Teaching English Abroad is Easier Than You Think
So you have always wanted to jet off abroad and live like a king - but once you have partied out and the funds are dangerously low, what else can you do and what are your chances of earning some decent money? One option that many people fall into almost accidentally while travelling abroad is teaching English. Dozens of countries are crying out for half-decent teachers, which lets you combine the best of living abroad with earning some hard cash. You might think “wait a minute, I’m no teacher”, but if you have buckets of enthusiasm, any sort of degree and a TEFL certificate (Teach English as a Foreign Language) then you’re already halfway there - it takes only 2 weeks and £500 to complete a TEFL course. You don’t even need to be a “proper” fully qualified teacher in the UK to find a teaching job in Asian countries such as Japan, Korea, Malaysia and Thailand.
Back to School
Native English speakers from the UK, Australia, Canada, and the US have a considerable advantage over non-natives, as many educational establishments insist on somebody with a perfect command of the language, and there’s currently a dire shortage of suitable teachers in most developing countries. In general, having a degree definitely helps to get a teaching job but it’s not absolutely necessary, and even without one the chances are that you’ll be able to find work easily, especially in Thailand where the requirements are much less stringent than in South Korea and Japan.
You probably won’t make masses of money teaching abroad, but you can certainly earn enough to live on fairly comfortably, especially in large cities like Bangkok. Out in the sticks however salaries tend to be much lower, but then so are the living costs. If you’re young and enjoy mingling with like-minded foreigners, and want easy access to modern conveniences, decent transport and nights on the town, then a big city is a much better choice. It’s a common myth that you’ll make five times what a local earns, but you can certainly make a competitive salary especially if you have a few qualifications.
University or Bust
Consider the case of a 35 year old French male who has a reasonable command of English. He was coming to Thailand for nearly ten years, exporting Thai furniture and objets d’art to France to sell on eBay. On his last trip to Thailand, he’d almost run out of money as the export business was going nowhere, but eventually he managed to land a cushy job as an English teacher at a reputable university, on a respectable 45,000 Baht a month (about £950) - plenty enough to live on and sustain a fairly high standard of living.
The teacher in question has bright university students who are keen to learn English, but he doesn’t actually have a TEFL - he was hired mainly because the university liked him and he has the gift of the gab. Never mind that his students now speak English with a French accent! Having fallen in love with Thailand he has no intention ever to return to France, and has become a highly respected member of the faculty. Outside classes, he enjoys an easy-going life in the sun and the considerable benefits of living in a tropical country, such as the warm weather and the low cost of living. Not to mention the very attractive women - in fact, most of his students are absolutely gorgeous 20-somethings...
See the World, Then Teach
Many people that seek adventure in Asia ultimately end up teaching English for a few years but it’s probably not the sort of thing you’d want to do for life, and depending on the country in question you might have to put up with disruptive behaviour in class, or students with a distinct lack of motivation.
On the whole, teaching English abroad can be highly rewarding and many people enjoy the challenge immensely. Thailand in particular is desperate to hire more English teachers, so if you’re a native UK citizen you are almost guaranteed to find a job in a good school or university. Just don’t try to use that fake degree bought from Khao San Road, as you’ll eventually be discovered and could be stung with a large fine, and possibly deported unceremoniously.
Make the Jump?
What about teaching English in other parts of the world such as South America and Africa? Teachers are in huge demand there too, and the same principles apply as teaching in Asia; as long as you’re willing to get stuck in, and have a knack to light up a room and engage people, then you really don’t have much to worry about. The best advice is to look for work once you’re there rather than arrange a job before you go, as you might discover that you don’t like the place or your plans could change drastically.
Teaching English abroad certainly isn’t for everyone, but it can be a fantastic way to stay in an exciting country for a few years and gain some valuable experience along the way. Of course, it’s preferable that you enjoy helping people learn. The aforementioned Frenchman believes that teaching in Asia was the best thing he ever did, and he’s very happy with his new life as an English teacher. It’s certainly not as hard as you might think to land a good teaching job abroad, but just try not to impart a Geordie accent on the kids…
