I get asked, often, about how viable teaching English is as an option to “get abroad quick”.
I also often get asked, often, if I’m an English teacher when I meet new people – it’s just the assumption to make when meeting a native speaker. The look on their face when I tell them what I do (and how much I make, it’s always asked right after…) is priceless.
So here’s the dealio:
I have a friend who teaches English, and I’m going to use him as a guideline. He also is on this email list, so I’m hoping I don’t muck any of this up.
At an Eastern European capital city, English teachers should expect to make about $1,000 a month, give or take. This is for about 20-25 hour a week of lessons + lesson planning.
Now, this is the important part:
That $1,000 a month does NOT include summer months.
It is NOT $12,000 a year averaged over 12 months, but more like $1,000 a month except for the months that school isn’t in session…3 months a year.
It’s $9,000 a year averaged over 12 months. Which is only $750/m.
Now, this is easily supplemented by doing some private tutoring on the side, but that’s certainly not passive income. You’re having to actively work to get that work, then actually do the work.
Can you imagine that?
Moving to a foreign country, full of excitement. Then you get there and your yearly income is slashed by 25% before you even begin a day of work.
Now, my friend is a bit higher up the totem pole, and teaches harder topics than basic English, but that’s exceptional – not the norm.
Certainly, if you’re not set on Europe, there are better options in other parts of the world:
I hear that the Mid-East, if that’s your thing, pays $5,000 a month.
Developed Asian countries pay in the $2,000-$3,000 range. Keep in mind, this is developed countries. Think Japan or maybe Korea. Not a place in Southeast Asia where the girls will throw themselves at you.
Speaking of:
One other perk my friend mentions?
Being in the position of power with the students…we all know how girls like older guys. Add in the authority, plus the foreign-ness – winning combination.
Of course, if you don’t have the game to pull it off and get fired, you’ll go from $750 a month to nothing.
You best lock that student down and get her so addicted to you, that you’d never have to worry about the headmaster stopping by to put an end to your Eng-pregnating power.
To get those skills, head on over to my classroom.
Keep causing Trouble,
Kyle
[…] don’t mind living like Gypsies, to put it lightly. For all the stories you might hear about expats who are living abroad teaching English on short-term VISAs while having the time of their lives, I would simply not recommend that […]