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More Americans than ever are seeking careers abroad in recent years, and it’s become less about travel and more about seeking a fulfilling career that can allow you to live anywhere in the world.
Teaching English abroad has quickly become one of the most realistic ways to do that. To start, you need a certain qualification to share your knowledge of the English language and teach it to non-native speakers. Here comes a TEFL course that allows American citizens to live in countries where the cost of living is much lower while still earning a high, steady income.
With the right TEFL certification, you can live anywhere in the world and actually save money while living the life of your dreams. Have a career that lets you move from one country to another, while still getting a steady income and a chance to travel at the same time. Explore new places & culture. Sounds like a dream, right? Well, it’s more doable than you think, just keep reading.
Wondering where to start? Here are our top seven picks for Americans to teach English abroad and gain a decent income:
1. Vietnam
For people looking to teach English abroad and save money at the same time, Vietnam is often looked at as an obvious choice.
TEFL salaries in Vietnam often range from $1,200 to $2,000 a month. These numbers may seem quite low, but when you factor in the cost of living in Vietnam, this salary will go a long way. Rent, food and travel in Vietnam are all relatively cheap, particularly in non-central areas.
Demand for TEFL teachers in Vietnam remains high, making it easier for aspiring English teachers to find work there. A lot of teachers say they can live well and still save money each month. There is a large nomad community in Vietnam, especially in bigger cities like Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, making it easier to settle in and make friends.
2. South Korea
South Korea is an extremely sought-after destination for TEFL teachers. It has been known as one of the best places to teach English abroad, with the cost of living, salaries, and general way of life all deemed excellent by many.
Salaries for English teachers in South Korea often range from $2,000 to $2,800 per month, and flights, housing and contract bonuses are often included too.
South Korea has the potential to be a fantastic base for aspiring TEFL teachers like you.
3. Japan
The way of life and culture in Japan are often the biggest reasons why TEFL teachers may choose to move there. However, the cost of living can be a little higher, especially in big cities like Tokyo.
Salaries still remain quite good, often around $1,700 to $2,500 per month, but it is still more difficult to make huge savings.
Planning and budgeting correctly, staying in smaller cities and creating that balance can definitely help you achieve healthy savings in Japan as an English teacher.
4. China
China is another highly sought-after destination for teachers abroad. Salaries can be anywhere from $2,000 to $4,000 a month, and sometimes they come with extra benefits like housing or allowances.
The cost of living varies a lot from city to city, but it’s usually lower than in big US cities, even in bigger cities.
Many people use China as a way to save money quickly over the course of a year or two because teachers are in high demand and pay well. The way of living in China is also highly rated by TEFL teachers.
5. The UAE (United Arab Emirates)
If your goal is to make as much money as possible, run towards the UAE.
In places like Dubai and Abu Dhabi, most TEFL jobs pay between $3,000 and $5,000 a month. On top of this, many contracts also include flights, housing and other benefits.
How could you turn an opportunity like that down?
The cost of living is slightly higher than in some other locations on this list, but the salary and other benefits make it well worth your while. This is especially true if you’re a more experienced teacher who can get a higher-paying job.
6. Spain
Spain has always been a very popular base for American TEFL teachers, although the salaries remain quite low.
Many TEFL jobs in Spain pay between $800 and $1,500 dollars per month, and many of them are part-time positions. That doesn’t leave a lot of money for savings, but the lower cost of living, especially outside of big cities, makes it possible. Some contracts may also offer housing.
Many TEFL teachers living in Spain increase their income by offering private lessons in person and online. This can make a big difference in your finances, especially if you go into a specific niche such as Business English.
7. Thailand
TEFL in Thailand is largely similar to teaching in Vietnam. It is a very popular choice for teachers just starting out or those on gap years, or with more short term plans.
Most people make between $900 and $1,500 a month, but the low cost of living means you can live very well on that money.
It’s not the best place to save a lot of money quickly, but it’s a good choice if you want to balance your budget with your lifestyle while getting experience teaching abroad.
How Teachers Really Save Money When They Go Abroad
The most important thing you should look at when choosing your TEFL destination is the whole package.
Factors such as free housing, flights, bonuses and other benefits are what will really make a difference to you in terms of saving money.
A great way to maximize your income is by picking up private lessons and online lessons on the side of your main TEFL job. You could nearly double your income doing so regularly.
What You Need to Get Started?
To get a job teaching English abroad, you will need an accredited TEFL certificate from a reputable provider. We have prepared a brief summary of TEFL providers that are ranked above others based on great reviews, alumni base, accreditation, and employer recognition.
- The TEFL Institute with the website teflinsitute.com, is one of the most recognised TEFL course providers globally. It offers recognised and accredited TEFL courses, which are flexible & you can complete them fully online or in hybrid mode. Once you complete your training, you have a TEFL certification for life. The highly recommended course on their platform is the gold-standard 180-hour Level 5 TEFL Diploma. Their support includes job coaching seminars, tutors’ weekly Zoom meetings, and job support. They go above and beyond for their students, which, after in-depth research, a lot of TEFL companies lack.
- Next is The TEFL Institute of Ireland (tefl.ie), a sister company of the above-mentioned, its European leader in TEFL certification, with most of its students from Ireland, the UK & Europe. Again, the same recognition and accreditation as teflinstiute.com, making it a great choice for TEFL training, as you receive the same perks!
- Premier TEFL (premiertefl.com) has a huge USA base of students who have been certified with them, outstanding customer support, including tutor support & job support.
The choice is yours. Remember to always conduct in-depth research on TEFL companies, as there are many scam providers. Be aware that these cheap TEFL courses offer no accreditation or accreditation that doesn’t exist.
The next step after getting qualified to teach English abroad is your job search. Pick a country that is the most suitable for you! You can use tefl.ai to research which country suits you best you based on your experience, qualifications, and expectations.
Note that many schools may also require you to have a bachelor’s degree in any discipline. A degree may be required for visas in some locations too. So make sure to Google the Visa requirements for English teachers’ roles in the country that interests you.
Once you are TEFL qualified, you can start applying for jobs across the world, as well as online positions. A Level 5 TEFL qualification will put you in a stronger position for most jobs.
After that, you need to pick the right place to go and a job that fits your goals, whether they are to save money, travel, or get experience that will last a long time.
Are you ready to take the next step?
Many Americans are finding that teaching English abroad is not only a way to travel, but also a practical way to save money, make money, and even lower their living costs at the same time.
The truth is that the place you choose to go makes a big difference. Some countries are better for saving money, while others are better for living. However, it is possible to strike a balance between the two.
If you want to move to another country, TEFL is one of the easiest ways to do it.