5 brilliant TEFL locations for history buffs

Rome. Ho Chi Minh City. Addis Ababa. History comes in all shapes and sizes, and no two cities are the same. From the catacombs of Old Paris to China's mysterious Forbidden City, there are hundreds of amazing places out there waiting to be discovered – and TEFL is your passport to all of them.

In this post, we break down the top five destinations for history lovers looking to teach English abroad. From the moody streets of Prague to the bazaars of Istanbul, TEFL is a great way to bring the past to life (and earn a living in the process!).

Here are our five top destinations for English teachers who want to build an exciting future while embracing history.

Istanbul, Turkiye

We thought we’d start big, so how about the 15th-largest city in the world? Say “Merhaba” (hello) to Istanbul : a city with huge demand for English teachers across a range of institutions, and a story rich enough to fill libraries of history books.

Istanbul (formerly Constantinople) has always been multicultural and cosmopolitan. Ruled by everyone from the Byzantines to the Ottomans, Istanbul has been home to people as far back as the Neolithic Age. Today, it’s a city bursting with energy, with low English proficiency but high demand. Istanbul’s enormous young population are taught English from the second grade onwards, with foreign TEFL teachers needed for state, private and international schools. If you’re looking for work as a TEFL teacher in Istanbul, a degree and a TEFL certificate are good places to start.

It doesn’t matter which period of history you’re most interested in - you’ll find plenty here. Istanbul is also a fantastic TEFL destination, with over 50 universities , plenty of international schools, and a range of private language centres – ideal for new TEFL teachers.

Matt Mitzel, who featured on Season 4 of ‘I Taught English Abroad’, found it hard to believe the scale of Istanbul. He told us :

“While it has its European elements, it is a lot different.  And the thing about Istanbul is it's just massive, like it's the biggest city I've ever been to. The fact that it's two continents - the Asian and European sides are both huge.”

Keen to learn more? Read our guides to teaching English in Turkey and Istanbul !

Fun fact: If Istanbul were a country, it would be the 11th largest in Europe, with a population of over 16 million people. It's not surprising that so many people mistake Istanbul for Turkiye's Capital (which is actually Ankara).

Rome, Italy

Two words: Ancient Rome. A city famous for innovation, religion, politics, literature, art, architecture, and so much more.

If we’re talking about landmarks, TEFL teachers are spoiled for choice: from the Pantheon to the Colosseum, the Pyramid of Cestius , and St Peter’s Basilica – the list is endless. From the moment you set foot in the Italian capital, you can feel the history, from cobblestone backstreets to the Spanish Steps. 

With such a rich past, Rome has a massive tourism industry. And wherever there’s a lot of tourism, you’ll probably find a range of TEFL jobs. Italy is a fantastic TEFL location overall, with considerable demand for the English language. 

Modern Rome is packed with great TEFL opportunities, as well as being a cultural centre of Europe (and a dream for foodies). Still, you’ll find the history irresistible, from Octavian to Romulus Augustulus, the Renaissance, and beyond. 

To teach English in Rome, you'll generally need a degree, a TEFL certificate (at least 120 hours ), two years’ teaching experience, and often a teaching certificate/licence from your home country.

If you’re interested in Rome’s English teaching opportunities, try our dedicated Rome page, or our country guide to Italy !

Fun fact : They say that throwing coins into the waters of the Trevi Fountain brings good luck . In a way, it does - the fountain receives an average of €3,000 in coins per day, which the Italian government directs to charities .

Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam

For many, the name Vietnam is synonymous with some of the most significant events in the 20th Century – with major conflicts against France and the USA shaping not just Vietnam, but popular culture and debate around the world.

But the history of Vietnam is fascinating, too: from resistance to colonialism, shifts in geopolitics, Communism, and more. Going even further back, Vietnam was inhabited by some of the first known civilisations , and formed its first government nearly 3000 BC. For centuries, Chinese dynasties controlled Vietnam, until it regained sovereignty in the 10th Century. 

Today’s Vietnam is one of the most popular TEFL destinations. The peak hiring times are between August and December, with state schools, private schools, international schools, and private language centres all eager to hire top teaching talent. While Vietnam's history speaks for itself, its metropolitan areas are invigorating spots for fashion, music, and art.

As our podcast guest Frances Fraser-Reid told us, Ho Chi Minh is way ahead of the cultural curve:

“There are a lot of businesses, cafes, arts venues and music venues. I know DJs, fashion designers…it is very much a trendy bubble, especially in Ho Chi Minh. 

“They're gonna be competing with big fashion very soon. It's insane, the way that they dress. I wish I could get more involved in the quirky outfits!”

Despite its rich past, Vietnam is often overshadowed by popular Asian TEFL destinations like Japan and South Korea . Don’t rule it out, though. With an intense demand for English, incredibly welcoming students, and more than enough to satisfy any history buff, there’s plenty to discover. 

To teach English in Vietnam, you’ll need a degree, a TEFL certificate, and, if you’re not a native English speaker, an IELTS or TOEFL certificate.

Eager to explore Vietnam’s past, present and future? First, read all about what it’s like to teach there , and what jobs are o n offer !

Fun fact : If you’ve ever been speed dating, you can thank Vietnam ! Timed dates have been a feature of Vietnamese life for decades.

Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

There’s significant evidence that humanity began in Ethiopia . This East African nation is commonly described as the “cradle of humankind ,” largely because of fossil discoveries of Homo Sapiens from around two million years ago. 

On top of fossils, Ethiopia is a historical marvel in other ways, too. The “political capital of Africa”, Addis Ababa, has long been a centre of ancient culture, with some of the earliest records of language and organised religion. Ethiopia was also a major African empire from the 13th Century until 1974 .

In modern historical terms, Ethiopia was a crucial battleground in World War 2, with Italy controlling the country from 1935 until 1941. Since then, Ethiopia has seen political movements rise and fall throughout sustained periods of unrest and upheaval. 

Addis Ababa is arguably one of the world’s most historically important cities, especially in terms of language and culture. It’s also an invigorating backdrop for a TEFL teacher. There are TEFL teaching jobs, and although Ethiopians speak many native languages, English is essential, especially in education. If you’re considering volunteering , Ethiopia makes for an outstanding choice - you can make a real impact, especially in primary education.

If you’re curious about teaching English in Ethiopia , read more in our comprehensive country guide.

Fun fact: Ethiopia gave us the coffee bean, and according to local legend , it was discovered by a goat farmer, who noticed his flock constantly returning to a specific, tasty plant. 

Prague, Czech Republic

The Czech Republic, commonly known as Czechia, was once Czechoslovakia (and before that, Bohemia). And if you’re talking about mainland European art, fashion, and architecture – you can’t overlook the capital city, Prague. 

Influenced by a range of historical empires, styles, and artistic movements, Prague's city centre is a UNESCO heritage site , and the country is the birthplace of the Bohemian movement , an approach to culture and society that’s still followed today.

Prague also has one of the oldest universities in Europe, Charles University. Founded in 1348 , the university has developed the minds of thinkers, including Nikola Tesla , Franz Kafka and Wenceslaus IV . Today, its educational institutions emphasise the importance of multilingualism. English is taught in schools, universities and colleges. 

Prague has excellent links to the rest of mainland Europe, as well as a host of TEFL job opportunities, a rich history and a picturesque city centre. While jobs are competitive - largely because English proficiency is high in the Czech Republic - there are rewarding opportunities for highly-qualified TEFL teachers. A degree is necessary for most English teaching jobs, along with a TEFL certificate and, ideally, some experience.

Read all about teaching English in Prague and the Czech Republic!

Fun fact : If you want to know more about Czech history, you can visit around 2,000 castles in the Czech Republic .

History comes alive through TEFL

Teaching English as a foreign language can take you anywhere. Whether you see yourself marking papers under the Eiffel Tower, or taking summer breaks on the trails of Machu Picchu, TEFL can take you there. 

Ultimately, teaching English isn’t just about the English language - it’s a passport to understanding the history of other countries, too. If you’re fascinated by the world and its history, TEFL is your chance to share that passion.

Eager to start your TEFL journey and travel the world? It all starts with a course. Enrol in our 120-Hour Premier Online Course . The rest of your life starts today!