The Irish passport can help you achieve a dream TEFL job, along with your online TEFL qualification, of course! You can work and reside in a number of countries teaching English as a second language. A career in TEFL can be incredibly fulfilling as you help people make a difference in their lives. It can also be the adventure of a lifetime, and it opens your eyes to the world, new experiences, and travel.

One of the advantages for Irish teachers in 2024 is that they can move to and work in many EU countries without complex visa or residency processes. Since the UK officially left the EU, this process has become more complicated for teachers from the UK, who frequently went to EU countries to teach. Irish teachers have the upper hand as an English-speaking country in Europe without needing a visa to live and work in the European Union. This means more job opportunities in these countries. 

Of course, teaching TEFL is not limited to only EU countries. If you have an Irish passport, you can travel and work in a great deal of countries worldwide, many of which are looking for candidates with native English-speaking passports. 

As Ireland’s leading TEFL provider, we are here to assist teachers in beginning their TEFL dreams and moving abroad for an exciting new career. We have a range of courses to help you achieve this and offer assistance in selecting which one is best for you and your teaching profile. What course you do depends on your aims and background such as your previous education and experience. 

What do I need to teach abroad?

This will depend on the country you’re going to and the type of job you want.

Here are some general requirements:

TEFL certification

This is very important to be able to teach TEFL of course! Depending on your background, you can complete a 120-hour course or a Level 5 Diploma. Getting TEFL qualified has never been easier with the TEFL Institute of Ireland’s online TEFL courses. You can qualify within a matter of weeks and all from the comfort of your own living room! It really can be that easy.

Remember that being a native English speaker can give you an advantage but it might not necessarily mean that you know the ins and outs of English grammar and how to teach it. After all, native speakers don’t learn their own language the same way as your future students will. An online TEFL course will fill in those gaps and show you how to teach your language effectively and leave your students feeling engaged and confident.

Degree

Not all countries require that their TEFL teachers have a degree so you will need to check this before applying for any jobs. Although it might not be a requirement in certain countries (e.g., Spain or Italy), it certainly helps boost your teaching application if you do. Some countries will not provide you with a visa if you do not have a degree so this is something that can’t be changed if you want to go to countries such as China or South Korea.

Passport 

You might not need a passport to live and work in the EU if you have a valid identity card but to work elsewhere, you will need a valid, in-date passport. Some countries will require a passport from selected English-speaking countries. Ireland fits into this category so your passport can help you obtain a position also in countries that set this as a pre-requisite.

Visa

If you have an Irish passport, you can move to countries in the EU visa free, although you will need to apply for residency (either short-term or long-term). This is a relatively easy process. If you wish to venture further than the EU, you will need to apply for a visa. Your passport makes it quite obtainable to work in many countries but you should do your research for any visa requirements.

What are some popular TEFL destinations for Irish teachers in 2024?

Spain

Spain has always been a TEFL favourite for teachers and 2024 has seen no change to this. You can quite easily move to Spain with your Irish passport and teach in a local academy or school. The relaxed Spanish lifestyle attracts a lot of TEFL teachers so you will find a big community of expats here of all nationalities. You will most likely be working in the afternoons, leaving mornings and weekends to explore your new city!

There are many flights between Spain and Ireland so it’s always easy to pop home if you need a food fix or to visit family and friends. It also means that people can come and visit you and see your new life as a TEFL teacher in Spain.

Italy 

Italy is also relatively straightforward for Irish citizens to move to. Many of the big cities have lower living costs, and you will have free time to explore nearby with its extensive rail network. Teaching TEFL in Italy typically consists of working in local academies and may involve some Saturday teaching from time to time.

South Korea

If you want to travel further afield, South Korea is a great choice for this and a great place to explore a culture that’s different to your own. South Korea has some of the highest-paying TEFL jobs in this part of the world so if you’re looking to save more money, this could be the right place for you. 

You often need a degree to teach in South Korea, as they value education and want their teachers to have this extra qualification. You also need to be a native English speaker, so Irish passport holders have this advantage when applying for jobs.

Thailand 

If you’re interested in living and working in Asia and you’re more of a beach person, then Thailand might be your dream come true. There are lots of amazing cities and beaches here. Many teachers opt for Thailand to explore the land of smiles! It’s not just a name, the people are truly very welcoming and you will feel comfortable from day one!

You will most likely work in a public school during the day in Thailand and have different classes throughout your working day. You might also be asked to undertake other duties such as monitoring the gates or lunchtimes.

Cambodia

Cambodia may be of interest to teachers who don’t have a degree as it’s one of the few Asian countries that don’t have this requirement for visa purposes. If you are a native speaker and have an online TEFL qualification, then you are ready to head to Cambodia to teach!

Cambodia has a lot of history to learn about and is also home to some incredible temples to visit. The people are friendly and will make you feel right at home in their country. It is easy to travel around to the main cities also by buses and some trains. You can also travel to neighbouring Southeast Asian countries to explore an incredible region of the world.

Mexico

Mexico is a vibrant country, and its cities have many TEFL jobs. Teachers who have a degree or a Master’s degree are valued and can obtain work at universities in the big cities, too. It’s easy to travel around Mexico if you want to get to know the country better, and the cost of living is relatively low. You will find that a lot of the TEFL materials will focus more on American English due to its proximity to the states, but teachers of all nationalities are welcome.

Teaching Online

Of course, in today’s climate, teaching online offers many opportunities. As a native English speaker with an online TEFL certification, many companies will be interested in your profile. There are some that require a degree to teach online also, but many that are happy to have teachers with TEFL qualifications only. 

Teaching online can come in many forms – you might work for a company or a school online or you might find your own clients and set up your own business as a freelancer. Each one has its own advantages and these depend on what you’re looking for as a TEFL teacher. 

Internships

If you’re unsure about where you want to go and how to go about it, then you might want to consider undertaking one of our internships. It’s a stress-free way to get started, as everything is organised for you, and you receive guidance with visas, orientation and accommodation. It’s also a good way to sample the TEFL lifestyle for a few months or a year and then decide more systematically where you want to work.

As a teacher with an Irish passport, there are many opportunities available for you worldwide. Whether you want to stay closer to home in Europe or travel further to South America or Asia, there are new jobs being advertised every day. If you haven’t already, let Ireland’s leading TEFL provider help you obtain your online TEFL qualification and get out there and start your career!