9 TEFL countries for the Autumn
From sun-drenched beaches in Thailand to red-hued forests in the highlands of Japan, there are oodles of awesome TEFL countries for the autumn worth considering this year. Check them out…
Thailand
Don’t hang around in the Northern Hemisphere for the cold weather hit. Head south instead, to where the fabled Land of Smiles is not only emerging from its wet season for the drier autumn months, but also has oodles of teaching positions going. Yep, there are tutoring roles from hippy Chiang Mai in the north – go there for jungles and elephants – to the paradisiacal towns that line the Andaman Sea in the south – go there for beaches and swaying coconut palms.
South Korea
It’s said that South Koreans have a penchant for nature like few other nationalities on the globe. And while the pulls of electric Seoul are undeniably strong, you’ll never be too far away from the rising ridges of the Seoraksan Mountain, where blooms of orange-red foliage can be seen covering the slopes from October onwards. What’s more, fall in this stand-out among TEFL countries for autumn is the build-up to the South Korean ski season, when you’ll be able to ride the pistes of Pyeongchang County and the hills of Muju.
Poland
They call it the Golden Autumn in Poland for a reason. The trees begin to turn to a deep yellow colour as early as September, and make the parks in cities like Krakow and Warsaw glow in a beautiful hue of amber. It’s a great time to see the Gothic treasures of the fabled City of Polish Kings, and high time for some hiking in the Tatra Mountains. Poland is also a great place to start your TEFL career, with jobs shared between children’s schools and a booming business English sector.
Japan
While Japan might be more famous for its springtime cherry blossom, the fall has its own natural delights. Cities like Kyoto and islands like northern Hokkaido both start changing colour in October, offering a glimpse of the maple forests and wooded hills that cling to Japan’s mountainous backcountry that’s rarely seen by other tourists. As TEFL countries for the autumn go, Japan is also a great place to start your career, with some workers pulling in salaries up to $3,000 USD per month!
UAE
You certainly won’t have to worry about the autumn weather in the UAE – it’s always hot here. And if you can nail yourself one of the lucrative private teaching roles that abound in the country, you probably won’t have to worry about the bank account either. That’s because it’s one of the highest-paid of all TEFL countries, with the average wage range topping out at around $3,900 USD per month. Cities like Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Sharjah are some of the hotspots, while it’s also possible to get jobs in more far-flung, off-beat desert towns.
China
Fall in China is the time that the tourist crowds die down and the weather becomes bearable in many of the cities again. It’s also the when the school term gets rolling – typically around September first. TEFL teachers up and down the People’s Republic will be hitting the classroom from Beijing to Chengdu, and with a population of upwards of one billion – most of whom have an eye to learning English – there are bound to be plenty of positions on the table. What’s more, you’ll get to see the Great Wall coloured with autumn foliage, and the rice terraces of Longji glowing in golden hues. Nice.
Cambodia
With a newfound demand for TEFL teachers of all qualification levels, Cambodia is not only a great place to try the waters and see if English tutoring is the thing for you, but also a darn great way to escape the cold autumns of the north. With daily average temperatures in the low 80s, you’ll get to see the wonders of Angkor Wat and the palaces of Phnom Penh between lessons, and get to recline on the golden beaches around Sihanoukville to boot!
Oman
Many locals will tell you that November is actually the best time to visit Oman, when temperatures dip to a bearable 85 and the rich orchards of pomegranates and walnuts are in season. Most hiring takes place before the start of autumn proper in September, and the nature of jobs tends to be a little more professional than in other TEFL countries around the globe – think university positions and jobs in technical colleges. That said, there’s a financial pay-off, with average salaries hitting highs of $3,900 USD per month.
Indonesia
Indo might be just about to enter its rainy season south of the Equator as the months of October and November hit, but that rarely means the same tropical monsoons as other TEFL countries for the autumn on this side of Southeast Asia. The result is a whole host of possible cities and islands that are all a great place to start your travel and teaching adventure in this awesome part of the world. You might need to shelter from the occasional downpour, but Bali’s waves are also kicking up some of the best surf of the year, and boho Yogyakarta is much less inundated with backpackers.
If you’re searching for great TEFL countries for the autumn to start your adventure in this fall, be sure to check out the rest of places featured on our destinations page. Or, if you’re eager to get that TEFL certificate done and dusted before the start of term, we’ve got qualifications that can take you there…