Editor’s note: This article is part of our Meaningful Travel Forecast series and official travel report for 2019. Have you ever thought about what it would be like to travel to a foreign country, and try your hand at teaching? Maybe you’ve worked countless times with students, or perhaps you’ve only interacted with your younger siblings (or maybe you’ve always wanted your own younger siblings). If this sounds like you, teaching English abroad may be a good idea for you! Not only will you get to work with students, and help them learn a new language, you’ll also get paid for doing it! Whether you’re looking for a short-term position, or for your lifelong career, the countless number of paid teaching jobs abroad means that you’re sure to find what best suits you.
Read the GoAbroad Official Report on the 10 Best Types of English Teaching Jobs Abroad in 2019
One of the first big things to think about when you’ve decided to find English teaching jobs abroad is to think about the age of the students and the types of students with whom you’d like to work. Are you interested in teaching young children, tutoring one on one, or getting TEFL certified to teach students prepping for specialized English exams? There are also countless teaching jobs overseas for certified teachers if you’ve already got the knack for teaching!
If you’re still a little lost on where to start when looking for paid teaching abroad programs broken down by type, don’t sweat. We’ve taken the time to do some research for you so here are the 10 best types of English teaching jobs abroad in 2019 according to GoAbroad’s collective community of meaningful travelers, international educators, and teach abroad program administrators:
The best types of English teaching jobs abroad in 2019
1. Kids
“A lot of countries are starting English learning at a really young age,” shares Cathryn Fortuna, meaningful traveler. This means the job market is poppin’ and there are plenty of ways to connect with little ones as an ESL teacher abroad. Working with young kids is definitely not a walk in the park, but if you enjoy frequent hugs, silly songs, working on vocab development, and learning the alphabet, this is the age group for you. You’ll get to come up with fun activities, crafts, and exercises to help these little ones grow their vocabulary, and improve their English. It’s sure to be a rewarding and a fun experience!
- GoAbroad’s program pick: Cross Cultural Solutions
- Traveler’s program pick: International Camps Network
Teaching English abroad is one of the best options out there when it comes to reciprocity, finances, and full immersion travel opportunities.—Ashley Houston, International TEFL Academy
2. Middle + High School
If slightly older kids sound more like your cup of tea, check out teaching English to middle and high school students. There are loads of ESL teaching jobs abroad for teenagers, and no matter where you look, you’ll find one that floats your boat. With this age of student, you’ll work more on vocabulary development, while also potentially looking at literature and writing essays.
- Traveler’s program pick: EF English First in China
Maybe you’ve thought about working with adults on a specific topic within the English language. If you’re interested in business, or in teaching others the language of international relations, teaching business English is the profession for you. You’ll work on resume building, interview skills, analytics, and more! “Because English is widely used in international business, there’ll be more and more opportunities that connect native English speakers with professionals in other countries in the next year,” Cathryn predicts.
- Traveler’s program pick: Teach English in Thailand with LanguageCorps
4. Online
Even though teaching is mainly a job that can be found in classrooms, with the modernization of language learning, there has been a shift towards teaching, and learning English online. By teaching online, you can teach from wherever is most convenient for you, you can clock as many hours as you want, and you can set your own schedule. What better way to make some money while also helping others learn a new language?
- GoAbroad’s program pick: UNI-Prep Institute
- Traveler’s program pick: English First (EF) Around the World
Language adds another layer to your international experience. Even if your second (or third or fourth!) language isn’t perfect, it’s important to make the effort to connect with the communities around you. It just expands your world so much to have that commonality with others.—Anna Hurd, IES Abroad
5. Tutoring One on One
Another great English teaching job abroad is tutoring one on one. If you’re keen on getting to really know your students, and tailor English lessons to their interests, this is definitely a good route for you to pursue. If you’re planning on living in a foreign country, and just want to tutor on the side, you can advertise your services on that country’s version of Craigslist. However, if you’re more serious, you can get certified, and truly work towards earning a living with your tutoring!
- Traveler’s program pick: Teach English 1-to-1 in Japan with Gaba
6. Adults
One of the best teaching jobs overseas for certified teachers is teaching adults English. Although you don’t have to be certified to do this, it is very much worth it to look into getting that TEFL certification. Working with adults can be more complex than working with children, but it can also result in more interesting lessons, content, and people with whom to interact. Your classes may be more structured, and you’ll make great connections with your students.
- Traveler’s program pick: Global Nomadic TEFL Training in Costa Rica
Adult ESL students might want to learn English for work, maybe to get into a certain degree program, perhaps for an upcoming trip. Rather than be placed in an ESL class because it was required, adult students are there for themselves (and that comes out in the classroom).—Mary Ellen Dingley, Former ESL Teacher in Dominican Republic and Georgia
7. University Students
English teaching jobs abroad are so varied, and depending on where you’d like to teach, you could explore teaching university students. You can relive your college days as you instruct your students on how to write essays, or have a socratic seminar as you discuss the latest book you assigned. As an English teacher to this age group, chances are you’ll have fun, while also learning about the university system in different countries.
- GoAbroad’s program pick: Buenos Aires TEFL Institute
- Traveler’s program pick: TeachingChile in Chile
If you teach back home in the states, there are a multitude of opportunities for teaching jobs overseas for certified teachers through exchange programs. With this type of program, you can travel to any country and teach English, while switching places with a teacher, and still keep your job back at home—it’s a win, win situation! In order to participate, you must be a fully qualified teacher in your home country, and have plenty of actual, classroom experience.
- Traveler’s program pick: Exchange in Italy with Joinki
9. Government Teaching Programs
If you’re looking for a more concrete paid teaching abroad program, check out government teaching programs. Aside from their many acronyms, these programs offer support, a set contract, and help with visas and other government documentation you’ll need for this experience. There are programs all over the world, some more competitive than others, so get searching, and let your teaching adventure begin!
- Traveler’s program pick: TAPIF in France or English Open Doors in Chile
10. Language Academies
Perhaps you’ve always wanted to find teaching jobs abroad in international schools, or in an environment where immersion was number one on the list of important ways to learn a language. If this sounds like you, language academies should be right up your alley! You’ll get to truly converse with students as you immerse them in English, while also teaching them about grammar, speaking conventions, and anything else you deem important for their future as English speakers!
- Traveler’s program pick: Language Link in Russia
Who says that teaching abroad only means slumming it in a jungle or on a mountain top for chump change? For many, teaching overseas is a lucrative gig. Earn more than enough to pay off huge student debts back home or go traveling afterward.—Former ESL Teacher Suzanne Bhagan in "Highest Paid Teaching Jobs Abroad"
Next steps to find English teaching jobs abroad
Here are handful of resources to get you started on your very own TEFL journey. 2019 could be YOUR year to travel—and we can help make it happen! Get free program recommendations that match your travel goals, or use MyGoAbroad to bookmark and compare program options with confidence.
Still hungry for more? Bookmark these bad boys:
Teaching Inspiration
- How to Take the Leap & Teach Abroad
- 6 Ways to Become an ESL Teacher
- 15 Things to Know Before Teaching Abroad
Program Selection Advice
- The Best Teaching Jobs Abroad in 2019
- How to Compare & Evaluate Teaching Job Offers
- Short & Sweet Summer Jobs for Teaching Abroad
The Finances of Teaching Abroad
- 11 Best Countries to Teach English and Save Money
- How to Cover Your Teach Abroad Start Up Costs
- The 10 Highest Paid Teaching Jobs Abroad This Year
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Find your dream teaching jobs abroad this year!
You’re one step closer to the international classroom of your dreams.
There it is: The 10 best types of English teaching jobs abroad in 2019! Whether you’re searching for an opportunity to teach English to students with no knowledge of the language at all, or just looking in general for jobs teaching English abroad, there is no better time to start looking than now. You’ll want to do plenty of research on qualifications needed, salary, and duration of your program, but there are English teaching jobs abroad just waiting for you to apply—let’s get going!!
If you’re still hesitant on where to start looking for ESL teaching jobs abroad, check out GoAbroad’s massive list of jobs teaching English abroad to get started. You should look to find a teaching position that not only you’re qualified for, but also one that you could see yourself enjoying. Once you find the program for teaching abroad that aligns with your life goals—and your personal desires for teaching—you’re sure to have the best time (all while gaining experiences to boost your resume, your confidence, and your wallet!).
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