Top 5 Countries For ESL Teaching In 2022

Top 5 Countries For ESL Teaching In 2022

ESL teaching has always been under the limelight because teaching English as a foreign language to speakers of other languages always has a high demand. Having a TEFL/TESOL certification along with a bachelor's degree will provide you with decent jobs. Post this pandemic, countries are reopening the entry of people from other nations and thus TEFL teaching is gradually recovering its pace.
 

If you're looking for teaching a niche section like young learners or business professionals you can opt for TEFL in young learners or Business English courses respectively. Since the gateway of teaching abroad has reopened, let's discuss some top locations where TEFL teaching is regaining its popularity.
 

UAE:
 

You can get the luxury pleasure of enjoying the exotic Burj Khalifa and the indoor ski slopes in the United Arab Emirates if you’re planning to establish a career in teaching English as a foreign language in the UAE and Dubai.
 

Wherever it comes to UAE and Dubai, the fantastic lifestyle, classic infrastructures, posh society, exclusive shopping, and many others grab the cream attention of the people. Besides, the salary paid to the TEFL teachers in the schools of UAE is honestly high which is another prime reason why people want to teach here.
 

The job market over is highly competitive because of a low population. To be very honest, since the standard of schools and colleges are very high in UAE and consequently, employers prefer teachers who have prior experience in teaching English. Needless to say, the chances of cracking a job by a fresher is kind of tough.
 

Another fascinating fact is that teachers get paid holidays and day-offs during the summer. Thus travel lovers can utilize this time for going out and exploring the beautiful tourist destinations of UAE and Dubai. Cities like Dubai, Abu Dhabi, etc., hire TEFL teachers in a major quantity.
 

Facts about teaching in Dubai:
 

Educational Qualification: BA/BS degree is required and some institutions prefer a Master’s degree as well. If you’re a having a Diploma in the English language, then you are eligible to apply.
 

TEFL Certification: A minimum of 120 hours of TEFL certification is the mandatory criteria needed in order to apply in the academic institutions. Having an Advanced or Diploma in TEFL certification will give you added perks.
 

Visa and hiring: The visas of TEFL teachers are usually sponsored by employers. However, in order to have the visa teachers much pass an HIV test and should submit all the necessary documents. A criminal background check is required at some places. Generally, the schools prefer interviewing through a skype call or a telephonic one.
 

Types of students: School children, private students, and business professionals are the candidates who require English language classes. In UAE, a TEFL teacher will mainly teach business professionals and adult learners but young learners also go for learning English.
 

Average teaching hours: 25-30 per week and some extra time might be required for exam preparation time.
 

Cost of living: $1000-$1500 USD is the cost of living while accommodation is usually provided by the employer.
 

Salary: $2000-$5000 USD is the average monthly salary. There is a high potential of saving more than $800 USD but that depends upon the kind of expenditure you’re availing.
 

Start-up costs: $1500-2500 USD is needed as soon as you land in UAE because you have to spend this behind food and transportation. There will not be any expenditure behind housing as employers will provide that to you.
 

Savings: A high potential of saving more than $800 USD.
 

Citizenship: Both native and near-native English-speaking candidates can apply for the jobs
 

SPAIN:
 

Starting from the La Tomatina festival to the San Fermin, Spain is bound to hit your adrenaline rush like never before! Spain is full of excitement round the clock. The peak hiring session is the beginning of September or October, and January. Teaching English in Spain is one of a kind. There is the odor of fun, joy, excitement, love, festival, and awesome in the air of Spain! The fresh and rejuvenating weather of Spain is another spot of attraction.
 

If you’re a TEFL-qualified person and love the beautiful tone of Spain, hurry up and plan for beginning your teaching career over here. When it comes to room rent, cities like Barcelona, Madrid, and San Sebastian are kind of posh. However, if you’re planning to settle down in places like Malaga, Valencia, and Seville, these places are not that lavish.
 

Facts about teaching in Spain:
 

TEFL certification: A 120 hours long TESOL foundation certificate. Advanced TESOL certificate or Diploma TESOL certificate ensures you a higher chance of getting the best quality jobs in Spain.
 

Degrees Required: BA/BS degree is required.
 

English speaking: Both native and non-native English speakers get opportunities to teach in the schools of Spain.
 

Job types: Private tutoring, summer camps, teaching as a part of a government program, and teaching via the Barcelona and Madrid student visa program. Students will be school-aged children as the major proportion however business professionals can also be learners sometimes.
 

Hiring and Visa: Academic institutions prefer interviewing over skype or a telephone. The onset of September or October and January is the peak hiring time. The length of your contract depends solely on the employer and generally. The employer sponsors the visa.
 

Hours: You might have to spend 20-30 hours per week teaching.
 

The peak hiring time: onset of September or October and January.
 

Savings: Break-even.
 

Salary: 1500-2000 USD is the monthly salary of the TEFL teachers. if you chalk out a strategy of saving, you have the option of savings. The cost of food is not much and thus initially you will reach a breakeven but can save money later on.
 

Cost of living: Around $1000USD.
 

Start-up cost: $1000-1500 USD is the basic amount you have to spend once you land here behind room rent, transport, food, groceries, maintenance, and other things.
 

ITALY:
 

Imagine waking up in the morning, getting ready for your school, eating some fresh and authentic pasta, and walking in the lanes of Italy under bright and romantic sunlight. Pack your bags now! Italy will give you excellent aesthetic views and classic ancient vibes.
 

Before moving into Italy, try to learn the basic language. The Italians love to do a job without any hurry but you can find someone getting impatient in a queue. They love socializing and you can expect a warm hug from them quite often. Their food is absolutely fancy, and post-work hours they often assemble in a local restaurant or bar to talk about stuff they have an interest in.
 

Remember, to get along with the Italians, you have to take your leisure time pretty seriously. Therefore, go out and have fun on your weekends!
 

Facts about teaching in Italy:
 

Educational qualification: BA/BS degree.
 

TEFL certification: a minimum of 120 hours of TEFL/TESOL certification. If you have an Advanced TESOL certification or a Diploma in TESOL certification you will get more preference.
 

English speaking: You have to be extremely fluent in English and both native and non-native speakers can become TEFL teachers in Italy.
 

Job types: Private language schools, public schools, and some tutoring institutions generally hire teachers. However, you might need to work with business professionals as an English teacher.
 

Hiring and visa: The peak hiring months are mostly September or October, and January. A face-to-face interview is preferred. EU citizens do not need visas to teach in Italy but non-EU citizens can get a tourist visa to enter and teach having a validity of 90 days. However, teaching in Italy having a tourist visa is not legal.
 

Some can get tourist visas to study in Italy and teach English as part-time teachers or private tutors.
 

Hours: 20-30 hours per week.
 

Start-up cost: for start-up cost, you need a minimum of 1000 USD while the expenditure can be as high as 2000 USD.
 

Living cost: Well, the living cost in Italy is a bit moderate, 900-1200 USD
 

Salary: As an English teacher, your monthly salary will be around 800-2000 USD depending upon your experience and qualification.
 

CHINA:
 

Though China used to prefer native English speakers as TEFL teachers initially but these days near-native English speakers are also getting an equal amount of opportunities as TEFL teachers. Beijing, Shanghai, Nanjing, etc. have the best schools in China.
 

The population of China is quite complex and large but one can find a diverse culture due to the presence of people from different nations. China, the largest country in Asia has a flourishing economy also possesses great civilizations.
 

Facts about teaching in China:
 

Degrees Required: BA/BS degree is a mandatory one irrespective of what field you’re coming from.
 

TEFL certification: a minimum of 120 hours of TESOL certification course. Having an Advanced or Diploma in TEFL certification will give you added perks. It is not mandatory to have prior teaching experience but if you have one you will be ranked higher than other teachers.
 

Background: You must have a clean background check as per the FBI depending upon which location you shall be settling in China.
 

Age: China typically hires candidates who are not more than 40 years old. It is not impossible to get a teaching job in China if you’re more than 50 but employers will not be sponsoring your visa if you’re beyond 60-65
 

Job types: Private schools, private language schools, and corporate training centers are the major institutes that hire TEFL-qualified teachers. Mainly school-aged children are students but sometimes business professionals are also the learners.
 

Hiring and Visa: Hiring occurs throughout the whole year in China and recruitment happens via skype calls or telephonic calls. A Z visa is required for teaching legally in China and it cannot be obtained unless you crack an English teaching job in China.
 

Working hours: 20-30 hours of classroom session along with examination preparation.
 

Start-up cost: Around $1000-1500 is the minimum amount you need to spend on groceries, transportation, and sometimes accommodation once you land in China.
 

Cost of living: Though the cost of living in China is a bit high yet it won’t take more than $600-1100 USD to live a comfortable life as a housing stipend is provided by the employer. There is a potential to save around $600-1750 USD depending upon your pattern of expenditure and the city where you shall be living.
 

monthly salary range: $1,200 to $3,500
 

JAPAN:
 

Japan is Asia’s one of the largest job markets for teaching English. The beautiful castles, aesthetic nature, hot springs, etc., have mesmerized everyone who has visited Japan. Teaching English has been made mandatory in public schools in Japan.
 

The number of school students is huge in Japan which is one of the major reasons behind this huge demand in hiring English teachers. Besides, adults and professionals are also into learning English and that is why English teachers are recruited to teach English in various language institutions.
 

Facts about teaching in Japan:
 

Degrees Required: BA/BS degree is a mandatory one irrespective of what field you’re coming from.
 

TEFL certification: a minimum of 120 hours of TESOL certification course. Having an Advanced or Diploma in TEFL certification will give you added perks. It is not mandatory to have prior teaching experience but if you have one you will be ranked higher than other teachers.
 

English speaking: Both native and near-native English speakers get opportunities to teach in the schools in Japan. It is often mandatory for teachers to have at least 12 years of schooling in English.
 

Background: You must have a clean background check as per the FBI depending upon which location you shall be settling in Japan.
 

Job types: Teachers get opportunities to teach in public schools, private schools, language institutions, and students are mainly school children and business professionals.
 

Hiring and visa: Hiring happens throughout the whole year in Japan. Online modes of interviews like skype calls or telephonic calls are mostly seen. Besides, walk-in interviews are also held 3-6 months in advance.
 

Working hours: 25-30 hours a week.
 

Start-up cost: $1500-2500 USD is required for the initial phase when the teacher has to spend everything from his/her own pocket.
 

Living cost: Japan, being a country with flourishing economic status, has a cost of living is $800-2000 USD per month. JET programs offer the best to teachers because they get accommodation and plane fare paid by employers.
 

Salary: $2500-4000 USD monthly on average is quite enough for a TEFL teacher. If you are teaching in a private school you can aim at break-even for the initial 4-6 months.
 

So these are the top 5 countries where ESL teachers can travel for teaching English abroad. The payscale is great and so is the working culture in those countries. Abide by the rules and regulations as stated by different countries, half the problems will be solved!