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12 Countries Where You Can Teach Without a Degree

Teaching English in another country can be an excellent opportunity to earn a good salary while also traveling and experiencing the world. Not only will you be able to meet people from different cultures, but you will also have an amazing opportunity to really make a difference. There is, however, one thing that some teachers struggle with when first setting their eyes on teaching abroad – not having a degree.

Fortunately, all hope is not lost, as there are lots of great countries where you can teach without needing to have a degree.

As with any job, there are several challenges that any aspiring teacher will need to overcome when first setting out to secure a teaching position overseas. One of the main hurdles is meeting the requirements set by each school. One common requirement is having a university degree. However, the reality is that not everyone is able to afford to pursue a university degree, or might have decided against following that path into higher education for other reasons. If this is the case for you, then it could help to first understand why you might see some schools require degrees, and why others might not.

Some schools require foreign teachers to have degrees because it’s required by their government. Their governments might wish to protect local teachers by setting higher standards for foreign workers. This means that to gain a work permit in such countries, you’ll need a degree (often a degree in any subject – even if it’s not related to teaching).

Fortunately, this isn’t the case in all countries! There are still plenty of schools in other countries where you can become an English teacher without a degree, even if you’re not a native speaker! In many countries, all you need is to be fluent in English and have some form of accredited teacher training such as a TESOL/TEFL certificatce.

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Combining your teacher training with a good understanding of the English language, perhaps some prior teaching experience (paid or volunteer), and you will be well on your way to kickstart your overseas teaching career.

Now that we know that the lack of a degree will not be an obstacle to teach abroad, we can instead have a closer look at some of the countries that you can teach in without a degree. Let’s explore some of the most popular destinations!

12 countries where you can teach English without a degree

Cambodia

Cambodia is one of the most underrated destinations in Asia. Compared to its neighbors, such as Vietnam and Thailand, it is a less touristic country with low costs of living and in constant need of ESL teachers. While you may be required to have a Bachelor’s degree to be able to find teaching opportunities in other Asian countries, such as China, Japan, and Vietnam, a TEFL or TESOL certificate is enough to get you hired in most Cambodian schools. The salary may be considerably lower than what you’d get paid in countries such as China or Japan, but the costs of living are also considerably lower. This makes Cambodia a perfect destination if you want to teach English abroad without a degree, visit exotic places and experience a fascinating culture.

Thailand

Thailand is probably one of the first countries that come to mind when you think about teaching English abroad. Most of the schools in Thailand, especially the more expensive and exclusive ones, require their teachers to be native speakers and have a Bachelor’s degree. However, it is a very diverse country and you can find many teaching opportunities where you don’t need to be a native speaker nor have a college degree, especially in smaller and less touristic cities. If you’re thinking about moving to Thailand to teach English, make sure to research different teaching opportunities as you are going to find something that doesn’t require you to have a college degree!

Nepal

Nepal is a tiny country in Asia that is often very overlooked both by tourists and ESL teachers. Nepal is a country with a very rich culture and beautiful places. Learning English gives local people more job opportunities and since most foreigners don’t even think about going there, it always has a shortage of ESL teachers. This makes it a perfect destination for you if you want to teach English without a degree and spend some time in a beautiful and fascinating country.

Mexico

Mexico is without a doubt one of the most popular ESL destinations, especially for native English speakers. However, getting a teaching job in this exotic country is easier than you’d expect. Most language schools in Mexico don’t require their teachers to have a college degree. If you have a TESOL or TEFL degree, it is relatively easy to get a teaching job in Mexico. With its rich culture, interesting historic places, and beautiful beaches, it is undoubtedly a destination worth going to!

Dominican Republic

This tiny Caribbean country is a very overlooked ESL destination. It is relatively easy to get an English teaching job in the Dominican Republic, even without a degree. All you need is a TESOL or TEFL certificate and you’re good to go! This country is in constant need of English teachers, as most Dominican kids don’t speak English at all. The teaching salary is not very high, but the costs of living are relatively low. Another perk of teaching in the Dominican Republic is that you can take weekend trips to any part of the country, as it is very small.

Costa Rica

This spectacularly beautiful country in Central America is an excellent destination for ESL teachers who do not have a degree. This tiny country has a big demand for English teachers, as speaking English enables Costa Ricans to find better-paid jobs. As for the teaching salary, it is not very high but with the costs of living in Costa Rica, it is definitely enough to live a relatively comfortable life.

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Young learners make up the majority of English classes around the world, making an accredited 60-hour TEYL certificate a great way to further boost your chances of getting hired, despite not having a degree.

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Argentina

Thanks to its rich culture, ideal climate, and spectacular views, Argentina has become one of the most popular digital nomad destinations in recent years. Because of this, this South American country has an increased demand for English teachers. If you want to teach English in a beautiful Latin country where you can learn some Spanish, dance tango, and drink delicious wine, Argentina is without a doubt an excellent destination for you.

Brazil

Did you know that you can teach English without a degree in Brazil? According to many ESL teachers, teaching and living in Brazil can be one of the most exciting experiences you’ll ever have, due to its rich culture and beautiful scenery. If you have been dreaming about spending some time in Latin America, teaching English in Brazil can be an excellent way to make that dream come true.

Spain

Surprising as it may sound, Spain is one of the countries where you do not need a degree to be able to teach English. Due to the fact that more and more Spanish people recognize the importance of learning English, Spain is in constant demand of ESL teachers. If you’d like to teach English in one of the most beautiful countries in Europe while enjoying the weekend fiesta and your afternoon siesta, Spain is the place for you!

Poland

Poland is becoming a more and more important country of the European Union. It has also become one of the best countries to live in Europe, due to its location in the heart of Europe and relatively low (according to European standards) costs of living! This is why Poland has an increasing need for foreign English teachers. English is everywhere! If you want to teach English abroad but you don’t have a degree, Poland may be a great destination for you. All you need is a teaching certificate, such as a TESOL and TEFL. Most Polish schools (or companies) value teaching experience more than a college degree.

Jordan

Jordan is probably the most popular touristic destination in the Middle East. If you plan on visiting the Middle East or you’re drawn to the Arab culture, teaching English in Jordan may be an excellent idea for you. You can teach English without a degree in Jordan. You will be able to find most teaching opportunities in Amman and the good news is that most schools will sponsor your work visa. Another perk of teaching English in Jordan is that the costs of living in this country are relatively low which will allow you to live a high-quality lifestyle.

Russia

Another excellent destination to teach English without a Bachelor’s degree is Russia. As a foreign English teacher, you will find a lot of teaching opportunities at schools in Moscow, St Petersburg, and other major Russian cities. Take into account that public schools in Russia don’t hire foreigners, so you will need to look for teaching jobs at private schools (which is even better, as private schools tend to pay a higher salary!).

Teaching in the EU

As a special mention, it should also be noted that if you come from a country within the European Union, you’ll be able to legally work in any other EU country without needing to have a degree. This is because of the EU law stating that citizens from one member country have the legal right to travel and work in other member countries. While schools can still have a preference for teachers with degrees, there wouldn’t be a legal barrier in your way. If you can demonstrate your skills and value to a school, they could have the potential to hire you.

Teaching while studying

Another possible option could be to teach English while studying. Countries such as Taiwan and Spain aim to attract overseas students, but one of the barriers to studying overseas is the cost of living and the cost of paying for tuition. To help encourage overseas students, these countries allow people on student visas to work a set number of hours per week (usually part-time to avoid clashing with your studies). This means that you could learn Mandarin, Spanish, or another subject while also teaching English.

Summary

As you can see, there are many excellent options for English teachers who don’t have a university degree. These are just some of the countries where you can start your teaching career. With an increased demand for ESL teachers around the world, your chances of finding employment are growing by the day. As long as you work on your other qualifications, your chances of getting hired are still great, even if you don’t have a degree. If you find that you teaching abroad is not your thing, then there’s also the convenient option of teaching English online. Whichever you decide to pursue, getting an accredited and recognized TESOL/TEFL certificate is essential and will greatly improve your chances of finding teaching opportunities without a college degree.

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