TEFL & ESL Teacher Job Market
Report for 2021-2022

Introduction to the Worldwide TEFL Job Market

With estimates of up to two billion people using and learning English worldwide, the field of Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL) represents one of the largest and fastest-growing fields of international education in recent decades. 

The rise of English as a global language is rooted in the broad political and economic reach of the British Empire and, more recently, in the economic and cultural dominance of the United States after World War II. Since the end of the Cold War in the early 1990s, the continued growth of English as the world’s lingua franca has coincided with the emergence of a truly globalized and digitized economy. In a world where people from different linguistic backgrounds increasingly need to communicate on a daily basis, English has filled the void.

Is TEFL a Good Career Choice?

The growing use of English has generated enormous demand for English language instruction, presenting innumerable opportunities for native and fluent English speakers to gain employment in the field of TEFL.

From business people in Japan to schoolchildren in Spain and university students in Saudi Arabia, the need for trained English language instructors is genuinely a worldwide phenomenon reaching every corner of the globe.

In this document, it is our goal to provide a broad overview of the international TEFL job market for English teachers in 2021, including:

• How high is the demand for English language instruction worldwide? Gain insights into the growing global demand for English, including a spotlight on China, which has emerged as the world’s largest market for English language instruction in recent decades.
  
• Different types of job opportunities for certified English teachers around the globe. Private language schools, public schools, universities, private tutoring, and teaching English through semi-governmental organizations like the Peace Corps are just some of the opportunities available to those wishing to teach English abroad. We provide a detailed overview that includes hiring requirements for the most common job opportunities, including the need for TEFL certification and other academic and professional standards.
• Salaries for English teachers around the world. Depending on the job, the teacher’s experience, local economic conditions (including the local cost of living), the earning potential for English teachers around the world can vary greatly. We give an overview of what certified English teachers can expect to make in the biggest job markets around the world.
• Teaching English Online (TEO). Online education has exploded in recent decades, and that includes teaching English as a foreign language. TEO's growth increased significantly with the imposition of lockdowns and travel restrictions in 2020-2021 during COVID. It provided a lifeline to many English teachers who lost overseas teaching jobs or could not fulfill their plans of teaching English overseas. However, recent Chinese government regulations on online learning have impacted the job market late in the summer of 2021.

The impact of COVID-19 on the international TEFL job market.  Like nearly all sectors of the international economy, global education was massively affected by COVID-19. Learn more about how the pandemic has impacted job opportunities for those seeking to teach English as a foreign language, both online and abroad.

We include feedback & data from International TEFL Academy (ITA) graduates regarding their teaching English experiences during the COVID pandemic in 2020-2021.

Is TEFL a Long-Term Career?

Flexibility is one of the most appealing elements of teaching English abroad. Due to widespread demand, ESL teaching jobs are typically available in more than 100 nations. In addition, TEFL-certified teachers can choose to teach abroad for a period of just a few months, or they can make it a lifelong career.

Many native English-speakers see teaching English abroad primarily as a vehicle to just live abroad for a period of up to a year or two before returning to their home country to resume their studies or their career. Others make teaching English overseas a long-term career either in one or multiple countries. 

For some, they just love the job and living abroad.  This is especially the case for more experienced teachers with more advanced credentials who can make a better living teaching in universities or elite international schools offering excellent pay and benefits, even when compared to top teaching positions in the U.S. or the U.K. Others may make their home in another country because of family reasons or because their spouse or partner has a career that takes them abroad.

Common Definitions Related to the TEFL Job Market for Teaching English to Non-Native Speakers

TEFL – This common acronym stands for Teaching English as a Foreign Language. It is the primary acronym used in the context of native or non-native fluent English speakers who provide English language instruction to non-native speakers in foreign countries. 

TEFL Certification - For those who do not hold a college or graduate-level degree in teaching English (commonly known as “TESOL”), the most common way to gain the teaching skills and a recognized qualification to gain employment as a professional English teacher abroad is to attain an accredited TEFL certification.  

TEFL certification is a viable option for many who cannot invest the time and money to achieve a full degree. An internationally accredited TEFL certification course can be completed through a four-week intensive format or the equivalent part-time. In addition, accredited TEFL courses are now available both online and in-person in traditional brick-and-mortar classrooms.

Typical standards for internationally accredited TEFL certification 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. 

TESOL: Teachers of English to Speakers of Other Languages. This acronym typically applies to the teaching of English to non-native speakers in native English-speaking countries like the U.S. Those who earn university degrees in TESOL commonly seek to teach ESL (English as a Second Language) in domestic classrooms in native English-speaking nations such as the U.S. However, those holding TESOL degrees can also teach English abroad in all types of schools, language institutes, universities, and elite international schools. Many of these positions require such a degree and other teaching credentials like experience and a certification from a state or state government education board.   

It is also worth noting that the world’s largest professional organization in the world for ESL teachers is the TESOL International Association (TESOL.org), which encompasses more than 12,000 members representing 156 countries, and more than 100 worldwide affiliates.

ESL: English as a Second Language. This acronym typically refers to English language education in countries where English is the official language. Examples of ESL students would be recent immigrants or foreign exchange students studying English in a country where they can immerse themselves in the language. In Britain and Ireland ESOL (English for speakers of other languages) is sometimes used in a similar context.

EFL: English as a Foreign Language. While similar to “ESL”, this term is usually used when referring to English language education in countries where English is not the official language (most of the world). Students in this situation often speak their native language in their daily life and only encounter English in a classroom.

TESL: Teaching English as a Second Language. The acronym is most commonly used in Canada for the certification required to teach English to non-native speakers. In Canada, a TESL certification typically must be recognized and accredited by TESL Canada, which is a body that officially validates TESL certification for those wishing to teach English in Canada. 

Scope of Demand for English Language Education

Is There a High Demand for English Teachers?

The scopes of both the usage of English and English language education for non-native speakers are so broad that it is nearly impossible to make precise determinations regarding the exact numbers of English speakers and learners. However, it is clear that English has entrenched itself as the primary “second language” of the world, and its growing dominance in areas such as travel, healthcare services, technology, entertainment, and the internet, continues to generate massive growth in the demand for English teachers worldwide.

With more than 5 million ESL students in U.S. classrooms, K-12 and more than 1 billion English language learners worldwide, the global demand for English teachers is high and offers numerous job opportunities in the United States and around the globe. This includes teaching English online

“English is now the lingua franca. That’s how it is. You have to speak English if you want to act and move in globalization.” - Former French Prime Minister, Édouard Philippe.

Is There a Demand for ESL/TEFL Teachers?

Here are some statistics to provide some perspective on the worldwide usage of English, as well as demand and job growth prospects for English teachers, ESL instruction (both in-person and online), and education-related services:

• According to its 2014 report, The English Effect, the British Council estimated that as of 2014, 1.75 billion people were using and learning English and that number would climb to 2 billion by 2020.
• A recent report on trends in English learning published by Marketandresearch.com states that "Amid the COVID-19 crisis, the global market for English Language Learning estimated at US$9.6 Billion in the year 2020, is projected to reach a revised size of US$27 Billion by 2027."
• According to technology research firm Technavio, “the digital English language learning market alone is poised to grow by $12.38 billion during 2021-2025.”
• There are job postings for an estimated 20,000 English teaching positions at any given time.
• ESL speakers and learners outnumber native English speakers 2:1 worldwide.
• A recent British Council report states there will continue to be more than 150 million English language learners in Europe alone through 2025. An increasing percentage of those learners will be adults seeking to increase their English skills for professional reasons and also because it is increasingly important for travel and to access services and information (on the internet, for example).   
• The British Council also reports that there are 4,000 private English language schools in Spain alone.
• According to W3Techs Web Technology Surveys, more than 60% of the world’s websites are in English.
• InternetWorldStats estimates that there are more than 1 billion English language internet users in the world.
• According to the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), ESL learners number over 5 million students and comprise about 10%  of the entire student body in U.S. K-12 classrooms. In addition, millions of more adults, including university students are also taking ESL classes in the U.S.

Where are ESL/TEFL Teachers in Demand?

Asia

In terms of sheer numbers, East Asia has had the highest demand in recent years.  The reflects a combination of factors, including large populations, a society-wide commitment to education, and rapid economic growth that has produced growing middle classes in nations like China, South Korea, and Thailand.  With up to 400 million English learners, China is the largest market with the largest demand for English language instruction, however during the pandemic, hiring TEFL teachers from abroad has slowed significantly and remains much lower than pre-COVID-19 levels as of November 2021. Based on feedback from TEFL teachers, recruiters, and others in the field, South Korea has been hiring and recruiting the most foreign English teachers during most of the pandemic. Despite its relatively small population of 52 million, South Korea has long been one of the most prominent job markets for TEFL certified teachers and is known for offering some of the best pay and benefits in the world for ESL teachers. South Korea has also been one of the largest job markets in terms of recruiting foreign English teachers since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Europe

With more than 150 million English language learners, Europe represents a much smaller market than Asia, but the demand for TEFL-trained teachers is still enormous. In most European countries, there are hundreds if not thousands of private language institutes and schools. In countries like France and Spain, government programs recruit thousands of English teachers from nations like the U.S., U.K., and Canada each year. Many students in Europe also take private classes in-person and online. Indeed, the COVID-19 pandemic slowed the hiring and mobility of foreign English teachers throughout the continent. As of late 2021, hiring has resumed in nations like Spain, Germany, the Czech Republic, Poland, and Hungary, to name a few. Other major markets such as Russia have been slower to reopen, but we have reports from ITA alumni that some schools have resumed recruiting foreign English teachers.

Latin America

Top job markets in Latin America include Mexico, Chile, Argentina, Peru, Ecuador, and Brazil. Smaller countries such as Costa Rica have also maintained robust job markets for foreign teachers in recent years. Many Latin American nations have been hit hard by COVID-19 and have been subjected to even more stringent lockdowns and travel restrictions than some other parts of the world.

Most opportunities for TESOL and TEFL trained teachers are in private language schools (often catering primarily to adults), private grade schools and high schools, and also providing private lessons. In addition, some nations such as Chile and Colombia have recruited Americans and other native-speakers to teach in public schools on an on-and-off-again basis.

The Middle East & North Africa

Many prominent Middle Eastern nations, including Egypt, Jordan, and Persian Gulf states like Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates (U.A.E.), have deep, long-standing political and commercial ties with the U.K. and the U.S. As a result, English language education has been popular with economic and political elites for generations. In recent decades, massive growth in travel and tourism, combined with increased international commerce, has generated a surge in demand for English language education at nearly all levels of society. Even in nations like Morroco and Tunisia, where French has long been the acknowledged second language, English language skills are in high demand, and the need for E.S.L. teachers has snowballed.

North America: The U.S. & Canada

As nations with large immigrant populations looking to assimilate, both the U.S. and Canada maintain high demand for qualified English language instruction. In the U.S., there are an estimated 5 million ESL students in the public school system alone.  To teach English in public and most private schools in the U.S., university-level training or even a degree in TESOL is typically required. Those with a TEFL/TESOL certificate will likely find opportunities in private tutoring, teaching English online, and teaching English in private language schools, especially when possessing at least some teaching experience.

In Canada, a TESL certification typically must be recognized and accredited by TESL Canada, which is a body that officially validates TESL certification for those wishing to teach English in Canada in the private sector.

China Spotlight: The Largest Market for English Language Learning - But is Change Afoot?

According to the People's Daily – the official newspaper of the ruling Chinese Communist and the largest newspaper in China, "There are estimated to be around 400 million Chinese people learning English, larger than the entire population of the United States. In 2018, the number of TOEFL test takers reached 300,000, ranking first in the world."

For more than two decades, English has been a compulsory subject in China's standard national curriculum. While some students may begin English classes in kindergarten, most students start learning in third grade.

Since the turn of the century, private sector language education services and online English language instruction have exploded in China, providing learning opportunities to ten­s of millions of students and job opportunities to thousands of native English-speaking teachers. According to the People's Daily newspaper in China, "Chinese parents are willing to pay twice the price for a foreign face to teach their kids than for a seasoned Chinese teacher."

In the past decade, online learning has represented the most significant growth sector for language services in China. According to a 2019 Forbes article, the China-based online learning company, VIPKid, provided online lessons to more than 500,000 primarily Chinese students learning English from 65,000 mostly American teachers. In addition, the company reached a valuation of $4.5 billion, making it one of the largest online learning companies globally.

Is China Beginning to Sour on English Language Learning?

After decades of encouraging and investing in English language education, the Chinese government seemingly indicated a possible change of course in the summer of 2021, when it implemented new policies limiting for-profit tutoring services, including online English instruction provided by foreign ESL teachers. These reforms included limiting foreign investment in online learning in China, restricting profits, and even imposing curfews determining the hours when Chinese students can take online courses from private companies.

Why Has the Chinese Government Restricted Online English Lessons?

When reforms were announced in July 2021, the official Chinese news agency Xinhua stated they intended to limit the financial strain on millions of Chinese families who have invested heavily in providing school-aged children with online instruction in English and other “core” subjects to supplement their regular school education. However, some observers believe that targeting English language education, in particular, might be part of a broader effort on the part of the Chinese government to limit what it considers the over-reaching influence of English and Western culture in Chinese society broadly and in education specifically.

In addition to online restrictions, the New York Times has reported that Shanghai banned schools from giving exams in English in July 2021, and in 2020, ​China’s education authority barred primary and junior high schools from using overseas textbooks.

According to a September 2021 New York Times article, “English has become one of the signs of suspicious foreign influence, a fear nurtured by nationalist propaganda that has only worsened in tone since the outbreak of the coronavirus.”

The recent policy shifts have had a strong impact, particularly in the online job market for TEFL teachers, as Chinese online tutoring services have been among the largest employers of foreign TEFL certified English teachers. As a result, many online teachers from the U.S. and other English-speaking countries teaching Chinese students saw their online teaching hours cut dramatically or even completely. Many teachers have found employment at non-Chinese online teaching companies, but the job market has become significantly tighter and more competitive.

Whether China will continue such policies or expand them remains to be seen. However, according to the same New York Times article, “After the Shanghai announcement, an online survey with about 40,000 responses found that about 85 percent of respondents agreed that students should continue to learn English no matter what.”

Undoubtedly many of those parents and students in China’s economic elite and vast middle class view English as one of the keys to achieving academic and financial success, and many parents still dream of sending their children to prestigious universities in the U.S. and the U.K., like Oxford, Harvard, and Stanford.

Types of English Teaching Jobs

Given the scope of global demand for English language instruction, it should not be surprising that there are wide-ranging employment opportunities for teachers offered by a wide variety of employers and institutions in need of English teachers ranging from public schools and universities to private language institutes, summer camps, and charitable organizations. Here is an overview of the most common types of English teaching jobs and employers that hire teachers who possess a TEFL certificate.

Private Language Schools and Institutes

Since foreigners are not typically hired to teach children in public schools in most countries, most opportunities for TEFL-certified English teachers abroad will be in private language schools. These are typically privately owned enterprises specializing in language training (usually English) and can range in size and scope from mom-and-pop businesses with a single classroom to large multinational chains of schools operating dozens of branches in multiple countries.  

• Large cities in Europe, Asia, and Latin America may host as many as 500 private language schools, sometimes more.  Some will specialize in business English or English for young learners, while others may offer general classes to students of all levels and abilities.  According to the British Council, there are 4,000 private English schools in Spain alone. 
• In Europe and Latin America, these types of private language schools typically cater to adult students, however, the market for younger students is growing.
• Private language schools and academies, pre-schools, international, and vocational schools hire English teachers throughout the Middle East.
• Daily work schedules vary, but on average full-time teachers will teach for 25 - 30 hours a week with 12-15 hours of prep work. A common shift is from 2 – 9 p.m. with some weekend work to accommodate students looking to study English after a standard work or school day. Class sizes also vary but typically range from 2 – 15 students. 
• For those looking to teach English abroad to children, there are opportunities in many countries to work in private kindergartens, pre-schools, and daycare centers. Opportunities are most prevalent in East Asian nations such as South Korea.
• In addition to non-English speaking countries, such schools and institutes are also common in English-speaking nations such as the U.S., U.K., Canada, and Australia, where they offer classes primarily to immigrants, foreign students, or expatriates seeking to enhance their English skills.

Multinational Language School Companies

With hundreds of millions of adults and children learning English worldwide, English language instruction is big business. The biggest teaching companies offer English in dozens of countries and hundreds of schools or “centers,” as they are commonly called. In addition, some of these companies provide instruction in other languages or disciplines other than languages. Most of the largest international teaching companies focus primarily on teaching English to adults, mainly “Business English,” to those who need to learn English for vocational or professional reasons. Employment with a multinational language school is one of the most common types of TEFL jobs.

Examples of some of the biggest international English education companies include:

• Berlitz Corp.
• Coursera Inc.
• edX Inc.
• EF Education First Ltd. (EnglishFirst)
• Inlingua International Ltd.
• Language Trainers Corp.
• Pearson Plc
• Rocket Languages Ltd.
• Rosetta Stone Ltd.
• The Linguist Institute Ltd.
• Wall Street English

Private Language Schools for Children & High School Students. Across the globe, many parents enroll their children in private language schools to gain additional English language instruction from what they receive in their regular high school or grade school. Many schools offer classes and private lessons for children.

Such classes are particularly popular in large East Asian nations like South Korea, where according to PBS, up to 95% of Korean high school students attend extra classes at hagwons, which are private academies offering supplemental classes in English and other subjects.  Most Americans who teach English in South Korea teach at such academies rather than in actual public high schools and grade schools. 

English Language Proficiency Tests. Many private language schools - both multinational corporations and smaller schools and companies - offer classes and coaching for students seeking to pass English language proficiency tests.  Passing specific scores is often required for non-native English speakers to gain admission to English-language schools and universities, qualify for jobs in a wide variety of sectors, and meet immigration requirements for some countries.  

According to the website AcademicPositions.com, a major job website for academic positions around the world, the four most widely-accepted English proficiency tests are TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language), IELTS (International English Language Testing System), CAE (Certificate of Advanced English),  and CPE (Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in English).

Hiring Requirements for Private Language Schools.  Requirements for employment in private language schools will vary widely around the world.  Many require an accredited TEFL certification in addition to a college or university degree (typically in any discipline).  In some countries, laws dictate requirements for employment, which may include citizenship from major English-speaking nations like the U.S., U.K., Australia, Ireland, New Zealand, Canada, and sometimes South Africa. Knowledge and experience in a particular sector (law, medicine, etc.) are required for some positions. Some positions will require an advanced degree and experience in education, TESOL, or linguistics.  Such requirements are typical at major universities and elite international schools. 

Interviews & Hiring Process.  The process of getting hired to teach English in a private language school or academy will also vary widely. Like other businesses, education companies typically list job availability on their websites and major TEFL job boards, like TEFL.com and Teachaway.com, which list job availability all over the world. There are many country-specific job boards as well, such as Gaijinpot.com, which lists a variety of jobs for foreigners in Japan, particularly for teaching English.

For example, in some countries, many nations in Latin America and Europe, it is common for many language schools (especially those not part of major international chains) to recruit and hire locally. This means that TEFL-certified teachers need to be on the ground, ready to interview and begin teaching. Many jobs start as part-time, and it is not uncommon for first-time TEFL-certified teachers, in particular, to work for multiple employers while also teaching English online or giving private lessons to fill out their schedules. Jobs may open any time of year but tend to be recruiting is typically concentrated during “hiring seasons.” Most successful TEFL job hunters will make sure to be on the ground and ready to interview and begin teaching during these periods.

Overview of hiring seasons for language schools by region:

• Europe: Primary: September- October / Secondary: January
• Central America: Primary: June-July /  Secondary: January-February
• South America: Primary: February-March / Secondary: July-August
• Middle East/North Africa: Positions are open throughout the year.
• Asia: Private language schools are recruiting year-round.

Exceptions: The hiring season in Taiwan is after the Chinese New Year, and then again in July & August. The hiring season for teaching English in Thailand is in May and then again in November.

Elite international schools (many catering to the children of expatriates), as well as universities often recruit internationally and interview in advance.

However, in many nations in Asia and the Middle East, visa laws require that non-citizens gain employment before a visa will be issued.  This means that prospective teachers will typically interview in their home country, either directly with potential employers, or through recruiters that specialize in hiring and recruiting English teachers (and often teachers in other disciplines as well).

Examples of major international recruiters for English teaching jobs include Reach to Teach, Adventure Teaching, and Greenheart Travel. For international schools, some top recruiters include International School Services (ISS) in the U.S. and TIC Recruitment (in the U.K.).

Government Programs that Recruit Foreigners to Teach English as a Foreign Language

Some of the most famous avenues for teaching English abroad are government programs that recruit Americans and other native and (rarely) fluent non-native speakers to teach English in government-run schools (known as “public schools” in the U.S.).

In many cases, first-time teachers (mostly TEFL certified) work as teaching assistants in high schools, middle schools, or elementary schools. In other cases, foreign English teachers will be responsible for managing their own classes.  In most of these programs, the administrators will assign participants to teach in a specific region. Participants can often request to teach in a region or city; however, receiving a requested location is typically not guaranteed.

The application process for such positions is typically rigorous, with only 1-2 application periods per year. Combined with the popularity of these programs, this makes a government program one of the harder types of TEFL jobs to apply for.  Applicants typically must provide academic records, writing samples, and in some cases - like the TAPIF program in France and the Cultural Ambassadors Program in Spain -  proof of some language proficiency.  Criminal background checks, health checks, and interviews are also typically required for most of these programs. A TEFL certification is not required but is recommended by all programs, especially if applicants do not possess prior ESL teaching credentials.

Famous government programs for teaching English abroad:

The JET Program in Japan - One of the most famous English teaching programs in the world, JET stands for the Japan Exchange and Teaching Program, which is a cultural exchange and teaching program sponsored by the Japanese government that employs university-educated, native English-speakers to teach English in Japan.  Since its inception in 1987, more than 70,000 people from 75 countries have participated in JET, which is not limited strictly to English language instruction. Since 2000, the number of English teachers participating in the JET Program has typically ranged between 4,000 and 6,000 a year. Read more about the JET Programme in Japan here.

TAPIF Program in France - The most straightforward way for an American to get a job teaching in France is through TAPIF, the Teaching Assistant Program in France. This program recruits over 1,000 young Americans (the cutoff age is 35) per year to work as English teachers across France for seven-month contract periods. Applicants must demonstrate intermediate proficiency in French, and be able to prove that via university records or an essay. Because it is more difficult for Americans to get a visa to teach English in France compared to some other countries, in Europe, this program represents the primary option for Americans seeking to work as English teachers.

EPIK Program in South Korea -  Standing for “English Program in Korea”, the EPIK program is South Korea’s most well-known government program. Sponsored by the Ministry of Education, if accepted, English teachers are placed in elementary and middle schools across South Korea. Benefits of this program include furnished housing, roundtrip airfare, medical insurance, 18 paid vacation days per year, and a paid 9-day orientation. Applications for approximately 1,000 teaching positions are accepted twice yearly in August (for positions beginning in February/March) and February for positions beginning in the following September).

Cultural Ambassadors Program in Spain - Operated by the Spanish Ministry of Education, Culture and Sport, the Cultural Ambassadors Program recruits and places native English & French speakers from the U.S. & Canada as assistant language teachers in elementary and secondary schools throughout Spain. The program, which is also known as the North American Language and Culture Assistants Program- or the auxiliares de conversación (“conversation assistants”) in Spanish, recruits up to 2,500 Americans & Canadians to teach English (and in the case of some Canadians, French) in Spain each year.  Participants are typically required to exhibit a basic level of Spanish and must hold at least a BA equivalent.  

Programs Sponsored by Governments of English-Speaking Nations

English-speaking nations have promoted English language instruction in nations across the globe dating back to the height of the British Empire, and countries like the U.S. and the U.K. continue to sponsor global programs until the present.

The English Language Fellow Program – United States.  Sponsored by the U.S. State Department’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, the English Language Fellow (EL Fellow) Program offers 10-month fellowship opportunities in up to 80 countries across the globe to U.S. citizens with at least a graduate-level degree in TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages). As of 2020, the program also offers virtual teaching opportunities. Participants typically teach in universities and other institutions of higher learning and receive benefits including a stipend, assistance with housing, and training.

The Peace Corps - United States.  Founded by President John F. Kennedy in 1961 and sponsored by the U.S. Government, the Peace Corps offers a wide variety of volunteer opportunities primarily related to economic development in more than 60 countries.  Increasingly in recent years, Peace Corps opportunities have entailed teaching ESL, and participants are encouraged to earn a TEFL certification either on their own or through the Corps. Most volunteers are college graduates in their twenties, but opportunities are available for most demographics. 

The British Council – United Kingdom. Founded in 1934 to promote international cultural relations and educational opportunities the British Council provides English language instruction in more than 50 countries worldwide. Requirements for teachers typically include a high-level TEFL course, a degree, and teaching experience.  

Summer Camps and Volunteer Opportunities

English-language summer language camps in Europe, Latin America, and Asia offer 1-2 month opportunities to work with non-native speakers, including school-aged children and sometimes even university students (in Asia). These opportunities are ideal for TEFL-certified English teachers looking for shorter stints overseas and those who enjoy working outdoors with children. 

In many cases, these positions are closer to that of a classic camp counselor and entail leading activities in sports, outdoor activities, and arts rather than that of an English classroom teacher. In many cases, pay is modest, but English teachers and counselors receive benefits like room and board, food, a stipend, and some time off to enjoy and explore the local region. In addition, many of these camps require qualifications such as a TEFL certificate.

There is also a wide variety of both shorter (one week to several months) and more extended (six months to a year or longer) volunteer opportunities for teaching English, often in developing countries and regions. Many such programs are sponsored by NGOs, charitable organizations, or faith-based organizations. In some cases, participants will pay to participate in such programs or receive basic benefits like room and board in return for their volunteer work.

Salary Overview for Teaching English Abroad

Salaries for teaching English abroad vary based on where in the world you are working, with salaries in Asia and the Middle East being the highest. Salaries also vary depending on what type of school you are working in (public school vs private school), and how many hours you work per month. Salaries around the world are reflective of the local cost of living in each respective country.  

In terms of working hours per week, 50% of survey respondents said they worked 20 hours or fewer per week. While 27% of respondents said they worked 31+ hours per week. Salary data showed that 94% of respondents earned $30,000 USD or less per year and 5% of respondents earned $30,000-$40,000 USD per year.

Salaries by Region

ASIA

Asia provides some of the highest salaries for teaching English abroad, even during the COVID-19 pandemic. The most popular teaching markets in Asia in 2021 are China (3%), Japan (5%), South Korea (12%), Taiwan (3%), and Thailand (3%). Below are average monthly salaries in some of the most popular teaching markets in Asia:

• China: $1,250 USD - $2,850 USD + airfare and housing provided;
• Japan: $1,500 USD - $2,500 USD;
• South Korea: $1,850 USD- $2,500 USD + airfare and housing provided;
• Taiwan: $1,000 USD - $2,000 USD;
• Thailand: $950 USD - $1,500 USD.

Numerous countries in Asia provide teachers with high enough salaries to be able to cover their cost of living and have money leftover. The countries where English teachers commonly save money each month include Cambodia, China, Hong Kong, Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, Thailand, and Vietnam.

EUROPE

English teachers in Europe typically break even financially. This means that the average monthly salaries and the average monthly costs of living are often nearly identical. It’s common that English teachers in Europe will private tutor and/or teach English online to boost their earnings each month. The most popular teaching markets in Europe in 2021 are Spain (7%), Hungary (2%), and Poland (2%). Below are average monthly salaries in some of the most popular teaching markets in Europe:

• Hungary: $600 USD - $900 USD;
• Italy: $900 USD - $1,500 USD;
• Poland: $750 USD - $1,050 USD;
• Russia: $500 USD - $1,400 USD;
• Spain: $800 USD - $1,500 USD.

LATIN AMERICA

Similar to Europe, English teachers in Latin America typically break even financially. Average monthly salaries in Latin America are very similar to the average monthly cost of living in most countries. The cost of living across Latin America tends to be substantially lower than in other parts of the world. In 2021, the most popular teaching markets in Latin America are Mexico (3%) and Costa Rica (2%). Below are average monthly salaries in some of the most popular teaching markets in Latin America:

• Brazil: $800 USD - $1300 USD;
• Costa Rica: $700 USD - $900 USD;
• Panama: $900 - $1,300 USD;
• Uruguay: $900 USD - $1,300 USD.

MIDDLE EAST

English teachers in the Middle East will find a broad range of salaries. Oil-rich nations of the Persian Gulf offer some of the most lucrative salaries for English teachers in the world. There are other countries across the Middle East that are more break-even in nature, so the monthly salaries and the monthly cost of living are nearly identical.  Below are average monthly salaries in some of the most popular teaching markets in the Middle East:

• Kuwait: $1,500 USD - $3,300 USD + airfare and housing provided;
• Oman: $1,600 USD - $3,100 USD + airfare and housing provided;
• Qatar: $1,600 USD - $4,000 USD + airfare and housing provided;
• Saudi Arabia: $1,500 USD - $3,000 USD + airfare and housing provided;
• UAE: $1,800 USD - $5,000 USD + airfare and housing provided.

Teaching English Online

Teaching English online is teaching English as a foreign language to a non-native English speaker over the internet through a computer and a webcam. Students can learn one-on-one or in a small group, and the cost is usually cheaper than an in-person, face-to-face ESL class. In many cases, both students and teachers can set their class times and schedules, and the teacher can teach from whatever location is convenient to them. Many types of educational institutions offer online English classes, including grade schools, online teaching platforms, and even corporations. Individual students may also hire online English teachers as independent contractors or as private tutors.

Types of Online ESL Teaching Jobs

There are three major types of employment opportunities for online English teachers:

1. Structured ESL Platforms: These are TEFL and ESL platforms that provide teachers with an online classroom, pre-planned curriculum, and lesson plans - there is no prep work for the teacher other than reviewing the materials before each lesson. These platforms often have a set base rate of pay and additional incentive-based rates that teachers can achieve through things like positive reviews, 100% on-time attendance, teaching a certain number of classes per month, etc. 
   
   
2. Open Marketplace ESL Platforms: These are platforms that allow teachers to market themselves and their English-teaching abilities in order to attract students. More often than not, teachers will be required to create all their own lesson plans and materials for each lesson they teach as their student’s ages and levels will vary from young children all the way through to older adults. With these platforms, teachers set their own rate of pay and the platform will take a commission from it. Major employers that fit into this category include Preply, Cambly, iTalki, and Palfish.
   
   
3. Private Online ESL Tutoring: This approach requires the teacher to market themselves privately to attain students outside of a platform. We will expand on this in the next section.

In the first half of 2021, our survey of ITA graduates teaching in spring 2021 showed that 48.93% of ESL teachers were teaching English online through a platform while 31.40% were private tutoring/freelancing as online English teachers.

Private Online ESL Tutoring

Teachers that do not want to work for any of the major online platforms or open marketplaces have the option of offering their services privately online. This requires the teacher to source their own students via word-of-mouth, online advertising, etc. From the teachers we surveyed, 31.40% said they were privately tutoring and freelancing online outside of any type of established TEFL or ESL platform.

The benefits of this approach include:

• Making more money per lesson as teachers are setting their own rates and there is no external platform taking a cut. 
• Being able to tailor each lesson exactly to the students' needs based on their existing ESL level.
• Job variation: Teachers may be instructing a child one day, and then a business English adult learner the next.

Obstacles that this approach may present:

• The amount of time a teacher needs to create their own lesson materials and prep for each lesson.
• If taking on this approach with no prior online teaching experience, it will take some effort for teachers to source their students, create relationships with them, and then hope they become regular clients that bring them additional business via positive word-of-mouth. 
  
  

Online ESL & TEFL Salaries

Pay for online English teachers varies based on which approach they take, but first-time teachers can typically expect to earn an average salary of $10-$20 USD per hour. Most major online teaching platforms use sliding scales based on factors like reviews and the number of teaching hours to provide incentives for salary increases and bonuses. Teachers are paid by the lesson, which is often between 20-30 minutes rather than an hour, so the pay is around $6-$10 USD per lesson at first. 

A significant benefit of teaching English online is flexibility. Instructors and tutors can teach for an hour or two per day and make $100-$200 a week. Or, they can teach English online as a full-time job or even a career, and by teaching five hours a day or more, make a full-time salary of upwards of $2000 USD a month. 

More experienced teachers, especially those who run their own private lessons outside of any platform, can charge and earn more, with some making as much as $40-$50 USD an hour. 

Rise of the Digital Nomad

The digital nomad lifestyle has been increasing in popularity over the last few years. A digital nomad is a person who is location-independent and uses their laptop or other technology to perform their job remotely. Digital nomads tend to travel on a continuous basis, moving from one country to the next while performing their job duties on a flexible schedule.

Our data shows that 11.24% of teachers are only teaching English online while abroad and that it is their sole form of income while they travel. According to our survey data, popular digital nomad locations for online English teachers include Dubrovnik, Croatia; Mexico City, Mexico; Bali, Indonesia; Chiang Mai, Thailand; and Medellin, and Colombia.

Quick Stats

Of those ITA graduates surveyed...

• 11.24% only teach English online from abroad (with no other income source).
• 12.56% teach abroad at a brick and mortar school in addition to teaching English online.
• 43.64% teach English online from their home country.
• 11.90% took an additional “Teach English Online 2-week add-on course” in addition to their TEFL certification.
• 25.62% have spent less than 6 months teaching English abroad or online.
• 24.63% have spent 6-12 months teaching English abroad or online.
• 48.93% teach English via an established online platform.
• 31.40% provide private online tutoring lessons (not via a platform).
• 12.07% saw their online class bookings go down during COVID due to an oversaturated market.
• 42.15% did not see any impact on their online class bookings due to COVID.
• 9.59% saw their online bookings go down during COVID but have since seen them start to pick back up.

*Stats taken prior to the July 2021 Chinese Government Policy Update.

Impact of COVID-19 on Teaching English Online

While teaching English online has risen significantly in popularity over the last couple of years, COVID-19 brought with it a new peak in demand for online ESL education. This increased demand has impacted the profession of online English teaching in the following ways:

1. Initially, instructors that were teaching English online pre-COVID saw an immediate increase in their online bookings due to this new level of demand. 
   
   
2. Online teaching platforms saw a huge increase in people registering to be English teachers via their platform, especially when traditional job markets took a huge hit and unemployment numbers began to rise both in the USA and around the world.
   
   
3. There was such a large influx of people wanting to teach English online, that many online teaching platforms had to implement a hiring freeze and pause the onboarding of additional teachers to their platform due to oversaturation in the market.
   
   
4. Due to so many new teachers entering the world of teaching English online during COVID-19, 12.07% of online ESL teachers saw their class bookings go down as there were more teachers for students to choose from. 42.15% of teachers said their bookings did not go down at all, with 9.59% of them saying they initially went down but are starting to pick back up.

While many teachers typically choose to teach English online as a means to fund their travels while they move from country to country, our data shows that only 11.24% of surveyed teachers were doing this in the first half of 2021. Given a large number of country closures and border restrictions that were still in place, 43.64% of teachers chose to stay put and teach ESL online from their home country, 34.88% of which were here in the USA.

Impact of the Chinese Government Policy Updates for Teaching English Online

While this was touched on under Scope of Demand, it is important to carry this discussion over to this section.

After decades of encouraging and investing in English language education, the Chinese government seemingly indicated a possible change of course in the summer of 2021, when it implemented new policies limiting for-profit tutoring services, including online English instruction provided by foreign teachers. These reforms included limiting foreign investment in online learning in China, restricting profits, and even imposing curfews determining the hours when Chinese students can take online courses from private companies.

When reforms were announced in July 2021, the official Chinese news agency Xinhua stated they intended to limit the financial strain on millions of Chinese families who have invested heavily in providing school-aged children with online instruction in English and other “core” subjects to supplement their regular school education. However, some observers believe that targeting English language education, in particular, might be part of a broader effort on the part of the Chinese government to limit what it considers the over-reaching influence of English and Western culture in Chinese society broadly and in education specifically.

The recent policy shifts have had a strong impact, particularly in the online job market for TEFL teachers, as Chinese online tutoring services have been among the largest employers of foreign TEFL certified English teachers. As a result, many online teachers from the U.S. and other English-speaking countries teaching Chinese students saw their online teaching hours cut dramatically or even completely, with online teaching companies such as Whales English, Zebra English, and GoGoKid shutting down completely and letting go of all online ESL teachers.

While China was indeed the largest employer of online ESL teachers, there are other options out there for online teachers that lost their job as a result of these new government policies. Some structured platforms and open marketplaces (based outside of China) for teaching ESL online include:

• All Right
• Beyond English
• Cambly
• Preply
• SkimaTalk
• Open English
• Latin Hire
• English2Go
• FluentBe
• Engoo
• Lingoda
• italki
• Tutlo

Effects of COVID-19 on the International TEFL Job Market

Like many sectors of the international economy, including education, TEFL job markets felt a sudden and robust impact during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. While many teaching markets began to reopen, that impact continued to be felt in across the globe in 2021, with major effects on the hiring and mobility of TEFL-certified teachers.

A Sudden Shift to Online Learning

In March and April 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic forced traditional in-person schools in many nations across the globe to shift to online classes. 

According to the UNESCO COVID-19 Education Report published in spring 2021: “almost all countries reported significant changes in the mode of teaching and learning due to COVID-19. Over half the countries are using a hybrid model of teaching and learning, while one-third are using a primarily online mode.”

UNESCO also noted that “One year into the COVID-19 pandemic, close to half the world’s students are still affected by partial or full school closures, and over 100 million additional children will fall below the minimum proficiency level in reading as a result of the health crisis.” 

In addition to affecting hundreds of millions of students and teachers across all levels and fields of education, these continuing trends towards online learning have also manifested themselves throughout the international sector of TEFL. 

According to a survey of 607 TEFL certified graduates of International TEFL Academy, as of April 2021, 67% of respondents were teaching English online either part-time or full-time.

Similarly, language school owners and recruiters working in markets like Spain, Germany, South Korea, and Japan all indicated to International TEFL Academy that their schools and teachers were continuing to offer classes online through 2021. They also anticipated the trend to continue into 2022, even as many schools are returning to in-person courses throughout 2021.

Travel Restrictions and School Closures Reduced the Ability of Teachers to Teach English in Foreign Countries during COVID

As schools transitioned to online classes in the wake of the COVID pandemic in spring 2020, most countries around the globe were implementing travel restrictions and even strict border closures in some cases. However, by late spring 2020, Americans could travel freely to barely 20 countries worldwide, and many of those were smaller nations in regions like the Caribbean that do not represent significant job markets for TEFL certified teachers to teach English.

In addition, most physical schools and language institutes providing in-person language instruction across the globe were subject to lockdowns that closed schools and prevented actual in-person classes from being held.

From China to Chile, the global hiring of English teachers worldwide was reduced signification as schools refrained from hiring English teachers to teach in-person classes. Even in some countries where in-person classes resumed in the second half of 2020, the hiring of new teachers was severely impacted by travel restrictions and the fact that many countries were not issuing visas required for teachers to travel and enter countries where they may have sought employment. 

Even while most countries have eased travel restrictions during the first half of 2021, most English teachers traveling from one country to another can expect to be required to provide proof of full vaccination or a negative COVID test. In addition, many nations require a quarantine for those without vaccination or even for those who are fully vaccinated.

Many Major TEFL Job Markets Have Begun to Reopen in 2021, But Have Not Returned to Pre-COVID Hiring Levels

ASIA

Asia has been the largest job market for TEFL-certified English teachers to teach English abroad in recent decades. While COVID-19 almost surely originated in China, strict containment measures implemented by governments across the region ensured that caseloads remained much lower than they would become in the U.S., Europe, and Latin America. 

As a result, Asia has been one region where the hiring of English teachers from the U.S., particularly South Korea, has resumed recruiting and allowing English teachers to enter the country since the second half of 2020. Government programs like EPIK that recruit Americans and other native English speakers to teach in South Korean public schools are accepting applications for the 2022 school year. Those participating should expect a requirement to quarantine upon arrival in South Korea.

As of October 2021, other major job markets like China, Japan, Taiwan, Thailand, and Vietnam have slowly resumed hiring to various degrees, but these nations have been slower to allow entry for new English teachers due to travel and visa restrictions. Certified English teachers already residing in these nations can likely extend their contracts or take on new positions. Entry to most countries in Asia typically requires some combination of proof of COVID vaccine, a negative COVID test, or some type of quarantine. 

The JET Program for teaching English in public schools in Japan will be accepting applications for aspiring participants from the U.S. from September 27 – November 12, 2021.

EUROPE

Similarly, most European countries implemented strict restrictions on Americans and foreign nationals, making it extremely difficult for Americans seeking to teach English in Europe to gain employment in such countries as Germany, Spain, and Italy throughout 2020. 

With the introduction of vaccines and the subsequent lowering of COVID rates during the first half of 2021, many countries in Europe began to lift restrictions on travelers from the U.S., starting with those possessing visas for work or study. This enabled some English teachers from the U.S. and other nations to enter Europe on work or study visas to work in nations like Italy, France, and Germany. In addition, some Eastern European countries such as Poland and Hungary have also been accessible teaching markets.

Since the spring of 2021, most European nations have also opened to tourists, making it easier for some aspiring English teachers to move to Europe to gain employment after their arrival. However, with the surge of new cases in the U.S. in late summer 2021, some nations such as France have begun to make proof of full vaccination a requirement for most travelers from the U.S. With COVID trends changing regularly, restrictions and entry requirements will likely fluctuate through the rest of 2021.  

Major government ESL teaching programs such as the TAPIF for teaching in public schools in France and the Cultural Ambassadors Program for teaching English in public schools in Spain are planning to recruit teachers from the U.S. elsewhere for the 2022-2023 academic year.

LATIN AMERICA

Some Latin American nations such as Argentina, Brazil, and Uruguay have continued to experience extremely high COVID case numbers and remain difficult teaching markets to access for American teachers, even though travel restrictions are not always as rigid. Other countries, particularly central American nations like Mexico and Costa Rica, have reopened as viable teaching markets, but hiring levels typically remain below pre-COVID levels.

THE MIDDLE EAST & NORTH AFRICA

Most Middle Eastern nations have eased travel restrictions, and some schools have begun hiring foreign English teachers in countries like Egypt. As in other parts of the world, hiring for English teachers has bounced back somewhat from 2020 lockdown levels but remains substantially below pre-COVID levels. 

Teaching English Abroad & Online During COVID-19 in 2021 - ITA Alumni Feedback

In the spring of 2021, 1004 self-selected TEFL-certified graduates of International TEFL responded to a dedicated survey about their teaching situation in the midst of the worldwide COVID-19 pandemic. While this survey is not a reflection of the entire teaching market worldwide, it does provide fascinating insights into how and where TEFL-certified English teachers have been able to work as ESL teachers during COVID.

Teaching Status

• 11.24% - Exclusively teaching English online while abroad from home country
• 43.64% - Teaching English online from their home nation
• 28.60% - Teaching English exclusively at a brick-and-mortar school abroad from home country
• 12.56% - Teaching English online while also teaching at a brick-and-mortar school abroad from home country
• 2.64%. -  Teaching English as a private tutor or au pair abroad
• 1.32%. - Teaching English as a private tutor in their home country

What Country Do You Teach In? (Top 8)

ITA received responses from TEFL-certified alumni teaching in 58 nations. Here are the top 8 countries:

• 34.88% - USA (teaching primarily online)
• 11.57%  - South Korea
• 7. 11%   - Spain
• 4.79% - Japan
• 3.14%  -  Thailand
• 2.64% - China
• 2.64% - Mexico
• 2.48% - Taiwan

What Can the TEFL World Expect in 2022?

After the near-total lockdowns of 2020 and the deflated optimism that normalcy might return in 2021, the TEFL world faces massive uncertainty heading into 2022. However, even when the "age of COVID" gives way to a new sense of normalcy, many of the trends we see today will continue to play out going forward, particularly when it comes to the role of technology in education and how it will empower both students and teachers. Here are some top trends and questions that we will be watching at ITA going forward.

1.  Despite Easing, International Travel & Border Restrictions will Continue to Prevent TEFL Hiring Levels From Returning to Normal in 2022 (especially in Asia)

Travel restrictions slowed the international hiring of TEFL-certified English teachers almost entirely in 2020. They continued to slow the recovery for hiring within the TEFL industry in 2021 even though many countries - particularly in Europe and Latin America - began to reopen. According to The Economist, at the beginning of 2022, "only three countries—Colombia, Costa Rica and Mexico—impose no restrictions on visitors, while 88 countries are still closed completely and many more have draconian policies in place. But as vaccination rates climb and infections fall, rules will be relaxed and routes will reopen."

These reopenings have enabled many TEFL schools to reopen onsite TEFL classes and opened up job opportunities for TEFL-certified teachers to begin accessing jobs in countries like Costa Rica, Spain, and Poland. Still, as 2022 begins, COVID-related travel restrictions continue to pose challenges for the TEFL job market and international travel in general. This is especially the case in some major TEFL job markets in Asia, such as China and Japan that have been slower to reopen to international travel, despite containing COVID more effectively than most nations in Europe and the Western Hemisphere. 

With the onset of the Omicron variant COVID leading to new records for new COVID cases worldwide, we anticipate that some large Asian nations will maintain strict border controls through at least the first half of 2022. 

It's worth noting that just because a country restricts tourism travel, that does not mean they will not issue work visas for foreign English teachers. However, so far, China, the world's largest job market for teaching English, has been very reluctant to process entry visas for large numbers of foreign English teachers to enter the country.  

One side effect is that with the onset of the pandemic and the closing of China's borders, there has been a spike in demand for English teachers already living in China. This, in turn, has sparked increased demand for TEFL-certified teachers already in the country who are legally able to work. According to Brett Isis, founder of Teaching Nomad, a teacher placement agency that recruits teachers for schools in China, "Right now there is massive demand for foreign teachers but an extremely limited supply. We've seen nearly every school increase salaries and benefits to attract and retain the teachers they have." 

The situation in China stands in stark contrast to South Korea, which has been the primary job market to reopen for TEFL-certified English teachers since 2020. Unless there is a significant surge of COVID within South Korea itself, we anticipate that schools and government programs like EPIK will continue to recruit TEFL-certified English teachers. New teachers heading to South Korea should expect vaccine requirements, COVID testing, and possibly quarantines requirements upon entry.

2.  Expect Requirements for COVID Tests, Vaccination, and Quarantines When Moving to Teach English Abroad in 2022

English teachers heading abroad in 2022 should expect that many countries will require negative COVID tests (some countries administer tests for entering travelers) and proof of vaccination. In addition, some countries may require a quarantine even for travelers who test negative for COVID and provide proof of vaccination. Finally, be mindful that even when certain countries do not require vaccination for entry, there may be vaccine mandates for teachers imposed by the national government, the local government, or schools themselves.

While there may be exceptions, those looking to teach English abroad in 2022 will avail themselves of more job opportunities in more countries by getting vaccinated.

3. Online TEFL Certification Will Continue to Be the Top Option for Those Looking to Get TEFL Certified in 2022

During 2020 with the onset of both local lockdowns and international border closings, in-person TEFL courses around the globe were almost entirely canceled for most of the year, and organizations like International TEFL Academy saw a spike in registrations for online TEFL courses. While online TEFL courses have become increasingly popular over the past decade, demand for online classes set new highs during 2020, when lockdowns forced most onsite TEFL classes to get canceled. 

In 2021, International TEFL Academy reopened and operated most of the 20 onsite classes offered worldwide. However, some classes were canceled when certain countries or regions went back on lockdown during COVID surges. Some courses have yet to open at all. At ITA, we anticipate that this will, unfortunately, occur in some cases in 2022, especially if newer COVID variants have the same worldwide impact as the Delta and Omicron strains. 

4. Personalized Learning & Self Education Will Continue to Become More Prominent

Since the dawn of civilization, study aids and private tutors have been part of human education, and online English teaching has been booming for the past two decades. However, with the social distancing caused by COVID and the explosion of new education technology (known generally as "EdTech"), the growth in options for English learners to study independently on their own terms will continue to be in a significant trend in 2022 and beyond. Apps, AI, and other online tools are increasingly empowering ESL students to choose how and where they learn, often breaking away from more traditional classes in a structured classroom setting.

In addition to learning through technology, there is a high probability that more students will enhance their English language education through private tutors, whether online or in-person. According to The Economist magazine, "Even before the pandemic, parents around the world were growing more willing to pay for extra lessons in the hope of boosting their children's education. The crisis will accelerate that trend."

5. Technology Will Continue to Change the ESL Teaching Profession

From online classrooms and virtual teaching aids to AI-based language learning apps, students and teachers are relying on technology more than ever, both for teaching both in-person and virtually. That trend will continue in 2022 and beyond. In 2020 and 2021, the COVID pandemic forced teachers across the globe to make technological adaptions in far from ideal circumstances. However, technology also provides teachers with more tools than ever to give instruction and guidance to ESL students. From seemingly simple virtual teaching aids to digitalized content that can be personalized based on a student's needs and goals, teachers are increasingly empowered to provide a better learning experience for all types of students. 

According to Jack Lynch, CEO of edtech company Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, in a recent Forbes article, "Remote learning was isolating and unengaging for many learners, and I predict educators will embrace software that can blend the best of technology with the best of the classroom experiences and tools that extend the capabilities of very busy teachers by helping them personalize the learning experience."