How To Travel Around Europe

If you have already graduated from one of our TEFL certification courses and have yet to decide on where you would like to teach, or you are thinking about signing up for a course and are looking for an insight into the most popular teaching destinations, then the following guides might provide some welcome inspiration. Below you will find dozens of countries from all corners of the world where there are plenty of good opportunities for teaching EFL. Click on the countries that interest you to access a wide range of travel tips, country facts and other useful information. Living and Teaching English in France - Habits, Customs & Curiosities Living and Teaching English in Spain - Habits, Customs & Curiosities Want to see more infographics on TESOL and TEFL? Check...  [Read more]

The typical salaries for teaching English abroad are determined by a number of factors, including your qualifications, previous experience, and the country you wish to teach in. Let's look at how much an average TESOL teacher can make in different regions around the world. The pay for teaching English in other countries varies, but you should usually be able to make a decent living. Teachers in high-paying countries may earn anywhere from $2,000 to $5,000 USD per month. Many factors can influence your TESOL salary, including the type of employer, your qualifications, previous teaching experience, and the location of your school. Teaching English abroad can be an attractive career path, but salaries vary greatly by region. For example, first-time English teachers in several Asian and...  [Read more]

The list of potential teaching destinations for 2022/23 is long and exciting, with something to suit all preferences. The most important factor when choosing where to teach will vary from one person to the next as we all have different priorities. The most important factor for some is the salary on offer, while others are drawn by cultural attractions or even nightlife. We should also acknowledge the ever increasing popularity of teaching English online that has become even more prominent since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. All of the possible options have pros and cons, so take a minute to read through this brief guide to the most common TESOL destinations. The simple answer to this common question is Asia. The Asian continent is vast in size and diversity and it is also home...  [Read more]

If you plan to head overseas to teach English, one important factor to consider is the amount of cash you will need to cover your initial start-up costs. Depending on where you end up teaching, your are certain to have some unavoidable expenses that might include the cost of a TESOL certification course, travel to your chosen destination, and funds to support yourself until you get your first paycheck. The cost of your initial TESOL training will depend on which type of course you choose to take. At ITTT our popular online courses start at less than $200, while an intensive in-class TESOL course costs in the region of $1500 to $2000, without flights, accommodation, and other daily expenses. However, your choice of course should not be based entirely on its cost as there are several...  [Read more]

Russia could be a great teaching destination for you if you want plenty of cultural experiences and room to travel in a country that is still a little off the beaten path. There are around 150 million people in Russia and many of them want to improve their English skills for work or travel purposes. Jobs can be found in most big cities, particularly Moscow and Saint Petersburg. Unlike several other European countries, there is no specific best time to look for ESL jobs in Russia as the high demand means there are vacant positions available at anytime of the year. Another difference with Russia is that it is common for employers to hire teachers in advance from within their home country. This can be very convenient for many people as you will already know important details such as...  [Read more]

Becoming an ESL teacher provides a one-of-a-kind multi-cultural experience. International travel opportunities, multi-cultural training, and job satisfaction are all job benefits. One of the most significant benefits of obtaining a TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages) qualification is the opportunity to work abroad in an exciting new country and culture. However, there are also some things you should consider before making the move. ESL is a term that is commonly used to refer to teaching English as a second language. It can also refer to the training required to teach English as a second language. Teachers with such credentials are in high demand all over the world. In today's world, English is one of the most widely spoken languages. It has the third-highest...  [Read more]

If you have done any research into teaching English in Europe it is likely that you have read something about the Schengen Area that is made up of 26 countries with a combined population of over 400 million people. Set up in 1985, the Schengen Area has essentially removed all border controls between member countries allowing the free movement of people within the whole area. Prior to this, anyone wanting to travel between any country in the area would need to go through full passport checks at every border they wanted to cross. Now TESOL teachers are free to travel at will across the Schengen Area without any restrictions. Please note that the Schengen Area should not be confused with the European Union which is a separate institution. Once you have entered any country that is a...  [Read more]

Europe is a hugely popular destination for teaching English abroad and subsequently the main hotspots in countries such as Spain and Italy can be difficult to crack as the level of competition is usually very high. If you are lacking in classroom experience or are simply looking for something a little different, then the Central European Teaching Program (CETP) which places teachers into schools across Hungary might be worth a look. To be eligible for the CETP you must be a native English speaker from the US, Canada, the UK, or any other EU country. There is no upper age limit for the program which makes it a particularly popular option with more mature teachers who might find it hard to secure a job elsewhere in the region. The standard program runs from September to mid-June,...  [Read more]

After completing a TESOL course you will be ready to start looking for that all important first teaching job, but how long do employers expect you to commit to them for? Below we outline what you might find when signing contracts in different parts of the world. When working in Europe the most common contract length is for an academic year that generally runs from September to June in most countries. This can be ideal for many teachers as it allows you to take a couple of months off during the summer to travel around the continent, or you can continue earning in a different environment such as a summer camp. English language summer camps run for between four and eight weeks and can be found in many European countries. Contracts for six or even three months are also possible in some...  [Read more]

Chile has a good reputation for teaching English abroad as it is a peaceful, thriving country with a strong demand for teachers year-round. The capital city of Santiago is at the center of the job market, although a smaller number of jobs can be found in other areas of the country. A TESOL certification is not an official requirement for foreign teachers in Chile, but completing a course of at least 120 hours duration before applying for jobs will certainly give you an advantage. Your expected salary when teaching English in Chile will depend on a few different factors, such as your previous classroom experience, level of teaching qualifications, your chosen location, and the type of employer. However, on average most teachers earn between 550,000 and 800,000 CLP (US$800 and $1,200)...  [Read more]

Due to the ever-increasing popularity of English as a second language, there are dozens of great options when it comes to picking a destination for teaching abroad. There are popular destinations on every continent (maybe not Antartica), where jobs are widespread and the quality of life you can expect as a teacher is above the local average. However, there are some places that are easier to get set up in than others. We have looked at a wide range of criteria such as job availability, the visa process, average income compared to average outgoings, how welcome you will feel on arrival, and even the local cuisine, to come up with the following list of great destinations for teaching English abroad. To provide a range of options we have limited it to one country per region. There are...  [Read more]

Turkey occupies a unique position at the junction between Europe and Asia and it is rapidly becoming one of the region?s boom destinations for ESL teachers. Jobs are easily found in major cities and popular tourist areas as the English language is becoming more and more vital in many types of employment. While it is still possible to land a job without any specific qualifications or experience, these positions are not likely to pay very well or offer the best working conditions. To ensure you are eligible for the most sought after jobs, a TESOL qualification is usually required. Some positions will also specify a degree and/or previous classroom experience. Many employers will give preference to teachers whose TESOL course included teaching practice over those who only have an online...  [Read more]

People have many different reasons for wanting to teach English abroad. For some it is the adventure, while others are looking to experience a new culture, or even just to escape the daily 9 to 5 grind. Whatever your reasons, the financial side of heading overseas as a TESOL qualified teacher is also likely to be of some importance. Although the majority of teachers have no problem finding a job that pays them enough to live a comfortable lifestyle, for some it is also essential that they are able to save some of their income to put towards future travel or to pay off student loans etc. Despite being an automatic first choice destination for a large number of TESOL qualified teachers, Europe is often one of the hardest places to save money while teaching English. If you decide on...  [Read more]

Making the decision to leave behind your old life to head overseas as a TESOL qualified teacher will probably be one of the best you ever make. However, you then need to decide which TESOL certification course will suit your plans and give you the level of qualification and knowledge you require to hit the ground running. This is not always a straightforward choice as there are many courses to choose from and each one has its own length of study. All of ITTT’s in-class TESOL courses require a full-time commitment of four weeks at one of our training centers. If you are able to fit it into your schedule and you have sufficient funds to cover all the necessary expenses, this type of course certainly provides the most rounded and in-depth option out there. In theory, you could...  [Read more]

There is a very strong demand for ESL teachers in many parts of Poland which makes it a popular place for first-time teachers to gain classroom experience. EU citizens are free to work anywhere in the country without restrictions which does give them a good advantage, however, as demand is high non-EU citizens will also find plenty of opportunities. Although it is possible to acquire a work permit from within Poland, most teachers find it more convenient to secure a job via an online recruitment site and then apply for an entry visa from a Polish Consulate in their own country. Jobs are widespread throughout the country, although major cities such as Warsaw, Krakow, Lodz, and Wroclaw traditionally have the largest number of openings. Despite the abundance of jobs across the country,...  [Read more]

The timeframe you need to consider in order to complete a TESOL certification course and actually start working as an English teacher will be decided by the style of course you sign-up for, the location you choose to work in, and how much time and effort you are willing to put into your studies. As a rough guide we would suggest you allow in the region of four to six months from the day you start your TESOL course to actually starting a teaching job. However, if you are in a real hurry, there are ways to lower this time frame. If you want a quick way to get your teaching career up and running, this is often the best way to go about it. Theoretically, you could sign-up for an in-class TESOL certification course a day or two before it starts and be fully certified and ready to...  [Read more]

Many people find ESL jobs around the world with an online TESOL certification. The truth is, it is possible to find teaching jobs with no qualifications at all. The question you really need to ask is, can I get a job that pays well and offers good working conditions? Although the answer is still yes, you need to make sure that the course you choose is of the highest quality you can find. The unavoidable drawback of taking a TESOL course online is the obvious lack of any teaching practice. If your budget can stretch to a month-long in-class training course you will have many hours to practice the theory you have learned with real language learners in an authentic classroom environment. This type of course will open up a wider range of opportunities in many countries around the world....  [Read more]

There is nothing that can be said about Paris that hasn’t been said before; it really is an unbelievable destination to take a tesol course. From everywhere come things that demand your attention, with sights, sounds, smells and tastes that attack your every sense. What can be more quintessentially French than the romance that runs along the River Seine, huge landscapes painted on canvases, or enjoying a cappuccino in a café while discussing the finer points of French cuisine? Whatever your best opinions of france, Paris will surpass them. While taking the TESOL course our students can fill their views with hugely impressive monuments and works of fine art, satisfy their taste buds with the famous French cheese, wine, chocolate and seafood and enjoy the contrasting feeling of fear and...  [Read more]

As online TESOL training has become so popular in recent years you will find some people suggesting that in-class courses are no longer relevant. The truth is somewhat different. Online courses offer a great deal of flexibility and convenience and are therefore here to stay. However, in-class TESOL courses provide a range of unique benefits that online options just can't match. On top of all the main benefits mentioned below, our in-class TESOL course can be taken in one of many fantastic locations around the world. Probably the biggest advantage that in-class TESOL courses have over online courses is the fact that they include several hours of Observed Teaching Practice (OTP). OTP involves planning and delivering your own lessons for real language learners in an authentic classroom...  [Read more]

When you enroll with ITTT for a TEFL or TESOL training program, the choice is yours regarding the title on your certificate - either TEFL or TESOL. Both terms are synonymous in the world of English language teaching. If you have set your sights on a particular region or country, a quick review of local job listings may indicate a preference for one acronym over the other. For instance, if job advertisements in a region tend to request TEFL qualifications, then it would be prudent to choose that title. Conversely, if TESOL appears more frequently, then that would be the better pick. After successfully finishing your course and obtaining your certificate, the next adventure awaits - finding a teaching role. Numerous opportunities beckon from countries around the world. Let's explore some top...  [Read more]