Teaching English online is part of the work-from-home movement. For many, it’s the dream — flexible hours, no commute, and the freedom to design your own workspace.
But for others (especially the extroverts out there), the idea of spending all day at home behind a screen can feel isolating.
Here’s the thing: teaching online doesn’t have to mean staying within the confines of your home. You can unchain yourself from your desk, go anywhere you want, and still work.
And it’s not complicated.
All you need is a laptop and a stable internet connection, and you can take your classroom with you, whether that’s a quiet café in Portugal or a sunny terrace in Peru.
Our TTA alumni and online English teachers have the digital nomad life down to a science.
Some days I teach from my villa; other days I’m in a quiet café. Sometimes I’ll head to a co-working space for a more structured environment. – Taylor, Bali
Teaching English online isn’t just a remote job — it’s a lifestyle that can help you become a TEFL digital nomad.
Language- and travel-lovers, rejoice! You can combine your passions and travel as you earn – teach English online and travel!
Read more: How To Work And Travel: Opportunities, Programs And Destinations
But before we jump into the many reasons why becoming a digital nomad is a great way to flourish, let’s unpack what it actually means.
What is a digital nomad?
A digital nomad is someone who works remotely while exploring the world — no office, no fixed address.
The term is a neologism that has become mainstream lingo thanks to the rise of tech and the desire for more work-life flexibility. It was coined in 1997 by Tsugio Makimoto and David Manners, who wrote a book with the same name that described how tech innovations enabled people to lead a nomadic lifestyle while working.
This progressive lifestyle took off around the 2010s and has experienced dramatic growth since 2019, with a 147% increase in US digital nomads alone over the past six years!
Digital nomads have turned the world into their workspace. It’s all about freedom and flexibility.
Read more: The Digital Nomad Visa: A Ticket To Your Best Life
But who are digital nomads?
The digital nomad profile in 2025
For those who think that the digital nomad lifestyle is only for fresh college graduates, think again. According to Localyze, recent statistics paint a different picture.More than half of digital nomads are Millennials (56%), with Gen Z accounting for just 27%. Not one to miss out, Gen X has jumped on the trend, making up 14% of the digital nomad community.
So, what kinds of jobs do digital nomads do?
Anything really — graphic design, blogging, data analysis, copywriting, content creation, business, social media… and English teaching. As remote-work tech keeps improving, more people are joining the digital nomad movement than ever before.
… you’ll find yourself surrounded by other remote workers, creatives, freelancers, and online teachers… – Taylor, Bali
Seeing as there are many ways to become a digital nomad, why should you consider teaching English online specifically?
The TEFL digital nomad lifestyle
Teaching English online offers unique advantages that make it particularly suited for the nomadic lifestyle.
It’s accessible.
Getting started as an online English teacher is easier than you might think. The barrier to entry is quite low compared to other remote professions. Online teaching applications are streamlined, so you can start earning within days.
It’s flexible.
Generally speaking, online English teachers have it good — you can set your own hours, choose your own students and design a schedule that works for you. You can work for one or several platforms or find your own students if the entrepreneurial spirit moves you.
Being an online English teacher opened the doors for a digital nomad lifestyle. It supported my ethos of doing things on my own terms and solidified the idea that I have the freedom to work from anywhere. – Thalia, Peru
You can read about Thalia’s digital nomad story here: A Digital Nomad Story: My Life-Changing Experience With TEFL
It’s relatively stable.
Many freelance jobs can be unpredictable in terms of hours and pay, but with teaching English online, once you have enough students, you can establish a stable routine and a consistent income stream.
This is where online teaching platforms can be particularly beneficial, especially if you’re just starting out online. Many connect teachers with students, and as long as you deliver quality lessons, your students will stick around, and so will your pay!
Read more: Online Teaching Platforms You Need To Know
It’s sustainable.
English instruction is in high demand globally, so you never have to worry whether there’s enough work, especially for those who’ve secured a teaching qualification.
As an online English teacher, you can certainly work for several companies at once to maximise your schedule. – Matt & Perlie, 20+ countries
Read more: The Business Of Online Teaching: What Nobody Tells You About Making It Sustainable
Now that we know why online teaching suits the nomadic lifestyle, let’s look at what it takes to get started.
How to become a nomadic English teacher
Before you start spinning that globe and pinning down your dream locations, there are a few must-haves to get sorted. These are the absolute basics that will help you launch your nomadic teaching journey with confidence.
Essential requirements
- Strong English skills: The better your English skills, the more job opportunities will open to you. Most platforms (and students) prefer native English speakers or highly proficient non-native speakers.
- TEFL qualification: This is not a must, but it definitely boosts your credibility and helps attract students, so that you can sustain your new lifestyle. Most platforms prefer – and some require – a TEFL qualification. Plus, it prepares you for the online classroom.
- Reliable internet connection: This is essential for smooth lessons from cafés, co-working spaces or temporary accommodations abroad.
Reliable internet is non-negotiable when your income depends on Zoom calls or teaching platforms. – Taylor, Bali
- Portable equipment: A laptop with a webcam and microphone ensures you can teach from any location, bringing your classroom with you wherever you are.
- Quiet workspace: Professionalism must be upheld despite a nomadic lifestyle. Find a distraction-free space for teaching to maintain teaching quality and keep those ratings high.
Noise-cancelling [headphones] are your best friend if you’re working from a café or anywhere with background chatter. – Taylor, Bali
Read more: Tips For Setting Up An Online Classroom
Evidently, the English teacher route into digital nomading doesn’t take much. But unless you’re going to start your own teaching business, you’ll need to find a job on a reputable online teaching platform!
Finding your first online teaching job
Platforms connect English teachers with students worldwide. You should find a platform that aligns with your preferences regarding student age, teaching style and preferred payment structure.
But don’t let the Google results overwhelm you. Use this list of online teaching platforms to start you off.
- Italki: Set your own rates and schedules and connect with students for personalised lessons.
- Preply: Offers high flexibility, allowing teachers to create profiles, attract students and set their own rates.
- Cambly: Offers on-demand conversational English tutoring to diverse learners. No minimum hours or strict schedules.
- Twenix: Flexible scheduling, no minimum hours, prepared materials. Focuses on adults in Spain/Italy.
- PalFish: A mobile app-based platform for Young Learners in China, with some teens and adults. Allows flexible scheduling & minimal prep time.
- VIPKid: Structured curriculum for Young Chinese Learners; requires scheduled classes.
- EF: Well-prepared materials with flexible scheduling.
- Novakid: Focused on Young Learners from 50+ countries with pre-prepared lesson plans.
5 Best countries for digital nomads
With so many options, choosing where to base your nomadic lifestyle can feel overwhelming. But when you consider visa access, internet speed, cost of living, safety and community, a few countries emerge as ideal digital nomad destinations.
Here are a few of our top picks:
Portugal
✔ Excellent internet speed
✔ Moderate cost of living
✔ Very safe
✔ Large digital nomad community in Lisbon, Porto and Madeira
✔ Digital Nomad Visa available
Spain
✔ Good internet speed
✔ Low cost of living
✔ Generally safe
✔ Large digital nomad community in Barcelona, Valencia, Canary Islands
✔ Digital Nomad Visa available
Croatia
✔ Good internet speed
✔ Moderate cost of living
✔ Generally safe
✔ Growing digital nomad community in Split and Dubrovnik
✔ Digital Nomad Visa available
Germany
✔ Excellent internet speed
✔ High cost of living
✔ Very safe
✔ Large digital nomad community in Berlin
✔ Freelancer visa (Freiberufler) available
Thailand
✔ Good internet speed
✔ Low cost of living
✔ Mostly safe, although petty crime is common
✔ Large digital nomad community in Chiang Mai, Bangkok, Phuket
✔ Destination Thailand Visa (DTV) available
You may also consider:
- South Africa (Cape Town) Colombia and Mexico -more affordable but research safety,
- Japan and UAE (Dubai) -higher costs but excellent infrastructure, and
- Malta and Estonia.
Write down a bucket list of countries you’ve always wanted to travel to… and apply for teaching jobs in those countries. Make sure the living standards of the places you choose are more affordable than your home country. – Thalia, Peru
Now, trading your cubicle for nomad living is all well and good, but freedom comes with responsibility, so knowing how to manage your income is a biggie.
Financial considerations
Many potential digital nomads may cut their journey short when the thought of living abroad feels too expensive. But teaching English abroad can be a practical way to fund your travels while keeping your lifestyle sustainable.
If you’re looking to escape the mundane 9 to 5 and travel the world but are not sure how to fund your trip, then I 100% recommend starting out teaching English abroad. – Thalia, Peru
However, the income from online English teaching can vary greatly depending on your experience, qualifications, the platform you use, and the number of hours you work.
Pay is usually sufficient to support a comfortable lifestyle in many countries, but there may be times your pay will take a dip.
Read more: Digital Nomad Salaries: What To Expect (From Full-Time TEFL Teachers)
It’s important to:
- Create a budget: Understand your travel and living expenses to determine how many hours you need to work.
- Consider the cost of living: Choose destinations with a lower cost of living to make your income stretch further.
- Diversify income (optional): Many digital nomads combine online teaching with other remote work or passive income streams for greater financial stability.
We were both hired to teach through a Polish company, where we worked for months until they unexpectedly declared bankruptcy. Fortunately, we retained many students through private lessons. – Matt & Perlie, 20+ countries
Read more: 8 Simple Money-Saving Hacks All Travelling Teachers Should Know
Putting the digital nomad lifestyle into practice
Once you secure an online teaching position, the world becomes your office.
Learning how to live as a nomad starts with balance. That means effective time management, dedicated work hours, but still having enough downtime to explore your surroundings.
Work hard in the morning, surf in the afternoon. Or teach a few hours in the evening and spend your mornings at the gym, doing yoga, or exploring waterfalls. – Taylor, Indonesia
Online teaching lets you structure your day around your lifestyle, not the other way around.
Consider your peak productivity hours and the activities you want to prioritise.
Are you an early bird who wants afternoons free for adventure? Or do you prefer leisurely mornings before an evening teaching block?
A consistent routine helps maintain work-life balance.
Set regular teaching hours that align with your students’ time zones, and communicate your availability clearly. This consistency allows you to plan explorations and activities around your commitments without the stress of last-minute scheduling conflicts.
Many of the big online companies cater to students in Asia, mainly East Asia. For younger students, this means that the peak time is after 5:00 PM… right after school. Depending on where you are, this can make your routine more difficult or easier. – Matt & Perlie, 20+ countries
Maintain professionalism by researching co-working spaces in your destination.
Your background may change, but that doesn’t mean you can show up to class with loud café chatter or beach vendors hawking their wares in the background. Make sure to have a few backup options when you need a more structured environment.
Block out specific days or times for exploring your location.
Remember, the goal isn’t just to work remotely, it’s to experience the world while maintaining your career. Immersive cultural experiences are what make the digital nomad lifestyle truly rewarding.
On weekends or days off, you can hop on a ferry to one of nearby islands like Nusa Penida, Lombok, or the Gilis. Each one offers something different, from surfing and scuba diving to hiking volcanoes or simply doing nothing on a white sand beach. – Taylor, Bali
Read more: Adrenaline Travel For Digital Nomads & TEFL Teachers
Of course, nothing in life is without its challenges. And paradise does come with a few speed bumps.
Challenges and solutions
Most challenges have simple solutions if you know what to watch out for. Here’s how to tackle some common hurdles.
Internet reliability
- Always have a backup plan. Invest in a local SIM card with a generous data package as soon as you arrive. It’s a lifesaver when your accommodation’s wifii inevitably drops mid-lesson.
- Scout out reliable co-working spaces in your area, and don’t be shy about asking other digital nomads for their wifi recommendations.
- Test your internet speed before committing to any accommodation, and if possible, have a backup location within walking distance where you can relocate quickly if things go south.
Time zone differences
- Adjust your teaching schedule to accommodate students in different time zones.
- Check where the bulk of your students are based before locking in a schedule to keep that work-life balance in check.
- Leave room for experiencing your destination by refraining from teaching at anti-social hours.
Bali is GMT+8, which works perfectly if your students are in Japan, China, or South Korea. If most of your students are in the US, you might find yourself teaching late at night. – Taylor, Bali
Loneliness
It’s easy for loneliness to creep up when you’re constantly on the go. Moving around can make making connections difficult. Keeping an eye on social media for events near you will get you off your tablet and mingling. Even temporary friendships have value — they can help build memorable experiences in what might’ve been just another work location.
- Seek out other digital nomads.
- Join local communities.
- Participate in co-working spaces.
Visa requirements
- Research visa regulations for every country you plan to visit. Check how long you can stay, whether you need proof of income and what the penalties are for staying longer than planned.
- Keep digital and physical copies of all important documents. A visa service can help you deal with bureaucracy if you find it overwhelming.
Read more: The Digital Nomad Visa: A Ticket To Your Best Life
Takeaway
If the 9–5 life has you bored and your social feed is full of people living their best lives while you’re stuck at your desk, maybe teaching English online is your way out.
It’s flexible, portable and fits perfectly into that adventurous nomadic lifestyle.
A TEFL qualification can break down walls, both professional and geographical. Say no to traffic jams and clock-watching.
Become a digital nomad and redefine your work… and your life.
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