No Time? No Money? No Problem! How You Can Get Teaching While Travelling with a Zero-Dollar Budget

From a pandemic to the rising costs of living, the last few years have been challenging – to say the least. These global events have shaken people’s lives and forced them to reflect upon their life choices: do they still enjoy their job? Are they developing their full potential? Do they have a healthy work-life balance?

All these questions (and more!) have guided a large part of the workforce and their families to make mindful and informed decisions about their future. As a result, thousands of people worldwide have made drastic decisions, involving complete career changes and moving abroad, or both. If you are still weighing your options but struggling to find time and money to plan and fund your new life, you might find some of the advice below useful.

Career change

Have you ever thought of teaching English as a foreign language? This is something that can be done either online or in-person, wherever you are (or want to be) in the world. However, there are some requirements that you must meet:

– you must be over 18 years old

– you should be proficient in the English language

– you are a life-long learner

– you have an open mind towards different cultures

In addition, and depending on the country you want to go to, the following are required:

– a university degree

– a TEFL qualification

While a degree is not always necessary, a 120-hour TEFL certificate can open doors and give you the chance to start your new career with confidence from the very first day. In this course, you will learn about the complexity of the English language in all its aspects: grammar, vocabulary, pronunciation. You will learn and practice creating engaging classroom materials and effective lesson plans as well as develop your classroom management skills.

There is a wide range of TEFL courses available online, but the one that is globally recognised covers a minimum of 120 hours.

Moving abroad where life is affordable

You might think that moving abroad is an expensive business, but it doesn’t have to be that way. There are some destinations where the cost of living is extremely affordable, although you will have to pay for your flights, which sometimes can be the most expensive part of the deal.

Let’s see in which countries you can live on a tight budget.

● Vietnam

If you fancy exploring South-East Asia, Vietnam is an excellent starting point, not only because it offers an incredible lifestyle immersed in its natural beauty, but also because there are plenty of teaching opportunities. Here a bachelor’s degree is a minimum requirement for visa purposes, but previous teaching experience is not necessary.

This country’s economy is growing, and so is the demand for TEFL teachers. This is not surprising, as Vietnam is fully focused on developing its international business relations. For this reason, English language skills are fundamental for the development of the country.

When searching for a job in Vietnam, remember that big cities offer more opportunities but the cost of living is higher. Classes in state schools are large, with up to 40 children, and they might not be as well-equipped as private language schools.

● Thailand

On the same side of the globe, Thailand is one of the most preferred destinations for TEFL teachers. There, housing can be incredibly cheap, but expect to find only the bare necessities. Chances are you won’t even notice, as you will be busy exploring around the country. Schools often offer help in finding accommodation – they sometimes arrange it for you before you arrive. If you are given the option, choose a safe area over a cheap one.

Every school in Thailand is run differently: you and other international teachers might be sharing the communal areas with the local ones in one school, while you might find that the farang (non-Thai) have separate rooms from the Thai teachers in another. Wherever you are, try to build relationships with your local colleagues to help you settle in the community.

● Hungary

In Europe, Hungary is one of the most overlooked teaching destinations. However, this country is beautiful and living here is very affordable. Since joining the European Union in 2004, this country has been working hard to develop. If you hold a degree in any field and a TEFL qualification, finding a job in Hungary should be relatively easy, especially if you have some experience in teaching Business English.

Teachers’ salaries in Hungary are modest. If you are thinking about travelling around Europe, you might want to consider funding your trips by teaching private students.

Moving abroad where salaries are high

Another way of looking at teaching English abroad involves choosing destinations with the highest paying salaries, instead of the lowest cost of living. So, where in the world can you earn a fortune teaching English?

● Japan

With efficient public transport, low crime rates, amazing food, high salaries, and attractive benefit packages, Japan can be a TEFL teacher’s paradise. You can apply directly to private language schools for a teaching position, where salaries are good and the timetable is flexible.

However, to teach English in Japan and earn big money, you want to apply for a role as an Assistant Language Teacher (ATL) in public schools. There, you will support local teachers deliver their lessons and show them and their students a glimpse of your own culture. For these posts, apply through one of the government-led programmes, such as JET.

● Kuwait

There are many countries in the Middle East that offer high salaries for international English teachers: Kuwait is one of these. Here, teachers of Business English (BE) and English for Specific Purposes (ESP) are highly sought-after, although you don’t need previous teaching experience to be hired. However, holding a degree and a TEFL qualification is necessary.

Your students are likely to be highly motivated professionals in the oil industry. As well as a competitive salary, working in such an environment will grant you exceptional perks: paid accomodation and utility bills, return flights to your home country, medical insurance, and transfers to/from school.

One final thought

Travelling abroad on a budget is possible when you teach English as a foreign language. Choose your destination and think about what determines your choice: is it the low cost of living or the high salary?

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