Can you survive abroad with a TEFL job?

 

Happily, yes! TEFL is about the only job in the world that allows you to travel almost anywhere, and support yourself at the same time.

In most destinations you’ll earn something comparable to a typical local salary – or even higher. You’ll certainly earn enough to be comfortable, if you live as the locals do.

If you’re wanting to save money or pay off the mortgage, you’ll have to choose your country carefully. But it’s possible.

Here’s a very general picture of what you’re likely to earn around the world. Of course rates of pay vary between countries and cities, and they can change quickly depending on demand. Why not make contact with people teaching in your chosen destination – find out the latest about jobs and salaries. 

 

North Asia

There’s huge demand for teachers throughout the region, and in Japan, Korea and Taiwan salaries are amongst the highest in TEFL  (up to £2000/$3000 a month). There are also plentiful opportunities for one-to-one tutoring  (£15-40, $25-60 an hour). Of course the cost of living is high. Expect to pay a third of your salary on accommodation (if it isn’t provided) and another third on essentials. It still means you can save, if you’re careful.  

In China you’ll earn half this (£1000/$1500 a month), but cost of living is low, and many employers offer perks such as free accommodation and return airfare for longer contracts.

 

South-East Asia

Salaries aren’t high, but of course neither is the cost of living, so you’ll earn enough to get by and have a fantastic experience at the same time. Expect a salary in Thailand and Vietnam of around £600/$900 a month. (The average Thai makes half  that, incidentally.) Many teachers take on additional classes out-of-hours for £10-16 /$15-25 an hour.

One thing to be aware of – foreigners may be expected to pay more than locals for many things, including accommodation.

 

Central and Eastern Europe

Some places (like Prague) are so popular with TEFL-ers that good jobs are a bit hard to come by. But just look further afield, as there’s a lot of demand and a lot of great positions. You can certainly make a decent salary (£1000/$1500 a month), pretty good when a pint of draught in Brno might set you back 50p/75 cents!

 

Western Europe

There are (limited) opportunities. Remember where English levels are high, there aren’t going to be many jobs! (By the way, it’s almost impossible to get work if you’re from a non-Schengen country because of the paperwork.)  Positions in France and Germany may offer £1800/$2700 a month; in Italy or Spain they may be half that, but jobs are more plentiful.  Many schools offer hourly rates only, so you may need to juggle jobs. 

 

Latin America

It's hard to generalise about Latin America as economic conditions are so varied. The only thing you can say with certainty is it's one of the most exciting regions to live in. In a large wealthy city like Buenos Aires or Santiago you can make a decent living, with an hourly rate of around £7/$10. At a small school in the countryside you might earn a third of that. However, the cost of living is low, and teachers are adept at juggling schools and students to get by quite comfortably.

 

Middle East 

The top destination for earning big salaries. In Saudi Arabia an experienced teacher can earn £2600/$4000 a month, along with airfares and high quality accommodation; and demand is increasing as the Saudi government pumps billions of dollars into internationalising the university sector. Be prepared for challenges, however.

 

Africa

Most positions in Africa are for volunteers, so it’s quite likely you’ll need to pay for the opportunity. But if money’s not your aim – how can you better an experience that will be life-changing for you and your students?

 

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