The Power of TEFL: Explore, Teach, and Live Freely
Explore how getting TEFL-certified can help you live the remote, digital nomad life you’ve already dreamt of.
From the cosy corner of your home to the vibrant cafes of Bali, the idea of working remotely has never been so enticing. So, what if I told you there is a way to combine your love for travel with making a difference in the lives of others, all while working remotely?
Welcome to the world of TEFL (Teaching English as a Foreign Language) – your ticket to a life of freedom and flexibility.
The Adventurous Journey of a TEFL Teacher
I met Georgie, the owner of Teacher’s Friend, in Bali during a remote work workshop I was running, and it turns out we share the same mission: helping others work remotely!
Georgie is an experienced teacher whose love for travel and teaching led her on an extraordinary journey. What started as a mere six months plan to live abroad back in 2013 turned into a lifelong adventure. She was TEFL certified and got the opportunity to teach English in countries such as Vietnam, Thailand, Malaysia, Australia, New Zealand, and Indonesia. Her travels have also led her to breathtaking places such as Jamaica, Madagascar, India, and Komodo Island.
The Advantages of TEFL Certification
Georgie advocates for TEFL (Teaching English as a Foreign Language) certification, especially for those seeking to work remotely:
Here's why you should consider it if you are looking for a remote job:
Ease and Accessibility: The TEFL course can be completed entirely online or abroad, providing flexibility and convenience. Face to face courses take four weeks to complete, with intensive study from 9am-5pm. They usually involve teaching practice in your chosen country so you can walk into the classroom with conscience. Online courses are usually self-paced and less intense and have the advantage that they can be fit around a current job or other work commitments.
Work Flexibility: When teaching English online, you have the freedom to choose your working hours and manage your own schedule, offering a work-life balance that many traditional jobs can't. It also offers you the independence to teach for a company (with pre-provided lesson plans) or find your own students on a language learning platform. When finding your own students, you get the benefit of setting your own hourly rate.
Global Networking: If you choose to teach abroad, you will get the chance to meet and network with other like-minded remote workers, opening doors to potential job opportunities in your field of expertise while experiencing amazing places and culture. There are huge remote working and digital nomad hubs in places such as Lisbon, Chiang Mai, Ho Chi Minh, Madrid and Bangkok.
Excellent Pay: Great hourly rates starting from $12-25 USD per hour and this can increase to much more, especially with experience and if you go on to specialise in subjects such as exam preparation or business/ corporate English.
Mobility: Relocate or travel while maintaining a steady income and work from anywhere, any time. (People need to learn English across all time zones!)
Networking: Connect with like-minded remote workers and explore other job opportunities. What may start out as teaching English remotely may grow into landing your dream remote job just by expanding your network and the people you meet. People have also gone on to get jobs in copywriting, editing, curriculum development, marketing jobs within the field of education, proof-reading, coding, voice and video recordings for ESL apps and more!
Affordability: If remote life appeals to you because of the opportunity to travel, you save more money with lower living costs abroad.
Entrepreneurship: Build your side hustle into your dream remote business. Teaching English abroad or online gives you the head space and time you need to explore other online avenues.
In short, acquiring a TEFL certification is more than just a ticket to teaching English as a foreign language. It's the key to a world of opportunities that you never knew existed, connecting you to a global network of other remote workers.
Potential Earnings as a TEFL Instructor
As a native English speaker with a degree and a TEFL certification, you can typically earn $10-25 USD per hour working online (depending on experience). Of course, you can do this from anywhere in the world that has a stable internet connection.
If you prefer teaching abroad, you could make $1000-$1500 USD per month in countries like Spain, Poland, Costa Rica, South America, Thailand or Cambodia.
You can make $1500-$2200 or more in countries like Japan, South Korea or Vietnam.
In China, the earnings are even higher, ranging from $2500-5000 USD per month.
TEFL Requirements and Cost
So you might be wondering, 'What are the requirements for TEFL?'
You generally need to be a native English speaker or equivalent, have a passion for teaching and helping others, and complete a 120-hour internationally recognised TEFL Course.
It’s that easy!
One of the greatest things about teaching English either online or abroad is that you can do it without a degree!
With regard to cost, an online TEFL course which covers the basics usually costs around $250- $500 USD, while a more comprehensive one with better teaching resources will likely be $800-$1000 USD.
Meanwhile, a face-to-face, in-country TEFL can range from $1700 to $2200 USD. Typically, this comes with job placement in-country after completing the TEFL, pre-departure support, visa and work permit assistance (for face to face jobs), help with accommodations and in-country support. Many providers also include extras such as alumni meet ups, teaching resources and interview preparation.
What other qualification can you take in less than a month where you can earn your money back the following month?!
Embrace the TEFL Revolution
With TEFL, you can experience different cultures, meet diverse people, and share your knowledge with students worldwide, all while maintaining a life of freedom and flexibility. Whatsmore, it can lead to bigger and better opportunities for you further down the line in terms of remote work.
The helping hand you need
Georgie has dedicated herself not only to teaching English worldwide but also to helping others achieve their TEFL certification. She guides individuals through the process, preparing them for an enriching journey of teaching, travelling, and living abroad.Georgie's commitment to her students extends beyond the classroom.. With her guidance, the dream of working remotely while exploring the world can become your reality.
I WANT TO TEACH REMOTELY!
Stay rebellious,
Michelle
This week's newsletter is sponsored by Teacher's Friend, your complete guide to teaching English online or abroad from Vietnam to Costa Rica. Georgie offers TEFL (Teaching English as a Foreign language) courses both online and face to face which help you relocate easily to your ideal destination as an English Teacher or provide you with the freedom to teach English remotely and help you live the remote, digital nomad life you’ve already dreamt of.