You CAN travel to an exciting, foreign country and teach English without a college degree.

Considering the overwhelming number of possible places to teach overseas, it’s inevitable that each country will require different qualifications for English instructors. Because of visa requirements or government restrictions, certain countries may require that English teachers hold a four-year degree, but if you don't have a degree, do not let this deter you. There are many, many places throughout the world where you can live and explore while teaching English, even without a university degree.

Schools in countries the world over will hire you to teach English abroad without a college degree if you have a TEFL certification from an accredited program.  Numerous destinations throughout South America, and some in Europe and Asia, will hire you to teach English abroad without a bachelor’s degree. With a TEFL certificate and native-English speaking abilities, you have all you need to provide your students with high-quality language instruction. China, Spain, Mexico, Costa Rica, Argentina and Russia are among the most popular countries to teach in without a college degree, as well as the most actively in need of English teachers.


1)    China - A fantastically large English-teaching market, China’s growing middle class demands access to English language instruction. The country’s economy is booming, accompanied by a strong need for English teachers. Native English speakers can work teaching in China without a college degree very easily. Language schools in throughout the country prefer a degree but with nearly 300,000,000 students learning English in China each year, schools need native English teachers. Bejing and Shanghai will most likely have severe competition from those with a degree, but there are over 100 cities in China with over 1 million people such as Nanjing, Chongqing and Hangzhou.  Language schools in  China frequently provide foreign English teachers with such benefits as free airfare, housing allowances, medical insurance, paid vacation and a completion bonus.

恭喜发财 - “Congratulations and Be Prosperous!"  

Greetings to nearly 2 billion people in China, Asia and throughout the world who are celebrating the Lunar New Year, the most important holiday of the year for millions from Shanghai to Singapore. Centuries old and based in ancient Chinese myth and tradition, the “Spring Festival” as it is known in China is a two-week celebration centered around family gatherings, special foods and other traditions that vary from region to region. Many of these customs revolve around the ideals of reflecting on oneself and ushering in good fortune for the New Year.  The Lunar New Year in 2012 begins on January 23 and is the Year of the Dragon.  From Korea and Vietnam to Taiwan and Malaysia, this holiday is a cultural focal point in many of the most popular destinations for certified English teachers.  

Teach English in Vietnam

- Do you want to live in the heart of Asia in a nation boasting dynamic cities, stunning landscapes, magnificent beaches and thousands of years of history and culture?

- Do you want to live in a tropical nation where the warmth of the people matches that of the weather and that combines the pulsating energy of one of the world’s fastest growing economies with classic Asian charm and beauty?

- Can you see yourself living and working in a country where good salaries and an amazingly low cost of living enables a first-time English teacher to save $500-$600 a month after expenses?

Heung Gong in Cantonese, or “Fragrant Harbor” when translated into English, Hong Kong is an island of concentrated wealth, beauty, and vitality. Seized by the British in 1841 and handed off to the Chinese in 1997, history has shaped the city into the economic and cultural hub of Asian enterprise that it is today.

Have you wanted to see the world and get paid to teach English abroad? 

This video is your first step to build that dream.  Share this with your friends who also want to live abroad. 

In its 2,500-year existence, Rome’s royalty, cardinals, artists and imperialists have carved out an empire with innumerable treasures to explore. Harboring some of the world’s most famous architectural heirlooms, the city itself exudes a cosmopolitan and romantic atmosphere. Regarded as both an international fashion capital and a millennium-long seat of religious and cultural power, Rome is truly at the center of it all.

Beyond it’s aesthetic beauty, Rome is also the hottest place in Italy to find an English teaching position. English, the language of international business and culture, is a valuable commodity amongst Romans of all ages. The locals of this Rome encapsulate its passionate spirit and uniquely flavorful soul. From its abundant markets to its outdoor cafes, this “Eternal City” is a feast for all the senses- take it all in while working as an English teacher.

Energetic and innovative, Turkey is a country moving towards modernization at an astounding pace. Turkey’s Education Minister is planning to hire 40,000 native English-speaking teachers to assist with English language classes across the country.  The government hopes to recruit 10,000 qualified English teachers a year as a part of a four-year project to improve Turkey’s methods of English language instruction.

“The new system focuses on speaking,” said Ünal Akyüz, head of the Turkish Ministry of Education’s projects department. Classes will be held on weekends, over summer vacations, and will have both native-speaking English teachers and Turkish teachers of English present in the classroom. A TEFL certification will prepare you to instruct students to be confident, capable, speakers of English.

Newly hired English teachers will have the chance to work a variety of roles supplementing the grammar-focused curriculum currently in place. Serving one-year contracts to start, teachers will assist in the organization of extra-curricular activities, work in ‘English cafes’ and hold conversation classes for Turkish English instructors. “We aim to show that English language education is not limited to teaching grammar, but that speaking and writing are important as well” Minister Akyüz has said.

Additionally the ministry hopes to team up with the Radio and Television Supreme Council (RTÜK) and the Turkish Radio and Television Corporation (TRT) to air popular cartoons and children’s shows in English with Turkish subtitles. The project will likely start in Turkey’s large urban centers, such as Istanbul and Ankara.

In Turkey one finds the cultural richness of the Middle East crossed with Western secularism- a captivating blend of the ancient and the modern, the familiar and the exotic. Turkey is the axis between Asia, Africa, and Europe, and its location has long shaped its cosmopolitan approach to nightlife, style, and cuisine. The country’s vast history has left a deep and fascinating legacy, waiting to be explored by potential English instructors.

Santiago is the financial and political center of Chile, yet with numerous museums, lively dancehalls, and a rich culinary scene, it is it’s cultural capital as well. Emerging as a global financial hub after a decade of steady growth, Chile’s booming economy has yet to show signs of slowing down. English teaching jobs in Santiago are at a surplus, and free trade agreement signed with the United States in 2003 only accelerated the Chilean capital’s need for English instruction. Explore this charming, colorful and sophisticated Latin American city and immerse yourself in the Spanish language, while financing your trip as a paid English teacher.

Wedged between the jagged peaks of the Andes and the sea, both the city and it's surroundings are attractive to visitors. Packed with bohemian artists enclaves, museums, and chic cafes, Santiago's clean and efficient subway system can whisk you from one neighborhood to the next in mere minutes. Grandiose government buildings and colonial-era landmarks crowd the center of town, while shopping centers in nearby districts bustle with fashionable Santiaguinos looking for a bargain. To sate your appetite at any time of day, simply stroll along the city’s wide boulevards and duck into the nearest eatery- in Santiago, a fresh and inexpensive meal is never far away.

Hot springs, wineries and world-class skiing are all in close proximity, providing a respite from the daily grind. Multiple ski resorts offer travelers access to South America’s best downhill skiing. Nestled in the foothills you’ll find some of Chile’s oldest vineyards, those responsible for Chile’s renowned red wine exports. The eastern sector of the valley, known as “Alto Maipo”, consistently produces wine to suit any palate, and luxurious hotels serving authentic Chilean cuisine. Just 30 miles outside the city, you can easily rent a bike and navigate Maipo’s winding roads in an afternoon. Easter Island and Patagonia are a bit further afield, a brief flight’s distance away.

The academic year in Santiago begins in March and ends in December. The hiring season runs from February to March, though international language schools hire almost year-round. Chile’s recent economic growth has expanded the need for English teaching jobs, particularly in the sphere of business. There are plenty of English teaching jobs in Chile teaching private or group classes for company employees and business executives. English teachers in Chile typically make between 500-800 USD per month (which is the cost of living).

Because Santiago is Chile’s economic, political, and cultural center, the majority of English teaching positions will be found in and around the capital. However, teaching jobs in Chile are available nationwide, ranging from the northern cities of Arica and Iquique, to the central coastal towns of Viña del Mar and Valparaiso, to Concepcion, Valdivia, and Puerto Montt further south.  A lower cost of living in Chile affords TEFL certified teachers the opportunity to live comfortably, and travel throughout the country and South America during their time abroad.