You can find a job teaching English abroad without paying for a placement agency or a teaching program. There are multiple websites that schools and TEFL organizations use to post teaching jobs in countries around the world. The majority of job posts on these websites will allow you to apply directly for a TEFL job and not need to pay for a teaching program or a job placement agency. This post will list 10 websites you can use to find a job teaching English abroad.
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FAQs About Teaching English Abroad
How do you find a job teaching English abroad?
You can find a TEFL job by using one of the 10 websites below to search for job openings. You can also pay a teaching placement agency or program that will place you in a job abroad and help you with obtaining the proper VISA and finding accommodations.
What are the requirements to teach English abroad?
To teach English Abroad you need a bachelors degree, a TEFL certificate, be a native-English speaker (or meet a specific level of English speaking), and meet the requirements for the proper work VISA for whatever country you are looking to teach in.
How can you get a TEFL Certification?
A TEFL Certification is an accredited teaching certification that enables you to teach English as a foreign language. You can obtain a TEFL Certification by;
- Paying for an in-person or online course through an accredited TEFL organization like the International TEFL Academy.
- Joining a teaching placement program where you can obtain your TEFL and then be placed in a job.
- Joining a teaching or volunteer program that awards you the certification upon program completion.
Do you need to pay to teach abroad?
There are companies that require a fee for you to be placed in a teaching job and provide you with other support, such as VISA assistance, in country support, etc…
However, you do not need to pay to teach abroad. You can find a teaching job on your own. If a school or organization asks you to pay to work for them, then do not work for them!
Of course, you will need to pay for the other costs associated with moving abroad such as VISA fees, start up cost, accommodation, etc…
What countries can you find TEFL jobs abroad?
TEFL jobs are most common in Asian, South American, and European countries but you can find TEFL jobs all across the world.
What is the best website to find a job teaching English abroad?
The best website to find a TEFL abroad really depends on what type of teaching job you want and where you want to teach. Any of the 10 websites below are good resources. However, I personally reccommend the top 3 on the list; Dave’s ESL Cafe, Teach Away, and Teaching Nomad.
How do you know if a TEFL job posting is legitimate?
There are various ways to check if a TEFL job posting is legitimate. This includes, but it not limited to;
- Reading past teacher reviews of the school/company.
- Making sure they are not asking you for money for you to work for them.
- Ensuring the hiring process is not rushed.
- Ensuring they are asking for candidates with the proper certifications.
- Vetting their social media and website.
- Checking accredited TEFL organization to see if they are familiar with the school/org.
10 Websites to Find an English Teaching Job Abroad
1. Dave’s ESL Cafe
What to Know: This is one of the most popular TEFL job sites out there and has an active community connected to it.
Job Locations: Mainly in South/North/Central America, Europe, and Asia. Many postings from China, Southeast Asia, and Japan.
Site Resources: The international job board forums is super helpful for learning about different opportunities that you can find posted on this site, as well as information to know, and dangers to stay away from. There are also resources to utilize for once you start teaching in the classroom.
2. Teach Away
What to Know: To apply to jobs posted on this website, you do need to create a profile.
Job Locations: Across the world. Mainly in the UAE, Europe, North America, and Asia. Most posting are from China, the UAE, and the Middle East.
Site Resources: Their resources and forums page offers helpful information for perspective teachers, those who are currently in the application process, and those who are about to start their job.
3. Teaching Nomad
What to Know: To apply to jobs posted on this website, you do need to create a profile. You will have to work with a placement consultant, but you do not need to pay for this service.
Job Locations: Mainly in Asia and the UAE. The majority of postings are in China.
Site Resources: You can sign up for job notifications that get sent directly to your email. They also offer breakdowns of what it is like to live and teach in different countries, providing information from salaries and benefits, to tourist attractions around the city.
4. Go Abroad
What to Know: This website offers many different work/study abroad options. Many postings are not necessarily directly through the public/private schools themselves, but with programs that help you through the TEFL process from start to finish.
Job Locations: Across the World.
Site Resources: This site allows users to post their reviews of the programs being offered, which can assist potential teachers in the decision making process.
5. Total ESL
What to Know: This site can be a bit hard to navigate with the number of adds that pop up.
Job Locations: Mainly in Asia and Europe. There are a lot of postings on this site because they do not seem to delete old jobs.
Site Resources: They offer many resources that you can use in the classroom once you become a teacher. They also have a “scam warning” forum.
6. Go Overseas
What to Know: This website offers more than just TEFL jobs abroad, such as study and volunteer abroad opportunities.
Job Locations: Across the World. Many in Europe, UAE, South/Central America, and Asia. Most programs are located in China, Southeast Asia, and Costa Rica.
Site Resources: They have many virtual options if you are not yet ready to move to another country to teach or study. They also offer lots of reviews of different TEFL jobs/programs to help you decide what works best for you.
7. ESL Base
What to Know: This site does not always have many posting when compared to the others.
Job Locations: Many posts are from Europe, UAE, Asia, and South America.
Site Resources: They have tons of resources. You can get job alerts, view their “tefl scam” guides, and utilize their resource page to ask and read about topics regarding teaching abroad. They breakdown what it is like to teach in other countries, and provide a list of different TEFL certification options that you can compare.
8. TEFL .com
What to Know: You will need to create an account to apply to the jobs on this website.
Job Locations: Europe, Asia, South/Central/North America, and the UAE. The majority are in Europe.
Site Resources: Their blog sections offers information about teaching abroad.
9. ESL Authority
What to Know: This is a highly reccommend website but from my knowledge their job boards have been down as of January 2024 and it is currently May 2025. I have reached out to see if they are still active and will update this list as soon as I hear back.
Job Locations: Mostly in China, South Korea, and Japan.
Site Resources: This site offers “hiring guides” for specific countries, which are a great breakdown of what it is like to teach English, from the application process and possible salary, to what it is like to live and work in a different country.
10. ESL Employment
What to Know: This website features more than just TEFL jobs. To go right to ESL jobs, you will need to search ESL jobs. A lot of the jobs on this site will bring you to another website where the original job is posted.
Job Locations: Across the World, but there are many opportunities in the USA.
Site Resources: They have forums where you can discuss different topics on teaching and living aboard.
Conclusion
Hopefully one of these websites will help you find a job teaching English abroad. Remember to do lots of research before accepting a job to ensure your safety and comfort when living and teaching in a different country. Have you taught English Abroad? How did you find your TEFL job? Please share your story in the comments below.
