When it comes to teaching English abroad as a South African passport holder, it can be quite confusing! With visas, qualifications, and requirements in mind, you might find yourself wondering ‘Where can South Africans TEFL?’. We’ve got the answer for you! To make things slightly easier, we’ve put together our top 10 countries for South African TEFL teachers. Check out what we’ve got on offer for you…
Europe
A TEFL hotspot for many South African English teachers, Europe has a lot to offer when it comes to culture, travel, and jobs…
1. Spain
Whether you’re a degree holder or not, there are plenty of TEFL jobs available for you in Spain! From bustling cities such as Madrid and Barcelona to more remote areas like the Basque country, you’ll never be out of work on the Iberian Peninsula!
Average salary: South African TEFL teachers can earn around R16,508.75 – R23,858.53 per month teaching English in Spain.
Qualifications needed: To teach English in Spain you’ll need a TEFL certificate. No experience is needed; however, it is often preferred.
Job types: You can find work in private schools, public schools, language centres, and through private tuition.
Top 3 cities: The top 3 cities for South African TEFL teachers are Madrid, Barcelona, and Valencia.
2. Poland
Over the past two decades, Poland has become one of the best TEFL destinations for South African TEFL teachers in Europe. Thanks to its geographical location and links to the UK, there’s never been a better time to teach English here!
Average salary: South African TEFL teachers can earn around R11,010.54 – R13,766.71 per month teaching English in Poland.
Qualifications needed: To land your dream TEFL job in Poland, you’ll need a TEFL certificate and a bachelor’s degree.
Job types: TEFL teachers can find work through private tuition, as well as through private schools, public schools, and English language centres.
Top 3 cities: The top 3 cities for South African TEFL teachers are Warsaw, Krakow, and Gdansk.
Latin America
Latin America is one of the best TEFL destinations for non-degree holders! In fact, some countries in Latin America have the lowest entry requirements for TEFL teachers, so all you often need is a basic TEFL certification!
3. Mexico
Did you know? Mexico is one of the best TEFL destinations for non-degree holders. That’s right, you can land a top TEFL job here without having been to university – amazing! This vibrant Central American country welcomes thousands of TEFL teachers every year from around the globe, so get ready for the adventure of a lifetime!
Average salary: As a South African TEFL teacher, you can expect to earn around R7,067.10 – R 14,134.20 per month teaching English in Mexico.
Qualifications needed: You don’t need a degree to teach English in Mexico. All you need is a TEFL certificate – simple!
Job types: You can find TEFL jobs in private schools, public schools, and language centres.
Top 3 cities: The top 3 cities for South African TEFL teachers are Mexico City, Tijuana, and Leon.
4. Colombia
If you’re wanting to bag your dream TEFL job abroad but don’t have a degree, Colombia could be the perfect destination for you. With heaps of TEFL jobs available and the promise of adventure, you’d be mad to miss out on everything it has to offer!
Average salary: South African TEFL teachers can earn around R9,893.94 – R14,134.20 per month teaching English in Colombia.
Qualifications needed: You’ll need a TEFL certificate to teach English in Colombia.
Job types: You can find teaching jobs in language centres, private schools, and public schools across the country.
Top 3 cities: The top 3 cities for South African TEFL teachers are Bogota, Medellin, and Cali.
5. Peru
Breathtaking beauty, stunning scenery, and lush landscapes make Peru one of the best TEFL destinations. If you’re looking to kickstart your TEFL career but don’t have a degree or any previous teaching experience, then Peru could be the perfect place for you! With plenty of TEFL opportunities available, you’ll soon become a teaching pro in no time!
Average salary: South African TEFL teachers can earn a salary of around R7,067.10 – R9,893.94 per month.
Qualifications needed: To teach English in Peru, you only need a TEFL certificate.
Job types: From language centres to state-run schools, you can find TEFL jobs almost anywhere in Peru!
Top 3 cities: The top 3 cities for South African TEFL teachers are Lima, Arequipa, and Trujillo.
Asia
When you first think about teaching English abroad, your mind might automatically think about TEFLing in Asia – we’re not surprised! Almost half of all TEFL jobs can be found in countries in Asia and some of the top-paying TEFL employers are here too!
6. Taiwan
Competition for TEFL jobs in Taiwan is extremely fierce, so get ready to stand out from the crowd. If you’ve already gained some teaching experience, are confident in the classroom, and have a degree under your belt, then this could be the perfect place for you!
Average salary: South African TEFL teachers can earn around R28,268.40 – R33,922.08 per month teaching English in Taiwan.
Qualifications needed: Generally speaking, you’ll need a TEFL certificate and bachelor’s degree to teach English in Taiwan.
Job types: You can find work in private and public schools, or through private tuition. You can also earn some extra cash teaching business English on the side – amazing!
Top 3 cities: The top 3 cities for South African TEFL teachers are Kaohsiung, New Taipei, and Taichung.
7. China
With generous salaries, amazing career opportunities, and a rich cultural past, China continues to be a hotspot for English language teachers. From large, modern cities such as Beijing and Shanghai to more remote and traditional places such as Guilin, China has it all!
Average salary: South African TEFL teachers can earn around R11,929.26 – R44,056.30 per month teaching English in China.
Qualifications needed: To teach English in China, you’ll need a bachelor’s degree and TEFL certificate.
Job types: You can find work in private and public schools as well as language centres. If you’re looking to make some extra cash, you can also teach extra-curricular classes or business English in your free time – winner!
Top 3 cities: The top 3 cities for South African TEFL teachers are Beijing, Shanghai, and Suzhou.
8. Cambodia
Slap-bang in Southeast Asia, Cambodia is the perfect destination for any TEFL teachers who are wanting to travel in their free time. Competition for TEFL jobs is a lot less competitive here than in places such as China and Taiwan, so don’t be afraid to apply to your dream TEFL job – you’ve got this!
Average salary: South African TEFL teachers can earn around R 14,134.20 – R 28,268.40 per month teaching English in Cambodia.
Qualifications needed: To teach English in Cambodia, you’ll need a TEFL certificate.
Job types: You can find TEFL jobs in language centres and public schools.
Top 3 cities: The top 3 cities for South African TEFL teachers are Phnom Penh, Takeo, and Kampong Saom.
9. Thailand
If you’re looking to teach and beach, Thailand sounds like the right place for you! Blessed with palm-fringed beaches, clear waters, and sunny blue sky you’re almost guaranteed a great time! There are heaps of TEFL opportunities available for degree and non-degree holders, so get ready to fill out those application forms!
Average salary: As a South African TEFL teacher, you can expect to earn around R11,010.54 – R16,508.75 per month teaching English in Thailand.
Qualifications needed: To teach English in Thailand, you’ll need a TEFL certificate and a degree. Don’t have a degree? Check out our volunteer TEFL Internship in Thailand!
Job types: You can find TEFL jobs in public schools, private schools, and language centres across Thailand.
Top 3 cities: The top 3 cities for South African TEFL teachers are Bangkok, Phuket, and Chiang Mai.
10. Vietnam
Much like Thailand and Cambodia, Vietnam is a great place to start your TEFL career. Don’t worry if you don’t have a degree or any previous teaching experience, you’ll be snapped up in no time! With a high demand for TEFL teachers and a low cost of living, you’ll easily be able to find a job in this amazing country.
Average salary: South African TEFL teachers can earn around R18,402.73 – R29,455.67 per month teaching English in Vietnam.
Qualifications needed: To teach English in Vietnam, you’ll need a TEFL certificate. In many cases you will also need a degree for visa purposes, however if you have 3+ years relevant experience you may still be able to get a visa.
Job types: You can find work in state-run schools and language centres. Psst… did you know we have a TEFL Internship in Vietnam?
Top 3 cities: The top 3 cities for South African TEFL teachers are Ho Chi Minh, Hanoi, and Haiphong.
Keen to learn more? Get in touch with our TEFL jobs team! They’re on hand to answer any niggling TEFL questions you might have!
Already TEFL qualified? Head over to LoveTEFL Jobs to find your dream teaching job!
Good luck and happy TEFLing!
