How To Earn And Save Money As An EFL Teacher 

Have you ever considered teaching English and wondered how to earn and save money as an EFL Teacher? We have great news – it’s much easier than you probably realise! 

Teaching English as a Foreign Language might not be known as the highest paying job in the world but with good base salaries, budget-friendly locations and incredible job perks, there are lots of ways to earn and save a considerable amount of money. 

If you’re unsure where to start, our guide to earning and saving while you teach will tell you everything you need to know. Keep reading to find out more! 

How Do I Become A EFL Teacher? 

First things first: if you want to become an EFL teacher, many countries and employers will require you to have some basic qualifications. These can include a bachelor’s degree, some experience in education and an English teaching certificate. 

If you don’t have any of these, don’t panic just yet! There are plenty of places where you can still teach English without a degree or experience if you have a TEFL qualification. There are many different options for TEFL courses but it’s worth remembering that many employers look for a minimum of 120-hours. 

When choosing a provider, look for a company whose qualifications are recognised globally, like The TEFL Org. The world’s most accredited TEFL provider, The TEFL Org has a range of courses including advanced TEFL qualifications for those looking to give their CV a boost and about how to do tesol certification from The TEFL Org you can visit their website so that you will be able to know how to get a Tesol Certification. Remember, the more experience and qualifications you have, the better a position you will be in for negotiating your EFL salary when you start to apply for jobs. 

Where Can I Make The Most Money As An EFL Teacher? 

Now you know what qualifications you’re going to need, it’s time to think about where you might want to teach English. How to earn and save money as an EFL teacher is dependent on which location you choose to work in and there is a Foreign English teacher program where you can try to get more opportunities. The higher the demand for English teachers, the better your chances are of being offered a bigger salary. 

Most of the top paying countries are in the Middle East and Asia. EFL teachers willing to relocate to locations like Saudi Arabia, The United Arab Emirates and Qatar can expect to make between £2500 and £3600 ($3500 – $5000) per month. Meanwhile, teachers in Asia’s highest paying locations – like Japan, South Korea and China – can make anything from £1200 to £3600 ($1600 – $5000) per month, depending on their qualifications and type of school.

In popular SE Asian destinations like Thailand and Vietnam, EFL teachers usually make around £800 to £1500 ($1000 – $2000) per month. Whilst not as lucrative as some other locations, these countries are often incredibly cheap to live in, making it possible to save money. As well as a low cost of living, there are often other perks that come with these jobs, which we will look into in more detail below. 

Save Money Through Extra Benefits And Perks

Discovering how to earn and save money as an EFL teacher isn’t all about the salary – you need to know how to make the most of job perks and benefits on offer too. Many employers will try to sweeten a job deal by adding benefits like round-trip flights, free accommodation, monthly or yearly bonuses, free meals and visa costs. 

This is when it can really pay off to weigh up the potential benefits of salary, perks and cost of living. For example, whilst an English teacher in Japan might make a good salary, the cost of rent and living in Japan’s big cities is incredibly high – leaving you with little to save at the end of each month. In comparison, a teacher in Thailand might earn a lower salary, but if the job includes a free apartment, free meals and free flights home to visit family once a year, the potential to save is a lot higher. 

Of course, it’s not all just about the money! It’s important to consider the pros and cons of each job in relation to work-life balance and your desired cultural experience. You might be willing to forgo a big salary if your school is located in your dream destination, requires fewer office hours or gives you the chance to travel extensively. 

Learn How To Negotiate Like A Pro 

If you live in a country where haggling isn’t common practice, it might seem daunting at first. But learning to negotiate like a pro can make all the difference when it comes to being able to earn and save money as an EFL teacher. 

Most EFL teaching positions will state a salary range and offer an amount depending on the applicant’s experience and qualifications. But, with English teachers being in such high demand, it is completely acceptable to use an initial offer as a starting point for salary negotiations. 

To find out if an employer is willing to go higher, it’s worth telling your interviewer that you’re applying to other positions or considering alternative offers. Even if they don’t come back to you with more money, they might add extra bonuses or perks to try and entice you to work for their school or organisation. 

Bring In Some Extra Money Through Freelance Lessons

Many EFL teachers earn and save money by offering private lessons outside of their main teaching role. This can be a fantastic way to make some extra cash, with teachers able to set their own rates. 

In many countries, you won’t even have to look for students – you’ll be inundated with people looking for English lessons for themselves or their children. However, it is worth checking the rules and regulations for whatever destination you’re living in first. In some countries like China, it is illegal to provide private lessons as a foreign teacher outside of your full-time contract.

Start Earning And Saving Money Today!

Are you ready to earn and save money as an EFL teacher? Once you have your qualifications, a TEFL certificate and know what country you would like to work in, it’s time to start applying for jobs.

You’ll be amazed at how much money you can make and save working as an EFL teacher in some of the world’s most exciting destinations! 

References

• The TEFL.org – https://www.tefl.org/blog/save-money-tefl/ 
• One World 365 – http://www.oneworld365.org/blog/how-to-make-the-most-money-teaching-english-abroadGo Overseas – https://www.gooverseas.com/blog/countries-pay-highest-salaries-teaching-abroad
• TEFL Hero – https://teflhero.com/blog/teaching-english-thailand-salary/
• International TEFL –  https://www.internationalteflacademy.com/blog/top-5-countries-to-make-the-most-money-teaching-english-overseas