What are the Benefits of Teaching English Abroad?

Teaching English abroad is a transformative journey that goes beyond imparting language skills; it unlocks a world of opportunities. Join us as we explore the profound impact of teaching English abroad and discover how it can shape lives, forge connections, and open doors to a world of endless possibilities.

The Benefits of Teaching English Abroad Are Numerous

Teaching abroad offers the opportunity to develop connections with people from other cultures. It also offers an opportunity to hone your foreign language skills and acquire valuable cross-cultural work experience, all while traveling internationally and immersing yourself in a foreign culture.

Let's delve into a couple of frequent questions:

What is the Advantage of Teaching Abroad?

Teaching abroad offers cultural immersion, language acquisition, global networking, professional development, personal growth, enhanced resume, travel opportunities, and intercultural exchange in the classroom, enriching both personal and professional experiences.

Read more: Is teaching abroad worth it?

How Does Teaching Abroad Make You a Better Teacher?

Teaching abroad enhances adaptability, cultural sensitivity, and creativity. It challenges you to navigate diverse learning environments, collaborate with local educators, and tailor instructional approaches. These experiences cultivate invaluable skills and perspectives that make you a more well-rounded and effective teacher.

Now that we've explored these questions, let's dive deeper into the incredible advantages that teaching English abroad offers:

1. Travel Easily

When you live abroad, it is typically much easier and less costly to travel. When you teach English in Spain, for example, you can easily hop on a train to spend the weekend in France, or perhaps Portugal, for just a couple hundred bucks.

An English teacher in Korea can spend as little as $500 for a week of fun and sun in Thailand or the Philippines. Or think of teaching in Turkey, where you are just an hour or two by flight from such great destinations as Athens, Venice, and Vienna; or looking the other direction, you could be in Jerusalem, Cairo, or Jordan.

Read more: Why teaching English is the best Job for digital nomads & expatriates

2. Immerse in Various Cultures

This is a rare opportunity to live abroad and truly immerse yourself in a foreign culture, where you will be a valued and integral member of the local community. Experience new cultural interests like different types of cuisine, music, and architecture.

Read more: I don’t speak a foreign language – Can I still teach English abroad?

3. See the World while Getting Paid

How badass is that? When it comes to the benefits of teaching English abroad, this one's hard to beat. In dozens of countries around the world, first-time English teachers will earn a livable wage that enables them to cover all of their bills while enjoying the culture and lifestyle of the country in which they teach.

In Asia and the Arab countries of the Persian Gulf, English teachers typically make enough to save 30%-50% of their salary after expenses, which in some countries can be $500-$1,000 a month or even more.

Read more:

• How much can you make as an English teacher abroad?
• Top 5 countries to make the most money teaching English abroad

4. Make a Positive & Life-Changing Impact on the Lives of Others

Make a lasting impact by providing your students with an educational experience that will enable them to succeed in achieving their personal and professional goals through learning English.

Read more: 7 Reasons Why I Love Teaching English

5. Gain Highly Marketable Professional Skills

These skills will provide you with excellent job prospects during economically uncertain times. Bear in mind that the demand for qualified English teachers will outstrip demand throughout your lifetime.

Read more: 7 ways teaching English abroad & TEFL look good on your resume

6. Experience Personal Growth

Gain the ability to adapt to a new environment and culture where the language, religion and traditions may be different from your own.

Living and working in a foreign country challenges you to step out of your comfort zone, fostering personal growth and self-confidence. It encourages independence, resilience, and adaptability as you navigate new environments and overcome cultural barriers.

Read more: How I had the best year of my life while paying off $10,000 in student loans

7. Build Friendships around the World

Living and teaching abroad provides an unparalleled opportunity to meet and befriend people from other countries and cultures. In addition, you will meet all sorts of interesting people from all over the globe. With more than 250,000 native English speakers working abroad as English teachers, you will likely have little problem meeting like-minded people living abroad (who are some of the coolest people you will ever meet!).

Read more: 9 pro tips to help you make friends while teaching English abroad

8. Learn a New Language

Teaching abroad provides an ideal environment for learning or improving a foreign language. Constant exposure to the local language helps you develop fluency and proficiency, which can be beneficial for future career opportunities and personal development. It’s far easier to pick up Spanish living in Argentina where you will be immersed in the language on a daily basis than it is to take classes or listen to tapes in your home country.

Read more: Can I learn a foreign language while teaching English abroad?

9. Gain International Work Experience

International work experience is increasingly desired by employers in the globalized economy of the 21st century. A world of professional opportunities opens up to those who have a background of living abroad and can provide employers with the skill and ability to live and work in a foreign country.

Read more: What are the requirements to teach English abroad?

10. Create Lasting Memories that Will Stay with You for a Lifetime

That includes photos and the ability to become the world traveler you’ve always dreamed of becoming!

Here you have it! 10 benefits for teaching English abroad. For those who have the dream of seeing the world, the question isn’t "Why you should teach abroad" but "Why Not?!"

Go further: The best countries for teaching English abroad