Volunteering or paid TESOL work?

Reasons to be a TESL Volunteer

• You don’t want to commit to 6 months or a year
• You want to give something back in a developing area
• You are heading to poorer more rural parts of Africa, South America or Asia where the perks of volunteer work are worth more than the equivalent salary in that location.
• You have no degree, no TESOL qualification, and no teaching experience and can’t convince anyone to pay you for your teaching efforts.
• See the volunteering section for resources and more thoughts on giving up your time for nothing

Reasons to get paid TESL work

• You are happy to sign a contract in return for help with costs and organisation of flights, visas and accommodation.
• You are looking to earn a good wage in the more developed TESOL industries in Japan, Korea, China, Taiwan etc. (See teaching in ASIA)
• You want to extend your travel and need more cash
• You realise that done well, teaching is hard work and you qualifications, experience and hard graft should be recognised with a decent wage