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Contributed By: Nicola RocheWant to travel the world and make money while doing so?
For those of us who aren’t computer coding whiz kids - not to worry! There are alternatives.
Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL) is a fantastic paid job that will enable you to make money while traveling abroad as well as providing a ready-made community of locals from the moment you hit the ground. In 2016, I quit my office job in London. Carrying my Deuter backpack I boarded a one-way flight to Hanoi, Vietnam. It was an exhilarating
and slightly terrifying experience, having never been to Vietnam in my life! I relocated to Taiwan four years ago to continue my ESL career and dabble in another new culture. These are some biggest hurdles you’ll need to overcome before you can get started.
How to Get Certified
First things first, and that’s getting certified. It can be tricky to find the right course with so many options out there. For people who want to teach adults, I’d recommend getting CELTA but if you think you will be better suited to teaching kids then a TEFL certification is the way to go. CELTA is much more expensive and in-depth than the other options but it’s not really necessary. After tons of research, I settled on TEFL Academy UK, a reputable company that’s been in the business for years. As a total teaching newbie, it prepared me for creating lesson plans and managing a classroom. You’ll want a TEFL certificate of at least 120 hours to get hired in most schools.
How to Choose a Country
Choosing a country to teach in can be overwhelming. Research your options, and create a list of countries you’d love to explore. Each country will have different requirements. Taiwan for example requires teachers to hold a bachelor’s degree and a TEFL certificate, while Vietnam is more flexible. Oftentimes, being a native speaker alone is enough to secure a teaching gig.
Some important questions to ask yourself before deciding on a destination are:
- Are you a city slicker or a nature lover?
- Is earning and saving money a priority?
- How often do you want to travel?
- What is the ex-pat community like, is it easy to integrate?
- Are you interested in learning another language and what type?
- What is the transport system like? Are you willing to ride a scooter?
Top Countries for English Language Teachers
South Korea
The fact that South Korea accepts many first-time teachers along with its generous salaries and benefits (including paid airfares and contract completion bonuses) make it one of the most popular English teaching destinations. Jobs are abundant with wages averaging $2,300 - $3,300 AUD per month. Not to mention the low cost of living.
Taiwan
Taiwan is the hidden gem of teaching in Asia, thanks to tons of teaching opportunities and high salaries. Taiwan’s modern cities, friendly locals, hot springs, beaches, amazing trails, and indigenous culture make it a hit with ex-pats. Arrive on a 90-day tourist visa and begin your job search. Salaries start range from $3,500-$4,500 AUD depending on the school, this also includes national health insurance.
Vietnam
I loved my time teaching in Hanoi. Known for its large ex-pat community, fantastic food scene, and jobs a-plenty! The amazing landscape and rich culture attract thousands of teachers every year. The salary is nothing to be sniffed at - $2,000 AUD - $3,500 per month along with a super low cost of living of around $1,471 AUD per month
China
As China rises in the global economy its need for English teachers continues to grow with more Chinese citizens requiring English for their work. The high demand for English speakers means companies compete for teachers offering exciting salaries (anywhere from $3,000-$5,000 AUD per month). It’s a great opportunity to work and save a significant portion of your salary for your next adventure.
Japan
The land of the rising sun offers one of the highest salaries for teaching in Asia (this is somewhat unfortunately balanced out by the high cost of living but it still allows for a great lifestyle). Secure a job with a school providing accommodation and you’ll be saving money in no time! Monthly salaries in Japan range between $2,500 AUD and $4,000 AUD often including bonuses and perks.
How to Find Work
Don’t worry, you don’t need to find a job before you arrive! When I moved to Hanoi in 2016, I arrived without a job offer. For me, it was important to secure accommodation and to have a base before finding a job. This allows you to be pickier, and with hundreds of ESL schools in Hanoi, I felt confident I’d find a job. It was important for me to meet the employers and see the school in person before signing a contract.
If you want the peace of mind of having a job before booking a flight, many international schools will interview you remotely. Before I relocated to Taipei, Taiwan. I researched schools online and had an interview. It was comforting to know I had a job and starting date locked in before boarding a flight.
What to Pack
The climate is an important factor when deciding what to pack especially when moving to a tropical country like Vietnam or Thailand, where the classrooms get extremely muggy in the summertime.
Here are my fave must-have items for travelling Asia!
Luggage Bags
When I made the move to Vietnam, I carried a 30L backpack onboard and checked in a 120-roller bag. When teaching I needed a pack with functional features and enough capacity to store my laptop and other teaching materials. Due to the long monsoon seasons, I also needed it to be waterproof.
Checked Baggage: Caribee Global Explorer 125L Wheeled Travel Bag
Carry-On Backpack: Caribee Traveller 40 Carry-On Backpack
Smart Breathable Pants
All of the schools I worked in had a casual dress code, I wore light-breathable pants for most of the year, and these were also ideal for weekend hikes. These Arcteryx Gamma LT Pants will be able to take you from the trails to the classroom!
Lightweight T-Shirts
If you want to feel fresh throughout your teaching day, quick dry T-shirts are the way to go. They are easily washed, dried, and ready for the next day. Giving you more time to get those lesson plans in check.
Down Jacket
The winters in Northern Vietnam and Taiwan, tend to get chilly. This down jacket is small enough to roll tightly in my backpack and kept me warm during class. The North Face Thermoboll Range is a great option for a highly packable down jacket.
Comfy shoes
An essential, whether chasing after kindergarten students or exploring the best local landmarks. These ultra-comfortable shoes should provide cushioning and support while also being stylish enough to wear around town. My pick for casual shoes is the Teva Hurricane XTL2 Sandals and the Brooks Adrenaline GTS 22 for comfy runners.
Water Bottle
Considering portability and durability, I found the Grayl purifying water bottle to be ideal. You can fill up from hotel taps across the globe without the worry of catching any dodgy waterborne viruses, not to mention it saves on buying so many single-use plastic bottles!
Waterproof Rain Jacket
With most countries in Asia having a monsoon season, a great raincoat is essential to pack. I found this The North Face Dryzzle Waterproof Jacket to be lightweight and breathable enough to wear in high humidity and also loved that the pockets are big enough to keep your phone and wallet protected.
Lightweight Travel Towel
The Tek Towel from Sea To Summit is essential for weekends away, it’s lightweight and is made of quick dry material. Making it convenient to wash and reuse.
Hat And Beanie
Sun protection was an essential item for me to protect my pale Irish skin! Beanies will keep you cozy on those colder winter mornings and a bucket hat or cap is essential to keep sunburn at bay!
Essential Accessories
I stayed in Vietnamese homestays and hostels around Asia during my time off. These are some other essential items you won’t want to leave without.
Packing up and moving to another country may sound intimidating but if I can do it, so can you! Teaching English has opened the doors to some of my most life-changing experiences. I’ve been able to visit so many countries, meet amazing people from around the world, and learn so much about myself along the way. Best of luck on your next adventure!
If you’re still undecided on the gear you need for your next adventure, chat with our gear experts online or in-store. Don’t forget to share your adventures with us on social media at @wildearthaustralia and use the hashtag #MyWildEarth to be featured!
About the Contributor:
Nicola Roche is an English Language Teacher and travel writer based in Taipei. After venturing around South East Asia, she fell in love with Taiwan’s landscapes, culture and people. When she's not working, you'll find her snacking her way through the famous night markets in Taipei, cafe hopping with her three-legged dog, Layla, or hiking to remote hidden hot springs.
