You know why you want to teach abroad, and you’ve worked out when you’d like your adventure to begin, but have you thought of the final ‘w’: where?
There are a whole host of factors you need to consider when picking the perfect location to live and work. Some of these will be general things like salary and working hours, while others will be down to personal preference – for instance, if you crave a culture similar or completely different to that of the UK.
So, if you’re set on spreading your wings and enriching the lives of children with an international teaching job, here are four destinations worth researching:
1. China
A population of 1.4 billion makes China the world’s most populous country. It’s famed for its intriguing culture and diverse landscapes, from sprawling metropolises to vast mountain ranges and baron deserts. You could spend a lifetime living in China and still not unearth all of its seemingly-endless wonders.
As far as teaching is concerned, recent years have witnessed a surge in international school openings. As a result, there’s strong demand for English-speaking teachers and competition in the sector is fierce, with schools often boasting top-class facilities. Its economy is booming but still, the cost of living is far cheaper than in the UK, particularly if you settle outside of the city.
2. Dubai
If you can stand the heat then Dubai, with its year-round sunshine (and occasional, British-style downpour), could be just the ticket. A sparkling gem surrounded by dessert, this United Arab Emirates city oozes luxury and style, with its hotels, restaurants and shopping centres rated some of the best on the planet.
Teachers can take their pick from international, public or foreign language schools; students are often from affluent families and overall behavioural standards are exceptionally high. Teachers who have already made the move praise the schools for their top-level facilities, enviable (tax-free) salaries and development opportunities. Expect some competition to land a role here – having years of industry experience can help.
3. Spain
If you don’t want to stray too far from your home country, there are plenty of pros to working in Spain(and not just the siestas!). From bustling Barcelona to magical Madrid and stunning Seville (ranked one of Lonely Planet’s top ten cities to visit in 2018), Spain’s cities are places of immense beauty and intrigue; places where the classic and contemporary co-exist in perfect harmony. If you’re not a city dweller, you might find your dream teaching role in an off-the-beaten track town that’s rugged and rural in equal measures.
Though the economy has slowed down in recent years, demand for English teachers remains strong. One thing that’s worth bearing in mind is that the cost of living is much higher than certain countries in Asia, South America or the Middle East, but this isn’t necessarily matched with higher salaries.
4. Brazil
Beautiful Brazil is a country that has it all – lush rainforests, white-sanded beaches and thriving cities, not to mention one of the best street-food scenes around. It’s South America’s largest country with teaching opportunities aplenty.
While teacher salaries are comparable to UK schools, the cost of living is much lower, meaning your money will stretch a lot further. Many international schools provide help finding accommodation and offer a ‘settling in’ allowance; you can also expect them to make pensions contributions and pay a bonus at the end of your contract. A minimum of two years’ experience is required for most roles at these schools.
Many teachers who have moved abroad to teach will tell you it’s the best decision they’ve ever made. Your dream teaching role is out there, you just need to go and find it – and you can do just that by searching our jobs board today.
