Remote work has been on the rise for the last few years and it shows no sign of stopping. More and more jobs have incorporated some form of online work and many companies offer fully remote roles. This new working trend has opened up a whole new lifestyle – one that offers new opportunities to explore, new ways of connecting and new attitudes to how we live our lives. 

The nature of TEFL work fits perfectly into this new way of thinking. Of course when we think of teaching, we think of the classroom and the traditional teacher standing at the front delivering the class but online teaching has also seen a big boom. The need for people to learn English is greater than ever and this need translates into a demand for TEFL teachers. Many students opt to study online for ease, comfort and greater access to teachers across the world. 

Why TEFL is a great choice for Digital Nomads

– There is a high demand for English teachers and this is not slowing down. People need and want to learn English for work, studies or general uses such as travel and connecting with others. Online learning can fit better with a student’s lifestyle and give them access to teachers they might not have had before.

– You can teach TEFL in a variety of different ways online. You can work for a school, a company or work for yourself. You can find full-time or part-time work. You might teach to supplement another primary source of income you have. The opportunities are flexible and varied for someone looking to work in TEFL online.

– TEFL gives you the opportunity to travel to several countries and stay longer in each one. That way, you can get to know the people and the culture more immersively than if you only visited for a short time. Take the chance to learn some local lingo, partake in local festivities and customs and explore sights of interest, all while supporting yourself with TEFL online!

– It’s easy and convenient to get TEFL-qualified. You can study online and get qualified in a matter of weeks. You can even do this as you’re travelling! Even after you obtain your initial TEFL qualification, you can take more online courses to upskill.

Types of work in TEFL as a Digital Nomad

There are many TEFL companies, big and small, that take on online TEFL teachers. This might be full-time or part-time and many provide materials so your lesson planning can be kept to a minimum. You can teach children or adults, depending on your preferences. You will probably teach different students each week with this type of work.

The beauty of finding a company to work for is that you can find one that fits the timezone you want to work in. Most companies offer peak hours where you will get more classes and possibly higher pay for being available for these hours. Make sure you are aware of any daylight savings changes so you don’t miss any classes!

Another way is to work for a school. This will likely be a fixed, set number of hours with the same group of students each week. This is great for more stability in your work and to build rapport with your students. However, it does mean that there is less flexibility ,as you will need to stick to these hours. You also need to ensure that the timezone you’re in lines up with these hours. 

A popular and more lucrative way is to find your own students for private classes. This might involve building up your profile on teaching websites or social media, or you might find locals who are willing to sign up for your online classes. You set your own hours and rates, so you have more control over your working conditions. 

Balancing travel and digital nomad life 

Being a digital nomad is a life full of adventure, new people and unforgettable experiences. However, it’s not without its difficulties sometimes. Here are some tips to be more successful whilst travelling and teaching TEFL as a digital nomad.

Set a clear schedule

Depending on who you’re working for, your hours might change from week to week. Generally, the more flexible you are, the more opportunities will come your way. However, it’s important to find that balance between work and exploration. Ensure that you have time for yourself otherwise, you won’t enjoy the exciting new place you’ve travelled to.

A good idea is to block time out. You might do 5 hours of classes between 10 and 3 and then have 3 hours of free time. If you organise your own classes, take care not to schedule them sporadically throughout the day; otherwise, you won’t have enough time to do anything in between and will have a poor work-life balance. 

Tech back-up

You will need to invest in better quality gear in order to maintain your lifestyle as an online TEFL teacher. This means a reliable laptop, a good camera and a high-quality microphone and headset. This will ensure your lessons will go smoothly. Many companies will expect that you have these things and will check when you interview. 

Wi-Fi can’t always be relied on, especially in certain parts of the world. Check the speed of the internet when you choose a hostel, hotel or apartment. If you can, have a backup such as your mobile data (get a local SIM!), which you can connect to if the Wi-Fi goes out and you’re in the middle of a class.

Have a quiet space 

To teach TEFL online you need a quiet space and a fairly neutral background. This can make staying in a hostel more difficult. Students and employers will complain if you have people shouting in the background. Check out if any local co-working spaces where you will be able to deliver your classes. Work out if this is in the budget for you or whether getting a cheap apartment or hotel room might work out better.

Budget 

Travelling long-term or on a permanent basis requires you to be savvy with your budget. Take the time to plan out your finances and consider how much you have to spend each month. This will also help you plan how much you need to earn from your lessons. You can create a spreadsheet to help you review your costs.

Travelling can be unpredictable and sometimes will require last-minute purchases you might not have budgeted for. You might end up in a bad hostel and want to change. You might need to book a flight home in case of a family emergency. Unfortunately, the list of potential issues are endless. Ensure you have enough in the emergency fund to cover these costs – it’s just good sense!

Connect with others 

You don’t have to be the life of the hostel and out partying every night but meeting other people is good for you when travelling for longer periods of time. In particular, it’s good to connect with others who are also working online or even teaching TEFL too. These days, there are more and more social groups aimed at connecting digital nomads.

If you’re not staying in a hostel then you have to put more effort into meeting people. There are lots of meet-up groups on social media and apps you can download to find groups according to hobbies and interests. To explore points of interest you can do some group tours with local tour companies. Throw yourself into the experience and you can meet some amazing people!

Visas

Remember, it is up to you to work out the correct visa for your stay. Many countries now offer digital nomad visas to enable longer stays for remote workers. These countries include the Bahamas, South Korea, Portugal, Estonia, New Zealand and more! More and more countries are providing digital nomad visas and financial incentives as they can see the rewards that digital nomads can bring to a country.

Be aware of your impact

Tourism in general can leave a big impact on local communities. Some of this can be good (boosting local economies and businesses) and some can be…not so good (waste, over-tourism). It’s important as a digital nomad that you are aware of your impact. Respect local customs, limit your waste and contribute to the local economy. You can avoid giant chains and eat and drink in local places. Take the time to learn some of the language to get to know the locals, they will appreciate it more than you know!

Working under a digital nomad visa will help you contribute to the economy. Promote local businesses where you can, especially if you have a decent following on social media. Leave reviews online for these businesses as it will help them grow. If you have the time, you can even give back with your teaching skills. TEFL teachers can organise local meet-ups or classes in poorer countries where the locals might not be able to afford to practise with native speakers. 

Teaching TEFL as a digital nomad can bring you a lot of amazing experiences and memories that can impact you for years to come. Whether you choose to stay in TEFL teaching or not, the skills are transferable to your future career plans. Travel is an incredibly rewarding experience and combining this with online TEFL teaching can help you create your perfect lifestyle. All you need is to get qualified, what are you waiting for?