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Where to get a job teaching english abroad

So what is it that people love so much about travelling.

Simply put, travelling is one of the most exciting things people do in their lifetime. The actual ‘travel’ itself, as in moving from place to place usually by air or land, is often regarded as the annoying part: expensive fares, long queues, delays and cancellations and so on. Despite all that, the thrill of going somewhere new pushes many people away from their comfort zone and to step into the unknown – a new destination, landscape, and culture.

So what is it that people love so much about travelling?

Beside the excitement of leaving familiarity behind and experiencing a change of scenery, travelling guides you through a personal journey in which you will discover more about yourself, the rest of the world, and how you relate with it. By taking the first step outside your comfort zone, you start travelling a path of growth and independence.

In the new and unknown environment, while relaxing and making memories, you will learn to live in the present and enjoy every moment of your day, from meeting new people to enjoying local food and connecting with the local culture.

The effects of visiting foreign countries are similar for everyone, but the concept of travelling is a unique experience for every individual. Some will pack as much as possible to make their time abroad resemble their life at home; on the other end of the scale, others choose to embark on luggage-free travel

While visiting other countries for a few weeks is a fantastic way to switch off from your daily rut, it doesn’t give you enough time to make the most of the advantages that travelling offers. For this reason, an increasing number of people choose to have a gap year abroad, which might even end up being a longer term or permanent move. To support themselves and their new lifestyle, many retrain as teachers of English as a foreign language (TEFL) – a rewarding and fulfilling job with plenty of career prospects that has the incredible advantage of allowing you to meet many interesting people.

On the other hand, not everyone can pack up and go – some commitments are simply too important to leave behind. If this is your situation, you can always teach English online. It’s just as rewarding as in-person teaching and you can still meet lots of people who can teach you about their culture during your online lessons.

Teaching English online
With an increasing number of English language learners worldwide, there’s not denying that TEFL is a thriving business. Technology gives you the advantage of tapping into it either as a full-time or additional source of income.

There are plenty of advantages to teaching English online, but freedom and flexibility are the top two reasons for getting into TEFL. A laptop and a stable internet connection give you the opportunity to choose where and when to teach, from the comfort of your own sofa or your rented accommodation abroad at any time of day or night. 

To simplify your new professional adventure, you can count on the support of existing online language schools to manage the admin and legal aspect of the business while you concentrate on your teaching.

Here are some online schools you could work for:

OiKID focuses on teaching 3-15 years old students based in Taiwan. This company hires native speakers from the following countries: Canada, the USA, Canada, Ireland, the UK, South Africa, New Zealand, and Australia. 

LatinHire, as the name suggests, is a company that focuses on the Latin American market, particularly in South America, providing lessons in different subjects, like Chemistry, Biology, and Marketing, as well as English as a foreign language. 

Cambly welcomes learners from all over the globe who already have some English language skills. It is a company that offers informal conversation classes.

TEFL destinations – online and face-to-face teaching
Whether you decide to move abroad to teach in a classroom-based environment or to travel the world while teaching online, choosing your destination can be challenging and confusing. There are many things to keep in mind, from the cost of living to the geographical positions of the country you want to move to.

Take a look at some popular destinations that might suit your lifestyle goals:

Spain
Despite Spain’s economic crisis, this country is still one of the most popular destinations for long-term travellers. Spain’s geographical situation encompasses different climate zones and its rich cultural diversity will offer you an interesting insight to the country’s socio-political structure. Spain is a vibrant and exciting country to explore, day and night, and it is generally safe to travel around.

Spain is characterised by the Mediterranean climate, with warm-hot and dry summers and cool-cold winters. In contrast, the north of the country’s climate is affected by the Atlantic ocean, with heavy rain during the winter season.

Sri Lanka
This beautiful country has a tropical climate all year round, but be aware that the two monsoon seasons affect distinct parts of the country in different seasons. The advantage of this is that you are always able to find a sunny beach at any time of the year, where you can enjoy water sports or relaxing and sunbathing.

Using local transport to travel across Sri Lanka and stayoung at cheap guesthouses are the best way to ensure travelling on a budget. Although this country is usually safe, you should avoid dark neighbourhoods at night, especially when travelling solo. Always keep your valuables and passport safe wherever you go.

Costa Rica
There’s a place in Central America where you can experience the ‘pura vida’, connecting with your inner self, nature, and the world around you: it’s a way of life that will restore your energy and bring you peace. 

This relaxed outlook on life does not mean lack of entertainment by all means. Costa Rica offers a plethora of incredible places to visit, from volcanoes to rainforests and from unspoiled beaches to natural parks. This country is more expensive than its neighbours in this part of the world, but with careful planning you can travel on a budget. 

Despite its relaxed atmosphere, Costa Rica is far from boring. With its stunning rainforests, breathtaking beaches and astonishing volcanoes, this country has plenty to offer to suit any taste. Do you crave some chilling time? Try relaxing on the beach or whale watching. Are you an adrenaline junkie? Visit a volcano! Do you need to reconnect with nature? Head to one of Costa Rica’s gorgeous national parks. You won’t be disappointed.

Connecting online or in contact with nature
Whether you decide to teach English online or in-person, you will find that new experiences await. For newly qualified and seasoned teachers alike, choosing where to go and to teach from is always an exciting feat. Meeting new people from all over the world, learning about their culture and telling them about yours is a very enriching experience that you wouldn’t want to miss. So where will your TEFL journey take you?

Editors - Travel Media Applications | Website | + Articles

TravelDailyNews Asia-Pacific editorial team has an experience of over 35 years in B2B travel journalism as well as in tourism & hospitality marketing and communications.

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