Question 1

intro

Accepted Answer

Everybody knows the drill of life by now: high school, college, job, family and… travel? We at GoAbroad are here to tell you that it doesn’t have to be that way. With a teaching English abroad gap year, you neither need to wait to travel the world nor put your future at risk. Whatever career you plan on pursuing, doing gap year teaching programs is the perfect opportunity to gain work experience, strengthen your resume, travel the world while making an impact on other’s education—and getting paid for it all to boot. What are you waiting for? Go get ’em tiger! – sign up for a gap year teaching English!

Question 2

Popular Locations

Accepted Answer

So, you will be teaching English abroad in a few months. But where? Having the chance to go anywhere in the world makes the decision process so much harder. We get it! But we’re here to help you out, and give you a few ideas. Here are the most popular countries for teaching English abroad gap years..

Spain is one of the most popular countries for gappers to teach English in Europe. With the right program, you will be teaching in international public schools, giving private lessons during the week and spending the weekends at the beach, eating churros and sipping on sangria. That is, when you’re not visiting amazing cathedrals and museums, shopping after 20:00 or enjoying the nightlife with the locals in Madrid or Barcelona.

China is a country with rich culture, history, and an expanding English teaching market. It also offers the possibility of a gap year teaching abroad without any special certifications (not even TEFL)—BUT we highly encourage getting your certification for more and better job options. There are plenty of location and school options for all types of teachers: English, Math, Science, or even a Sports Coach. But, let’s not be “all work and no play”—after all, it makes everybody a dull boy. While you’re eating amazing Peking Duck, some of us will be only dreaming about it, and wondering what’s it like to see the magnificence of the Great Wall of China, visit the Forbidden City, or gawk at the Imperial Palace. And the pandas? You cannot complete your trip without a panda experience.

Mexico might not be too far away if you’re from the US, but it’s most definitely a different world worth exploring. If you’re a native English speaker and have a TEFL certificate, you can easily get a work permit and start teaching. No matter if you’re a beach bum, city person, or outdoor enthusiast, Mexico has it all! After you’ve had a taste of the real Mexican food, Chipotle will become history. Chilaquiles, tacos, guacamole, enchiladas, or world class seafood. The list goes on. Feel like doing some traveling? Then hop down on a weekend trip to Costa Rica!

Question 3

Everything else you need to know about gap year teaching programs

Accepted Answer

Here are some other factors to consider, which will help the decision making process of choosing the right country.

Costs. The cost for gap year teaching abroad programs varies depending on the country you opt for and the duration of the program. It can be as low as $1500 for a semester in countries like China, Mexico or Thailand and up to $2500 for a whole year in Hungary or France. Although most programs have meals and accommodation included in the price, not all do. A teaching abroad job with an average salary, will pay your bills and groceries. And with the right budgeting, you’ll have no problemo saving up for some traveling as well. Still worried? Take a look at our FundMyTravel to fundraise for your teaching gap year “adventure” with the help of friends and family.

Accommodations. Unless you’re going to Cambodia, where hotel rooms start at $3.50 per night, then you might want to look for programs that have accommodation included in the price. You might be placed with host families and get the real local experience, university dorms with fellow teachers, or at other coordinated housing. If that’s not an option for you, then hit the classifieds and maybe convince your BFF to share rent with you.

Visas. Most nationalities who want to live and work abroad will most definitely need a visa. It might depend on the country, but mostly, you should be able to work on a traveler OR work visa. Just make sure you check all the details with the governments themselves—as well, check our embassy directory before you start packing! Pro tip: if you want to make it even easier, apply for a government teaching program and they will do all the work for you.

Safety. Most teaching English abroad gap year programs are very serious when it comes to safety, but one can never be too careful. Every country has it’s good and bad, and you should never just assume that it’s always safe. Be aware of the people around you, especially at night, and don’t look for trouble. Make sure your phone battery is always charged in case you need a cab or call a friend. If you find yourself in a crowded place, like a festival, keep your phone close and your wallet closer.

Question 4

GoAbroad's Inside Scoop

Accepted Answer

Your teach English abroad gap year is not just about gaining experience and making your CV/resume fancier. It’s about your spiritual development. For a whole year, you will live and learn to understand and accept a different culture and traditions, maybe even bring some of them home with you. Keep in touch with your friends and family to handle the homesickness, but go out and make new friends. Engage with the locals, learn some helpful lingo, eat some weird food that you can’t even pronounce and be adventurous!

You’re going to be a teacher in another country, and it might be Spain, it might be Vietnam. As surprised and excited as you’re going to be about this new place, your students will be twice as excited. So why not make that first day awesome? Bring some extra supplies with you, like paper, pencils, bookmarks, or a few books. Make it a priceless experience for both parties.

A gap year teaching English abroad is the easiest and most enjoyable way to further develop yourself and travel the world. The list of choices and opportunities is endless and where you teach can only be limited by your imagination. So tell us—what’s your next destination for teaching abroad?

Keep reading! Gap year travel programs aren't just for teens.