Many graduates experience the weight and stress of tedious job hunting in a competitive yet fruitless job market upon graduation. Others opt for a break from academia or professional pursuits in favour of a gap year. Why not find the perfect middle ground by teaching English abroad?
Here’s why teaching English - and working abroad in general - is the perfect option for a graduate who seeks both personal and professional growth.
Why Students and Graduates Look for Work Abroad
Many graduates want respite from their academia following their time at university or college. However, the aim isn’t to only spend their time drinking Soju or eating Pad Thai.
Increase employability: A study by The State of Student Youth Travel 2024 found that 87% of young travellers believe that travelling will enhance their employability. More specifically, 79% of students and graduates want to travel with the main intention being to increase their employability, regardless of whether they are travelling, volunteering, or working abroad.
Cost of living crisis and unreliable job market: People turn their gaze towards working abroad as a result of low-pay, high-demanding jobs that don’t match high living costs. For those who have a bachelor’s degree and native English proficiency, teaching is always an opportunity and a stable job abroad waiting for them.
Community impact: From a personal and spiritual perspective, teaching English abroad can be seen as an ethical and philanthropic endeavour. Teaching English abroad - in whatever capacity - can help open career opportunities to young children.
Cultural immersion and reduced carbon footprint: Climate anxiety is only increasing, and people are looking for more meaningful and sustainable methods of travel. Through slow travel and living in a foreign community, you’ll not only support language development but you’ll contribute to the local community. Whether you pay rent, buy coffee, or play football with your students, you’re constantly engaging with and participating in the local community.
Why Now is the Best Time to Work Abroad by Teaching English
Gain Work Experience While Travelling the World
“Can you explain this gap in your resume?” is a dreaded question many gap year travellers face when returning to a relentless job market. However, teaching abroad is a form of travel which will equip you with plenty of soft and hard skills which will translate to the work place in any industry.
Whether you’ve graduated in Maths, English, Engineering, or Fashion Design, the initiative and will to go beyond your comfort zone and work abroad shows natural independence and self-assurance. As an English teacher abroad, you’ll learn how to manage the classroom, lead students through activities, navigate language barriers and obstacles, and much more.
From an anecdotal perspective, many of my friends and colleagues used their teaching abroad experience to advance their career. Some because curriculum developers, teaching recruiters, writers, and even local business owners in their new country following their graduate job abroad.
From a more selfish perspective, you’ll have the opportunity to see wonders of the world and iconic landmarks during your free time. Whether you want to visit Ha Long Bay, the Great Wall of China, or Gyeongbokgung Palace, doing so will be convenient and affordable from your second home in Asia.
Global Demand for English Teachers
While the job market fluctuates back home, the global demand for English speakers remains high and steady. As a native English speaker, we possess a highly desirable ability and sought after skill, and we often take this for granted. Teaching English abroad is always a viable option for a native English speaker. It’s also possible to teach English abroad without a degree or even as a non-native speaker.
English is the lingua franca - or business language - of the world. When international companies deal, they’ll often use English as their bridge language. Similarly, countries with international influence such as China, Japan, and South Korea require English speakers to help facilitate these business transactions.
Additionally, the demand for English speakers in the tourism and hospitality industry is enormous, making countries such as Thailand and Vietnam a rewarding place to work abroad for teachers.
Financial Incentives & Cost of Living
As a result of this high demand for English acquisition, English teachers can be rewarded handsomely for their skills in Asia. Not only will teaching jobs abroad offer a generous salary, job perks and benefits, but they can combine this with a lower cost of living.
Here are the average monthly salaries for teaching English in Asia:
China: $1,500-$2,500 USD
South Korea: $1,800-$2,300 USD
Japan: $2,000-$2,500 USD
Vietnam: $1,200-$2,000 USD
Thailand: $1,000-$1,500 USD
The cost of living in Bangkok - for example - is 150% lower than London. Rent prices in New York are 360% higher than in Beijing, and rent in Los Angeles is almost 600% higher than in Hanoi. While your salary may not be as high as in Western countries, they will undoubtedly stretch further and provide you with an excellent standard of living and great saving potential.
Source: Numbeo
Since the UK’s departure from the EU, obtaining jobs abroad has become more difficult. Due to visa complications and the lack of free movement, Asia has become a viable alternative for graduates seeking jobs abroad.
Gain International Experience
Employers are almost 50% more likely to hire applicants with “global learning experience that included exposure to diverse experiences and perspectives and application of learning to their major and their own life.”
From a professional perspective, gaining international experience will separate you from others in a competitive job market. Regardless of the industry of your job abroad, international experience signifies independence, cultural adaptability, open-mindedness, and a willingness to learn.
If you teach in South Korea or Japan, you’ll learn how to keep up with a demanding work schedule and responsibilities. Teaching in Vietnam will coerce you to develop patience from weaving incessant traffic. When you teach in Thailand, you’ll undoubtedly learn how to improvise inside and outside the classroom! The skills you learn from teaching and working abroad go beyond industries.
Meet New People & Network Abroad
Teaching English abroad is an excellent way to expand your network, whether on a social or professional level. You’ll meet new people from all corners of the globe, whether they’re foreign teachers or local professionals.
In addition to the lifelong friendships that you’ll form, you’ll meet people from different backgrounds who have a different set of expertise. Inside and outside the classroom, you can form valuable connections that may provide professional opportunities.
TEFL Certification Accessibility
TEFL courses come in all shapes and sizes. Fortunately, there are online TEFL courses that are self-paced to accommodate students and professionals who aspire to work abroad.
With TEFL courses being incredibly accessible and options extensive, it allows graduates plenty of flexibility. Self-paced courses - such as TEFL Nomad’s 120-hour TEFL Course - allow aspiring teachers to study whenever and wherever they can. If someone is unsure about teaching as a long-term career, they can tread the waters with an inexpensive 120 hour TEFL course before upgrading in the future. Additionally, once you’re TEFL certified, you’re certified for life.
Find Graduate Jobs Abroad in 2025
Although you may not have initially considered teaching abroad as a career option, it can be a short-term adventure which propels you into many different directions. Not only will you earn a salary, gain international work experience, and meet new people, but you’ll be able to see the world while doing it. TEFL is an excellent option when it comes to graduate jobs abroad, and while it may seem too good to be true, teaching abroad can pave the way for personal and professional growth simultaneously.
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