5 destinations to teach English abroad without a degree

So you’ve decided to head off an a TEFL adventure but don’t have a BA. Don’t worry. There are oodles of destinations to teach English abroad without a degree, going from the Andean cities of Ecuador to the sun-kissed Mediterranean reaches of Spain, the heady fray of China’s cities to the gaucho lands of Argentina. Check out these top five options and get a-packing!

China

With a population of over one billion and a huge push to focus on English language learning from grade three onwards in the last couple of decades, China is now the single largest TEFL market on the planet. An estimated 300 million individuals are said to be actively learning English in the country at any one time, which means the demand for teachers is understandably really high. The knock-on effect is that China has become popular with would-be TEFLers looking to teach English abroad without a degree. Despite official requirements that all teachers hold a BA or related qualification, there are certain circumstances when schools will stretch to offer working permits to those without (this naturally depends on the political climate and the demand for teachers at any given time). And the options are pretty much endless too, with schools located everywhere from the bustling inner-city streets of Beijing to the remote mountains of Inner Mongolia and the sweeping tea fields of Yunnan. In short: work here without a BA isn’t guaranteed, but it’s always worth getting in touch with schools just in case!

Argentina

With a growing economy and some of the most fascinating cities and rural spots in the world (think the heady urban mass of Buenos Aires, the elegant colonial remnants of Cordoba and the vast expanses and glacial mountains of Patagonia to name just three!), Argentina has emerged as one if the top English language teaching destinations on the planet. With the capital booming as more and more businesses set up shop here, having second language skills is more desired than ever in the land of the gauchos. That means anyone with a TEFL qualification can find work here readily, many teaching in companies and enterprises in the bigger cities – no degree required, of course.

Spain

Spain remains one of the best-loved destinations to teach English abroad without a degree in Europe. Why? Well, the country of twirling flamenco dancers, mouth-watering tapas, raging bulls and Barcelona’s mind-blowing architectural feats is not only one of the most culturally immersive on the globe, and it’s not only got a truly welcoming Mediterranean climate, but also oodles of casual teaching positions that don’t require a degree. Be sure to check out the wealth of summertime camps and short-term placements, all of which offer a chance to bathe in the Iberian warmth and explore beautiful regions like Andalusia, the Sierra Nevada and the Costa Brava while away from the classroom.

Cambodia

Nestled right at the heart of the Indochina Peninsula, Cambodia remains one of the more off-the-beaten-track TEFL destinations on the globe. A far cry from the uber-competitive likes of Thailand just across the gulf, the schools here place much fewer demands on prospective TEFL teachers, with many not asking for proof of a BA or degree. Add to that some truly amazing sites, like temple-topped Phnom Penh, the glorious Khmer rises of Angkor Wat and beautiful Tonlé Sap Lake, along with low living costs and perennially-friendly locals, and it’s easy to see why the country is becoming one of the top destinations to teach English abroad without a degree.

Ecuador

With $12 million now being ploughed into Ecuador’s English education curriculum each year, this high-perched country that straddles the Andes is slowly becoming one of the TEFL boom centers of South America. From the historic streets of UNESCO-attested Quito to the little surfer towns on the Pacific coast, there’s now a real demand for EFL teachers here. And BA degrees aren’t a must either – even if they’ll make it a whole load easier to bag those coveted international school jobs and the better paid positions. The best way to check if you’ll be eligible to work in Ecuador is to email individual schools and check if they’d be willing to waive a degree requirement; something that’s even easier if you’ve got lengthy combined TEFL qualifications and some classroom experience under your belt!

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Can you think of any other places that are perfect for teaching English abroad without a degree? Or, are you ready to hit the classroom? Be sure to leave your thoughts in the comments below, and check out our placements around the globe!