Where Do Schools Provide Free Housing for Teaching English Abroad?
Are there any teach abroad programs that pay for housing? Learn which countries provide free accommodation while you are teaching English abroad.
Written By: International TEFL Academy | Updated: November 21, 2023
Written By: International TEFL Academy
Updated: November 21, 2023
More than a quarter of a million native English speakers are employed to teach English abroad every year. In many cases, those teaching English overseas will be hired locally and paid by the hour without receiving major benefits like free housing and airfare, though they do typically make enough to live a comfortable middle-class lifestyle.
However, there are some countries, including some of the largest job markets in the world for teaching English abroad, where it is common or even routine for schools to provide English teachers with free housing as part of their contracts. Let's explore this further.
Where to Teaching Jobs Abroad with Accommodation
Does TEFL Provide Accommodation?
While this isn't always the case, there are many TEFL positions around the globe, including in popular TEFL countries such as South Korea and Japan, where English language schools provide free housing or a stipend to use towards housing for their teachers.
Countries with Free Housing for English Teachers
COUNTRY | FREE HOUSING | |||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
ASIA | ||||||||||||
China | Free Housing or Housing Subsidy | |||||||||||
Japan | Some free housing or housing subsidy | |||||||||||
Kazakhstan | Some Free Housing | |||||||||||
Kyrgyzstan | Some Free Housing | |||||||||||
South Korea | Free Housing or Housing Subsidy | |||||||||||
EUROPE | ||||||||||||
Georgia | Housing provided by TLG program | |||||||||||
Russia | Some Free Housing | |||||||||||
Turkey | Some free housing or housing subsidy | |||||||||||
Ukraine | Some Free Housing | |||||||||||
MIDDLE EAST | ||||||||||||
Bahrain | Free Housing or Housing Subsidy | |||||||||||
Kuwait | Free Housing or Housing Subsidy | |||||||||||
Oman | Free Housing or Housing Subsidy | |||||||||||
Qatar | Free Housing or Housing Subsidy | |||||||||||
Saudi Arabia | Free Housing or Housing Subsidy | |||||||||||
Turkey | Some free housing or housing subsidy | |||||||||||
UAE (including Dubai & Abu Dhabi) | Free Housing or Housing Subsidy |
In certain countries in Asia like South Korea, China and in Persian Gulf Countries in the Middle East including Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Bahrain, Oman, Kuwait and the United Arab Emirates (U.A.E., including Dubai and Abu Dhabi), it is standard that schools provide furnished housing to foreign English teachers. In fact, many schools have contracts with or even own their own apartment complexes to house their teachers.
Read more: Will My School Provide Free Housing When I Teach English in Korea?
In rare cases in countries like Egypt, Iraq, and Kazakhstan, English teachers may be provided with free housing or a housing stipend.
Central & South America: It is not very common for schools in these countries to provide TEFL jobs with accommodation or stipends to foreign English teachers, though there may be very rare exceptions (including volunteer programs & some public school programs).
Teach Abroad Programs that Pay for Housing
Some government-run programs that employ foreign English teachers to work in state-run (i.e. public) schools in countries like South Korea typically provide free accommodation as part of your teaching agreement (typically a studio apartment).
In Japan, those teaching in public schools may receive free housing or a stipend for housing. However, this will vary from school to school and region to region. Some other government programs in developing countries such as the Georgia Ministry of Education program, provide English teachers from abroad with homestays with a local family for the duration of their contract.
Free Housing for Teachers at Summer Camps
Most English teachers who work at summer camps in Asia and Europe are provided free room and board, plus a modest stipend.
Go further:
- Top 5 countries to make the most money teaching English abroad
- How much can you earn teaching English online?
- Benefits of teaching English abroad
Posted In: Teach English Abroad, Living & Traveling Abroad
International TEFL Academy
Founded in 2010, International TEFL Academy is a world leader in TEFL certification for teaching English abroad & teaching English online. ITA offers accredited TEFL certification courses online & in 20+ locations worldwide and has received multiple awards & widespread recognition as one of the best TEFL schools in the world. ITA provides all students and graduates with lifetime job search guidance. ITA has certified more than 40,000 English teachers and our graduates are currently teaching in 80 countries worldwide.
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