18 scenic places to teach English overseas

By Athena Lamberis On September 4, 2008 · 63 Comments

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–Feature photo by beija-flor

Worldwide demand for English language instruction has created opportunities from Chile to China. So if you’re thinking about teaching English abroad, you might as well do it somewhere breathtaking.

1. Copan Ruinas, Honduras

Wake up for class to the sound of horses trotting on cobblestone roads and the aroma of freshly made tortillas. Copan Ruinas is home to mystical Mayan ruins, boasts vibrant local culture and is at the center of a growing eco-tourism movement in Honduras.

There are numerous opportunities in Copan Ruinas for both teachers and volunteers. Find paid vacancies in local villages or in the local bilingual school. Take field trips to the Bird Park in Copan Ruinas and explore the shade-grown coffee fincas.

Photo by cadampol

2. Antigua, Guatemala

Just 45 minutes from Guatemala City is the town of Antigua, Guatemala, with epic volcano views on the horizon. Enjoy classes outside, exploring the colorful 16th century architecture. Donate your time to teach for two months through a local education program and experience a meaningful cultural and linguistic exchange.

Photo by dsnet

3. Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Rio is a city with brown sugar beaches, bohemian neighborhoods and a pulsating nightlife that will leave you teaching phrasal verbs with sore feet from dancing samba. Rio is also an international hub for teaching English with multiple opportunities in language schools, along with volunteer opportunities in the favelas. When you’re not in the classroom, paraglide from Sugarloaf, play capoeira, and fall in love with Rio’s riotous rhythms.

Photo by armandolobos

4. Buenos Aires, Argentina

Work will always take a backseat to pure enjoyment in the modern city of Buenos Aires, Argentina. Take advantage of the theatre, develop a taste for red wine and Argentine steaks and get caught up in the swirling nightlife of the most cosmopolitan city in South America. Why not learn the tango while you’re there?

Photo by formfaktor

Intag, Ecuador

Escape to the cloud forests of Intag, Ecuador, where you can teach as a volunteer in one of the greenest corners of the Andes mountain range.

Photo by sara_y_tzunki

Valparaiso, Chile

Teaching in the UNESCO World Heritage seaport city of Valparaiso, Chile is a dream job for many travelers. Find an apartment on the hillsides of Cerros Concepcion and Alegre, where you’ll have a sweeping view of the Pacific Ocean.

Photo by anarchitect

Athens, Greece

Island hop on the weekends, eat roast chicken drenched in olive oil in the shadows of the Parthenon and develop a taste for ouzo while teaching in the frontisteria of Athens, Greece.

Photo by ranopamas

Tuscany, Italy

Tuscany has a pleasingly laid-back rhythm of life. The rolling hills of the countryside will appeal to your artistic side and motivate you to write your Toscana novel while teaching English on the side.

Photo by juanillooo

Prague, Czech Republic

Meander through historic architecture dating back to the Middles Ages in Prague, Czech Republic. Living in the centre of Old Town in Praha is a close commute to many TEFL vacancies.

Photo by cuellar

Andalucia, Spain

Flamenco cuevas, free tapas and winter skiing in the Sierra Nevada makes Andalucia, Spain a tempting place to teach, especially for its laid-back siesta lifestyle.

Photo by josjos

Istanbul, Turkey

Hadi gel! There is never a shortage of jobs in Istanbul, Turkey. The culinary excellence and alluring districts of the city have already enchanted a number of expat teachers. Intrigued? Read “An English Teacher In Istanbul“.

Hainan-Dao, China

Freelance on the remote island of Hainan-Dao, China and have your next preposition lesson on a tropical beach, or high up in the Limuling mountain range.

Photo by will-ellis

Majuro, Marshall Islands

Majuro, Marshall Islands is a Micronesian getaway five hours from Hawaii, with plenty of local teaching opportunities and world-class scuba diving.

Photo by cmichel67

Zanzibar, Tanzania

Volunteer with young students on Tanzania’s paradise island of Zanzibar and teach vocabulary in the first National Jozani Forest and Bay Conservation.

Photo by paulwatson

Cape Town, South Africa

Teaching in Cape Town, South Africa’s cosmopolitan outdoor adventure playground, appeals to adrenaline junkies, tree huggers, and city slickers alike.

Photo by marionaubert

LINKS:

Teach in Guatemala

Volcanoes in Antigua

Language School in Brazil

Paraglide in Rio

Theatre in Buenos Aires

World Teach on the Marshall Islands

Support Schools in Zanibar

Table Mountain, Cape Town

Surf and Shark-dive in Cape Town

Teach in Cape Town, South Africa

About The Author

Athena Lamberis

Athena Lamberis has been studying geopacifism through art, photography, education and culinary linguistics ever since she started listening to KRS-1 from her big brother's boom box.

Jason

Hainan? Are you completely retarded? Have you actually been there?
JULIANE

wow that majuro pic is phenomenal..
Valeska

I'm surprise Costa Rica didn't make it on the list. But really intruigued by the other countries mentioned. I've been trying to decide which way to go myself.
Asian_Expat

I think this post should be called "Most Scenic Places in the Americas and Europe…" Obviously there are more than one location in Asia that would qualify. Athena, have you ever taught in Asia? As Jason infers, one poor choice out of 18 would indicate otherwise…
Tim Patterson

Isn't it exciting to be able to go anywhere? I'm in Saigon now, good opportunities for teachers – $16 an hour and cheap living
Tim Patterson

what's wrong with hainan? remote, yeah, but nothing wrong with that
AlanRaj

What a short list…went to places far more beautiful than in some pictures and descriptions provided.but good attempt:) And i totally agree with Asian Expat. I get paid 35 to 65 bucks per hour to be a teacher here in Singapore Tim Pat!
Eva

Hey Asian_Expat, 2 of the 18 are in Africa, 1 is in the South Pacific, and 2 (depending on which side of Istanbul you're in!) are in Asia. I thought it was a good, diverse list. Why not suggest some more instead of just trying to tear someone down? What's your top Asian pick?
Kristen

Agreed..instead of being negative..add a suggestion IF you have it! I think the list looks cool, well rounded and intriguing..for someone really interested, this will totally spur interest! Obv there are many additional places..this was a great post of areas from one side of the earth, to the other. GOOD JOB TINA!
Tim Patterson

Yeah, if I was writing the list I would have added several Asian cities, but then I've spent much of the past 4 years in Asia. Asian spots to add – keeping the natural beauty / culture criteria in mind, which excludes Singapore in my opinion…Hanoi, Kyoto, Okinawa, Kunming…
llama

whats so exciting about the last one dude?
Arealeslteacher

Good luck "developing a taste for red wine" and eating steak every day or para-gliding or whatever doing volunteer work – unless you are independently wealthy. English teaching overseas is no longer the cash-cow it once was, thanks to hordes of under-qualified people who could barely even spell their own names flooding the market in some countries.
Benjamin10

Excellent list. It goes well beyond the obvious destinations. Interesting how negative people get when a destination they feel is deserving of the list doesn't make it. Never knew people took teaching abroad so personally.
bsg

Love the list and photos. I would add Bali, Indonesia. Lived and taught there and loved the beautiful island.
Tim Patterson

good call bsg.
Andrew

to teach English abroad do you need to have an English teaching degree? i'm just a business student in college and would love to do it, but the TEFL site seems like it requires a formal teaching degree.
teflcmu

Check our our site at http://www.teflcmu.com Thailand is the place to teach!!!!
teflcmu

Hey everyone , check out our site for your ticket to travel the world and teach!!! http://www.teflcmu.com
saman

wtf dude… WE in South Africa are able to speak english really well, the english ruled here in the past. PLEASE get your facts right. we have a beautiful country, thats true. but not everything in South Africa is bad. and just btw we do not live amongst wild animals
Ilya

South Africa has many people from all over the world going there to LEARN English. AND there are still many South African nationals that are in need of English language support due to the colonial powers that legalized inequality in education. hmmm And the list is 18 MOST SCENIC.. not where to EARN THE MOST money teaching English abroad. Most definitely should be updated to the 10 MOST scenic places to teach on each continent and manage to live off the income.
Linda

Wow, what spectacular photos. The most scenic place I've taught in is Austria, travelling around lots of small towns. Vienna and Innsbruck are stunning and the wine is cheap and cheerful. That said, Istanbul is amazing too, though I don't think I'd want to teach there long-term.
David V.

Interesting list of destinations. How many of us teachers actually explore these places rather than merely live in them?
MarkTwain

I see only 15 places (not 18) on January 15, 2009. What happened to the other 3?
Amy Kol

Just wondering why you would not want to teach in Istanbul long term. I was thinking about teaching there for a year–of all the many places, it really interests me, but i would love some more information and advice from your experiences. Thanks so much.
LInda

Istanbul is amazing, but Turkey is very intense. It's the kind of place you should really be sure you like before you commit to a long-term contract. I do really like it and would consider maybe a six-month contract (I'm not very good at committing for a whole year), but I think I'd choose a smaller city, like Bursa. I've also heard the pay isn't fantastic and my acquaintances have had mixed experiences working in Istanbul. I'd recommend trying for a shorter contract if possible, which you can extend if it works for you.
amy

Thanks so much, Linda–this is good info to consider. Turkey seems intense just from watching footage of it in the media. Instanbul has lots of English speakers, right? I have taught English abroad in the early 90s in Czech Rep. but I am a bit burnt out w/ the bad eceonmy and my job situation right now, so I want to go abroad again. Are there any other places besides Austria that you would recommend teaching that is also scenic and pays well? I love Austria, but want to teach more in the Mid-east/Mediteranean region–Turkey seemed perfect, but you are right maybe a shorter contract would work. I want to save the money from teaching to travel.
Linda

That's a great idea – my husband and I have been teaching and travelling around Europe and Australia for the last three years, and you can defintely earn enough to live off and travel with. We worked in Malta, which is nice for a visit but the pay is terrible so avoid! We also worked in Italy, which I'd recommend – try doing a summer camp with ACLE to ease yourself in (acle.org) – they do 2-week camps throughout Italy, so you get to see Italy while you're working. I've heard Greece is nice too, but I haven't worked there. But don't give up on Turkey if you want to go – it really is amazing.
linda

And yes, a lot of people speak English in Istanbul.
Amy

Thanks so much! I have already checked out the ACLE website and I think I am going to apply. to this great program. The only thing is that the website lists the tutor's age requirements to be 20-30, but listed that can be outside of that range. I am 38, going on 39 next month, but I look young, I always get comments that I look like I am in my 20s. Point being, do you think age is a big issue and is it worth trying? Also–may I use your name? There is a section on the applic. where it asks to list who referred you and I think that could help, so I just want to get your permission–I would need your last name though, so let me know. You can always contact me off this list at akolsky1@yahoo.com What are you and your husband doing now, are you still in Europe teaching? Where are you from? I am from the States so going to Europe and beyond is a big deal and committment, but I think it could be the right time. Thanks again–sorry for such a long message, I am just trying to gather as much info as I can.
Why not?

Anyone have any thoughts on Prague? Considering it as a major option.
http://www.rondatoday.com Ronda Today

As an English teacher in Andalusia I think I should point out that whilst Andalusia is beautiful, jobs are not easy to come by. Sure cities like Seville, Malaga, Granada and Cordoba are very popular amongst teachers, but the number of students enrolling in classes is low.

Most of the other teachers I know in this part of Spain have to supplement their income with bar work, private classes, or have some form of income from back home. Remember there are over 500,000 British residents in Andalusia, and for many, teaching English is all they can do. Your readers need a good contact and great advice if they’re going to be successful teaching here.
cheryl

I am South African and I must say I am surprized that Cape Town is on this list! Most people there learn English from a very young age and it’s also taught as Second language in schools everywhere.
Heather

The photo of Hainan Dao is actually one of Lijiang, which is in Yunnan Province of Southern China. I know because I’ve been to Lijiang and seen it myself. As for Hainan, I’ve never been there before but I know there are no snow capped mountains in Hainan.

I agree with the comments above. There are a disproportionate number of “best locations” in South and Central America but not enough of places like Asia.
http://www.feleciacruz.com feleciacruz

add to the list!! South-East Asia needs to make it up!!
Tyler

Nice list, interesting, but one problem I saw was the picture given for Hainan Dao, Hainan Island, is nowhere near Hainan. It’s Lijiang in Northwest Yunnan Province. Hainan is tropical and does not have snow-capped peaks such as the Jade Dragon Snow Mountain pictured.
http://matadortravel.com/travel-community/rsw Tim Patterson

I’ve subbed out the photo of Lijiang for one of Hainan – thanks for pointing out the mistake, guys!
Meli

Copan Ruinas, Honduras? Never would have thought of that!
http://londoniscool.com William Wallace

I think the most important element of deciding where to teach English should be what ever country has this biggest abundance of pretty girls, which I suppose doesn’t make the choice any easier…….
http://www.luggageonline.com luggage

Most people at my college that decided to teach English in other countries after graduating, went to South Korea. They pay really good in the schools there. Frankly I think Athens sounds like the perfect place though.
http://www.myseveralworlds.com Carrie

This is a good list to start with. I’ve been in Asia for the past seven years, so it’s nice to read about some of the different places listed here for teaching abroad. With that said, I’d also like to add a few counties in Taiwan to your list. I’ve lived here for four years and it’s still an adventure.

Since most teachers tend to stay in large cities like Taipei and Kaohsiung, the pay and cost of living in smaller counties throughout Taiwan is very competitive.

Look for jobs in Miaoli County if you love mountain scenery and learning about native aboriginal cultures.y

Puli County is well known for its crystal clear lakes, hiking trails, and a slower pace of life.
http://joelrunyon.com Joel

Okay. I need to start traveling again.
M

Athens is hotter than the devil’s armpit in summer and is crawling with giant roaches all year round. The frontisteria will rip you off. You couldn’t pay me enough to fo back to Athens.
http://seetefl.com John

Hi,

Chiang Mai, Thailand is a city that is difficult to beat as a destination for living and teaching English. You can view our gallery here:

http://seetefl.com/teach-chiang-mai/

John
seetefl.com

http://seetefl.com John

Link above is broke.

Try http://seetefl.com

To discover more about living and teaching in Chiang Mai.

Regards,
John

Pingback: Meet Your ESL Coworkers
James S

Many parts of S America are ridiculously cheap due to currency differences between the dollar and Argentine pesos (don’t know what Brazil’s currency is called). You can have a 5 star meal in Buenos Aires for around $20 USD
http://www.expatheather.com Heather Carreiro

Great list and LOVE the accompanying photos.
http://MaxTheITpro.com Maxwell

Greetings all! M’s comment above about Athens (Devil’s armpits) was FUNNY!!! lol!
Anyhow, I’m from Barbados in the Caribbean but grew up in Canada since I was 8. I can vouch for Zanizibar because I left Ottawa for a 1 week “business trip” in 2005 during Winter and well, I haven’t been back yet. As they say, the rest is history. I’ve fell in love with the beautiful scenery of East Africa. I’ve been in Kenya for most of my exodus but I did a 2 month “IT tourism” gig at a top-rated hotel in Zanzibar.

My background is Computer Science so I do blogging (have set up lots of WordPress blogs for peeps & companies over here), consulting of CRM, Linux/Windows, systems analysis, etc.
Can some1 suggest places where I can travel and perhaps teach IT lessons in English (computer basics, programming, web development, eCommerce, security, setting up servers, etc.)? My passion is IT, basketball, rollerblading, House music, traveling and just staying healthy.

Let me know if you guys hear anything. My Max “The IT pro” blog is linked from this comment.
Cheers!
http://www.dewabharataubud.com Dewa Bhatara Ubud

Unfortunately my English was very bad,. I am not so confident to teach an English.
http://www.wasini.com Charlie Claw’s – Wasini Island

Maybe some of you can come down to Wasini Island on Kenya’s Indian ocean coast by Shimoni and teach English to the Swahili-speaking locals. We’re about a 45 minute drive heading South from the famous Diani Beach by Ukunda.
Take a peek at our Community projects on our site.

Cheers!

Sally & Steve Mullens, and the cheery Charlie Claw’s team
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http://employees-training.blogspot.com steve kelly

Wonderful article. It reminded me that Valentine’s Day is in a few days, yet I haven’t book tickets to Europe that I wanted to give to my wife as a gift for lovers’ day lol. France and Italy… she always wanted to go there again. We met in Paris 10 years ago when my HR guys sent me for management training to our European headquarter. What a blast! Trip this summer will make her very happy, I am absolutely positive.
Philip Mayall

If you teach English in Prague, you won’t be able to afford to live in the Old Town, unless your mummy and daddy are rich.
amy

is the photo for Istanbul accurate? where is this???? looks more like China.

Amanda

There is no photo of Istanbul sweetie – yes it is China if you read it correctly.

Macie

Teaching abroad can be a wonderful adventure. If you’re considering it, you may want to browse a few job listings. Teacher gig dot com is a great resource for this. You can browse the latest jobs or narrow it down by specific country. If you’re considering teaching abroad, you should definitely check it out.

Teacher Gig Job Listing For Singapore
Macie

Teaching abroad can be a wonderful adventure. If you’re considering it, you may want to browse a few job listings. Teacher gig dot com is a great resource for this. You can browse the latest jobs or narrow it down by specific country. If you’re considering teaching abroad, you should definitely check it out.

Teacher Gig Job Listing For Singapore
yah511

Why is the photo for Zanzibar another photo of Cape Town?
yah511

Oh I see, the photos of Cape Town and Zanzibar should be switched (been to both places, btw…both of them are BEAUTIFUL)

18 scenic places to teach English overseas

1. Copan Ruinas, Honduras

2. Antigua, Guatemala

3. Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

4. Buenos Aires, Argentina

Intag, Ecuador

Valparaiso, Chile

Athens, Greece

Tuscany, Italy

Prague, Czech Republic

Andalucia, Spain

Istanbul, Turkey

Hainan-Dao, China

Majuro, Marshall Islands

Zanzibar, Tanzania

Cape Town, South Africa

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Athena Lamberis

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