TOP 4 PLACES TO TEACH ENGLISH ABROAD

If you are considering moving your life abroad to teach English, you have probably thought about where you want to teach. But how do you make the choice? There are so many countries in different parts of the world that have a high demand for English Teachers, and each one offers a different experience. To start narrowing down your choices, you need to decide what type of life you want to live. Do you want a basic but relaxing life, or do you want a life of splendor? Or maybe you want a little bit of both!

One more thing you need to be sure of before you make a choice is that you have all the requirements for the country or region you choose. In order to teach in a country, legally, you will need a work visa. Each country has a different requirement for this and some are difficult. Below is a list of 5 places where English teachers are the most successful and in demand.

Pros:

China is the best place to go for teaching English. It is such a massive country with a high demand, and jobs are available everywhere. China is a beautiful country, boasting a fantastic cuisine and ancient culture. You can go visit the Forbidden City, The Great Wall, Terracotta Warriors, Pandas, the Yellow River, The “Hallelujah Mountain”, and so much more. You have the opportunity to drink tea and learn Mandarin, calligraphy, kung fu, and meditation. China has all types of climates, so it will suit anyone's needs. China also has various cuisines depending on the region, and it is all flavorful and amazing. Another thing about China is that because it is so big and has so many people, the transportation is amazing. The cities all have a metro system and bus system that are dependent and extremely cheap. If you want to travel between cities, you usually have the choice between a high-speed train or a regular train, neither being expensive. Teachers also get paid well in China. The cost of living varies depending on the city you live in but will be lower than in Western countries.

Cons:

The culture shock is the biggest difficulty you will experience in China. Most people don't speak a lick of English, so learning Mandarin will be a necessity in many areas. Keep in mind that it is very populated, so personal space does not exist, but pollution does. Another difficulty is getting a work visa. China is VERY strict on its work permit process. To work legally, you MUST be from a native English-speaking country, have a Bachelor's Degree, have a TEFL or 2 proven years of experience, and have a clean background check. If you lack any of these, they will not issue a legal visa. If you can get over language, and pollution, and are qualified, then China is an amazing and interesting place to live and travel.

Whatever you decide, you will have a rich experience. If you do your research well, choose a good school, and go overseas with a positive mind, you will make new memories and have an absolute blast. The expat communities overseas are helpful, and you will make new friends with ease. Teaching English can be a fun, rewarding experience that you will cherish for a lifetime.

Pros:

Indonesia is a traveler's paradise. If you are looking for a constantly warm climate, good food, kind people, and a convenient place to travel from, then Indonesia is the place for you. It is one of the happiest places for expats to live. The reason for this is that you very much live an easy, relaxing life. Indonesia boasts some of the world's most beautiful beaches and mountains to hike. You can spend one weekend lounging in Bali or the Gili Islands and the next weekend climbing a volcano. Another thing about Indonesia is that it is so culturally mixed that the flavors in the cuisine are unreal. You get the hints of Indian, Arab, Western, and East Asian all rolled into one. Your taste buds will thank you for this move. Indonesia is also a great place to travel from. Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam, Philippines, and Singapore are all a cheap, short flight away. The cost of living in Indonesia is also low, so you will be able to save a lot of money. The pay for teachers in Indonesia varies depending on which island you are on, so do your research.

Cons:

There are not really a lot of cons with Indonesia. The only thing is the rain in the wet season, but it is consistent and you know it is coming. Just carry a raincoat with you, and you will be fine!

Pros:

The Middle East is where you go if you want to live a more luxurious life and save a lot of money. These countries are wealthy, and they pay teachers quite a bit of money. New teachers will bring in at least $3,000 a month, tax-free, and will have free housing. More experienced teachers are making somewhere between $5,000-$6,000. Living in the Middle East is an easy life. Most expats have cleaners, drivers, and personal trainers. And when you are making that much money, why not? Favorite things to do in the Middle East are shopping, coffee, and smoking shisha. Because of the heat, people spend their days inside relaxing with friends and then come alive at night. This area is also rich in culture and history. The Dead Sea, Petra, Pyramids, Mecca, Mesopotamia, camel riding, and belly dancing shows are at your doorstep. The Middle East is a vibrant part of the world and is constantly changing.

Cons:

The downside of living in the Middle East is that it is more difficult for women. It is a male-dominated society, so women naturally have less rights and make less money. Some countries have more strict rules as well, whereas others are more Westernized and relaxed. Living in Saudi Arabia is completely different than living in the UAE. Make sure you do your research on the country before you sign a contract. Also, check the school's and country's requirements. Because they pay so much, they do have higher requirements to teach there. The majority of schools will require a Bachelor's and a teaching credential to accompany it.