A 7-Step Plan for How to Teach English Abroad in 2024 - 2025

How to Teach Abroad in 2024 & 2025

To teach English abroad in 2024 & beyond, you need to follow these 7 key steps:

According to the British Council, 1.75 billion people will be using and learning English worldwide in 2024. This includes more than 150 million people in Europe and more than 300 million people in China alone. With millions worldwide learning English, this means that an English speaker with an accredited TEFL certification may qualify for literally thousands of jobs teaching English abroad in dozens of countries around the globe.

The vast scope of demand for English teachers worldwide makes the field of teaching English abroad unique. The opportunities it provides to English speakers from all walks of life to live and travel abroad are endless. You don't need prior teaching experience to teach English abroad. However, like any great endeavor in life, moving to another country to live, work, and travel will take planning and foresight. Good research is also key to making sure you do it right.

Wondering How to Teach English Abroad?

To teach English abroad, earn a TEFL/TESOL certification, research countries and their requirements, create a compelling resume, apply to reputable language schools or programs, prepare for interviews, obtain necessary visas, and embrace cultural understanding for effective teaching.

Read more: What are the Basic Requirements to Teach English Abroad?

How Do I Become an English Teacher in a Foreign Country?

In order to become an English teacher overseas, you will need to meet some requirements. While these qualifications may vary from one country to the next, possessing a TEFL certification will qualify you for English teaching jobs abroad and is sought after by employers worldwide.

Explore:

• 13 Best Countries for Teaching English Abroad
• What Are My TEFL Options?

So let's dive right into it. Here are 7 steps to teaching English abroad in 2024:

1. Research Your Options & Speak to an Expert Advisor

So you want to live abroad, see the world, and teach English overseas in a fantastic location like Korea, Thailand, or Costa Rica?  Great - but where to start? How do you learn to teach English abroad? How to teach English in another country? The answer is pretty simple: Start by doing your research!

Whether this is the first time you've considered the idea, or perhaps you’ve conducted previous research, you'll have questions about how to teach abroad that need to be answered. We can't stress enough that research is key to your TEFL success. We've compiled a few resources to get you started on how to teach English overseas: 

• Download a 30-page TEFL guide detailing all aspects of teaching English abroad & TEFL certification;
• Compares 60+ countries side-by-side with details such as salaries, hiring requirements, visa information, and more;
• Contact an expert TEFL advisor who will be available to answer your questions, explain options, and describe how the process of getting certified and hired to teach English abroad actually works.   
• Tune into a 1-hour webinar (it's free!). Webcasts provide a great overview of job markets for teaching English around the world, in addition to TEFL certification, and job search guidance. 

Read more: Why You Need to Speak with a Professional TEFL Admission Advisor

2. Determine Options for Countries for Teaching English Abroad

A native English speaker or a fluent English speaker from a non-native English-speaking country who earns an accredited TEFL certification can teach English professionally in many countries. There are many factors to consider when looking at options for TEFL certification and countries for teaching English abroad. Some matters you will need to think about include: 

• What are the hiring requirements to teach English in different countries around the world and where will I be qualified to teach based on my nationality, level of education, and other factors?
• Where do I want to teach?
• How much money do I need or want to make while teaching abroad?
• Which TEFL certification is most appropriate for me based on where I want to teach, cost considerations, and other practicalities?
• What type of TEFL certification do I actually need to teach English abroad?

These are just a fraction of the questions you will encounter when making plans for teaching English abroad. Your advisor will be a great resource for addressing such matters, but here are some great articles with more great tips and ideas:

The International TEFL Academy Ultimate Resource List

• TEFL Country Comparison Chart - compare information about salaries, visas, & hiring requirements for teaching English in more than 60 nations worldwide. 
• TEFL Country Profiles - From salaries to hiring requirements, check out in-depth overviews of English teaching job markets in more than 60 countries
• No Degree? No Problem! Top 6 Countries for Teaching English Abroad without a Degree
• Top Countries for Teaching English Abroad if You're Over 40
• TEFL Ebooks & Country Guides
• Alumni Videos - First-hand stories from ITA Alumni teaching English in 80 countries
• ITA Blog - Check out hundreds of articles & alumni stories about teaching abroad & TEFL certification.
• Guaranteed Job Placement Programs in Asia
• You can also access loads of information about teaching abroad, including various programs for TEFL certification, volunteer programs, placement programs, and more at the Teaching Abroad sections of GoAbroad.com and GoOverseas.com. 
  
  

3. Enroll in a TEFL Certification Course & Get TEFL Certified

Unless you hold an advanced degree in TEFL or TESOL, earning an accredited TEFL certification is critical if you want to learn to teach English abroad. Why?  Because it will provide you with the skills you need to become an effective teacher and it will provide you with the qualifications you need to gain employment from thousands of schools and language institutes around the world.

Additionally, once you enroll and begin your TEFL course, you will start receiving Job Search Guidance. That being said, it is critical that you choose a TEFL certification course that provides you with thorough job search assistance. This will enable you to begin working with a TEFL advisor on your job search.

IMPORTANT TIP! Please note that not all TEFL certification courses or programs are the same, and if you want to receive the training and qualifications you need to get a great job and provide your students with a quality educational experience, you need to take a high-quality, accredited course.

An accredited TEFL certification school will provide training from a highly qualified instructor covering the skills and tools you will need to work as a professional English teacher. Professional-level TEFL courses must meet certain standards recognized in the industry and include live practice teaching.

These standards include:

• At least 100 hours of coursework;
• At least 6-20 hours of practicum (live practice teaching and observation with actual non-native English speakers and NOT role-playing with fellow TEFL classmates);
• An accredited curriculum from a recognized, independent organization within the field;
• Instruction provided by a qualified instructor (who has an equivalent to a Master's Degree in TESOL or a related field);
• It is also recommended that you take your TEFL certification course from an organization that provides comprehensive job search guidance.  

Please note: Deciding on your teaching destination doesn't have to be done before starting the certification process. Surprisingly, about half of our students kick off their TEFL certification journey without a set location in mind. As they delve into job search guidance and explore teaching opportunities worldwide, many find themselves drawn to unexpected and exciting destinations.

Read more:

• Full Index of Accredited TEFL Certification Courses
  
  
• 7 Key Tips for Evaluating a TEFL / TESOL Training School

• How to get TEFL certification online or in-person in 5 steps

• A popular option: Online TEFL certification
• Get TEFL certified in the U.S. or around the globe
• 10 questions you need to ask any TEFL school before enrolling in your TEFL class

4. Connect with International TEFL Academy Alumni Networks 

Once you enroll in your TEFL course, you should be eligible to connect with alumni from your TEFL school. You'll quickly realize that not all TEFL providers are created equal and a lot of these institutions clearly lack an active alumni network. Others, such as International TEFL Academy (ITA), provide exclusive access to their alumni networks so you can begin connecting, corresponding & networking with people like yourself who are already teaching English abroad or enrolled in their TEFL class. 

In the example of International TEFL Academy, you'll be joining a community of 35,000+ ITA alumni & fellow world travelers who are teaching in more than 80 countries worldwide. This means you can immediately connect with other alumni, make some friends before you head abroad, and get your questions answered by fellow alumni who have been in your shoes and are eager to help you out.

Here are some ways you can get connected right away: 

Facebook Groups: Connect with ITA on Facebook to chat with thousands of ITA alumni in our exclusive, country-specific groups and topic threads.

World Alumni Day: Every September, we celebrate ITA World Alumni Day. ITA alumni hosts hold parties on the same day in different cities around the world. This is a great way to get to know all of the ITA alumni in your community and make some new friends. All ITA Alumni are invited and encouraged to attend. 

Alumni Blog Content & FAQs: Check out articles, blogs, and Q&As from hundreds of ITA alumni who are teaching English abroad. 

Alumni Meet-ups: Get together with ITA alumni in your city abroad to share stories and maybe a beverage or two! The ITA Alumni Association sponsors meet-ups around the world to help our alumni connect. Learn about scheduled gatherings and how to organize your own with our support.

5. Begin Your Job Search Process

Shortly after enrolling in your TEFL course, we highly recommend you start looking for TEFL jobs. All International TEFL Academy students and graduates receive lifetime Job Search Assistance to help you find English teaching opportunities all over the world. 

When taking an online TEFL course or a TEFL class in the U.S., you'll receive the assistance and guidance you need to apply and interview for positions in dozens of countries from home. The length of this process can vary widely. Typically plan on allowing 3-6 months from when you begin your course and your job search process to when you will depart to begin your new job.

If you plan on teaching in a country where you'll interview in person, you should plan to arrive in the country during a major hiring season. Contact and set up interviews with three to six schools a day and you should be landing a job within a week or two.

If you take a TEFL course abroad in the country where you plan to teach, the staff on the ground will assist you in contacting and interviewing with local schools.  Most TEFL graduates get a job within a week or two of completing their course, particularly if they are applying and interviewing during a major hiring season.

Pro Tip: Wherever you want to teach, do not neglect opportunities to teach English online.

Depending on where you decide to teach abroad and your personal circumstances, one option you want to at least consider no matter where you head abroad is teaching English online. 

For one thing, you can start making money right away from anywhere in the world. This means you can start earning income teaching online from home to save on start-up costs before you actually head abroad.

Teaching English online offers flexibility. 

• You can work from anywhere  - As long as you have a high-quality & reliable Internet connection, you can literally make money teaching English online.
• You can teach English online part-time or full-time.  English teachers all over the world teach online to make extra money on the side of their full- or part-time job at a local school.  Other English teachers teach English online full-time, which offers more flexibility in terms of being able to move from location to location at will.

Read more:

• Teach English Online: 8 FAQs to Get You Started
• How Much Money Can I Make Teaching English Online?
• Teaching English Online TEFL Specialty Course

6. Make Your Travel Plans and Visa Arrangements (if applicable)

If you're already abroad when you interview and get hired to teach English abroad, this will be “Step 5.” For most TEFL graduates who interview and get hired prior to going abroad, these mark the final steps before you embark on your great international adventure teaching English overseas.

In some cases, your travel & visa arrangements will be handled and paid for by your employer. In other cases, you will be responsible for making your own arrangements.

Typical documents you may need to obtain or process may include (and this will vary based on the country and job where you plan to teach):

• Valid passport (typically valid for at least six months from when you plan to begin your teaching job)
• Required work or study visa for the country where you plan to teach
• Academic diploma and/or transcripts
• International CV/resume
• Criminal Background check
• Professional references
• Medical forms

Read more: 

• What Documents Will I Need to Teach English Abroad?
• What is a visa and do I need a visa to teach English abroad?
  
• Teaching English Abroad: Essential Travel Resources
• When to Splurge and When to Pass: Planning & Packing For Your Move Abroad

7. Arrive in Your Destination Country and Begin Teaching English Abroad!

Your experience will vary depending on where you decide to TEFL abroad. You may choose to study TEFL abroad and earn your TEFL certification overseas. You may choose to get certified in your home country before heading overseas.

In some countries, you will get hired before you head overseas. In others, you will need to be prepared to interview and line up a job locally upon your arrival.

The bottom line is, the more you research and plan ahead, the more likely you are to be prepared for success.

FAQs for How to Teach English Abroad

Is Teaching English Abroad Hard?

Like any new endeavor, teaching English abroad can present challenges and you will likely be nervous at first. However, your TEFL certification training will give you the skills you need to teach the basics of grammar & conversation, and also to prepare lessons and manage a classroom.

Where Can I Make the Most Money Teaching English Abroad

While salaries can vary widely, especially for teachers with more experience, the top countries to make money for first-time English teachers include South Korea, China, Japan, Taiwan, Gulf Arab States, and Vietnam. As an English teacher in these countries you can typically earn enough money to save anywhere from $500 - $1,500 USD per month after expenses, and even as a first-time teacher you may receive benefits like free housing and/or airfare.

Read More: Top 5 Countries to Make the Most Money Teaching English Abroad

Do I Need to Know the Language of the Country Where I Plan to Teach?

While some jobs may require a level of proficiency in the local language, typically you do not need to know the local language to get a job teaching English in major job markets worldwide. However, learning at least some of the local language will help you get around in your daily life and make the most of your teaching experience abroad.

Can I Teach English Abroad Without a College Degree?

YES! You can teach English abroad without a degree in up to 50 countries. Having an accredited TEFL certification will provide you with the training, skills, and qualifications you need to teach English in various Latin American countries, as well as in select parts of Europe and Asia, where a 4-year degree is not mandatory.

Read more: Top 6 Countries for Teaching English without a College Degree

Additional Tips to Make the Most of Your Experience Teaching English Abroad

Build Your Skill Set & Marketability with Advanced TEFL Training

Enhancing your expertise and refining your TEFL skills can unlock pathways to career growth, including opportunities for promotions, salary boosts, and access to desirable roles at prestigious universities and well-known international schools that offer competitive pay and benefits.

Moreover, delving into specialized, advanced training not only improves your teaching capabilities but also propels your professional journey forward. Educational institutions, students, and their families value teachers with advanced training, making you a sought-after candidate and heightening your chances of securing prestigious positions at leading establishments.

Here are six advanced TEFL training courses to help you build your ESL teaching skills and boost your resume:

• Foundations of English Grammar
• Teaching English to Young Learners
• Teaching Business English 
• Teaching English Online
• Teaching Test Prep Skills
• Tutoring English

Many folks who get TEFL certified are looking to only teach English abroad for a year or two. Should you decide that you want to make teaching English as a foreign language (TEFL) your primary career, you may want to invest in a degree in a field like TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages), which is often required to teach English in public schools in the U.S.

Teach English to Private Students

Providing private English language tutoring is a thriving industry worth billions globally, offering opportunities in almost every country. Many English educators, whether based abroad or in their home country, choose to offer private tutoring to boost their earnings, with some even turning it into a full-time profession. Apart from the financial benefits, taking on private students also serves as a wonderful way to connect with individuals in your local community while teaching overseas.

To increase your income potential, consider specializing in teaching Test Preparation for Standardized English Proficiency Exams. Every year, millions of individuals worldwide enroll in specialized courses to ready themselves for exams such as TOEFL, IELTS, and TOEIC. Achieving success in these assessments is crucial for those aspiring to gain admission to English-speaking universities or secure jobs that require strong English skills. Many test-takers are willing to invest significantly in personalized instruction from qualified English educators to help them achieve their goals. As an English teacher, you can expect to earn between $35-$55 per hour by assisting students with these exams either as a private tutor or teaching specialized test prep classes at a school or language institute. This is a higher rate compared to the typical $10-$25 per hour for general private tutoring sessions.

Read more:

• Can I Make Money as a Private Tutor when I Teach English Abroad?
• Teaching Test Prep Skills TEFL Specialty Course
• English Tutoring TEFL Specialty Course