Teaching English can be fun. It is one of the jobs of choice for those wanting to earn money while traveling abroad for extended periods of time (or indefinitely). Teaching English can be done online or in-person at a school or university (alternatively, one can often start up one's own English teaching school or club).
It's not much of an overstatement to stay the world wants to learn English. English has become the world's undisputed "world language," "language of business," and "language of travel". No other language comes close to English's reach around the world. See here for other jobs for anyone who likes to travel.
Why English Is Popular
Today the realities of travel and business basically mean one must learn English (the languages of hostels etc are almost always dominated by English). While if one only speaks Spanish can comfortably travel through Latin America, or only French one can travel in West Africa, English is global. The language of multinational companies is normally English. All airlines speak English, all visa and immigration documents can be in English, all ATMs have an English option - the list goes on.
- English: The Only True Global Language
Qualifications For Teaching English
The result is that today countless millions of people want to learn English. For those who are native English speakers, there are scores of opportunities to teach English. For the most part, the qualifications one needs to be an English teacher in most places in the world are:
- Native English Speaker: Normally Only USA, UK, Ireland, Australia, Canada, New Zealand and Generally South Africa
- Bachelor's Degree: Have An Undergraduate Degree In Anything
- Teaching Certificate: TELF or Similar (Generally Just a 120 or Something Hour Online Course - Can Often Be Completed in Just A few Hours)
While most schools around the world do not expect native English teachers to have a formal teaching education, some do. Some will expect English teachers to be qualified teachers and have a CELTA or similar certificate.
There are also many opportunities for those who are not native English speakers. These are often paid less and there is a lot more competition for these jobs. But it is possible for non-native English teachers to get well-paying jobs with some perseverance.
While English is by far the largest market, all of this article is true for all other major languages. If you are a native Spanish, French, Chinese, Russian, German, etc. speaker then also follow these tips.
- Note: It's Not Just English
Teach English Online
There are scores of online English teaching companies. These are generally teaching children online, but often also adults and university students (or even business professions wanting to improve their business English). Online students can be teaching anything from beginners to fluent speakers who just want to practice their fluency, learn slang, and have someone to chat to so that they don't forget their English.
- Average Rate: Around $12-25 or More Per Hour
A large amount of online English teaching companies are Chinese (China is very hungry for English teachers) but can be anywhere in the world. Some of the companies are:
VipKids: Teach Chinese Children
Likeshou: Teach Mostly Adults (They Are Already Conversational In English)
GogoKids: Teaching Children
How these work with the teaching schedule varies. Often one just needs to submit hours when one is available to work and then check to see which classes have been allocated.
- Benefit Of Online: Flexible Hours, Can Work Anywhere In The World (Watch Out For Timezones)
Alternatively, one can create one's own account on a freelancer website and teach directly with one's own students consider Freelancer and Upwork.
- Freelancer Websites: Freelancer And Upwork
Teaching In A School
This is where one is often paid to travel. Often if one gets a job teaching English in a school then they will pay for one's flights etc.
The pay can vary massively, if one has all the higher qualifications and teachers in international schools, then the payment can be really high. With other programs, it's a quasi-volunteer and cultural exchange program.
- Pay: Varies From $50,000 Or So To Volunteering
Teach And Learn With Georgia (Republic of Georgia), is an example of quasi-volunteering (actually one is paid a normal teacher's wage for that poor country - about $200 a month). They pay for one's flights and expenses to and from the country.
There are many companies online that advertise English teaching jobs around the world. Some are:
Another option is just to go to a country and start one's own company. Just start advertising that one can teach English - this is normally surprisingly easy. Or just contact public and private schools, language centers, and university directly - there is almost always a demand for English teachers around the world.