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Is it worth it to teach English abroad?

Author

David Richardson

Updated on March 01, 2026

Is it worth it to teach English abroad?

You get to live in a new country and experience a foreign culture from the inside when living abroad for a while. Before I moved abroad, I got TEFL/TESOL certified. A certification will definitely get you better job opportunities and a higher salary. Some employers only hire teachers with a TEFL/TESOL.

Keeping this in view, is it a good idea to teach English abroad?

Yes, teaching abroad gives you ample opportunity to explore a new country and experience a new culture. It'll give you a better idea of whether you feel comfortable/happy teaching. If you really don't want to teach at all, though, save yourself a headache and don't do it.

Furthermore, which country pays most for English teachers? China

Accordingly, is it worth teaching abroad?

Yes. It's not for everyone and there are difficult moments. But, no matter how frustrating it seems, there are evergreen reasons for how worthwhile the work is. Teaching English abroad is an exchange of time and effort, and the more you devote to the task, the more you will walk away with.

Will teaching abroad help my career?

As long as you do a good job placeholding!). If you're looking to go into a field like teaching, global education, or international work, teaching abroad may be just the thing to help you get a foothold in the field and start making connections that will advance your career.

Is teaching English abroad a waste of time?

After many, many years of learning English as a Foreign Language, students are still unable to communicate in English, and some of them cannot even speak or write one good sentence in English. Such teaching is a complete waste of time and money.

Which countries pay most for English teachers?

Which Countries Pay the Highest Salaries for Teaching Abroad?
  • Japan.
  • Saudi Arabia.
  • Kuwait.
  • Oman.
  • Taiwan.
  • South Korea.
  • China.
  • Vietnam.

What is the best place to teach English abroad?

The 10 Best Places to Teach English Abroad in 2019
  • #8: Colombia.
  • #7: Indonesia.
  • #6: Portugal.
  • #5: Mexico.
  • #4: Germany.
  • #3: Taiwan.
  • #2: China.
  • #1: Japan. Japan edged out China as our best place to teach English abroad in 2019 due to its high teaching salaries, unique cultural experience, and increasing demand for quality English teachers.

How much do English teachers abroad make?

English teacher salaries abroad depend on the teacher's position, qualifications and the country where they teach. Some examples of monthly salaries you can earn based on the region you teach English in include: Asia: Japan $1,500 - $2,000 USD /mo; China $1,250 - $2,850 USD /mo; and South Korea $1,850 - $2,150 USD /mo.

Is it hard to teach English abroad?

As far as starting goes it's not that hard to get a job teaching English abroad since it's not that competitive of a market in many countries. English is in demand around the world. Sure some schools can be harder to get into, but it's an industry that is growing and that has a high turnover rate.

Which country is best for teaching English?

The 10 Best Places to Teach English Abroad in 2019
  • #8: Colombia.
  • #7: Indonesia.
  • #6: Portugal.
  • #5: Mexico.
  • #4: Germany.
  • #3: Taiwan.
  • #2: China.
  • #1: Japan. Japan edged out China as our best place to teach English abroad in 2019 due to its high teaching salaries, unique cultural experience, and increasing demand for quality English teachers.

Is teaching English online a good job?

With online teaching you may not make as much as you would teaching at a physical school, and they are generally contract jobs, so don't expect health benefits. But, if you are looking to continue your travels, make your own schedule and despise cubicles, then this is a wonderful way to supplement your income.

Where can I make the most money teaching English?

Top countries to make the most money teaching abroad in 2019 [+ job postings]
  • Hong Kong - up to $7,400/month.
  • Kazakhstan - up to $5,000 USD/month.
  • United Arab Emirates (UAE) - up to $4,100 USD/month, tax-free.
  • Kuwait - up to $3,500 USD/month, tax-free.
  • China - up to $2,500/month.

Where is the best place to teach abroad?

  1. South Korea. South Korea is one of the best places — if not the best — to teach English overseas.
  2. Japan. Japan has a reputation for good jobs which means it also attracts as many people as South Korea.
  3. The Middle East.
  4. Thailand.
  5. China.
  6. Prague.
  7. Spain.
  8. Taiwan.

Which country needs teachers the most?

Here are 10 countries where the demand for TEFL-certified English teachers is particularly high:
  • China.
  • South Korea.
  • Japan.
  • Vietnam.
  • Russia.
  • Taiwan.
  • United Arab Emirates.
  • Saudi Arabia.

Who are the highest paid teachers?

Best-Paying States for High School Teachers
The states and districts that pay High School Teachers the highest mean salary are New York ($85,300), California ($80,510), Massachusetts ($80,020), Alaska ($77,920), and Connecticut ($76,980).

What country has the highest paid teachers?

These are the 17 countries where high school teachers embarking on their careers are best paid, for educators looking to emigrate.
  1. Luxembourg — $79,129.67.
  2. Switzerland — $69,704.74.
  3. Germany — $61,418.47.
  4. Norway — $47,313.23.
  5. Denmark —$46,784.11.
  6. United States — $43,556.76.
  7. Mexico — $42,816.51.
  8. Spain — $41,886.99.

How much do international school teachers make?

Depending on where you teach, you can make anywhere from $2,000 to $4,000 USD a month, and in some cases this salary is tax free.

Can I teach English abroad without a degree?

Yes, You Can Teach English Abroad Without a College Degree! One of the best things about the field of teaching English as a foreign language (TEFL) is that it's open to just about anyone.

Is it safe to teach English in China?

With tens of thousands of native speakers working in China at any one time, it's safe to say the vast majority of English teachers find living in China to be safe and enjoyable.

Can TEFL teachers change lives?

Life-changing TEFL Teacher Stories. TEFL isn't just about having new amazing surroundings and a challenging new job. Sometimes it can totally transform your life. Have a look at these i-to-i TEFL teacher stories, and how moving abroad to teach English genuinely changed their lives.

Is teaching English in China worth it?

Moving to China will surely make you reconsider a lot of things, change your mind and teach you acceptance. This experience may seem tough at first, especially if you don't speak the language, but it's absolutely worth it! Thousands of foreigners have already moved there, some decided to stay in China forever.

Which countries need English teachers?

Here are 10 countries where the demand for TEFL-certified English teachers is particularly high:
  • China.
  • South Korea.
  • Japan.
  • Vietnam.
  • Russia.
  • Taiwan.
  • United Arab Emirates.
  • Saudi Arabia.

Can you make a living teaching English online?

Hourly rates for teaching English online
Generally speaking, you can earn anywhere from $14 - 23/hour, depending on the company you teach with. Virtual elementary and high school teachers earn $40,00 USD and up - that's a similar yearly base salary to other licensed K12 teachers at public schools.

Which is the best TEFL course?

Any course aimed at training you for teaching English as a foreign language can be referred to as a Tefl course. The two most internationally recognised qualifications are the Cambridge Celta and the Trinity CertTesol. These are the two courses most employers know and prefer.

Which country is best for making money?

Ten best countries to work in after-tax income
  1. Hong Kong. Both residents and expats are taxed at either a progressive 2% to 17%, depending on their income level, or a standard rate of 15%.
  2. The UK.
  3. Singapore.
  4. Japan.
  5. The UAE.
  6. Switzerland and the USA.
  7. China and the Korea Republic.
  8. Saudi Arabia.

What countries can you teach English without a degree?

Cambodia, Spain, Mexico, Argentina and Russia are among the most popular countries to teach in without a college degree, as well as the most actively in need of English teachers.

How do I become an international English teacher?

To be able to become an International English teacher and teach abroad at one of EF's language schools you must:
  1. Have a bachelor's degree in any subject.
  2. Have a TEFL certification (sponsorship is available)
  3. Be able to teach English abroad for at least one year.
  4. Be able to obtain a clear background check.

How long does a TEFL course take?

120 hours

How much can you make teaching English in China?

The Typical Salary for English Teachers in China
Those teaching at an international school, however, can make up to 30,000 RMB ($4,400 USD). If you are a first-time teacher, you can expect to earn between 6,000 RMB and 12,000 RMB per month which equates to around $890 to $1,800 US dollars.

How much money do you make teaching English in Japan?

As an ESL teacher in Japan, you can expect to earn anywhere between 200,000 and 600,000 Yen ($1,700 - 5,000 USD) per month. Hourly tutoring rates hover around 3,000 Yen ($25 USD) per hour. Like in China, Japan often offers teachers flights, accommodation, and training included in their salary packages.

Does teaching abroad look good on resume?

According to some research living abroad can make you smarter. If you are going to do teaching related work then this experience will probably look good on your resume. It's a also a chance to try teaching out.

What qualifications do you need to be a teacher abroad?

To teach English abroad, you'll need a bachelor's degree in any subject/major, and an ESL teaching qualification (such as a TEFL certification) at the minimum! For more on getting TEFL certified to teach English abroad, check out the following: TEFL FAQ.

How do you put teaching English abroad on a resume?

11 tips for your resume after teaching English abroad
  1. Keep relevancy on the top.
  2. Add keywords.
  3. Check your verbs and adjectives.
  4. Don't add in your first job from when you were 16.
  5. Emphasize that you have worked with diverse groups of people.
  6. Think hard skills vs.
  7. Write down specific examples.

Does teaching English abroad look good on CV?

According to some research living abroad can make you smarter. If you are going to do teaching related work then this experience will probably look good on your resume. It's a also a chance to try teaching out.

How do I become a teacher abroad?

To teach English abroad, you'll need a bachelor's degree in any subject/major, and an ESL teaching qualification (such as a TEFL certification) at the minimum! For more on getting TEFL certified to teach English abroad, check out the following: TEFL FAQ.

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