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Your Journey Begins Now
Ready to travel the world, make a difference, and immerse yourself in new cultures? In this overview of teaching English abroad, we outline everything you need to know to teach overseas successfully. Learn why you should consider teaching abroad, where you can teach, how to find jobs, and more!
Founded in 2010, International TEFL Academy (ITA) is a world leader in TEFL certification for teaching English abroad and teaching English online. ITA offers accredited TEFL certification classes online and in 20+ locations worldwide and has received multiple awards and widespread recognition as one of the best TEFL schools in the world. ITA provides all students and graduates with lifetime job search guidance and has certified more than 40,000 English teachers. Our graduates are currently teaching in 80 countries worldwide.
With now over 2 billion people learning English worldwide, the demand for native English-speaking teachers is so high that virtually any native English speaker (and many non-native speakers) can teach English abroad professionally with an accredited TEFL certification.
In fact, even without a background in education, it's not typically a matter of whether you can get a job teaching ESL abroad, but which job in which country is the best fit for you.
“Whether you teach English or any other subject, the satisfaction of knowing you can make a meaningful impact on the lives of your students is one of the great feelings you can have.”
- International TEFL Academy graduate, Allen Tunstall.
The common factor bringing our graduates together is the desire to experience new cultures and travel the world while making an impact. Teaching English abroad has many benefits:
Go Further:
The requirements for teaching English abroad can differ from one country to another. If you want to teach English abroad, at minimum you will need a TEFL certification from an accredited TEFL school. Factors that make finding a job teaching English in other countries easier include fluency in English, a 4-year university degree of any kind, prior teaching experience, a clean criminal record, and a valid passport. Let's look at these in detail:
Go Further:
Teaching English Abroad: How Does It Work?
Wondering how you can start teaching English abroad?
ITA Expert advisors share their tips on how to help you teach English overseas and realize your dream of traveling the world while making a difference.
Check out our video library for more video testimonials from ITA graduates and expert tips from our ITA advisors.
While you do not need any prior teaching experience, nor do you need a degree in education to teach English abroad, it is imperative that you hold a proper certification that will qualify you to teach English. But which one do you need? TEFL, TESOL, CELTA... You can find yourself quickly overwhelmed by all of the acronyms when searching for the right certification.
However, when it comes to teaching English overseas, an accredited TEFL certification is the most popular qualification and is recognized by employers worldwide.
Learn More: TEFL/TESOL/TESL/CELTA/DELTA Differences Explained
“TEFL” is the acronym for Teaching English as a Foreign Language, or simply put, English language instruction for non-native speakers. Also known as Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) or English Language Teaching (ELT), the field of TEFL/TESOL is one of the fastest-growing educational fields in the world, presenting thousands of excellent professional opportunities in all corners of the globe to native and fluent English speakers who achieve their TEFL/TESOL certification. These terms are essentially interchangeable in the international English teaching market, our certifications list both terms.
Read more: What is TEFL Certification?
To get TEFL certified, there are commonly two options:
The cost of TEFL courses typically varies depending on the location of the class but online TEFL courses are generally cheaper. You can also usually discuss payment plans when you enroll in a course, so finding a TEFL certification course that's within your budget shouldn't be too hard.
Taking an accredited TEFL certification course is key because it will provide you with a recognized qualification and the skills required for you to get a great job and succeed as a teacher. Over the last few years, International TEFL Academy has been named the #1 TEFL school by GoOverseas.com & GoAbroad.com across a wide range of awards categories for TEFL certification, including #1 Best Online TEFL Course by GoAbroad.com.
ITA's Online TEFL Class also received recognition as the top-ranked Online TEFL class in several categories of the GoOverseas.com Community Choice Awards for TEFL Certification. Check out a full run-down of ITA's awards, reviews, and recognition.
Full-time/Part-time 💻
ITA offers two Online TEFL Courses that are taught by expert professors & incorporates live practice teaching. These 2 courses enable you to get certified at home in just 4 weeks, or in 11 weeks while working full-time or going to school.
4-Week, Full-Time 🏫
Want to get TEFL certified in Costa Rica, Italy, or Korea? Take a 4-week intensive TEFL class in North America, Asia, Europe, or Latin America taught by expert instructors.
OFQUAL, Level 5 🎓
All ITA TEFL classes meet or exceed international standards for professional-level TEFL certification and are internationally accredited. Our certifications are recognized worldwide & our graduates are teaching English in 80 countries.
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Check out dates & tuition (including discounts) for 4-week in-person TEFL classes & online TEFL courses. It is also important to read our Registration Procedures.
Meeting the right requirements and qualifications, you can teach all over the world! English teaching jobs can be found in nearly every major city across the globe.
A native English speaker with a four-year degree and a TEFL/TESOL Certification from International TEFL Academy can find opportunities in as many as 100 countries around the world from Asia, Europe,
Check out our in-depth and regularly updated Country Comparison Chart to help determine which region or specific country is right for you.
Even without a four-year degree, a native English speaker with a TEFL Certification from International TEFL Academy can realistically find great opportunities to teach ESL abroad in dozens of countries around the world including Spain, Russia, Brazil, and many nations in Latin America and Eastern Europe.
Non-native speakers who are fluent both in written and spoken English can also find opportunities in a wide variety of countries, particularly E.U. citizens looking to work within Europe, and those who wish to teach in their home country.
Go Further:
Markets, salaries... 🌏
Become a digital nomad! Even after many countries reopened in 2022 and onwards after the COVID pandemic, teaching English online continues to represent one of the fastest-growing fields of teaching English as a foreign language (TEFL) and offers almost limitless opportunities for TEFL-certified teachers to gain experience & make money either at home or abroad.
Top Benefits of Teaching English Online For Those Who Want to Go Abroad:Go Further:
To become a professional English teacher, you will need to apply & interview for jobs. The hiring process for English teaching jobs will vary from country to country, region to region, and even school to school. Getting a job teaching English in Peru will be a much different process than getting a job in Japan, for example.
International TEFL Academy provides lifetime, worldwide Job Search Guidance to all students & graduates to assist with navigating the ins and outs of getting hired as an English teacher overseas. We also offer Guaranteed Job Placement in select countries for those who want a less stressful international job search. It is critical to your success that you research and understand both your options and what the process will be prior to enrolling in your TEFL class. Some matters that you will need to learn about include:
How quickly can I get TEFL certified & begin teaching English abroad?
Lifetime Assistance 🙋
ITA graduates receive lifetime Job Search Guidance, including guidance from expert advisors, referrals to top recruiters, exclusive access to our 350-page Job Search Guidance manual, live webinars, & more.
& Interview Tips 💡
Check out expert-written articles & FAQs covering topics like interview & resume tips, job market overviews, top 10 lists & more.
When To Find Work 🤔
Understanding hiring seasons is key to successful planning that will enable you to achieve your goal of teaching English abroad.
Opportunities 👍
Demand for private English lessons is huge across the globe & many English teachers abroad work full-time or part-time as private tutors.
From teaching English to grade school children in Japan to tutoring businessmen in Madrid, jobs and opportunities will differ when it comes to matters like the type of students you teach, salaries, and your daily schedule.
Practical matters like housing options, visas & health insurance options will also vary.
Thankfully, we have a community of over 45,000 alumni who can let you know what teaching English abroad is really like today. Check out more than hundreds of TEFL articles, FAQs & alumni stories to learn more about the ins and outs of teaching English in 100 countries around the world from our students who have made the decision to live all over the world.
Go Further:
When planning to teach English abroad, you need to get your timing right. Logistics is another key factor to keep in mind when you are thinking about relocating overseas. For instance, did you know that a brand-new passport can take up to 12 weeks to process? At International TEFL Academy, we'll work with you to make sure that you plan things right before heading to a foreign country.
Making travel plans and visa arrangements seem like two obvious steps even if, sometimes, they will be paid for and handled by your employer. Here's an example list of things to consider:
Living in a foreign country, let alone a country that speaks a different language, can seem daunting but with enough research and preparation, you'll be able to find the best place for you to live. Here are some questions you will need to ask yourself:
Do you think you can teach English abroad? We know you can!
To make it an even easier decision for you, we've compiled this super easy seven-step plan on how to get started on your journey. Whether you choose to teach ESL overseas or online with us, you'll benefit from ITA's expert guidance every step of the way. Visualize yourself following these steps below or follow the guide for a more comprehensive look into how you can make this a reality for yourself.
Check out Our In-Depth Guide: Step-by-Step TEFL Certification Plan & Checklist
Download your brochure, research & ask all of your questions to your ITA advisor
Teaches English in Spain
I found other TEFL certifications that were cheaper but I still chose ITA because of their reputation and resources. One of my favorite things about ITA is that you have an assigned advisor. Changing careers and moving abroad was such a foreign concept for me... I had so many questions, I didn't know where to start. I scheduled multiple calls with my advisor and they answered all my questions - not just about the TEFL certification, but about the entire process of moving abroad. The support was worth spending the extra money and now I'm living my dream in Madrid!
Teaches English in South Korea
I chose South Korea after doing research, reading blogs, and seeing testimonies about the country. The main attraction was that South Korea makes sports and health a priority which mirrors my values, everyone is active and there are many opportunities for extracurricular activities. If I could go back in time, I'd 100% tell myself to do this right after graduation - this is a great way to gain experience, tackle debt, and build a better life for the future.
Teaches English in Costa Rica
I knew that a TEFL certification is what a lot of employers are looking for in a teacher. My girlfriend Courtney discovered ITA and the success of its graduates led us to choose the program. The practicum was an invaluable experience. I was not a teacher before getting TEFL certified, so this was really my first time in front of a classroom. I taught a group of ESL learners at a local church and it was a great atmosphere and experience. Costa Rica is such a beautiful country and if you like the beach and nature I think you will be happy here. One of my goals is to learn Spanish and this is a great place to do it.
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