With global borders opening up once more, now is the perfect moment to think about working and traveling overseas again. However, with so many nations to choose from, it can be overwhelming to know where to begin the search.
Luckily, help is at hand in the form of becoming a TEFL (Teach English as a Foreign Language) teacher. Knowing the ins and outs of this particular profession makes the challenge of finding the dream job just that little bit easier.
Of course, different places have their requirements for visa entry, so it is a good idea to go ahead and get a reliable and verifiable TEFL certification before setting off. With that in hand, though, here are some countries that are up and coming in the world of teaching TEFL, especially online.
To learn more about remote learning, check this article: Top Remote Learning Companies to Watch.
China
For absolutely anyone who wants to know about how to teach English in China from the TEFL Org, this simple guide is the ideal place to commence the research. From understanding the entry requirements, all the way through to handy tips on local information, this easy-to-use guide has it all.
Teaching TEFL in China is more exciting than ever, with a massive population of potential students, from all walks of life, ready and willing to take on their English language learning journey.
For those who love the hustle and bustle of big city life, the capital city of Beijing is absolutely one option to think about. Perhaps some online TEFL teaching in the morning could be followed by an afternoon sojourn to the Forbidden City, before returning in the evening to hold some more sessions online.
Alternatively, smaller Chinese cities like Jinan also hold their appeal. With the well-known 1,000 Buddha Statue Mountain overlooking the city, this could be the ideal spot to recharge before setting off on the rewarding process of teaching TEFL virtually.
Thailand
Another country that is a hotspot for teaching TEFL virtually is Thailand. It does pay to get that TEFL qualification in hand before setting off, as the majority of TEFL recruiters do prioritize candidates who have gone the extra mile in their search for high-level TEFL training.
Once in Thailand, a TEFL teacher should be able to find a steady internet connection almost anywhere. Another facet worth bearing in mind is that good equipment is crucial whether that is having a fast computer or electronic device, preferably one with a half-decent camera and microphone capacity too.
The joys of Thailand are far and wide, from the hectic pace of Bangkok to the leisurely lifestyle promoted on the islands of Koh Samui and Phuket. In any case, with a large and thriving expatriate community, perhaps it is also a good spot to consider the benefits of setting up a community TEFL project, in the form of volunteering at local schools or even keeping a remote connection going in the long term through sharing lesson plans remotely.
Brazil
Looking towards South America, the huge and vibrant nation of Brazil offers a little bit of everything for any new TEFL teacher. From the monumental statue of Christ the Redeemer overlooking Rio de Janeiro (which translates as the January River), to the beaches of Copacabana, where anybody from any walk of life can soak up the rays, Brazilian culture is enticing for anybody.
One benefit of teaching TEFL online in Brazil is that it could keep one young, as students here tend to come from pretty much every age demographic. This might lead to a transition from a TEFL class with a group of kindergartners, to an online class with a retired person who would like to develop their English speaking fluency for communicating with their friends across the globe.
Class topics may well also be hugely varied, from speaking about Carnival to the sport of football, which is followed feverishly by most of the population. Just the mention of the name Pele is likely to ignite a passionate and frenzied discourse on the subject of who the greatest footballer ever to play the game was.
As with the other countries mentioned above, it is an advantage to have an authentic TEFL certificate to call upon. Most schools and academies, probably will not even consider a candidate who does not have this in their portfolio.
Mexico
Located further north, in the heart of Central America, Mexico is another nation with a wide and diverse historical background to call upon, from the Aztecs and Mayans, through to the Conquistadors, and even notorious outlaws like the Zapatistas in the last century. This makes teaching and living in Mexico such a wonderful and richly rewarding experience on a cultural level.
For a TEFL teacher, there are opportunities galore to work in and around this developing nation. Of course, one of the most obvious and promising areas to look at is working in and around young learners, and there are many reasons for this.
For one thing, children tend to be much more able to acquire language easily, through aspects such as play and repetition on a subconscious level. This means that many complicated or complex grammar aspects might be introduced more slowly or softly, and then gradually brought into performance over time.
Additionally, teaching TEFL online to young students means operating at a level that many of these kids are comfortable with. For example, using online videos to show how a vocabulary point works is likely to engage them and be comparable to how they consume other forms of media in this modern era. However, for others, teaching adults in Mexico could be more rewarding, and there is a large tourist industry that caters to American and Canadian audiences, which enables a TEFL teacher in Mexico to teach this kind of learner too.
