How To Travel The World And Teach English After Retirement
After years of hard work, many people look forward to the day they can finally say that they retire. Usually, when someone envisions retirement, they expect to rest, travel and enjoy life. Unfortunately, today’s retirement is not as simple and looks a lot different than it did several years ago.
There was a time when people were retiring in their 50s. Today, however, many people are waiting longer to retire. Early retirement, which is now considered 55, is a thing of the past for many people. There are many reasons for this, but the main reason has to do with finances.
Income and Retirement
One of the most important things about choosing when to retire is your income. Since you will not be receiving a paycheck upon leaving the workforce, you must plan accordingly based on savings, retirement plans, and other accounts. You may find that if you dip into these accounts too early, the amount will not sustain you for the remainder of your life.
Unfortunately, this means that many people cannot afford to take early retirement and end up staying on the job until their 60s. A great way to take an earlier retirement, travel the world, and still have some income is to teach English abroad.
Travelling to Teach English as a Second Language
Teaching English as a second language or foreign language (ESL/EFL) gives many retirees the best of both worlds. Many people are choosing that route as a way to fulfil their dreams as well as their pockets. If you are considering teaching English abroad, you have different options as a retiree.
You can choose to teach as you travel to different destinations, or you can relocate to another country if you wish to remain in one location. Each of these options has its benefits depending on your preferred lifestyle. If you want to travel the world, you can teach online classes. If you would rather stay in one location, you can teach online or at a local school.
Keep in mind that teaching online allows you to visit English-speaking countries. However, if you prefer to teach in person, you will most likely have to relocate to a country where English is not spoken. These countries will need English teachers, and schools will more likely hire you.
What You Need to Know Before You Go
If you are like many other people, making major life decisions can be a stressful undertaking. You may have many questions, and it may take you some time to gather all the information. Here are some factors to keep in mind if you are thinking about teaching English in another country.
Travelling Solo
Many of those teaching in other countries have travelled solo. The idea of travelling alone can be a scary one for some, but many have found it to be an exhilarating adventure. Whether a teenager or a retired woman in her 50s, planning out your trip is the best thing to do when travelling solo.
Fortunately, many websites and blogs, like our Rocky Travel, are helpful and can help guide you as you plan. These websites, managed by individuals who have travelled extensively, can guide you to the best places to go, where to stay, and more.
Requirements to Teach English
Becoming an ESL/EFL teacher does require that you have some credentials. More and more countries, including Australia, are demanding that their English teachers possess a college degree and a TEFL certificate provided by TEFL organisations such as the TEFL Org. It is essential to do your research to see the requirements in the country you want to relocate to or visit.
Age Restrictions
Many retirees debating whether or not to teach English overseas wonder whether there are any age restrictions for ESL/EFL teachers. Although some countries, especially some Asian countries, prefer younger teachers, most countries do not have any restrictions on age and even prefer mature teachers.
Best Teaching Locations
If you want to travel and teach, your options are endless. However, where you teach may depend on if you’re going to travel while teaching or if you want to stay in one country for an extended time. If you prefer travelling to several different countries, you may want to travel to countries close to each other to facilitate things.
If you want to stay in one place for a time, you may want to consider other factors such as healthcare, a place to stay, and the cost of living in that country. Like many countries in Latin America, Mexico and Peru fit the bill, making them ideal for retirees.
European countries also make the list of some of the best places to teach while retired. Italy, for example, is an ideal location for female retirees.
Not only does it have many schools that regularly look to hire English teachers, but the cost of living is also reasonable. The rich culture and beautiful weather are bonuses for anyone looking for an ideal place to settle down after retirement. Doing a little research can help you make that final decision.
The Bottom Line about Travelling and Teaching English
If you are retired or are thinking of retiring and want to travel the world but don’t want to use all your retirement savings, becoming an ESL/EFL teacher may be the solution. The reality is that retirement is costly, and many retirees find that teaching for a few hours a week is an ideal situation.
You can live out your dream of visiting other countries, experiencing new cultures, and even learning a new language. Teaching English as a foreign language will offer the flexibility of travelling all while collecting income.
