Teaching abroad: Top destinations for starting your expat teaching career
Research has revealed that over 70% of UK teachers would consider moving to work abroad. The main reasons for this included the desire for a better work-life balance, more respect at work and disruptive pupils.
The writers at Property Guides suggest four wonderful countries around the world that are keen to recruit English-speaking teachers.
NEW ZEALAND
New Zealand is a country of pure beauty and diverse culture, and the education system is the 11th best in the world, according to the World Population Review’s education ranking.
The cost of living is, in general, more expensive than in the UK, however according to Numbeo, rent is around 8% lower.
It can be a little tricky to find a teaching job in New Zealand as an overseas teacher as the school will have to prove to Immigration that they couldn’t fill the vacancy with a New Zealand teacher. That’s not to say it is impossible, but it helps to have a skill listed on the country’s skill shortage list.
Before planning your move to New Zealand, it is worth doing in-depth research into how to get qualified and navigate the process with external agencies such as the Teaching Council. There are some great resources to help overseas teachers available at ep.education.
Requirements: You must have a bachelor’s degree and some form of teaching license to teach in New Zealand. You must also be able to prove your English proficiency and have your qualifications approved by the New Zealand Qualifications Authority (NZQA) and also gain registration through the Education Council of Aotearoa New Zealand. In addition, you will be required to provide a police clearance check from their home country.
Visa requirements: If your skills and training are listed on the Immigration New Zealand skills shortage list, then you ma qualify for a work visa. You must have a job offer already to apply for this visa. Alternatively, many teachers qualify for a working holiday visa which would allow you to search for a job while in New Zealand.
Before planning your move to New Zealand, it is worth doing in-depth research into how to get qualified and navigate the process with external agencies such as the Teaching Council. There are some great resources to help overseas teachers look at employment opportunities in New Zealand ep.education.
MEXICO
Did you know that the children in Mexico are among the happiest in the world? UNICEF’s “innocent Report Card 16”, from 2020, found that the countries with the highest life satisfaction at age 15 were in order: the Netherlands, Mexico, Romania, Finland and Croatia.
When looking at the cost of living in these top five countries, the Netherlands is even more expensive to live in than the UK, while prices in Mexico are around half of the UK’s.
What’s more, you wouldn’t be far from the United States and all that it has to offer.
Requirements: You do not need to be a native English speaker to teach English in Mexico, however, you will be expected to be fluent and speak at a native level. A bachelor’s degree is not required but is often strongly preferred by Mexican schools.
Visa requirements: To teach English in Mexico, you will need a FM3 work visa. To obtain this visa, you will need a TEFL certification and an official letter offering employment.
PORTUGAL
If you’re seeking sunshine while you teach abroad, look no further than Portugal, and in particular, the Algarve. Boasting 3,000 hours of sunshine a year – double that in the UK – Portugal’s Algarve is a popular choice for expats.
Portugal has great travel links with three main airports at Porto, Lisbon, and Faro, offering easy access to the country all year. Some routes are seasonal, but plenty run year-round. It is certainly possible to nip back to the UK for a weekend to visit friends and family back home.
Requirements: You will need to have a university degree and/or an TEFL. Most employers also require applicants to have at least 100 hours of classroom experience or a minimum of one year’s work experience.
Visa requirements: Non-EU citizens, such as the British, Americans and Australians, will need a work visa to teach in Portugal. Your employer will need to apply for this visa on your behalf, so you will need a job offer first.
VIETNAM
If the delicious and healthy cuisine, breathtaking natural beauty and vibrant culture isn’t enough to convince you to teach English in Vietnam, then the affordable cost of living definitely will!
According to expatistan, Vietnam is cheaper than 64% of countries in Asia and 76% of countries in the world. The average cost of living in the country is between $500 and $700 per month, while the average salary for teachers can range from $1,100 to $1,500 per month.
Vietnam enjoys a wonderful climate with sunshine almost year-round in the south. It is also a fantastic base to explore the rest of Asia in your free time.
Requirements: Most of the schools require a bachelor’s degree in any subject and a TEFL or TESOL certificate. Certain schools also require some teaching experience.
Visa requirements: The most common type of visa for English teachers in Vietnam is the LD work visa. You will need a bachelor’s degree to obtain a work visa. While there may be some opportunities to secure a job without a degree, it will make the whole process much more difficult.