The Future

Facts & Advice:

• The most populated country in the world
• English is required for higher education which creates many English teaching opportunities
• China’s growing economy elects for great opportunities to grow
• Beijing, Hong Kong, Shanghai, and the Great Wall of China are all beautiful places to see in China.
• For more natural landscapes the Jiuzhaigou Valley is home to many pandas and crystal clear lakes as well as mountains.

Facts & Advice:

• Low taxes and cost of living
• Employers are accepting of inexperienced teachers, but those with a TEFL certificate can earn significantly more than the average inexperienced teacher
• Many well educated people (literacy rate almost 100%) looking for expansion in their English language skills, especially Business English
• Tokyo is a futuristic and bustling capital city
• From Mt. Fuji to the tropical island of Okinawa, Japan is a beautiful country in many different ways

Facts & Advice:

• Cost of living in Indonesia is very low and travelling throughout the islands is inexpensive and easy
• In recent efforts to weed out English teachers who are just looking for a tourist destination, it is now required to have a TEFL certificate to obtain correct working papers
• An exit visa is required in order to leave the country
• Teaching English in private schools is much more prominent than in the public schools of Indonesia
• A beautiful country, made up of 17,508 islands comprised of exotic beaches, forests and animals along the equator
• Small towns and villages make for a charming experience with friendly natives

Facts & Advice:

• Low cost of living
• Having a TEFL certificate can lead to higher paying jobs and give you an advantage in this competitive market
• Many teaching jobs available, expatriates teaching English are common throughout Thailand
• Exploration opportunities abound! Jungles, beaches, mountains, cities- Bangkok
• Warm weather/climate some would even call it paradise
• Great food and great nightlife

Facts & Advice:

• Cost of living in South Korea is low
• Many private schools require a TEFL certificate and this comes with the potential to earn more
• There is an abundance of English teachers already in South Korea
• Many jobs available-English is taught in public schools starting in elementary school
• A beautiful country from Seoul to the southern shores
• South Korea has great nightlife, and is considered a safe country by many previous visitors

Facts & Advice:

• Low cost of living compared to salaries
• Having a TEFL certificate is beneficial to you in order to find a good paying job
• There are many teaching jobs available throughout Vietnam
• Very close to Thailand and Indonesia to expand and fulfill your travel desires
• Southeast Asia offers a warm climate and beautiful beaches to relax but also many different activities and adventures through the exotic jungles

Facts & Advice:

• The cost of living is low in Taiwan, relative to salaries With Taiwan’s growing economy the job market has become more competitive
• A TEFL certificate is necessary to give you an advantage in your job search
• English is taught in public and private primary and secondary schools and it is important that children learn English at a young age in Taiwan
• The capital, Taipei, is the center for culture and entertainment
• There is also a relaxing, scenic side along the beaches (but be careful of typhoons) or up in the mountains of the island

Facts & Advice:

• The cost of living is low
• Being a TEFL certified teacher will meet the needs of high quality of education that the Filipino people find to be so important
• The beaches of Southeast Asia are reason enough to come to this country but there is also a high demand for teachers of English
• The quality of education is very important to Filipinos and many people from other Asian countries come here to learn English
• Filipino people are warm, welcoming and embrace culture, this is a great reason to stay in this country for long periods of time

Facts & Advice:

• As with many other countries being TEFL certified is very beneficial in your job search
• Chile has recently emerged in the world of economics, becoming very close with the U.S., calling for a very high demand in English teaching jobs
• English has also recently become a requirement in government-established school curriculums
• Varied landscapes - mountains, rain forests and the Pacific Ocean, making for very diverse scenery from North to South and East to West
• Patagonia and the Andes Mountain range are just a part of Chile’s beautiful scenery
• Chile starts just below the equator and reaches all the way to Antarctica, surfing in the Pacific Ocean and skiing in the Andes Mountains are just some of the experiences in Chile

Facts & Advice:

• A TEFL certification is required to teach ESL in Costa Rica
• Most schools are located in San Jose in the Central Valley
• Speakers of English are in high demand especially within the tourist business
• Destination for many other English teachers and expatriates
• Beautiful country with amazing, natural, untouched landscapes and rainforests, also an environmentally focused country
• A great climate-60-90 degrees all over the country makes Costa Rica a tropical paradise with a relaxing lifestyle
• As the Costa Ricans say “Pura vida” or “Life is good”

Facts & Advice:

• Largest country in South America, with a growing economy from tourism to international trade English teachers are in high demand for every level of English
• The Amazon rain forest is located in the northwest corner of Brazil and the east coast is made up of beautiful beaches
• There is a vast diversity in cultures with large cities such as Rio de Janeiro offering many multicultural attractions

Facts & Advice:

• The cost of living in Colombia is low
• Having a TEFL certificate or equivalent is necessary for a work visa
• With tourism building, English is becoming very important in the Colombian working world
• Many businesses in Colombia have connections to the U.S., making business English also very important
• The West Coast of South America offers beautiful and diverse scenery and much of the Amazon rainforest is located in the south of Colombia
• Activities from hiking through the Amazon to relaxing on the Caribbean beaches

Facts & Advice:

• Having a TEFL certificate can give you a competitive advantage in landing a higher paying job
• Buenos Aires offers many teaching jobs
• Teaching in Argentina is all about the adventures the country has to offer
• Patagonia National Park is a unique destination surrounded by crystal clear lakes and beautiful mountains
• Argentina has many European immigrants which make for a large diversity among cultures, offering some of the world’s finest food and wine!

Facts & Advice:

• Low cost of living TEFL certificate can lead to better jobs and higher pay and is a requirement for many reputable schools
• Even with an economy that is relatively weak, qualified English teachers do not have a problem finding a job, English is in high demand for tourist businesses
• The Caribbean beaches make for a beautiful country!

Facts & Advice:

• A bachelor’s degree and a TEFL certificate is required to teach ESL in Mexico
• ESL teachers are in very high demand in Mexico
• With close ties to North America, learning business English throughout Mexico is very popular, and a must in order to excel in most professions in business sectors
• Rich culture and history make for a great travel destination
• Bordered by the Caribbean Sea, the Gulf of Mexico and the Pacific Ocean, Mexico has some of the world’s most beautiful and popular beaches

Facts & Advice:

• Having a TEFL certificate will benefit your job search because of the limited amount of English the people of Spain know
• It would also be beneficial to have a background in the Spanish language, unlike many other countries English is not required in primary schooling
• Private schools are generally the go-to for English teaching schools in Spain because for most public schools you need an EU citizenship to work

Facts & Advice:

• A TEFL certificate and basic knowledge of French will give you the upper hand in your job search, a bachelor’s degree is also helpful
• Being one of the world’s top tourist destinations and English being one of the core languages of the EU, English teachers and speakers are in high demand
• Another world renowned center for the finest wines and delectable food
• From fashionable Paris to the southern shores, France is filled with culture and beauty
• Fine art and architecture fill the buildings and streets of France

Facts & Advice:

• Competition is high for ESL teachers, employers are constantly looking for well-qualified teachers, having a TEFL certificate can put you ahead of the competition
• Private schools look to hire a more diverse group of teachers, so non-native speakers are generally more accepted than they are at public schools
• Italy has so much to offer from world class wine and food that is appreciated worldwide
• It’s rich history makes for amazing architecture and site-seeing with the Vatican City located in the heart of Rome
• Sites from the beautiful shores of the Mediterranean Sea are picturesque

Facts & Advice:

• A bachelor’s degree is preferred and a TEFL certificate is required
• With a growing economy and tourism, Portugal is now doing more international business making English more in demand
• The growing economy also allows families to afford to have their children learn English, either through private institutes or private lessons
• In the South of Portugal there is a Mediterranean-like climate that makes for a beautiful coastline and amazing scenery, in the north there is a more mountainous landscape
• Off the coast are the Azores, which holds some of the world’s most beautiful, tranquil beaches and make for a great weekend getaway

Facts & Advice:

• High cost of living relative to the salary of an ESL teacher
• A Bachelor’s degree, TEFL certificate and some teaching experience is generally required
• English has become the second language of Sweden since their emergence into politics and international business, but there is still a small market for ESL teachers
• There are many people looking to expand their English skills to excel in business sectors
• The art throughout Stockholm’s metro stations offer sites to see around every corner
• The old world feel with modern amenities makes for a very unique experience

Facts & Advice:

• A TEFL certificate gives you the advantage you need in a competitive market where English is emerging
• With newfound democracy over the past 20 years the Czech Republic is emerging economically and politically, expanding international business
• This makes for a high demand in English teachers and learners
• The famous monuments, cathedrals and old world charm throughout the capital city of Prague and castles in the outskirts make the Czech Republic one of the greatest countries to sightsee in the world.
• Throughout the country are world class beer halls, making the Czech Republic a beer connoisseur’s paradise

Facts & Advice:

• The cost of living is relative to salaries but it can be high depending on your location
• English speakers are in high demand throughout the major cities in Russia
• Having a TEFL certificate will give you a major advantage when job searching in Russia
• Business English offers the highest paying positions in private schools making it important to be well qualified to teach English
• The idea that being proficient in English can lead to better career opportunities has flooded the minds of many people in Russia
• Russia is made up of a lot of beautiful land, from snowy mountains and forests to volcanoes and beautiful coastlines in the north and west
• Moscow and Saint Petersburg offer an amazing culture filled with art and history

Facts & Advice:

• There is a moderate cost of living in large cities but a bit lower in smaller towns
• Despite the current economy ESL teachers are still in high demand
• Not having an EU citizenship can also make finding a job challenging
• Being a native speaker and having a TEFL certificate will give you an advantage in the struggling economy of Greece
• The Mediterranean Sea makes for breathtaking beaches and sunsets
• Greece is rich with both history and modernization, from ancient ruins to modern nightclubs, Greece offers something for everyone

Facts & Advice:

• The cost of living in the UAE is high
• Having a TEFL certificate will definitely benefit your job search, good qualifications will get you where you need to go
• Because of the booming oil industry, the UAE and Saudi Arabia are a couple of the best developed countries throughout the world
• These countries do a lot of global business where English is a common theme
• Their strong economy calls for a high demand of English speakers and teachers
• The UAE has a lot to offer throughout their high-tech, very modern cities and beautiful beaches

Facts & Advice:

• The cost of living is relatively high
• Although it can be difficult to find a job here having a TEFL certificate and a Bachelor’s degree will give you a great advantage in being accepted here
• The culture is beautiful but conservative, western women are expected to abide by the same norms as Saudi women and there is also a prohibition of alcohol
• Despite this the country has a very friendly and accepting culture
• With Saudi Arabia bordering Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates this makes for easy travel on the weekends

Facts & Advice:

• Lower cost of living than other Middle Eastern countries
• The ministry of education in Jordan requires a TEFL certificate and a Bachelor’s degree
• With close ties to the U.S., English is the unofficial language of Jordan
• Opportunities to teach are available, where people are looking to expand their English
• There are strong influences of American pop culture throughout Jordan
• The history of Jordan makes for amazing site seeing of ancient ruins throughout
• The archaeological site of the ancient city of Petra is one of the most popular tourist destinations

Facts & Advice:

• Low cost of living
• Much like other Middle Eastern countries Turkey has very modern cities but to counter this there is also an old world feel with a lot of ancient history
• Some would call Turkey enchanting or magical because of all the beautiful buildings old and new, there are even underground cities
• To add to the diversity of the landscapes there are breathtaking beaches and deserts with scattered volcanic lakes
• To go along with their beautiful country the people of Turkey are warm and welcoming to expatriates
• With English as a growing language many countries are making it necessary in primary schools, Turkey is jumping on the band wagon, which opens up a lot of jobs for TEFL certified teachers.

Facts & Advice:

• Many schools are based in, or very close to Cape Town this has led to a large and growing market for TEFL certified teachers there
• Many jobs are also on a volunteer basis, especially when teaching children
• Learning English will help them with their future academic success, if you’re interested in teaching children
• To teach in South Africa, specifically Cape Town you are giving so many young peoples a chance at quality education
• Throughout South Africa there is a lot of shopping to do and a great opportunity to pick up handmade cultural crafts
• The long coastlines make for some of the world’s most beautiful beaches and great adventures

Facts & Advice:

• Many schools, especially reputable ones, will require a bachelor’s degree and a TEFL certificate
• Morocco is a growing economy at the peak of its industrial age, with business sectors growing with the economy as a whole making for a high demand in speakers of English
• Casablanca offers that big city experience with bustling life
• Just outside of the city are quaint little beach towns with a much more quiet, laid back lifestyle, Morocco has something for everyone
• For fair warning there have been many stories of discrepancies with contracts and payments between schools and teachers

Facts & Advice:

• The cost of living is low to average, relative to a teaching salary and living costs
• Ghana is progressing economically and politically, because of this many natives are looking to improve their quality of education but there is a lack of teachers in order to do this
• Because English is the official language of Ghana this creates a great opportunity for a TEFL certified teacher looking to help people become proficient in English
• Many jobs are also on a volunteer basis because of scarce resources and expenses of supplies
• The nature throughout the country has a lot to offer from coastlines to forests to savannas with much of the land protected by wildlife reserves
• All of Ghana’s natural beauty makes for an amazing experience

Facts & Advice:

• There are many volunteer teaching opportunities throughout Africa
• In the last decade the number of registered students has doubled, which puts the need for teachers in high demand
• Recent strikes are leading to the Teacher’s Union of Tanzania to intervene for higher salaries
• The geography of this country really speaks for itself, being home to the highest peak of Africa at the top of Mount Kilimanjaro and parts of the Serengeti
• There are national parks and reservations abound making the nature of the country like no other