Travel and Teach English Online: 6 Countries to Consider

Last updated on April 16th, 2024 at 05:35 pm

If it’s true that ‘‘jobs fill your pockets, adventures fill your soul,’’ how about a job that allows you to fill your pockets and your soul while you travel the world? Does it sound too good to be true? Perhaps not, with a career in Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL) online.

Remote work, such as online teaching, offers you the flexibility you need to travel across the globe while earning money to support your nomadic lifestyle. As with any kind of remote work, you will heavily rely on technology. For this reason, it’s paramount that you choose your equipment wisely.

When you travel and teach online, your laptop will be your “classroom,” your most valuable asset: choose one that’s reliable with lots of memory and a good-quality camera.

And, when travelling, prepare for the unexpected: invest in a high-quality headset to block out unwanted background noise, and get a USB flash drive. You’ll never know when things go wrong, and you need to use someone else’s computer; the flash drive will keep your most popular lessons handy in case of emergency.

If you’re a travel lover, you’ll probably find that the most exciting thing is to pick the countries you would like to visit; so, to get your juices flowing, have a look at these destination ideas.

Travel and Teach English Online: 6 Countries to Consider

• Taiwan

This island off of the coast of mainland China might not be the first country that comes to mind when choosing your future travel destination, but it’s an incredible place to start your nomadic adventure. Taiwan can seem like a land of extremes, with its ultra-modern infrastructure on one hand and its traditional life on the other.

While in Taiwan, you can enjoy high-speed rail travel, reaching up to 186 mph, and free wi-fi available across the island, not to mention cultural sites, such as the tallest monastery in the world, Chung Tai Chan in Puli Town, and the most visited museum in the world, the National Palace Museum in Taipei.

• South Korea

Although not the cheapest place to live, South Korea is one of the safest countries to travel, even as a solo traveller. This country offers a modern and comfortable lifestyle where rented accommodations can be expensive, but eating out is extremely affordable. To avoid the busiest tourist seasons, visit South Korea in autumn or spring.

For those who want to travel and teach, this is a good base for TEFL. South Korean students are keen learners, either in-person or online, and are disciplined and hardworking. But dedicated students aren’t the only reason why this country is popular among international teachers. In fact, you’ll find that the teaching English in Korea salary is among the highest in the world.

• Spain

This country is, hands down, one of the most popular European countries among international TEFL professionals. It has incredibly beautiful beaches, stunning countryside, and vibrant and exciting cities to explore and enjoy. 

Spain offers a wide range of TEFL jobs, from the flexibility of private academies to the stability of state schools. Either way, between a large expat community and friendly locals, you will quickly make friends to spend your free time with. Be warned: in Spain you work hard but you play hard too!

• Kuwait

This is one of the wealthiest, yet one of the smallest, countries in the world. To work here, you need a residence visa as well as a valid work permit. The vast majority of learners in Kuwait are professionals in the oil industry; therefore, you’re likely to be teaching English for specific purposes or business English classes.

Here you can enjoy 310 miles of coastline and water sports in the incredibly hot summer weather. As well as the prospect of loads of fun, what makes this country very appealing for international teachers is the tax-free salary and fantastic perks that include flights, housing, medical insurance, utility bills, and transportation all paid by your employer. 

• Chile

Chile has recently become one of the most popular countries for those who want to travel and teach English in South America. This is due, in large part, to its modern infrastructure and stable democracy. With Chile’s efficient bus system, you can explore the whole country north to south, from the deserts to the icebergs, whether you need to travel for work or for pleasure.

In Chile, you can find English tutoring work in one of the many private language academies across the country, located mainly in larger cities. There, expect to teach mainly business English and exam preparation classes. If you manage to build a good reputation, you could earn some extra money teaching private students, but check with your employer first. Many schools have a clause in their contracts against private tuition.

• Kenya

With 50 amazing national parks and reserves, Kenya is known for being the best safari destination in the world. In contrast, it is perhaps not the first country that springs to mind when considering your next TEFL destination. This is one of the most powerful countries of the African continent, yet, its facilities are not as advanced as those in western countries. Despite this, however, Kenya can offer international teachers a very comfortable lifestyle.

In this country, you can find a job teaching English either at an international school or a private language school. As is common practice when job hunting abroad, do your research on your potential employers before you apply for a post to avoid unpleasant situations.

For private language schools, the recruiting process starts around November, as the academic year kicks off in January. On the other hand, the academic year at international schools begins in September; therefore, you can start applying around June. Getting a job at an international school is difficult, as it is a highly competitive environment, with better salaries and perks.

Ready to travel and teach?

Wherever in the world you decide to go and whether you choose to teach face-to-face or online, it’s important that you are ready for it. The best way to prepare for such a challenging, yet rewarding, new career is to obtain a 120-hour TEFL qualification from a reputable provider. During this course, you will expand your knowledge of the English language and develop your teaching skills. It will allow you to walk confidently into your classroom (virtual or not) from the very first day.

Is teaching English abroad something you’ve considered? Leave us a comment.

Also read:
10 Unique & Memorable Souvenir Ideas for Your Next Vacation
A Quick Guide to Teaching English Across Thailand
5 Simple Tips for Healthy Travel + What to Include in your Travel Health Kit

Sources:
https://www.nomadicmatt.com/travel-blogs/teaching-english-in-taiwan/#:~:text=To%20teach%20English%20in%20Taiwan,sometimes%20a%20master’s%20is%20required
https://greenhearttravel.org/blog/teach-abroad-south-korea/what-i-wish-i-knew-before-teaching-english-in-south-korea
https://www.eslactivity.org/teaching-english-in-kuwait/
https://www.contiki.com/six-two/facts-about-kenya/#:~:text=What%20is%20Kenya%20known%20for,%2C%20elephants%2C%20rhinos%20and%20buffalo
https://www.tefl.org/teach-english-abroad/teach-english-in-south-korea/salary/