The 10 Best Places to Teach English Overseas

Last Updated: 5/13/24 | May 13th, 2024

Every year, tens of thousands of people go overseas and teach English. Young and old, they go for many reasons: to learn about a new culture, make some money to travel, seek adventure, or just experience something new.

Many want to teach English in Asia (which is what I did). The time I spent teaching English in Thailand and Taiwan was life-changing. I learned that I could make friends and start a life in a strange place, as well as adapt and thrive in a different culture. It gave me a confidence that nothing else before had ever done.

It helped make me a better version of me.

Yet, with seemingly millions of places to teach, most people often wonder: where are the best places to teach abroad?

What countries provide the best experience, pay, or benefits?

What about the best TEFL courses? (Short answer: one of my favorites is myTEFL, where you can get 50% off with the code matt50.)

To answer those questions, here’s my list of where to score a fun, rewarding, and well-paying job teaching English overseas:

 

1. South Korea

South Korea is one of the best places to teach abroad (if not the best). Jobs are abundant, the pay averages $1,500-2,500 USD per month, and you get awesome benefits, like a contract completion bonus, free housing, and airfare reimbursement.

A lot of recent college graduates are attracted to Korea because of the money, benefits, and the fact that Korea takes many first-time teachers. If you don’t have any experience, this country is one of the best options for you. As a place to live, Korea has plenty of things going for it: the food is delicious, the country is affordable, and the people are friendly.

Plus you will find lots of other international young expats there. While wages for English teachers in Korea haven’t increased as much as elsewhere, most people leave having saved a good chunk of money or paid off a substantial portion of their debts! You could easily walk away after a year of teaching with your loans (school or non-school) paid off AND money for travel!

2. Japan

Japan has a reputation for good jobs which means it also attracts as many people as South Korea. Though the years of easily teaching in Japan and making quick cash are long, long over, you can still live comfortably in Japan on a teaching salary. Entry-level salaries average around $2,200 – $2,600 USD per month.

While the cost of living can eat up a lot of your salary, especially in Tokyo, there are a number of programs out there (including the government’s JET program) that reward long-term teachers with generous benefits and completion bonuses. Plus, there are plenty of ways to turn high-cost Japan into a cheap place to live.

Additionally, the Japanese are incredibly friendly and polite, the food is endless gourmet heaven, and the culture is unique. It’s one of my favorite countries in the world.

3. The Middle East

The Middle East lures many teachers in for one reason: its salary packages. Middle Eastern countries offer high salaries ($2,500-5,500 per month), lots of benefits, and no taxes.

However, this is no place for the recent college graduate. These countries want certified and experienced teachers. If you couldn’t teach at a public school in your home country, you have little chance of getting a job in this part of the world. As such, most of the teachers here are older and more settled and have families.

Dubai and Abu Dhabi (the UAE generally offers the highest salaries for English teachers), Qatar, and Saudi Arabia are the most popular destinations for teaching English in this region.

4. Thailand

Thailand attracts lots of young and new teachers with its cheap cost of living, warm beautiful weather, tropical beaches, mouth-watering food, and party atmosphere.

Most of the language school teachers are ex-travelers looking to save for future travels…or travelers who thought they were doing that but ended up never leaving. The pay in Thailand isn’t that high (usually around $1,000–2,100 USD per month), with wages stagnating as the cost of living has risen. You’ll earn more in Bangkok or at an international school, but don’t expect to pocket a ton of change here.

However, teaching English in Thailand isn’t about making lots of money — it’s about everything else: the ease of getting a job, the food, the fun-loving atmosphere, the weather, and everything in between. It’s one of the best destinations for young, new teachers, especially in a larger city, since you’ll fit right in.

You can read more in my ultimate guide to teaching English in Thailand.

5. China

As China rises in global stature, its need for English teacher grows as more and more citizens need to know the language for their job. Moreover, the culture puts an emphasis on learning it. As such, it is one of the easiest places to find work. No matter where you go, you can find work, even in saturated cities like Beijing and Shanghai.

You can earn a decent salary teaching English in China (upward of $2,500-3,500 USD a month), and many jobs give completion bonuses, free housing, and airfare reimbursement. It’s a good location for teachers of all abilities — there’s something for everyone!

6. Prague

Prague, the capital of the Czech Republic, has a seemingly abundant supply of teaching jobs. The city has grown in size over the last few years, attracting a variety of tech start-ups and expats, which has created a lot more job opportunities for teachers.

While it’s very hard to get a job in the public school system or a university, there are plenty of language schools in the city to choose from. The pay isn’t as high as other countries in the world ($1,200-1,700 USD per month) and there are few benefits (especially when compared to Asia or the Middle East), but you’re a stone’s throw away from everywhere in Europe.

The city is one of the most beautiful, vibrant, fun, and popular cities in Europe, which makes Prague an excellent central base from which to explore the continent.

7. Spain

Teaching in Spain is one of the best opportunities for anyone looking to work in Europe. There are plenty of jobs, the government has an active program for attracting teachers (which pays $750-1,100 USD for part-time work), and your visa means you can freely travel around Europe. There are also many opportunities to teach private lessons on the side.

You don’t get many benefits (or high pay compared to Asia or the Middle East), but the pay is still enough to live off of as Spain has a lower cost of living than most other Western European countries. Plus…just think of all the tapas and wine!

8. Taiwan

Taiwan is an excellent country to teach English in, thanks to lots of job opportunities (though they tend to be with young kids), high salaries, benefits similar to South Korea, and lots of other young teachers to share a social life with. The country places a high importance on learning English (the country aims to be bilingual by 2030), and you’ll be able to find freelance tutor opportunities besides your regular, steady teaching job. Taiwan has stricter standards for teachers than some of its neighbors, but it’s still relatively easy to get a well-paid job there.

I loved my time in Taiwan, made some wonderful friends, and adapted to a completely new culture. It’s one of the best places to teach English in Asia. You can learn more in my ultimate guide to teaching English in Taiwan.

9. Vietnam

There is a growing demand for teaching English in Vietnam, particularly in urban areas like Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi. While a bachelor’s degree is typically required, some schools may accept you without one if you have relevant experience or certifications. Having a TEFL certification is highly recommended here.

Salaries vary depending on factors like qualifications and location, but generally ranges between $1,200-$2,000 USD. You can live a comfortable lifestyle and still be able to save. It’s a great place to teach, with delicious cuisine, a vibrant culture, and a low cost of living.

10. Costa Rica

If you’re looking for a place to teach abroad that doesn’t require a degree, Costa Rica is a great option. Known for its laid back pura vida lifestyle, beautiful natural landscapes, and adventure activities, Costa Rica is the best place to teach English in Latin America. People are friendly and welcoming, and as a highly-educated country that receives a lot of tourists, many Ticans either speak English or have some familiarity (if you don’t speak Spanish yet).

While the salaries are low (salaries are around $700-1,100 per month), you can expect a low cost of living here too. You won’t be able to save a ton like in South Korea or China, but you’ll still make enough to be able to enjoy your time here. Most jobs are in the capital (San Jose), which is centrally located, making it easy to explore the rest of this small but beautiful country. Costa Rica is the place where I fell in love with travel!

BONUS: Teaching English Online

This was something that didn’t exist when I was teaching. Thanks to the Internet, you no longer have to be tied to one location to teach. Teaching online is becoming more popular as a way to make money while working remotely. Platforms like Cambly and italki don’t require any teaching degrees either. The pay isn’t great but it’s something that can help you earn enough money to keep traveling.
 

FAQ About Teaching Abroad

How do you qualify as an ESL teacher?
Requirements vary from country to country, so you’ll need to do some research on where you’re looking to teach. Generally though, you need to be a native English speaker from an English-speaking country (or have near-native, fluent proficiency) and have a bachelor’s degree. Additionally, most employers require some form of ESL teaching certification, such as TEFL, TESOL, or CELTA. Having some teaching experience helps but isn’t required in many countries.

Can I teach ESL without a degree?
Yes, you can teach ESL without a degree, but it can limit your options. International schools, universities, and high-end language institutes probably won’t hire you without one. That said, you’ll find that some countries (Costa Rica, for example) don’t really care if you have a degree, provided you have relevant experience or certifications. You will definitely want to get a TEFL or other ESL certification if you don’t have a degree.

Is TEFL worth it?
While a TEFL isn’t required in some places (I taught in Taiwan and Thailand without one), having a TEFL certification will greatly improve your job prospects. Across the board, having one gives you access to higher and better paid positions. A TEFL certification also provides you with essential teaching skills that will give you confidence in the classroom.

Which ESL certification is the best?
The best ESL certification depends on factors like your budget and where you want to teach. Some well-regarded certifications include TEFL (Teaching English as a Foreign Language), TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages), and CELTA (Certificate in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages). Research the requirements of the country you want to teach in to see which certification is the best fit for you.

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I had a lot of fun teaching English abroad. It was one of my favorite experiences on the road and it taught me so much about myself. You gain a lot of perspective on life by living in another culture.

While there is an opportunity to teach wherever English isn’t the native language, the destinations above draw the biggest crowds, offer the best pay, the best perks, and are the most fun.

If you are thinking about becoming an English teacher overseas, my advice is to head to one of these destinations and just do it!