Everyone wants to travel, but with the responsibilities of having a job and paying rent it can often be quite hard to find the time or money. Conversely, for those just graduating and looking for a job it can be tricky deciding whether to get on the job ladder now or go traveling and postpone.

Luckily, there is a solution to both of these problems: teaching English abroad. With a TEFL license you can get paid for traveling to a different country and helping the local children learn English. You could be teaching children English in anywhere from an international school in Bangkok, to a small primary school in Tokyo. It’s a great opportunity to satisfy a thirst for travel, while also boosting your CV.

So without further adieu, here are 4 reasons why teaching English abroad is a great opportunity.

1. You Get Paid To Live And Work In A Foreign Country

Normally traveling can cost a great amount of money, however when you teach abroad you are being paid to be out there. Most English language teaching jobs will pay an affordable wage, allowing you to live comfortably and experience the country’s culture while you’re there.

Also, by living in a country you will experience far more of it’s culture that if you were just passing through on holiday. By being a part of the community for several months, you can truly experience life as the locals do. You will also have opportunities to explore the rest of the country when you’re not working, meaning you get the best of traveling and experiencing the local culture at the same time.

2. There Is A Large Market For Teaching English Abroad

English is one of the most widely spoken languages in the world, and as a result there is a great demand for English language teachers abroad. What better way for a non-speaker to learn than have a native speaker teach them in their home country?

The demand is so high that most people with a college degree can enroll to teach abroad, regardless if they have any teaching qualifications. However, with this said it can be advantageous to be accredited through a TEFL teaching course when applying for more prestigious schools abroad. Plus a TEFL course allows you to pursue a more professional route towards teaching even after your time abroad is over.

3. It’s A Great Opportunity To Learn A Foreign Language

While you would be in the country to teach English to others, teaching abroad is a great opportunity to learn another language for yourself. There’s no better way to learn a language than immersing yourself in the environment where it is spoken.

Having constant opportunities to try out a language as you learn it greatly speeds up the learning process, so it’s possible for you to learn a language far quicker than you would at home. It also allows you to add another skill to your CV.

4. It Can Help You Grow As A Person

People always say travel broadens the mind, and this is no exception when it comes to teaching language abroad. You’ll encounter people, sounds, sites, and tastes that you could never interact with in the same at home. Traveling abroad isn’t just a job; it’s an experience. You’ll be immersed in an environment that’s entirely unique to you.

When teaching abroad and interacting with the local children you can also have a real impact on their lives as you teach them an essential life skill. Teaching abroad can also improve your communication and social skills, which you can apply to any jobs you may have in the future.