching businesses<\/a>. Many teacherpreneurs are combining these opportunities to build their own businesses, starting small with private tutoring and eventually expanding to businesses with multiple employees, marketing services and expanding student populations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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I wanted to have the freedom to travel for as long as I wanted without having to ask for permission.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

Head Instructor of Bridge Teacherpreneur Academy and the Specialized Certificate Succeeding as an English Teacherpreneur<\/a> course, Rachel Story<\/a> is an experienced teacherpreneur with an online teaching business and travel blog<\/a>. Years ago, she was teaching abroad in China, but she saw an opportunity for something more as the online language learning market began to grow.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI love to travel and immerse myself in other cultures,\u201d she said. \u201cI got a taste for travel when I was teaching English in China, but I could never stay in one place for very long. I wanted to have the freedom to travel for as long as I wanted without having to ask for permission.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Story is now a digital nomad, running her online teaching business and blogging about her experiences. When asked what she most enjoys about being a digital nomad, she said, \u201cIn a single word \u2013 freedom.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Becoming a teacherpreneur requires business, marketing, and ELT industry know-how.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

Story\u2019s passion for teaching and traveling led to her partnership with Bridge. She has shared her digital nomad experiences and advice as a panelist in several Expert Series<\/a> webinars and collaborated in the creation of the Succeeding as an English Teacherpreneur<\/a> course and Teacherpreneur Academy. The Academy, designed to provide training, resources and support for teachers building independent online teaching businesses, includes the Specialized Certification course, along with an exclusive platform for resource sharing, continuous learning, access to expert-led webinars and engagement with a global teacherpreneur community. As Head Instructor for the Academy, she will work one-on-one with teachers as they learn the critical skills needed to transition from employee to business owner.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For those independent online teachers dreaming of travel, the Academy also provides a pathway to make that dream a reality.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cBecoming a teacherpreneur requires business, marketing and ELT industry know-how,\u201d Story said. \u201cWith the right skills and planning, you can build a successful and rewarding career as a teacherpreneur. [In the course] there\u2019s a lesson devoted to everything you need to know to prepare for a digital nomad career including the challenges and potential pitfalls.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Digital nomad teacher, Margarida, works in a co-working space in Athens, Greece<\/em>.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Ready to teach online anywhere in the world? Learn more about Bridge’s 240-hour TEFL\/TESOL Certification Bundle.<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Overcoming the challenges of the digital nomad lifestyle<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

While there are many benefits of being a digital nomad English teacher, there are, of course, some challenges. Digital nomads have students all over the world, many in different time zones, they rely on technology to teach their courses, they may be traveling while teaching courses and they may sometimes be in new, unfamiliar locations. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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My advice is to find digital nomad communities and make friends. You can do this through online groups, joining co-working\/co-living spaces and attending events for digital nomads (in person or online).<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

Before embarking on a career as a digital nomad, it’s important to ask yourself these questions:<\/p>\n\n\n