5 amazing cities to teach English that you’ve never heard of

Some cities are popular with TEFL teachers for a reason. Let’s go further than that - there are loads of iconic, must-see cities everyone wants to visit. Paris, Tokyo, Rome, Seoul, Barcelona; you know the places we mean, the towns with “main character energy” where there’s always something incredible happening. Metropolitan areas that Frank Sinatra might have sung about.

What if we argued that these are excellent places to go to, but you might be missing out? What if there were other incredible places where you could flourish as a TEFL teacher, have an unbelievable range of cultural treats on your doorstep, and not fight a million other teachers for jobs?

Yes, these places exist, and they’re sorely underrated as places to live and work. So, without further ado, here are five amazing cities to teach English that you’ve never heard of, thought about, or just hadn’t put on your shortlist.

Sapporo, Japan

When it comes to TEFL in Japan, thousands of teachers head to Tokyo , and we can’t blame them. It’s a beautiful, busy and exciting city, and any enterprising English teacher probably has it on their bucket list. They also go to Yokohama, Nagasaki and Kyoto, three historic and important cities across Japan. Sapporo, though, seems to get missed out, and that’s a shame.

A uniquely charming city, Sapporo’s cuisine is one of its USPs. Famous for beer and ramen, the “capital of the north” has loads to see and do , including the entertainment district of Susukino, the incredible Sapporo Dome, the Beer Museum, and the gorgeous views from Mount Moiwa .

Oh, and - if you’re a winter sports fan, so is Sapporo. The city hosted the 1972 Winter Olympic Games , and you can go to the Sapporo Teine Ski Resort just outside the city to get your fill of snowboarding and skiing.

There’s considerable demand for talented, respectful English teachers in Japan, and a lot of jobs on offer. The JET Programme is a great route to start teaching English in Japan. To work there, you’ll need a degree, a 120-hour TEFL certificate and, usually, some teaching experience.

Zaragoza, Spain

Much like Sapporo in Japan, Spain has a range of amazing places living somewhat in the shadow of world-renowned megacities. Barcelona , the capital of Catalonia, and Madrid, Spain’s capital, tend to be where people think the action is. That ignores some fantastic cities like Bilbao, Valencia, Sevilla, and perhaps most of all, Zaragoza.

If you’re searching for a classically Spanish, charming, rustic experience, Zaragoza delivered and then some. A lively, multicultural, and passionate city, Zaragoza may not get the love it deserves from tourists, but maybe that’s a good thing. It feels “authentic.” Spain is full of historic metropolises, but Zaragoza boasts some seriously impressive historical landmarks, such as the outstanding Basilica del Pilar and Aljaferia Palace , for two incredible examples. However, there’s striking modern architecture like the imposing Pabellón Puente .

As a Spanish city, Zaragoza is packed with job opportunities for TEFL teachers. While specific requirements and salaries can vary depending on the institution and experience level, a 120-hour TEFL certification is generally essential. For teacher training programmes, try Meddeas or NALCAP, depending on your region.

Hai Phong, Vietnam

Let’s not beat around the bush: most people think of Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi as the main choices for TEFL teachers in Vietnam . However, Haiphong - a busy, beautiful port city - ought to have a more significant share of the spotlight.

Do you want attractions? Alright, try the Du Hang Pagoda for size, or head to the Hai Phong Opera House , which opened in 1912. Or, if the city feels too busy and you need something more tranquil, head to Cat Ba island, which has incredible natural beauty and exquisitely clear waters.

The city's outstanding cuisine is a significant draw, and like other cities on this list, it benefits from being both visitor-friendly and rustic simultaneously. Undoubtedly, Hai Phong is underrated, but it won’t always be. A great place to start a TEFL career, Hai Phong has jobs aplenty and a significant demand for English teachers.

Olomouc, Czech Republic

Listen, we’re big fans of Prague . Teaching English in the Czech Republic is a fine choice, and its capital is an outstanding place to live and work. However, if you need even more pre-industrial European charm, baroque architecture, and history galore, Olomouc might be an even better shout than Prague. 

History buffs will love Olomouc. Home to an achingly charming city centre, where six baroque fountains stand proudly, it has intact artefacts from the reign of King Wenceslas, gothic cathedrals, countless stunning pubs and restaurants, and a famous Astronomical Clock that has to be seen to be believed.

Teaching in the Czech Republic is hugely underrated - at least, we think so. Given its interest in English, its handy location for travel around Europe, and its ostentatious, one-of-a-kind prettiness, Olomouc is like the Czech Republic in a nutshell.

To land a job in Olomouc, you’ll need a degree, 120 hours of TEFL certification, and, ideally, some teaching experience, though language schools may have more lenient requirements.

Vina del Mar, Chile

Students who want to change careers and teach English abroad often imagine somewhere on the coast with breathtaking sunsets. They imagine a relaxed lifestyle with gorgeous weather, beaches by the score, incredible food and drink, and rewarding jobs. Essentially, they’re imagining Vina del Mar in Chile .

No, seriously. On every level, Vina del Mar delivers and then some. Known as the “garden city”, Vina del Mar is Chile's fourth largest metropolitan area. On the international stage, it goes unheralded as a TEFL destination. Chile, itself, and much of Latin America remain under-tapped as a well of TEFL teaching, and we can’t understand why. The demand for English is considerable, the lifestyle is precisely what countless teachers crave, and the students are known to be friendly, curious, and accommodating.

You don’t need a degree to teach in Chile (obviously, it can help), and while the salaries aren’t eye-watering, the low cost of living means you can easily get by on a teacher’s wages. That means fantastic food, locally sourced wines and unfathomable coastal views. Sounds good to us.

Expand your horizons

Now, we’re not saying that going to the biggest cities in the world to teach English is a bad idea. It isn’t. In fact, it makes a lot of sense - they have a lot going on, there are more jobs and English learners, and the travel links are better from major cities. 

That said, if you dig a little deeper, you’ll find a range of places you hadn’t considered before, and there are so many places on this planet where you can make a good living, avoid the rat race and teach to your heart’s content.

Where will you go?

To discover more of the world, start a world-renowned, high-quality, accredited TEFL course with The TEFL Org. Yes, it is that simple.