Where to Teach Abroad After Graduation (& Top TEFL Programmes)

Finding work right after graduation can be tough, but one of the simplest ways to gain experience after graduation is by teaching English as a foreign language (TEFL). 

While many graduates take a year off from work to spend their savings traveling the world, it’s possible to travel, fill your CV/resume with international work experience, and earn a salary at the same time. 

So, the hype is real! Here’s why you should teach abroad after graduation, and the best teaching programmes to support your (paid) adventure around the world. 

Key Takeaways 🔑

• A TEFL certificate is a key requirement for teaching English abroad. 
• A teaching programme (also known as a TEFL programme or a TEFL internship) places TEFL-certified teachers in schools around the world, including a paid salary.
• Teaching programmes are great for entry-level teachers or less travelled teachers looking for job support, visa assistance, in-country support, and much more.  
• Top teaching programmes around the world include EPIK in South Korea, JET in Japan, Meddeas and NALCAP in Spain.

Why teach abroad after graduation? 

While the job market is tough for graduates at the moment, the TEFL industry is thriving. There’s a huge demand for English teachers across the world, and you can complete a TEFL certificate within as little as 4–6 weeks. 

This means you could be teaching English abroad in just a matter of months from today. Whether you’re after a gap-year style adventure or you’re in it for the long haul, here’s why you should consider teaching abroad: 

• Earn a salary : Not all of us can afford to take a year off from work to travel the world. But with a TEFL certificate, you can work and earn a salary while you travel. And we’re not just talking about a small stipend, some of the most popular TEFL locations offer salaries that exceed the minimum wage in many Western countries. 
• See the world : Whether you head to the Great Wall or the tropics of Thailand, you’ll see the world as an English teacher abroad. And you won’t skim the surface like most travellers, you’ll become a valued and active member of the community. 
• Gain international work experience : International work experience stands out on a CV/resume, regardless of your career goals. Employers will see that you’ve got personal and cultural adaptability, organisational and communication skills, and more. Remember, not many people take the leap to live and work in a foreign country. 
• Make friends and network : You’ll make plenty of friends and professional contacts, especially if you go through a teaching programme. Some programmes onboard 10–40+ teachers at the same time. 

Some graduates might worry that teaching abroad limits career options, but that’s not true. Take it from former TEFL teacher Graeme, who taught abroad for 15+ years before pivoting in his career.

“After I graduated with a business degree in 2006, I was desperate to travel and see as much of the world as possible. TEFL was a great way to do that while earning a living.

I worked as a teacher, manager and teacher trainer for 15+ years in Russia, Spain, Poland and Vietnam. When I was ready for a career change, I took a coding bootcamp and did lots of small code projects in my free time before finding a developer job.”

Pros and cons of joining an English teaching programme 

You can teach English abroad by applying to jobs independently, or you can go with a teaching programme (often referred to as a “paid TEFL internship”). 

Teaching programmes connect TEFL teachers with foreign schools, and while some programmes partner with the local government, others are run by third-party organisations who partner directly with schools across the country. Either way, they’re the middle-man that helps you find a teaching job abroad.

But they do so much more than help you find a job. So why else should you join a teaching programme? 

• ✅ Job placement : If you’re accepted onto the programme, you’ll find a paid job in that country. Programmes usually partner with 100s of schools in a country, and with so many teachers coming and going every year, there’s always room for new English speakers. 
• ✅ Pre-departure support : Teaching abroad can be scary at first, but you’ll receive plenty of logistical support like organising your documents, interview prep, applying for your visa, and more. These programmes are great for entry-level teachers, and also for experienced teachers who’ve never moved abroad before. 
• ✅ In-country orientation & support : The in-country orientation is like “fresher’s week” at university or college – only you’re in a new country. You’ll meet the other teachers, do some training activities, go on cultural excursions, and have a night out to celebrate your new chapter.
• ✅ Job stability : Some teaching programmes need a commitment of 1-year (or 9 months), while others accept a semester’s commitment (around 5 months). Either way, you’ll have a guaranteed timeline of income, professional development, and life abroad before deciding whether you want to renew, sidestep to a new country, or go home.

Are there any downsides to joining a teaching programme? Sure, there are pros and cons to anything.

• ❌ Entry-level salaries : The salary might be lower because most of these jobs are entry-level. 
• ❌ Less job flexibility : You might also have less flexibility when choosing a location or school type – but you’re welcome to reject placement offers and wait until the next one. 

Ultimately, you can find higher paid jobs by looking for jobs independently. But without experience, contacts, or in-country support, it can be difficult for some teachers to find a job and adjust to life in a foreign country. 

Top TEFL locations for graduates

You know why, now let’s talk about where! Here are some of the best countries for recent graduates to teach English abroad, whether you’re after high salaries, the best lifestyle, top teaching programmes, or more.

South Korea

• Best for : Hikers, foodies, K-pop enthusiasts, fashionistas 
• Hiring seasons : August–November (many schools hire year-round)
• Average salary : ₩2.1 million–₩3.2 million / £1,045–£1,600
• Top programmes : EPIK, SMOE

South Korea is one of the world’s most alluring travel spots, with a thriving K-pop scene, stunning landscapes, spicy kimchi and stylish neighbourhoods in every city. But it also has an enormous demand for English teachers and one of the industry’s biggest teaching programmes – English Programme in Korea (EPIK). 

On the EPIK programme, you’ll teach English as a language assistant in public schools – perfect for gaining experience before teaching by yourself. EPIK currently welcomes 1,500–2,000+ teachers each year, many who don’t have teaching experience. 

Most placements are in smaller cities, which is perfect if you want to get a real glimpse of Korean culture and feel like an active part of a community. If you still want to see stylish Seoul , don’t worry. Korea is so well connected that it’s only a short journey away wherever you are. 

Japan

• Best for : Foodies, anime fans, city dwellers, adventures 
• Hiring seasons : November–February 
• Average salary : ¥220,000–¥280,000 / £1,050–£1,350
• Top programmes : JET

From Mount Fuji and traditional teahouses to football pitches perched on top of skyscrapers, Japan has no shortage of reasons to top your travel wish list. And beyond the busy streets of Tokyo , not many people speak English in Japan, creating a huge demand for English speakers (whether or not they have experience).

One programme that rivals EPIK in Korea when it comes to popularity is JET, the Japan Exchange and Teaching Programme . Like EPIK, JET places teachers as language assistants in schools across the country, not just hubs like Tokyo, Kyoto, or Osaka. The programme welcomes around 5,000 teachers from 50+ countries globally (so don’t worry if you’re a fluent non-native English speaker ). 

China

• Best for : History buffs, culture seekers, career climbers 
• Hiring seasons : May–July (many schools hire year-round) 
• Average salary : ¥11,000–¥25,000 RMB / £1,200–£2,720
• Top programmes : English 1 , CEAIE 

Unlike South Korea or Japan, China doesn’t have a centralised government-teaching programme like EPIK or JET – which is strange considering its enormous demand for English teachers. 

But there are still plenty of third-party TEFL programmes in China, and with an estimated 400+ million students learning English, the country’s TEFL market is enormous and varied. Whether you have your eyes set on big cities like Beijing, Shanghai , or Chengdu (we could go on – but China has ~18 megacities), or smaller placements like Wuhu or Hengyang, China can cater to any lifestyle. 

Spain

• Best for : Foodies, night-owls, laid-back teachers 
• Hiring seasons : June–August (and again in November)
• Average salary : €800–€2,000 / £690–£1,730
• Top programmes : NACLAP , Meddeas , Beda

Arguably the best place for graduates to start their TEFL career in Europe is Spain . With plenty of English teaching programmes in Spain like NALCAP, Meddeas, British Council, Beda, and more, there’s plenty calling your name in España. 

If earning a huge salary isn’t your priority, Spain should be among your top picks. With a moderate salary but a low cost of living and excellent work-life balance, Spain offers a relaxing pace of life for graduate teachers. When you’re not working, you can perfect your Spanish skills, gaze in awe at Barcelona’s architecture, hit the beach, or soak up football heritage. 

Thailand

• Best for : Foodies, extroverts, island hoppers 
• Hiring seasons : February–April
• Average salary : ฿30,000–฿50,000 / £685–£1,140

From adventurous to mindful teachers, Thailand can cater to both your wild and peaceful side. While the country is known for its lavish party islands, exhilarating Muay Thai fights, and karaoke bars, there’s also a much softer side to this exhilarating country. 

Again, English levels aren’t among the best outside of hubs like Bangkok or Chiang Mai, so there’s plenty of scope for graduate teachers. What’s most enticing about teaching English in Thailand is the fact that you can sign a short-term contract for a semester (5 months) – which is perfect if you’re after a gap-year style adventure before traveling the rest of the region. 

Much like China, teaching programmes in Thailand are run by third-party companies rather than government departments. 

Vietnam

• Best for : Coffee lovers, history buffs, road trippers
• Hiring seasons : May–July, and September–November
• Average salary : 30 million₫–45 million₫ / £855–£1,280+

Vietnam has an interesting but complicated history, but despite the hardships and its resistance against foreign-rule, it’s incredibly welcoming and hospitable to foreign teachers. Vietnam has managed to preserve its cultural identity while also hosting a large international community, which is perfect whether you’re craving authentic culture or a more cosmopolitan lifestyle. 

The government has ambitious plans to make English a second language by 2035, but they’re a long way away from this target, so it’s the perfect time to get TEFL certified and join a teaching programme in Vietnam . 

When you’re not in the classroom, there’s so much to enjoy in the Land of the Rising Dragon . From roadside cà phê and banh mi sandwiches to exhilarating motorbike road trips, teaching English in Vietnam offers one of the best lifestyles you could hope to find. While salaries aren’t the highest, they’re among the best when you consider it’s incredibly low cost of living. 

Get TEFL certified to gain experience & see the world 

But before you join a TEFL programme to teach English in Shanghai, Tokyo, Madrid, and beyond, you’ll need to be TEFL certified first. A TEFL certificate shows that you’ve studied the essentials of teaching English as a foreign language, and not only does it help you qualify for jobs but it means that you’ll be ready to take on the classroom.

Why not launch your career teaching abroad today with a 120-hour TEFL certificate ?