Comments on: Top 10 Places for Teaching English Abroad

By: Jennifer

Jennifer — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 03:36:18 +0000

I was very interested in what the author had to say until I read her comments about Italy. Italy is expensive. “fantastically inexpensive gourmet food” I’m sorry, was your last trip there before the euro? Italy is expensive. There is no “cheap” living in Italy unless you eat the basics. Now I call into question your advice. I have been to Italy many many times and traveled there on various budget allowances. There is nothing worse than arriving in a country expecting “cheap living” only to get hit with a hefty bill.

By: Kelly LaLonde

Kelly LaLonde — Wed, 17 Feb 2010 23:03:14 +0000

Hey all. Just got back into writing after teaching In Tanzania, East Africa for a while.

I would just like to say that this post is now 2 years old and that Matador has updated their site to include a whole section on this topic. I urge all of you to check it out.

That being said: The article is overly simplistic. It would take the whole website to list how I have gotten my jobs ( all legally- please don’t work without a visa- not a good idea!).

Teaching English at home or abroad takes a certain kind of person, it isn’t just about getting paid to travel. You MUST do a lot of research and know what you are getting in to. Things change in the world on a daily basis… and what is great for one person isn’t for another.

My advice: Choose wisely and be dedicated to the profession.

Peace, Kelly

By: Kelly

Kelly — Sat, 13 Feb 2010 17:04:40 +0000

I am currently obtaining my Masters in Higher Education, however, I am interested in teaching English abroad. Can anyone please tell me the best schools/websites to get TEFL certified?? I live in Illinois. I just want to make sure I don’t get sucked in by a scam company. Thank you!

By: JR Moreau

JR Moreau — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 05:50:53 +0000

Does anyone have suggestions for the top countries to teach English if you’ve got significant student loans to keep paying off while you’re abroad?

I really love Prague, but I’ve heard South Korea is probably the best for salary and perks. Anybody have any advice on picking within these criteria?

By: Heather Carreiro

Heather Carreiro — Sat, 23 Jan 2010 23:37:54 +0000

Good ideas. I wouldn’t include Saudi though if you’re a single woman. Pay may be good, but you really need to be prepared for the strict social constraints. There’s also a LOT of sketchy language schools and “international” schools (that are not so international) in the Gulf region.

By: Jen

Jen — Wed, 13 Jan 2010 20:57:23 +0000

Brazil has a great english teaching program. Did it myself while I was down there for a couple months. Amazing place, amazing people.

By: John Coan

John Coan — Wed, 13 Jan 2010 15:40:10 +0000

This list is one to be ignored – the Czech Republic pays teachers badly and Prague is getting expensive. Teachers are regularly warned against working in South Korea due to the large number of dodgy schools. Mexico isn’t much better.

On what did you base this?

By: Chris

Chris — Wed, 13 Jan 2010 01:52:36 +0000

Haha…Whoever recommended “Teachers in Vietnam”, your recommendation is either a veiled advertisement or a joke. The salaries listed, through that organization, are for $100-$140 per MONTH.

The hourly wage for the average freelance ESL teacher in Vietnam would give them that amount in 1-2 days. Even with paid airfare and accommodation, that placement service is a blatant ripoff, and they probably charge the schools the standard fee and pocket the difference.

If you want to teach in Vietnam, don’t use a placement service such as this. Apprise yourself of your worth as a teacher, save for your flight, stay in a guest house, get your CELTA, pound the pavement for work, and then get an apartment. You’ll make 10X per month what “Teachers in Vietnam” is offering to pay.

By: Mudde Richard

Mudde Richard — Fri, 08 Jan 2010 14:03:41 +0000

My name is Mudde Ricahrd, am a Ugandan by nationality, i would like to teach English in Japan. What could be the procedures. Thanks I hope to hear from you soon.

By: 1/5/10 « Czech Your Math

1/5/10 « Czech Your Math — Tue, 05 Jan 2010 18:45:20 +0000

[...] Check out the top two places to teach English Abroad [...]

By: Gregory Vincent

Gregory Vincent — Sat, 28 Nov 2009 00:53:22 +0000

I would like to teach English abroad. I have a degree (in Psychology) and I am an author of a booklet – and of a local history. I worked for many years in the computer industry developing database systems, until the work dried up. But I have no certificate in TEFL. Does this rule me out?

By: chalon

chalon — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 10:58:17 +0000

craig i need to save money and i want to teach in europe….can u give me pointers? i was gonna default to japan with this jet program. its got a lot backing it up…

By: Treehouse

Treehouse — Sun, 15 Nov 2009 09:54:09 +0000

Great article, I wish I could teach English in another country, but it is not my first language, so I am scared. Does anyone know where I could teach Spanish? I just can’t find a good website with information about it.

By: Dani

Dani — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 17:07:31 +0000

I’m currently a Fulbright ETA in Indonesia and I must say, I love it. The pay is good, the program is decent, but it varies greatly from site to site. Some ETAs are in great locations with minimal expenses, some are in crappy ones with high expenses. My school is wonderful with great facilities and staff, but a very modest living situation (think: converting an office to a bedroom, no bathroom sink, and who needs a kitchen, anyway?) The other ETA in my city has a palace of a guest house with her own swimming pool and personal chef. Her school, however, doesn’t have electricity. It all evens out. Biggest downfall? Stupid in-country travel restrictions. Some people have a 5 bedroom house in a gated neighborhood all for one person.

For this country in particular, I’ve heard that EF’s benefits are very similar after all the bonuses come in. I highly recommend Fulbright ANYDAY, but EF’s prospects are looking pretty good for next year since I don’t have the option to renew for next year with my program.

Hope this helps!

By: Tesol Australia

Tesol Australia — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 13:19:41 +0000

This is cool list, but the only thing that require is TESOL certification.

By: Shogun Sam

Shogun Sam — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 16:03:59 +0000

I have been searching for an objective study upon this topic, one not susceptible to sensory overload.

By: Adam

Adam — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 15:19:39 +0000

I’m just beginining to research teaching English as a Second Language and this website has clarified much for me. Does anyone what opportunites there are for an English Literature Ph.D. with a CELTA in South Amerca, particularly Brazil? I’m in the writing up stage of my doctorate and I’m really looking to go abroad once I’m finished. I have quite a few years teaching experience at Adult Level, including two years in a university department and six months ESOL experience, but I don’t speak Spanish or Portuguese. I noticed above that there might be opportunities in Mexico, but what about generally? This is an initial enquiry but any information would be appreciated.

By: Hannah Welch

Hannah Welch — Sun, 18 Oct 2009 15:47:20 +0000

Thanks for writing this article it’s awesome and really helped me narrow down which places I am most interested in teaching abroad! Do you have any insight on people who get certified online versus people who get certified in classrooms? I have noticed that there is a major price difference so I was wondering if preference is given to teachers who have been certified through an official classroom course. Also, I was surprised to see Saudi Arabia on your list. I say that because I have family who live in Saudi Arabia and it doesn’t seem like an easy country to go and work in! I would like to find out more information on that. Again, thanks for the useful article!

By: Tyler

Tyler — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 17:37:18 +0000

JET and the Japan Exchange Teaching Program are the same thing, and you definitely didn’t give them enough of a writeup here. $40,000 a year tax free plus airfare and often accomodations is what you can expect from a job with JET.

By: Si Knight

Si Knight — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 01:18:59 +0000

I totally agree with doohdoohhead, the notion that ‘the world is your oyster’ for English speakers is a fallacy and getting a job is a lot harder these days – a white face just doesn’t cut it anymore.
Most of the countries listed, like Mexico, Russia, Brazil, pay a pittance and can be dangerous especially for women.
Jobs in the Czech Republic dont’ offer housing so negotiating won’t help so this will eat away half your salary. Jobs in Japan are scarce and now, with the economic crises, and are mostly offered to people in Japan.
Of the places listed, Korea and China stand out for the amount of opportunities and pay versus cost of living but both have pitfalls – namely dodgy employers.
Of the places not listed, Taiwan and Vietnam are good options but you will be teaching young kids, paying your own housing and will need start up capital.
Good luck for where ever you choose – oh and be ready to work hard!