Should The Philippines Be Your Next TEFL Destination?

With a TEFL certificate, the world is truly your oyster. So where on earth should you go?

With the title of the third largest English speaking country in the world, with English spoken by approximately 93% of its population, the Philippines might not be your immediate first choice. However, the Philippines is fast becoming a major English language learning destination and should definitely be a consideration for TEFL teachers looking to go where the jobs are. It doesn’t hurt that it’s picture-perfect either.

Where can I find work in The Philippines?

Considering the Philippines is an archipelago of almost 8 000 islands, when we say that you’re going to find work on an island, that’s not going to be very helpful. But it’s true! Cebu, to be particular. Cebu is a long, narrow island with rolling hills, rugged mountains and long white sand beaches. Cebu is known for its fishing and scuba diving and is a popular tourist destination. It’s at the tourist resorts on Cebu where language centres are situated where you are likely to find a teaching position.

If you prefer living in a big city, there are also many teaching opportunities to be found in Manila.

What kind of work can I find in the Philippines?

Language centres are where you should look for a TEFL job in the Philippines. These language centres cater for adult students, local but more likely international. The Asian market has realized that The Philippines is a convenient destination to learn English (especially American English) and many Chinese, Japanese and South Korean students make their way here, as well as Brazilian, Libyan and Russian students.

In these language centres you will find a mix of native and non-native teachers. Since most Filipinos can speak English, there are many who decide to become English teachers, but native teachers are often preferred to teach exam preparation classes.

It is also possible to find work as a tutor and teach private lessons for extra income.

What can I expect to find in terms of lifestyle in the Philippines?

In the Philippines, the living is easy, make no mistake. The cost of living is low, as are the working hours. There are loads of places to discover during your free time and since English is so widely spoken, travelling is really easy. Even though you may not earn the highest salary, you will still be able to live comfortably and have a good lifestyle.

If you are weighing up your options for 2018 and wondering where your next teaching adventure should be, consider heading out to a country that is still fairly off the beaten track but definitely on the rise: the Philippines.