5 of the best places to teach English abroad in the post-COVID world
As the world emerges, slowly slowly, from the coronavirus pandemic of 2020 (rubbish year, huh?), the TEFL industry is looking to get back into its stride. That means graduates and veteran teachers alike are back on the hunt for the best places to teach English abroad. Cue this list, which has ideas and inspiration aplenty…
Thailand
Thailand has long been one of the best places to teach English abroad. It just seems to get everything right. Wages are decent (anything up to $1,200 USD/month is normal). Living is comfy – say hello to condos in Bangkok with pools and cool beachside bungalows down in the islands, folks. More than that, 2020 saw Thailand really come into its own with the COVID-19 pandemic. An initial spike was quickly brought under control and the Land of Smiles garnered big plaudits for having dealt with the virus better than most. Borders are supposed to open again fully by the end of August, which means the sparkling bays of the Phi Phi islands and the sizzling food bazaars of Chiang Mai could be back on the menu for TEFL teachers real soon.
Taiwan
Despite being just on the doorstep of the country where the virus originated, Taiwan did magnificently well in stemming the spread of the disease. Cases peaked way back in February 2020, but were quickly brought under control and there’s now just a trickle of incidences now and then. What’s more, tight border restrictions have been gradually eased since the middle of June, so things are looking on track to return to normal well before they do in a number of other Asian destinations. COVID aside, Taiwan also boasts attractive TEFL salaries of up to $2,500 USD/month and excellent living standards, not to mention mountain-shrouded cities like Taipei, highland national parks, and beautiful coastline.
Portugal
Although COVID-19 cases have hardly flatlined in Portugal, the country has done loads to revive its tourism and travel sector in the aftermath of the virus. Hotels have been given clean stamps. Masks are mandatory on public transport. Social distancing exists in major gathering spaces. It all points towards a country getting ready to go back to normality. That’s good news for TEFL teachers, who will find that peak hiring times are still to come in September. The country is also up there with the best places to teach English abroad for those after a hit of European sun. Down south, the Algarve is all golden beaches, from pretty Lagos to the soft-powder beaches of Faro. Up north, Porto beckons with a lively nightlife, and you enjoy café culture galore in the capital of Lisbon.
Vietnam
Vietnam impressed the world with its COVID-19 response. Call it overreaction if you must, but the stats speak for themselves: Zero deaths, 300 cases total. Bear in mind that we’re talking about a country with a direct land border with China here. Yep, hardly anyone got sick in Vietnam, which means the economy is now emerging in a better state than most. Borders remain tentatively closed, but it’s worth keeping an eye on because this one’s always been one best places to teach English abroad. Salaries can clock over $2,200 USD/month, and you get to explore awesome places like Ha Long Bay and Ho Chi Minh City.
Online
Yea, we know, this one’s cheating, right? Sorry, but it simply needs a mention. That’s because online TEFL teaching has boomed in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic. It was a growing sector anyway, but lockdowns and border closures only accelerated things. Schools from Hong Kong to Hua Hin have gone 100% virtual during these trying times, and students all around the globe have been keeping their English studies going with help from web-based tutors. There’s now a larger demand for remote teachers than ever before. You’ll typically need a degree, a 120-hour TEFL course, a good laptop and a strong internet connection to get started.
If you can think of any more destinations that should totally be on this list, we’d love to hear about them in the comments below. Or, if you’re ready to get TEFL qualified and looking at the best places to teach English abroad, check out our courses page or get in touch for more information.