One of the most common digital nomad jobs is teaching English as a foreign language (TEFL). This is a career that can offer you steady employment in another country or the freedom to work remotely while you travel. It’s your choice.
This article is part of a series on digital nomad jobs.
Why Teach English?
If you are a native English speaker, you have a skill that other people want very much to learn. English is not only the international language of travel — it’s the international language of business as well. That’s why people all over the world would like to become fluent. They also want their children to learn English.
Teaching English as a second language is a common way for native English speakers to find work overseas or to earn money online while traveling.
Training for this career
Speaking English is just one qualification for this work. It’s also very helpful to have a bachelor’s degree in any subject, but it isn’t absolutely necessary for all jobs. Having some kind of TEFL training is sometimes required as well, and will help you excel in this field. There are online programs that will teach you the skills you need to be a great teacher. This bestselling Udemy course, for example, has great reviews and isn’t expensive at all. You can learn everything you need to get certified or to begin working for less than the cost of one college course.
TEFL Essentials: Teaching English as a Foreign Language
Some people choose to volunteer as English teachers, often in exchange for room and board. Others take jobs teaching in schools or in English-language academies around the world, allowing them to settle in one place for the duration of their contract and experience life in a foreign country on a very deep level.
Digital Nomad Jobs
Those looking for the freedom of a digital nomad job that can work remotely teaching online. This is a great option for people who want to earn extra income from home as well as for nomads
You’ll work with your phone or computer and meet with students one-on-one to offer either full-fledged instruction or conversational practice. Teachers with a college degree, some teaching experience, and TEFL training have the highest earnings. If you have good business skills and the ability to create programs that students love, you can do very well financially by creating and marketing your own programs — but it isn’t necessary.
With a bachelor’s degree but no teaching experience, expect to earn about $20 an hour working with programs that provide a curriculum for you to use. Without a degree, you can offer conversational practice as an online tutor. Tutors typically earn about $10 an hour and can create their own schedules.
There are a variety of companies that hire for both positions. Some of the top names are VIPKids, Dada, and Teach Away for teachers, and iTalki, QKids, and Amazing Talker for non-degreed tutors, but the industry is very competitive and growing fast. Google “teach English online” or “tutor English online without a degree” to see who the current industry leaders are when you’re ready to look for work.
The No Footprint Nomads blog is maintaining a database of more than 200 teaching opportunities, with salaries and other information.
