The decision of which country to teach English as a second language (TESOL) is a tough one – after all, there are almost 200 to choose from!
On top of that, there are so many factors to consider: demand, culture, climate, cost – the list goes on.
One of the factors of working abroad that is undoubtedly paramount to all aspiring ESL teachers is safety.
Due to the wide-ranging, international nature of the TESOL industry, teachers can and do end up in all sorts of locations.
Some of the said locations are often not the most stable nor secure places.
Whether it be high rates of petty crime, political instability, or propensity to combust in some form of a natural disaster – safety is an important aspect of traveling everyone must account for.
So, without further ado, here are some of the safest TESOL destinations you can go to work in.
To compile the list, we sought countries that scored well in the 2019 GLobal Peace Index and were also popular places to teach English.
Find out more about TESOL and TEFL.
Contents
Portugal, 3rd Safest
First on the list is the small, rugged country of Portugal.
Impressively ranked as the 3rd safest country in the world, Portugal is also a pretty good place to teach English.
Demand is fairly high, perhaps not as much as in its Mediterranean neighbors Spain and Italy, but still pretty strong.
Soak in the sun, enjoy the views, and sip on some fantastic port as you enjoy the best of what this country has to offer.
TESOL Facts
- Peak hiring period: September, around the start of the school term.
- Salary: €700 – €1500 ($820 – $1,700) per month
- Requirements: For EU citizens, a TESOL certificate will often suffice. Non-EU citizens may need a degree to meet visa restrictions.
- Best locations: Lisbon, Faro, Porto, as well as other smaller towns across the country.
Portugal Safety Overview
READ THE FULL REPORT: Portugal Safety Review
Safety Index:
- OVERALL RISK: LOW
- TRANSPORT & TAXIS RISK: LOW
- PICKPOCKETS RISK: HIGH
- NATURAL DISASTERS RISK: LOW
- MUGGING RISK: MEDIUM
- TERRORISM RISK: LOW
- SCAMS RISK: MEDIUM
- WOMEN TRAVELERS RISK: LOW
Czechia, 8th Safest
Nestled in the heart of Europe, Czechia (formerly the Czech Republic) is not only safe but a great place to teach.
In fact, it’s one of the best in Europe, with demand comparable to the likes of Spain or Italy.
This fairytale land of green hills, medieval castles, and Bohemian architecture is a great choice for any aspiring teacher.
TESOL Facts
- Peak hiring period: September and then also January, in accordance with term times.
- Salary: 22,000-36,000 Korunas ($1,000 – $1660) per month.
- Requirements: For EU citizens, a TESOL certificate will often suffice. Non-EU citizens may need a degree to meet visa restrictions.
- Best locations: Prague, Brno, and Ostrava.
Czech Republic Safety Overview
READ THE FULL REPORT: Czech Republic Safety Review
Safety Index:
- OVERALL RISK: LOW
- TRANSPORT & TAXIS RISK: LOW
- PICKPOCKETS RISK: LOW
- NATURAL DISASTERS RISK: LOW
- MUGGING RISK: LOW
- TERRORISM RISK: LOW
- SCAMS RISK: LOW
- WOMEN TRAVELERS RISK: LOW
Japan, 9th Safest
Not only is Japan one of the safest countries in the world, but it’s also one of the best countries to teach English in.
Although it has moved on from its heyday, teaching here can be very rewarding, both in experience and financially.
The demand for teachers here is probably one of the highest in the world, as is standard in East Asia.
Whether it’s in one of the massive megacities or a sleepy rural village, Japan has something for everyone.
TESOL Facts
- Peak hiring period: March/April with the beginning of the term, but often year-round.
- Salary: Around 250,000+ yen ($2000+) per month.
- Requirements: a TESOL certificate of 120 hours or more. A degree for most jobs, but can obtain a working holiday visa without one.
- Best locations: All cities as well as more rural areas.
Japan Safety Overview
READ THE FULL REPORT: Japan Safety Review
Safety Index:
- OVERALL RISK: LOW
- TRANSPORT & TAXIS RISK: LOW
- PICKPOCKETS RISK: LOW
- NATURAL DISASTERS RISK: LOW
- MUGGING RISK: MEDIUM
- TERRORISM RISK: MEDIUM
- SCAMS RISK: LOW
- WOMEN TRAVELERS RISK: LOW
Slovenia, 11th Safest
Back in Europe, we find ourselves in the tiny, gorgeous nation of Slovenia.
Bordered by larger, more historically influential countries like Italy, Austria, and Hungary, Slovenia is a haven for backpackers and teachers alike.
Demand is naturally not as big here as some of the other countries on this list, but the job market is still pretty lively.
TESOL Facts
- Peak hiring period: August – September.
- Salary: $760 – $1,300 per month.
- Requirements: a TESOL certificate of 120 hours or more will usually suffice.
- Best locations: Ljubljana and some other smaller towns.
Slovenia Safety Overview
READ THE FULL REPORT: Slovenia Safety Review
Safety Index:
- OVERALL RISK: LOW
- TRANSPORT & TAXIS RISK: LOW
- PICKPOCKETS RISK: LOW
- NATURAL DISASTERS RISK: LOW
- MUGGING RISK: MEDIUM
- TERRORISM RISK: LOW
- SCAMS RISK: LOW
- WOMEN TRAVELERS RISK: LOW
Germany, 16th Safest
You might be surprised to learn that Germany is actually quite a good place to teach English considering its well-known fluency levels in the language.
For one, the level of English spoken here, while good (ranked 10th)*, is not quite as high as in nearby countries like the Netherlands (1st) or Sweden (2nd).
That’s good news for those hoping to teach here.
There are a lot of ‘business English’ positions available too, so anyone with experience in that field will be at an advantage.
TESOL Facts
- Peak hiring period: Around September.
- Salary: €1000 – €2000 ($1,200 – $2,400) per month.
- Requirements: A TESOL certificate and degree will usually be needed. Experience is often valued higher than qualifications, though.
- Best locations: Berling, Frankfurt, Cologne, Munich, most major cities and towns.
*According to the English Proficiency Index
Germany Safety Overview
READ THE FULL REPORT: Germany Safety Review
Safety Index:
- OVERALL RISK: LOW
- TRANSPORT & TAXIS RISK: LOW
- PICKPOCKETS RISK: MEDIUM
- NATURAL DISASTERS RISK: LOW
- MUGGING RISK: LOW
- TERRORISM RISK: MEDIUM
- SCAMS RISK: LOW
- WOMEN TRAVELERS RISK: LOW
Safety in The Age of Covid-19
Obviously, with the coming of Coronavirus, what was considered ‘safe’ even a few months ago is no longer.
The entire world is struggling with the new disease and the implementation of lockdown policies and border controls everywhere.
Some regions have handled the situation better than others though, meaning there is an asymmetry in the number of cases.
Of the countries listed above, none are free from the strains and have their own versions of rules that must be followed.
It goes without saying that you must follow the rules of the country you find yourself in, should you be given the opportunity to move.
It’s impossible to know how long the virus will be around so it’s likely you will have to remain vigilant for the foreseeable future.
Employers are still posting positions on job boards online, but some are postponing the start of contracts.
In the meantime, you could train up as best as possible to improve your job prospects for when more borders open.
Portugal is ranked as the 3rd safest country in the world and offers a good demand for teaching English, making it an ideal destination.