Over 300,000 people teach English abroad every year. With a recognized TESOL/TEFL certificate, you can join them — earning a salary, exploring new cultures, and building a career you love.
Most countries have three core requirements for ESL teachers. Here's what to expect — and why OnTESOL makes the process easier.
Most countries require a 4-year bachelor's degree to issue a work permit. No degree? Some countries — like Costa Rica and Latin America — don't require one. See FAQ below.
The minimum standard for teaching abroad. OnTESOL's 120-hour Advanced Certificate is recognized by TESL Canada and accepted worldwide — including for government authentication for Asian visa applications.
Most programs require native speakers from the USA, Canada, UK, Australia, New Zealand, or South Africa. Non-native speakers with strong English can still teach in many regions — and are in high demand for ESL roles right here in Canada and the US. Learn more.
For work visas in South Korea, China, Vietnam, and the UAE, your certificate must be authenticated (apostilled) by the government where the course provider is based. OnTESOL's TESL Canada accreditation means our certificates qualify for official authentication by Global Affairs Canada — accepted worldwide. Read more about authentication →
Most teachers work an average of 29 hours per week including prep. The rest is yours — to explore, travel, and live like a local in ways no tourist ever does.
Many programs include free accommodation and airfare on top of a $2,000+/month salary. Teachers regularly return home with savings despite travelling extensively.
Living in a country — not just visiting it — means local connections, neighbourhood restaurants, language skills, and memories that travel brochures can't capture.
Over 40% of gap-year teachers keep going. TESOL opens doors in Canada, the US, international schools, curriculum design, IELTS prep, and Business English.
An OnTESOL certificate recognised by TESL Canada carries weight at home and abroad — qualifying you for premium jobs in Asia, the Middle East, and beyond.
English literacy opens doors for your students — to better jobs, education, and opportunity. Teaching is one of the most direct ways to have a meaningful global impact.
How much you earn depends on destination, experience, and role. Entry-level positions in Asia offer some of the best packages — while the Middle East rewards experienced teachers handsomely.
The most common starting point. South Korea, Japan, China, and Vietnam offer the best packages — often with accommodation and airfare included.
120-hr TESOL certificatePublic school programs in Hong Kong and the UAE pay premium salaries. B.Ed teachers still need TESOL/TEFL certification for ESL-specific roles.
120-hr + teaching experienceIELTS preparation is one of the highest-paying ESL niches globally. Roles exist throughout Asia, the Middle East, and North America.
250-hr Diploma + 2 yrs exp.Business English courses are in high demand across Europe and East Asia. Private Business English tutors in Russia can earn $100/hr.
Biz English cert. preferredAsia offers the best all-in packages for new teachers. Europe and Latin America require more independence. The Middle East pays the most — for the most experienced.
Asia is the most popular destination for English teachers because they offer great packages that include work visa, accommodation, and airfare. These benefits allow teachers to return home with a few thousand dollars in their pocket.
Another great thing about teaching abroad in East Asia is that you can use a recruiter to apply for jobs from home, so there isn't the risk factor of moving to another country and not knowing when you will find a job.
The Middle East offers attractive packages that include accommodation, airfare, health insurance, bonuses and the work visa. It is one of the most competitive regions in the ESL industry to apply to.
Teaching English in the Middle East is recommended for ESL teachers who have at least 2 years of teaching experience, a Bachelor or Master of Education and a recognized TEFL certification with young learner specialization.
| Country | Monthly Salary (USD) | Benefits incl. | Degree req. |
|---|---|---|---|
| UAE | $2,000–$5,100 | Yes | Yes |
| Saudi Arabia | $2,000–$4,000 | Yes | Yes |
Schools in Europe and Latin America are smaller, so they do not have the infrastructure and funds to recruit teachers from all over the world. This means that you have to move to the city where you want to teach, apply for jobs in person, and secure your work visa on your own.
Also, most European countries only provide the work visa to those who hold a EU passport, so teaching abroad in Europe is more challenging for US, Canadian, and Australian teachers.
| Country | Monthly Salary (USD) | Benefits incl. | Degree req. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Italy | $1,300–$2,700 | No | Yes |
| Germany | $1,300–$2,500 | No | Yes |
| France | $1,200–$2,300 | No | Yes |
| Czech Republic | $1,250–$1,900 | No | Yes |
| Spain | $800–$1,600 | No | Yes |
| Turkey | $500–$2,500 | Yes | Yes |
As mentioned above, schools in Latin America are smaller and do not have the infrastructure set up to recruit teachers from abroad. Occasionally, some schools might be open to doing an online interview before you head down, but for the most part it is expected that you travel to your destination to apply for jobs in person.
Latin America is also a great region for those who have little experience and no degree to apply. There is a wide variety of schools, including volunteer positions, universities, opportunities for private one-to-one teaching and language academies in major cities. The visa is often acquired either a few months before you leave or in-country upon arrival.
| Country | Monthly Salary (USD) | Benefits incl. | Degree req. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Colombia | $1,300–$2,700 | No | Preferred |
| Chile | $1,300–$2,500 | No | Preferred |
| Brazil | $1,200–$2,300 | No | Preferred |
| Argentina | $1,250–$1,900 | No | Preferred |
| Peru | $800–$1,600 | No | Preferred |
| Mexico | $600–$1,200 | No | Preferred |
| Costa Rica | $600–$1,000 | No | No |
Each offers a completely different experience. South Korea is best for saving money. Costa Rica is best for adventure without a degree. The UAE pays the most.
South Korea is one of the best countries for teachers who love to live in a modern city that is close to nature. Great wages, low cost of living, and a well-established ESL industry mean South Korea is the top choice for new university graduates who want to teach abroad and save money to pay off student loans. You can use a recruiter to apply for jobs from home — no need to arrive without a placement. All you need is a Bachelor degree and an internationally recognised TEFL/TESOL certification.
Germany is the best country to teach English in Europe because it has a thriving ESL industry that offers a great variety of jobs for teaching adults and young learners in Business English, after-school programs, summer programs, and more. Crucially, an EU passport is not required to obtain the work visa — making it accessible to US, Canadian, and Australian teachers in a way that most European countries are not. All you need is a BA degree in any area and a 120-hour TEFL/TESOL certification.
Vietnam has a well-established private ESL industry that offers a variety of job opportunities for teaching English to adults and young learners. With its low cost of living, Vietnam is a great destination for saving money and travelling throughout Southeast Asia. Larger academies prefer native English speakers with a university degree, but many schools hire without a degree. Note that Vietnam requires government-authenticated TESOL/TEFL certification for your work visa application.
Safe, small, and beautiful, Costa Rica is the best country in Latin America to teach English — and the preferred destination for North American teachers, just 4 hours away by direct flight. You can arrive on a 3-month tourist visa, apply for jobs in person, and process the work visa as you go. Waterfalls, volcanoes, beaches, rainforests — all within an hour of the capital San José, where most TESOL jobs are found. Costa Rica is also one of the few countries where you can teach without a university degree, making it ideal for career changers and those just starting out.
The UAE is the highest-paying country in the TESOL industry. You can teach at a language academy, the Abu Dhabi public school system (ADEK), secondary and post-secondary institutions (ADVETI), or teach Business English to professionals in the oil industry. Language school positions start at $2,500/month. ADEK public schools pay $3,500–$5,500/month with full benefits. ADVETI roles — the most competitive — pay up to $6,000/month plus housing, airfare, school allowance, and more. The UAE rewards experience: most programs require a minimum of 2–3 years of teaching experience alongside your TESOL certification.
From OnTESOL Graduates
Teaching Abroad
TESOL UAE: Teaching Writing Skills in Arab Countries
Teaching Abroad
5 Fun Things to Do if You Are Teaching English with EPIK in Jeju Island
Teaching Abroad
How to Succeed in Your EPIK Application: Teach English in Korea
Teaching Abroad
Why I Left My Office Job to Teach English in Japan
Everything first-time applicants ask before committing to teaching abroad.
Yes, you can teach English abroad without a university degree. The reason most TEFL / TESOL jobs abroad require a university degree is that it is required for the work visa; however, there are many people teaching abroad without a university degree in countries that do not require it.
NOTE: Teaching without a degree may be illegal, so contact the embassy of the country you are interested in working to learn about their immigration requirements. Regulations change and there are some recruiters and TESOL / TEFL institutes that charge a lot of money promising jobs and visa clearance, so we do not recommend signing any contracts without first checking with the embassy.
The work visa is the primary reason a recognized TESOL or TEFL certification is required to teach English abroad. ESL teaching jobs also require TESOL/TEFL certification because it shows employers that the candidate received all the required training in grammar, phonology, and methodology. Knowing how to create full lesson plans using the Communicative Approach and Task-based Learning is crucial for your success as an ESL teacher.
A recognized TESOL or TEFL course will teach you how to custom lessons to your students' needs and use authentic material such as movies, songs, and newspaper articles to supplement the boring ESL textbook.
TEFL (Teaching English as a Foreign Language) and TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages) are interchangeable terms that refer to the same industry of English Language Teaching. Although there is no real difference among them, TESOL is generally referred as the umbrella methodology, while TEFL is generally referred as the practice of teaching English in foreign countries. Methodology is the main focus of a TESOL or TEFL course and the methods for teaching English are standard across the world. When choosing the right TEFL or TESOL course, the accreditation and source of the certification are far more important than the acronym used on the certificate.
Read more at TEFL vs TESOL vs TESL - Is There a Difference?.
While some entry-level jobs don't require it, a TESOL / TEFL certificate is often required to teach English abroad. The TESOL / TEFL courses offered by OnTESOL are recognized by TESL Canada. This means that you can authenticate your OnTESOL certificate with Global Affairs Canada to become eligible for the work visa in other countries. You can also use your OnTESOL certificate to qualify for English teaching jobs in native-speaking countries such as Canada or the United States.
While job opportunities do exist for non-native English speakers, the options are more limited due to work visa requirements. Some countries that welcome applications from non-native English speakers include: Vietnam, Japan, Mexico, Brazil, Cambodia, China, Hong Kong.
Your chances of successfully teaching English abroad will increase if you also have a TESOL or TEFL certificate, a degree, and a passion for teaching. An IELTS score of 7 or higher is often required for non-native English speakers.
If you are open to teaching English online, there are also many online schools that hire non-native English teachers. OnTESOL offers its students and graduates access to a job board with over 20 online schools to choose from. We also offer assistance with your cover letter and resume to support you in performing well in the interview.
You don't need to speak the local language to teach English abroad. The English-only policy prevails in most programs and schools want certified ESL teachers who know how to use the Communicative Approach. Our accredited TEFL / TESOL courses will prepare you for the job.
That said, you should take advantage of your time abroad to learn a new language for your own personal development. It is useful for building rapport with your students, overcoming culture shock, and getting better job opportunities at home when you return from your gap-year.
OnTESOL's 120-hour TESOL/TEFL certificate is recognized by TESL Canada, authenticated by Global Affairs Canada, and trusted by employers in 50+ countries.
Choose which categories of cookies you allow. Strictly necessary cookies are always on.
Required for core site functionality. Cannot be disabled.
Remember your preferences (language, region) for a personalized experience.
Help us understand how visitors use our site (e.g., Google Analytics).
Used for advertising and tracking across sites (e.g., Meta Pixel, Google Ads, Ontraport).
