Best countries to teach English abroad

China

There are 1.9 billion people in China, and a pretty substantial number of those Chinese citizens are learning English - 400 million, in 2020. It almost goes without saying, then, that there’s a substantial market for English teaching in China.

China’s schools and English learning businesses are big on quality. It’s about hiring the right candidate, especially those who won’t encounter any working visa issues. Like Japan, China is strict from an immigration standpoint, so the requirements for both native and non-native English teachers are understandably strict.

However, if you’re under 55, hold a Bachelor’s degree and 120 hours of TEFL certification, China is immensely rewarding. In terms of finances English teachers can earn around 9,000 – 18,000 RMB (£1,000 – £2,000 / $1,300 – $2,575) per month, with an average teacher salary of approximately 13,000 RMB (£1,450 / $1,860) per month.

Beyond the monetary aspect though, Chinese schools and businesses can be fantastic places to work. Some will offer accommodation, travel expenses and even Mandarin classes, so you can speak one of the local languages!

From the buzzing metropolitan areas like Beijing and Shanghai to the vast countryside, there are hundreds of millions of learners across 9.6 million square kilometres of land who are desperate to increase their vocabulary and fluency in English.

Find out everything you need about teaching English in China

Vietnam 

Much like Thailand, Vietnam has established itself as a premier TEFL destination over recent years. Packed full of UNESCO heritage sites, buzzing city-scapes and a surge in English learners, Vietnam is a name on the lips of numerous new TEFL teachers, and it’s not hard to see why.

Nestled in the Southeast of Asia, Vietnam is warm year-round, with friendly students and teachers providing a welcoming teaching atmosphere. Expats love the street food culture, as well as the gigantic stretches of beaches and the thud of the city’s nightclubs partying until the wee hours.

You’ll need a TEFL certificate, as well as a degree, to get started in the majority of cases, as well as a clean criminal background check. For teachers who meet the criteria to teach abroad in Vietnam, there’s a really healthy enthusiasm for English learning, as well as a robust educational system in place.

For getting into Vietnam, you’ll be rewarded with a more than decent salary - 27,700,000 VND – 46,171,000 VND (£920 – £1,500/$1,200 to $2,000 USD) per month is the average. Given Vietnam’s cheap cost of living, it’s more than enough to get by, and travel around the country is relatively inexpensive.

See our full guide on teaching abroad in Vietnam.

Taiwan 

Taiwan might not strike as the most obvious or attractive destination for TEFL certified teachers, but that’s only because it doesn’t have the big-name appeal of Japan, South Korea or China.

Given time, though, more and more people will realise the splendour of the island. Taiwan has the financial opportunities of Japan and South Korea combined with the cost of living of China - meaning there’s real financial imperative to head out there.

Beyond recompense, though, Taiwan is an alluring place to teach English abroad. The country’s government is keen to make Taiwan a “bilingual nation” by 2030, so the opportunities are abundant for new and experienced English teachers alike.

The salaries on offer are more than decent - teachers earn NT$50,000 – NT$65,000 (£1,335 – £1,735 / $1,700 – $2,220) per month - but you’ll need a degree and, of course, at least 120 hours of TEFL certification under your belt before heading over.

For our guide to teaching in Taiwan, click here!

Germany

Historic Germany has a robust educational system and one of the most consistently performing economies in the world.

But while the German schooling set-up is one of the best-performing, it’s not in the schools that TEFL teachers are most wanted. Instead, it’s commercial institutes with freelance teachers where the TEFL action is in Germany.

Extra TEFL certification really is a boost in Germany. If you have training in teaching Business English, for example, or English for IT, you’ll more likely to have schools clamouring after you. TEFL teachers, then, work largely for companies who assign teachers to different schools. 

If you do land a full-time teaching position, you’re looking at an average salary of €1,200 to €2,000 (£1,1123-£1,872/$1,297-$2,162), but it’s more likely that a freelance gig, you’ll be earning €12-€16 (£11-£15/$13-17) for 45-minute lessons.

Living in Germany has many benefits. A very decent healthcare system, some of the most robust tenants rights in Europe, and a fascinating culture, whether you’re into techno, history, football, philosophy or both. If it’s getting into Berghain or tucking into some Jürgen Habermas, Germany has it all.

See our post about teaching abroad in Germany.

France

Which country is the most visited, worldwide? The USA? The United Kingdom? Italy, Germany or Spain? 

Non! It’s France. France very much speaks for itself - a country with glamour, landscapes captured in breathtaking art from coast to coast, music pouring from every venue and a unique way of thinking and living. 

France lands just outside the top 30 for English Proficiency, only just above Italy. Though French people have a reputation of being “snooty”, they’re a proud people, especially when it comes to the language. French is widely spoken worldwide, and knowing more than a couple of phrases in the native language is mighty helpful for any TEFL teacher.

English, though, is being increasingly seen as a bridge to much of the rest of the world. As such, TEFL teachers are in demand, specifically those with a degree, some experience and TEFL certification. The salaries are decent: on average, a TEFL teacher can earn €1,000 – €2,000 (£926 – £1,852/$1,082 – $2,164) per month, though there are programmes where you can earn even more teaching English.

Breaking into the world of TEFL in France can be tricky, due to the high demands placed on applicants. If you can do it, though, you’ll be the envy of your pals - there’s just something cool about France.

For more information, check out our guide to teaching English in France.

Spain

There are many clichés about Spain, but it’s a hugely diverse and culturally divergent nation nestled in the south-west of Europe.

Madrid and Barcelona, Spain's two biggest cities, are vastly different. Politically, linguistically, culturally, no two cities in Spain are alike. You could find yourself in the vastly self-reliant and proud Basque region, speaking an entirely different dialect to one you might find in Andalusia, for example.

One thing’s for sure, though, Spain is ever-improving its English skills. Teaching jobs are plentiful, and the wages are good in comparison to living costs - on average, a full-time position offers €1,200 – €1,500 (£1,053 – £1,317 / $1,300 – $1,623).

It’s also a great landing spot for first-time and non-native English teachers, given that you don’t necessarily need experience or to have English as your first language to teach there. The weather’s great, there’s a huge amount to explore, and it’s crying out for teachers; Spain is a great choice.

For more on teching in Spain, read our guide here.

South Africa

South Africa, the self-styled 'Rainbow Nation' after 1994, is as diverse in its languages as it is in its demographics. There are 11 national languages, including English, with 10% of the country using the language as their mother tongue.

That said, because it’s a national language, it’s mainly South Africans themselves who are hired for English teaching jobs. That’s not to say there aren’t jobs going though, especially if you happen to be bilingual. Conversational French will go a long way in South Africa.

To work as a teacher in South Africa, you’re best looking for online platforms, which have a high take-up rate. Alternatively, there are specific programmes for budding English teachers, including the Getting To Know English Centre, International House Johannesburg and the Lycée Jules Verne, which is primarily geared towards French and English speakers.

It can be tricky, but teaching in South Africa is massively rewarding. There’s plenty to see and do, including the Barberton Makhonjwa Mountains and Maloti-Drakensburg Park, as well as countless stunning views across the country.

For more on South Africa, read our guide!

Algeria 

They’re a savvy bunch, and for TEFL teachers, there are chances to get involved. Admittedly, the educational facilities within Algeria aren’t state of the art, in the main, but a salary of £820 – £1,600 / $1,130 – $2,350 on average means that the demand is there. A degree is required for most positions, but you don’t necessarily need a bulky CV to get going.

You want natural beauty? Well, lying below the Mediterranean and boasting a Saharan desert interior will lend itself well to that. Algeria has the Pic de Singes, La Playa beaches and the Caves of Jijel, along with countless other remarkable sights.

See our post on teaching in  Algeria.

Morocco

Blending a mix of Islamic, Mediterranean and African cultural influences, Morocco is a truly unique place. Mere miles from Spain’s southern coast, Morocco is a wildly popular tourist destination, but it more than holds its own as a nation to teach English abroad.

Inspiring mountain landscapes, beautiful marketplaces and bustling cities make Morocco a truly special place. Not only that, for English teachers, there are opportunities to make a decent living, while teaching a student body that’s enthusiastic about learning English.

The salaries won’t blow you away; the average is 8,900 – 18,700 MAD (£720 – £1,500 / $1,000 – $2,100) per month. Context is important though, because that’s more than enough to comfortably get by in Morocco. 

You’ll need experience and a degree to be considered for the vast majority of jobs, but if you meet the requirements, you’ll be rewarded with a country that has 9 (nine!) UNESCO heritage sites, including the stunning Medina of Marrakesh. 

It’s tough to get in, but if you do? You’ll be met with one of the most diverse, fascinating and exuberant cultures in the world.

For more on Morocco, read our guide here!