Eco-Tourism and TEFL: How to Integrate Sustainability into Your Teaching Abroad

If you’re dreaming of teaching English abroad but also want to keep your eco-conscious values intact, you’re in luck. There’s a growing intersection between sustainable travel and Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL) that could make your experience abroad even more rewarding. With eco-tourism booming and more people seeking ways to travel responsibly, it’s easier than ever to combine your passion for teaching with your love for the planet.

Let’s dive into how you can teach English abroad while supporting sustainability and being kind to the environment. 🌱

What is Eco-Tourism, Anyway?

Before we jump into how eco-tourism fits into the TEFL world, let’s take a quick look at what it actually is. Eco-tourism is all about traveling responsibly to natural areas that conserve the environment, improve the well-being of local communities, and promote cultural understanding. It’s about leaving a positive impact and minimizing your carbon footprint while enjoying the beauty of the world.

Eco-tourism isn’t just about visiting national parks or volunteering in wildlife reserves (though those are certainly great options!). It also encompasses sustainable travel practices, staying at eco-friendly accommodations, supporting local businesses, and contributing to efforts that protect the environment. Now, let’s talk about how you can blend all this into your TEFL journey.

1. Teaching in Eco-Conscious Locations

If you’re a teacher looking to have an environmentally friendly impact, choosing a destination that values sustainability is a great place to start. Countries like Costa Rica, New Zealand, and Bhutan are known for their commitment to eco-tourism and environmental protection.

• Costa Rica: A pioneer in eco-tourism, Costa Rica is home to an abundance of national parks and wildlife reserves, and it’s a leader in renewable energy. As a TEFL teacher here, you’ll be surrounded by lush rainforests, stunning beaches, and an overall emphasis on sustainability. You might even find schools that incorporate environmental education into their curriculum, allowing you to teach your students about preserving the world while improving their English. To learn more about Costa Rica’s eco-tourism click here!
• New Zealand: With its zero-waste policies and an emphasis on protecting its diverse ecosystems, New Zealand is another eco-friendly destination. Teaching English here means you can enjoy the outdoors—whether you’re hiking through the beautiful landscapes or teaching in eco-conscious communities where sustainability is a way of life.
• Bhutan: A small Himalayan kingdom that prioritizes Gross National Happiness over GDP, Bhutan’s commitment to environmental conservation is impressive. Teaching in Bhutan offers an incredible opportunity to not only teach English but also immerse yourself in a culture that values sustainability and environmental stewardship.

2. Living and Teaching in Eco-Friendly Accommodations

As a TEFL teacher, where you live will significantly impact your eco-conscious lifestyle. Many eco-friendly destinations have accommodations that cater to travelers who want to make a difference. Whether it’s staying in a bamboo bungalow, a solar-powered apartment, or a hostel that recycles and composts, you can make a positive impact by choosing your housing wisely.

Some eco-friendly places even offer “green” homestays, where you live with a local family that practices sustainable living—growing their own food, using rainwater harvesting, and relying on renewable energy. Living in these types of homes gives you a chance to learn about sustainable practices firsthand and share your experiences with students in a meaningful way.

3. Volunteer Teaching with an Eco-Twist

If you want to go the extra mile, consider combining your TEFL skills with volunteering in eco-conscious projects. Many NGOs and community-based organizations focus on teaching English while promoting sustainability. You could be teaching English in a local school that emphasizes environmental education or working with indigenous communities to help preserve their languages and cultures while offering them practical language skills for future opportunities.

For example, some eco-tourism projects in developing countries offer opportunities for volunteer teachers to teach English to children in rural communities that are involved in conservation efforts. In exchange, you might learn about the local ecosystem, volunteer to help plant trees or protect wildlife, and use your English teaching skills to help the community thrive.

4. Teaching English Online from Eco-Friendly Locations

Not everyone wants to teach in a classroom. If you’re more of a digital nomad, teaching English online could be the perfect option for you. The beauty of teaching remotely is that you can do it from anywhere in the world—whether you’re nestled in a tiny eco-lodge in the jungle or living off-the-grid in the mountains.

When choosing where to teach online, you can prioritize eco-friendly locations by selecting places that support sustainable travel, reduce waste, and encourage renewable energy. A lot of eco-lodges and hostels around the world now offer digital nomad-friendly spaces where you can teach while knowing your energy usage is carbon-neutral, your waste is minimized, and your internet connection is fast enough to deliver those lessons to students across the globe.

5. Support Local, Eco-Friendly Businesses

One of the easiest ways you can contribute to sustainability while teaching abroad is by supporting local businesses that prioritize eco-friendly practices. From organic cafes and zero-waste stores to farmers’ markets and local artisans, spending your money with businesses that care about the environment is a simple but impactful way to promote sustainability.

For example, you could buy local, sustainable products to use in your classroom—whether it’s eco-friendly stationery or materials made from recycled paper. You can also encourage your students to practice sustainability by using language lessons to talk about recycling, conservation, and protecting their local environment.

6. Integrating Sustainability into Your Lessons

As a TEFL teacher, you have the opportunity to teach not just English, but also values related to sustainability. Integrating eco-friendly topics into your lessons can help students understand the importance of protecting their environment and living in harmony with nature.

• Environmental Vocabulary: Teach words and phrases related to the environment—everything from pollution and climate change to recycling and renewable energy.
• Global Challenges: Incorporate discussions on global environmental issues, such as deforestation, the impact of plastic waste, or climate change, into your lessons. This not only builds English language skills but also raises awareness about important global issues.
• Do you want some educational resources or organizations that offer materials and support for teaching environmental sustainability? Try here!

Final Thoughts

Being a TEFL teacher doesn’t mean you have to compromise your values when it comes to sustainability. Whether you’re choosing an eco-conscious destination to teach in, living in eco-friendly accommodations, supporting local businesses, or integrating environmental topics into your lessons, there are plenty of ways to have a positive impact on the world while living your dream of teaching English abroad.

By combining eco-tourism with TEFL, you can create a teaching experience that aligns with your passion for sustainability, making your time abroad not just about teaching English, but about leaving the world a little better than you found it.

Ready to pack your bags and make a difference? 🌍✈️