Exploring the world while teaching is an exciting and sometime terrifying thought. Most of us at some point in time have considered just taking a break from it all and seeing what the world has to offer. We've taken the time to break down the top five countries to teach in as a woman. These are in no particular order and are just a collection of countries that provide a safe environment for women to teach in.
In addition to being home to one of the best job markets in Latin America for ESL teachers, Costa Rica is the most stable county in the region with over 80 years of democracy without threat of war. Costa Rica is also one of two countries in the entire world that does not currently have an army.
Costa Rica’s natural resources are impressive; multiple active volcanoes, mountain range, pristine white sandy beaches and an impressive rain forests inhabited by monkeys, sloths and toucans.
But Costa Rica’s best resource is not its nature, but its people. Costa Ricans are known for their love of life as they have coined the phrase “pure life” when speaking to one another. All who come to Costa Rica leave knowing they have made friends here. Unlike some countries where foreigners, especially women, are tolerated, here in Costa Rica they are welcomed! Salsa dancing, weekend trips to the beach, and late night drinks are some of the more popular social activities in Costa Rica.
Although English teachers certainly won’t get rich in Costa Rica, they will be able to live comfortably and essentially break even after expenses while enjoying life in the tropics in what many travelers have called one of the happiest countries in the world.
Machu Picchu, the Andes, Incan history and a varied cuisine are the most valued attractions of Peru, our #2 pick for Spanish-speaking countries where women would feel comfortable teaching and living. On the northwestern coast of South America, Peru also offers the legendary rain forests of the Amazon and ample hiking, mountain biking and rafting opportunities.
Lima, Peru’s capital and largest city, is where most jobs will be found, but certified TEFL teachers can also find many opportunities in the mountainous colonial cities of Arequipa or Cusco. Offering a more conservative society buried deep in history, these two cities welcome expats and tourists.
Known for sangria, siestas and sun, it's no wonder Spain is on the list for English teachers, especially women. Large cities like Barcelona, Seville, and Bilbao have many language schools and academies, but Madrid still offers the most work. It's no secret that Spain has endured economic hardships with the rest of Europe, but many unemployed citizens have chosen to invest in English education to enhance their resumes, keeping Spain at the top of the hiring lists for ESL teachers in Europe.
Foreign women in Spain will fall in love with the world-class cuisine, deep history and culture, and never-ending nightlife all while feeling comfortable living and working in Europe.
Chile, a geographically-diverse country in South America, has recently emerged as an economically prosperous and politically stable country, creating unprecedented demand for certified English teachers. It leads Latin American in quality of life, political stability, income per capita, and economic freedom. Chile is also a founding member of both the United Nations and the Union of South American Nations. As can be imagined, they are a warm and welcoming people, and foreign visitors, including women, feel very comfortable.
With excellent wine, an epic coastline and some of the most untouched wildlife on Earth, Chile draws explorers from all over. Nearly 70% of the Chileans live in urban areas, and the capital of Santiago has a high concentration of English language schools.
With the canal, historical sites and ruins, beautiful indigenous cultures, Spanish and French architecture, great nightlife, dining and shopping, you can't go wrong in Panama. Panama also offers so many great weekend trips like the Caribbean islands of Bocas del Toro and San Blas.
Panama's economy is among the best-managed and fastest growing in the Central America, and Panama City is more modern than most cities in the region with upscale malls and movie theaters. With over a hundred years of Americans living in working in their country with the canal, Panamanians are very understanding and accepting , especially of women. For obvious reasons, nearly all of the ESL jobs are in the capital, Panama City.
Regardless of which country you end up in, start in Costa Rica by taking one of our 4-week, onsite TEFL courses. Contact us today to save your seat!
