Your income potential when teaching English abroad will depend on a few things and these usually include where you are based as well as your experience. However, above all, it’s often determined by what kind of job you go for in the English teaching industry.
So, what are your English teaching job options and how much can you expect to earn?
Internships
An internship is a great option for teachers who are considering pursuing English teaching as a career and want to get both their TEFL certification and some experience under their belt. Not only that, but it’s a chance to travel and explore a new culture.
During your placement, you can network, get feedback, and observe other teachers to pick up some tips of the trade that you can then apply in your lessons. Ideally, you should leave feeling prepared for the world of teaching.
Income-wise, paid internships aren’t as lucrative as other English teaching jobs abroad. In Vietnam, for example, you can expect to teach up to 20 hours per week with a living allowance of around £650 per month and a completion bonus. Whether you’re willing to make this compromise for the experience you would gain is something for you to decide.
Private Language Schools
The salaries you can expect in private language schools will vary depending on the country you’re in, as well as how many hours you’re willing to work. In Spain, for example, you can expect to take home approximately £1025 to £1,300 per month. In Argentina on the other hand, salaries range from £504 to £924 monthly while in Algeria you could take home from £820 to £1,600.
In these types of schools, you could work long days or strange hours as you typically need to work around your students’ working days. This means you could potentially work at lunchtime and in the evenings.
They are a great tool to sharpen your teaching skills though, especially if your school offers Business and Legal English courses as you’ll usually get the opportunity to teach a range of ages and levels throughout your day.
Bear in mind that the school you choose to work at may have their own methodology which means you’ll have to learn it to teach there. Check whether the training required is paid or not and confirm if your contract also covers you for the summer and not only the academic year.
Public Schools
If you like working with children then consider an English teaching job abroad in a public school. You could find yourself working in either an elementary school, middle school, or even a high school., you could have a teaching assistant who helps out during your lessons.
Class sizes will vary depending on which country you’re in, as will teaching times. In South Korea, for example, you could access a public school teaching position through EPIK. Most positions offered are for the beginning of the new academic year which starts in February.
As a teacher in a Korean public school, your teaching English abroad salary, meanwhile, ranges from around £1,250 to £1,800 per month. In other countries such as the Czech Republic, you could earn £790 to £1,184.
Private And International Schools
Landing a role in an international school is often competitive thanks to the lucrative salaries, especially in popular locations like Abu Dhabi and Dubai. Moreover, flights and housing are usually included in the job offer, making it that much easier to save money for your future adventures.
Salaries can range from £2,460 to £4,510 – but there is a catch. To be in the running for such a well-paid position you will need a 120-hour TEFL certification as well as a degree in education. Native speakers are also generally preferred, especially ones with a fair amount of teaching experience.
Another sought-after location is Japan. Here it’s possible to earn as much as £4,360 per month and you’ll work between 12 to 30 hours a week. Not all schools may provide accommodation for teachers so this is something you should confirm during your interview.
Freelance
If you’re business savvy and want to set your own prices, then you could consider teaching English abroad as a freelancer. The income potential for this kind of role is very much what you make of it and will depend on your niche and how much effort you put into marketing yourself.
Networking is your friend as a freelancer, but to do that successfully in another country, you’ll need to know the local language. So, before you set off with your business plan in mind, consider taking some language lessons so you arrive ready to start making connections with potential clients.
Businesses tend to pay better so making Business English your teaching niche could help you boost your salary. They’re also generally more consistent and you’re less likely to worry about last-minute cancellations having a knock-on effect on your monthly income.
Online
Instead of diving head first into creating your own company as a freelancer, you could take a slightly different approach and opt to work with online English teaching companies such as Cambly. This would allow you to work from anywhere in the world.
In addition to flexibility with location, you’ll also have more control over your schedule as an English teacher and save on commuting expenses too. All you need to be successful is a strong internet connection, a computer, high-quality headphones, and a webcam.
While the online teaching market is booming, be patient with your job hunt as it can be competitive and you may not get the role you want immediately. Moreover, if you want to teach English online while travelling abroad you’ll also need to consider the visa requirements of each country. For more information on this, take a look at iVisa.
Overall, the income potential of teaching English abroad rests on the choices you make as an English teacher. To ensure you’re as financially stable as possible while you’re exploring and teaching across the world, do your research on the cost of living and apply to roles according to your needs.
