So you are considering teaching abroad but want to be convinced that it is the right decision? You have come to the right place.
As someone who has taught in England, Turkey, North Cyprus, and Sweden, I can assure you that the benefits of this journey outweigh any potential challenges.
Seize the opportunity and prepare yourself for a life-changing adventure.
Here are 5 reasons you should teach in another country:
1- Because you’ll make some cash
Teaching can be lucrative, but you have to hit the road. How much can you earn? It depends on where you go and how long you’ll stay. After two years in North Cyprus, my wife and I have saved £30,000. Although my salary was considerably less than in London, the cost of living in North Cyprus allowed me to save more than I had ever done in the UK. Kati & Ben, authors of the blog twowanderingsoles have saved 44,000 USD over a year while teaching in South Korea.
North Cyprus and South Korea are not the only options; you should also consider China, Japan, Taiwan, or the Gulf Arab States. Imagine saving up to 50% of your salary; imagine working in Dubai and earning 4,000 dollars a month, tax-free.
Nomadicmatt has written an excellent post about the best places to teach overseas; it will help you decide.
2- Because you’ll live the life
Money is not everything; teaching abroad means discovering new places and cultures. Do you remember the daily travelling pictures on your Instagram thread? Now it is your turn. The best part is that it won’t be as superficial as a setup picture because you’ll learn customs and traditions. You will naturally complain like a French, move your hands like an Italian, or wobble your head like an Indian.
Teaching abroad is a once-in-a-lifetime experience with endless opportunities. In addition, each holiday gives you a chance to discover the country you live in and its surroundings. A South African friend of mine has been teaching in Sweden for a year; within the same year, he has been to 6 countries and 16 different cities.
3- Because it will help your career
One question I often hear is:
Will teaching abroad help my career?
Absolutely. Teaching abroad will boost your career in many ways. You will build meaningful professional relationships (think of your LinkedIn profile) and gain a global understanding of education by experiencing different pedagogical methods.
A teacher is expected to be a lifelong learner. Teaching abroad does just that:
- you might learn a new language
- you will gain experience in a different educational system
- you’ll develop cross-cultural communication skills.
Your CV will receive an extra boost that will put you one step above the other candidates; nothing pays more than experience.
As a supply teacher, I was once called to teach in a Year 3 class. A new child, who spoke no English, was screaming and running around. I sat by his side and tried to communicate with him. When I heard his name, I knew he was Turkish. The look on his face when he heard his mother tongue was priceless. Guess what? The school wanted me to be back every day.
4- Because travelling will transform you
You have read enough Instagram and Pinterest quotes about becoming a better self. There is no better teacher than experience. Teach abroad if you want to leave your comfort zone and look for challenging and rewarding experiences. When you teach abroad, you are on your journey. You will become more independent, and you will learn how to adapt, how to let go, and how to live with less but feel more. You will become a new and better version of yourself.
5- Because you’ll meet like-minded people
Others took the leap before you, so wherever you go, you’ll meet a community of expats willing to discover the world. These friendly groups will welcome you like family, teach you the dos and don’ts, and take you to new places. Among them, you’ll make lifelong friends who will become the pillars of your life.
My pillars are:
- A Mauritian history teacher.
- A Polish muay Thai fighter.
- A Turkish chef.
- A Brazilian BJJ black belt.
When you hit the road, there is no way to know what awaits you, who you will meet, and in what circumstances. Yes, life is full of surprises, and when you take a teaching job abroad, surprises come daily.
6- Because you’ll have a lot of free time
Have you ever taught in England? If the answer is yes, you are aware of the increasing workload, and constant pressure teachers are subjected to.
Believe it or not, teaching abroad is a whole new world. In Sweden, for example, you are not expected to mark books; you heard it right, no book marking. Teaching in countries like Sweden will allow you to discover what a work-life balance is.
Think of it; you will be moving with a suitcase; this is minimalism. Will all your free time, you will be ready to live quality over quantity. My favorite thing in a new city is to try a new coffee shop every day. Close your eyes and picture yourself teaching in your dream country? What would you do with all your free time?
Takeaways
What are you waiting for? Whether you want to teach maths, sciences, or languages, there is no reason for you to delay your departure.
Teaching abroad will give you a chance to earn and save, improve your resume, travel, and live life fully, but most importantly, it will put you on a journey, and each journey is transformative. The experience will turn your life around and make a new person out of you. You will be amazed at your ability to embrace change and to immerse yourself in the culture.
Final tips:
Can I teach abroad with QTS?
Absolutely. You can teach abroad with your Qualified Teachers Status.
Can I teach abroad with PGCE?
Absolutely. You can teach abroad with your PGCE, but you will be a better candidate with your QTS.
Can I teach abroad with just TEFL?
Absolutely. There are thousands of teachers teaching abroad with just TEFL.
Excellent post. Thank you