Teach English around the World

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Interested in teaching English abroad?

Teaching English overseas will most certainly be a life changing experience. Living and working in a foreign country offers a whole new world of opportunity. You’ll make new friends, learn about other cultures and yourself, and maybe begin an entirely new career. There is no better way to travel, while gaining valuable work experience and possibly even saving some money.

Feeling Overwhelmed?

There is no shortage of information on teaching English abroad. The industry has exploded in the last couple of decades and the number of blogs and websites related to English teaching has kept pace.

  • How do you decide on what country to teach in?
  • How do you make sure you find a good employer?
  • What can you expect in the country you choose?

Moving to the other side of the world is scary. YouCanTeachEnglish.com will help answer your questions and ensure you make the right choices.
We have one of the most comprehensive sites including:

How to Use This Site

Step 1: The first step on your career as an English teacher is to read some of the teach English abroad articles we have to give you an introduction into what to expect.
Step 2: Start reading some of the Country Information Articles on teaching English abroad. This will give you a good overview of the job prospects in many countries around the world, teaching conditions, cost of living, salary expectations and visa requirements. We are adding more information regularly so visit often for new articles. (Scroll down to “Teach English Abroad – Country Information” below to find direct links to the countries.)
Step 3: After you start to narrow down your search for what country to teach English in, start browsing some of the current TEFL job openings. This will give you a better idea of exactly what companies are looking for and what salaries and working conditions are being offered. (Scroll down to “TEFL JOBS” below to find direct links to the countries.)
Step 4: Browse our large and growing directory of TEFL and CELTA training providers. While English teaching certifications are not always necessary, a quality training program can help you stand out in competitive markets, increase your salary potential and open up more career opportunities. A quality TEFL or CELTA course can be a great investment in your future.

Popular Terms for Teaching English Abroad

In your research teaching English around the world, you will have encountered many confusing acronyms. Here is a brief overview to help you cut through the jargon.
ESL – English as a Second Language. ESL is probably the most popular term used in the English teaching industry. It is often used interchangeably with EFL – English as a Foreign Language, however, the two phrases mean something very different. Teaching English in a country where English is not the first language is correctly referred to as EFL. For example, English is a foreign language in Japan, so English teachers in Japan should be referred to as EFL teachers, not ESL teachers.
Japanese students studying in Canada, the USA, the UK, Australia or New Zealand, are studying English in a country where the first language is English. In this case, English teachers in these countries should be referred to as ESL teachers.
Since ESL is the most common term, it is often used when EFL would be more appropriate. (EFL versus ESL) This may sound like a very semantic issue, but in fact the teaching styles should be substantially different. ESL students typically get ten or more hours per week of class room instruction and are surrounded by English outside of the classroom as well. EFL students on the other hand, typically only study once or twice a week and encounter almost no English outside of class. Substantially different approaches should be taken, however, the industry and text book publishers in particular haven’t really differentiated very effectively.
TEFL stands for Teaching English as a Foreign Language. The TEFL acronym is offend used to describe training courses for English teachers.
CELTA (Certificate in English Language Teaching to Adults) is another type training course offered by the internationally recognized Cambridge ESOL.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a university degree to teach English in a foreign country?

There are many countries around the world that you can teach English, so there is no simple answer to that question. In more established EFL markets like Japan and Korea, a university degree is required in order to quality for a work visa. There are also countries that are less strict with their visa rules like Indonesia and often Thailand, where employers are more willing to bend the rules.
The best advice is to research the country your are hoping to teach in. Our country info pages are a good starting source, however, visa regulations do change regularly so do your research.
So, the answer to the question is, “It depends.” Even countries like Japan offer under-the-table positions to those on tourist visas. That is not the best route to go, but those options are available to those that really want to move abroad.
You don’t need a background in education, any degree will do.

Do I Need English Teaching Experience?

Generally speaking, no you don’t need experience. However, a TEFL Certificate and some experience will definitely help you find better positions.
Most schools will have a little training for you, however, novice teachers often begin by following the well-organized lesson plans in the teaching manuals of their school’s textbooks. Again, this is where a good TEFL program comes in handy. A month of training with some practical classroom experience will help your teaching a lot. A TEFL or CELTA course will definitely reduce much of the early stress you’ll have in your new position.
You don’t need a background in education, any degree will do.