Teaching English abroad: Countries that welcome UK citizens
Fancy swapping rainy commutes and overpriced pints for exciting new cultures while still making a living? Teaching English abroad might be your ticket! Armed with your British accent (which, let’s be honest, is half the appeal for many language schools), you’ve got a head start in the global TEFL game.
But before you start daydreaming about beachside lessons or cherry blossom classroom views, let’s talk about where your UK passport can take you – and the visa hoops you’ll need to jump through to get there. Don’t forget, sites like the official OntrailVisa website can also offer lots of useful advice and hassle-free applications online.
Japan: Land of the rising salary
Japan remains the holy grail for many English teachers, offering decent salaries (around £1,700-2,500 monthly), spectacular cultural experiences, and students who generally won’t make you tear your hair out.
- Visa situation: You’ll need a proper work visa, which requires a bachelor’s degree in any subject. The visa process is straightforward but thorough – expect plenty of paperwork and a background check. Most teachers enter on the Instructor visa or the Specialist in Humanities visa, depending on whether you’re working in public schools or private language academies.
- Getting hired: The JET Programme is the golden ticket (government-backed teaching in public schools), but competition is fierce. Alternatively, big private chains like AEON and ECC recruit year-round and often interview in London.
- Good to know: Many schools cover your flights and help with accommodation, but the initial setup costs can be steep. You’ll need about £2,000 saved to cover your first month before payday rolls around.
South Korea: Teaching in the k-pop kingdom
South Korea offers possibly the best financial package for newbie teachers – free accommodation, reimbursed flights, and monthly salaries around £1,500-2,200 with extremely low tax rates. Plus, the food is absolutely top-notch.
- Visa situation: The E-2 teaching visa requires a bachelor’s degree, a clean criminal background check, and usually a TEFL certificate. The paperwork is hefty but manageable, and your school typically guides you through the process once you’ve signed a contract.
- Getting hired: The EPIK programme places teachers in public schools (with better holidays), while hagwons (private academies) offer higher salaries but longer hours. Recruiters like Korean Horizons and Korvia Consulting specifically help UK teachers navigate the market.
- Good to know: Contracts run for a full year, and there’s a hefty completion bonus, so don’t plan on doing just a few months!
Spain: Sunshine and siestas
For those wanting to stay closer to home, Spain offers the perfect blend of European comfort and proper weather. The pay won’t make you rich (expect £700-1,200 monthly), but the quality of life and two-hour lunch breaks make up for it.
- Visa situation: Brexit has certainly made this more complicated for Brits. UK citizens can stay in Spain for up to 90 days without a visa, but for longer stays (like a teaching job), you’ll need a student visa or residency permit. Many language assistants enter on a student visa tied to their placement, which also allows part-time work.
- Getting hired: The British Council language assistant programme is your best bet for official placement. Otherwise, academies in Madrid, Barcelona, and Valencia regularly hire native speakers, though many positions are cash-in-hand (we’re not encouraging this, just saying it happens).
- Good to know: The academic year runs from September to June, so apply by spring for autumn Summer months can mean no income unless you luck out with camp jobs!
Vietnam: Teaching in the fast lane
Vietnam has exploded onto the TEFL scene with booming demand, competitive salaries (£1,200-1,800 monthly), and a cost of living that lets you save serious cash while living like royalty.
- Visa situation: You’ll need a work permit and a business visa, which requires a bachelor’s degree, TEFL certification, and a criminal background check. The process can feel chaotic – visa rules change frequently, and you might need to do a ‘visa run’ to a neighbouring country at some point.
- Getting hired: Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi offer the most opportunities with language centres like Apollo, ILA, and Wall Street English. Many teachers start with a visit on a tourist visa and interview in person (again, not officially recommended, but commonly done).
- Good to know: Bring original documents, not copies! Your degree, TEFL certificate, and criminal record check should be notarised and legalised before arrival – a bit of a faff but absolutely necessary.
Thailand: The laid-back option
Teaching in the Land of Smiles means embracing a more relaxed pace of life. Salaries are modest (£800-1,100 monthly), but when dinner costs £1 and beach weekends are a bus ride away, who’s counting?
- Visa situation: You’ll need a Non-Immigrant B Visa followed by a work permit. Requirements include a bachelor’s degree and usually a TEFL certificate. Some schools help with the process; others leave you to figure it out (which often means border runs every few months to renew).
- Getting hired: Government schools offer more holidays but lower pay, while language centres provide better money but weekend work. Agencies like com list opportunities, and many schools hire year-round.
- Good to know: Dress code is surprisingly formal – male teachers need proper trousers and often ties, while female teachers should pack modest skirts and blouses, even in sweltering heat!
United Arab Emirates: The money maker
If saving serious cash is your goal, the UAE delivers with tax-free salaries ranging from £2,000-4,000 monthly, plus free accommodation and flights home.
- Visa situation: Work visas are sponsored by your employer and require a bachelor’s degree, TEFL certification, and often two years of prior teaching experience. The paperwork is extensive, and all documents need attestation by the UAE embassy.
- Getting hired: International school jobs are advertised on TES and Search Associates, while language academies recruit through Dave’s ESL Cafe and LinkedIn. The hiring season runs from February to April for August/September starts.
- Good to know: The competition is fierce for these golden tickets. Without prior teaching experience, you might need to put in time elsewhere before landing a UAE position.
Teaching English abroad combines travel with a steady paycheck – practically the holy grail for adventure-seeking Brits tired of extortionate rent prices. The best approach? Pick your destination based on what matters most: Asian countries for saving money, European spots for weekend city breaks, or tropical locations for beach life.
Before you know it, you’ll be the one writing home about your ‘not just a holiday, it’s my life’ experience – and loving every minute of it!