Teaching from a cafe in Istanbul or teaching English in a kindergarten in Mexico: which TEFL job is best for you? Well, that depends on you!
Teaching English as a foreign language allows so much flexibility and there are so many different options at your fingertips that it can be hard to know which direction you should choose. This blog post will look at the pros and cons of each option to help you figure out which option is the best for you.
Path 1: Teaching English Online
Teaching English online means teaching English to students on a platform or by finding private students. Teaching English online is the ultimate in flexibility because you can teach from anywhere and your students can be anywhere - and anyone. Teaching English online is the easiest way to become a digital nomad. Plus, while conversational and General English are very popular teaching contexts, online students can be any age and you can teach various aspects of English, such as Business English or Academic English.
Key advantages
Maximum flexibility - Teaching English online lets you set your own schedule. You can work as much as you want, when you want. You are location-independent, too, so you can work from home or from another country.
Low barrier to entry - You don’t need huge amounts of capital to start teaching online and you don’t need a ton of qualifications. In terms of equipment, you need a laptop with a decent microphone and camera, and a stable internet connection, plus a few props and lesson plans. For qualifications, a TEFL certificate is all that you need.
Zero travel costs - To teach English you don’t need to pay for a flight to move to another country. You don’t need to organise a visa. You can start anytime so you don’t need to wait for the start of the academic term or year, either.
The trade-offs
Lower variable pay - Teaching English online is not as stable as teaching English in a school. Teaching hours vary from week to week depending on student demand and your availability, so your monthly salary will vary accordingly.
At the same time, teaching rates for online teaching aren’t usually as high as full-time teaching salaries, comparatively speaking. Online teachers typically earn from $10-$15 an hour but this can increase to $40+ an hour for more experienced and qualified teachers.
What you also need to bear in mind is that the convenience of online teaching saves you both time and money because you don’t need to worry about commuting costs, and you can work in that time as well.
Isolation - Teaching online doesn’t give you the camaraderie that you’ll find in a school staffroom. Long hours can mean you are alone for long periods of time without any human interaction besides with your students. Luckily, these days it’s quite easy to find an online network of like-minded teachers that you can connect with.
Time zone hustle - With great flexibility comes great responsibility. The thing about having students in all corners of the world is that you need to keep track of different time zones - as well as your own! It can also mean waking up early or staying up late to cater to your students. Using apps, reminders and alarms are essential to make sure you are always prepared for your lessons.
Read more: How To Start Teaching English Online (2026 Guide)
Path 2: Teaching English Abroad
Teaching English abroad is an option in the majority of countries around the world. Being a TEFL teacher abroad can mean teaching in a kindergarten, primary or high school, public or private school, language centre or academy, university, summer camp or in-company. Popular destinations for TEFL teachers include Thailand, China, South Korea, Japan, Spain and the UAE.
Key advantages
Full immersion - There is no better way to really experience life in a different country than living and working there. Teaching English means you can experience life in a foreign country like a local rather than a tourist. If you’re motivated, you can even use the opportunity to learn the local language.
Competitive compensation - Full-time TEFL jobs can offer competitive salaries with good benefits. Some teaching positions offer flights, visa costs and accommodation (or a housing allowance) to get you up and running.
Remember that in order to truly understand a salary in a foreign currency, you should look at not only the dollar amount but also the living cost of the country. If at first glance a teaching salary doesn’t look very high when compared to other salaries you’ve enjoyed, dig a bit deeper to see how much of that salary will go towards accommodation and living costs, and what percentage can go to savings.
Perks - Living abroad is a big change; TEFL employers understand that. This is why they often give their teachers perks over and above their salaries. This can include school meals on workdays, contract completion and re-signing bonuses, and generous overtime pay.
Structured environment - Teaching in a school is a stable environment. Teachers work set hours and are paid monthly. While sometimes you might be required to cover extra classes or attend staff and parent-teacher meetings, you can generally be sure of your timetable from week to week - so you can plan your holidays!
The trade-offs
High initial investment - Even if your new teaching job offers flights and accommodation, you still need start-up capital to pay for your living costs for the first month or six months until your paycheque lands in your bank account.
Contractual obligations - Schools usually ask for a commitment of at least 12 months. While it’s possible to find short-term TEFL opportunities, these are seasonal or volunteer positions so not an option if you’re looking for a permanent teaching job.
Culture shock - Living in a foreign country can be hard on your mental health, especially because you are living far from the support of your friends and family. Living abroad is undoubtedly an adventure, but you need to be a certain type of person to appreciate it fully.
Read more: Your First Year Teaching English Abroad: What Nobody Tells You
How to Decide: Which Path Fits Your Profile?
Choose online if you want a side hustle, need immediate flexibility, prefer to stay in your home country, or are testing the waters before moving.
Choose abroad if you are hungry for adventure, want guaranteed salary/benefits, wish to learn a new culture, and can commit to at least one year.
The hybrid option: Teaching online while travelling abroad, or teaching abroad full-time while taking online private clients for extra income.
Next steps
The best option for you when it comes to teaching English as a foreign language is entirely up to you. To help you decide, consider:
- Your financial situation
- Your commitments and responsibilities at home
- Your willingness to adapt, and resilience
- Your main goal (earning money, flexibility, etc)
Still not sure? Drop us a message and chat to one of our advisors.
