If you’re a single guy dreaming of ditching your 9–5 and living overseas, you’re not alone — and you’re definitely not crazy. More and more Western men are figuring out how to stretch their dollars, explore new cultures, and live life on their own terms.
I’ve been traveling and living overseas since 2019, and full-time since 2022. I love living overseas so much. The lifestyle. The food. Lower cost of living. But, how does one move abroad and support themselves financially?
Well, there’s one path that consistently comes up as the most popular and common starter route for going global.
Teaching English.
Specifically: getting a Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL )certification and using it to land work either online or abroad.
Why So Many Guys Are Going the TEFL Route
Look — you don’t need to be an English major or a grammar nerd. If you’re a native English speaker from the U.S., Canada, U.K., Australia, etc., you’re already 90% qualified.
Everywhere from Southeast Asia (Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos, the Philippines), to East Asia (Japan, South Korea, China), to Latin America (Colombia, Brazil, Mexico) has a growing demand for English teachers.
And most guys don’t even realize that a natural-born skill like the ability to speak English fluently is actually a marketable skill.
Overseas, some teach in-person, some work remotely — either way, it’s become the most common launchpad for men looking to live abroad while earning.
How Fast Can You Get a TEFL Certification?
Faster than you think. Some programs offer 120-hour online certifications you can complete in as little as 2–4 weeks. The most recognized ones include:
Many of these offer job placement assistance or at least guidance on how to land your first gig. For example, myTEFL lists programs relative in Hungary, Mexico, Argentina, Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia, and Africa.
Prices typically range from $200 to $1,000 depending on how in-depth the program is and whether it’s online, in-person, or hybrid.
You don’t need to overthink it — just get certified and start applying.
Pros and Cons of Teaching English Abroad
✅ Pros:
- It works. Teaching is the most common and proven path I see guys use to stay abroad long-term.
- Low barrier to entry. No degree or teaching experience required for many jobs.
- Lifestyle upgrade. In places like Vietnam or Colombia, your income can go a lot further — even if it’s modest.
- Gateway opportunity. Teaching English can lead to other doors opening: private tutoring, teaching other subjects, or transitioning into online work. My buddy worked 5 years as an English teacher, and then landed a lucrative job at an international school teaching other subjects such as math and history.
❌ Cons:
- Low starting pay. Entry-level jobs usually have entry-level pay. Some online jobs pay $8–12/hour. You can survive, but it might not be glamorous.
- Lack of benefits. For many, you won’t be paying into your Social Security, getting retirement, or employer-provided health care. This is a huge risk and something you’ll have to take care of on your own.
- Competition is growing. Especially in “hot” countries like Thailand and South Korea. Popular cities have the most competition. You may have to start out in a less popular city or more rural area.
- College-degree needed? Will not mandatory, SOME employers may prefer instructors who have a college degree. Don’t let that stop you, as many don’t. But having one certainly helps.
Will AI Replace TEFL English Teachers?
Honestly? I doubt it.
As someone who’s attempted to learn multiple languages, including Spanish, Swahili, Thai, and Visayan (Philippines), I can tell you this: no chatbot or AI app can replace the human element.
The energy of a real classroom and fellow students, interacting with a native speaker, and the motivation that comes from real-time feedback — that’s how people truly learn.
AI might help with drills or grammar checks, but teaching will always be personal.
Real Story: From Nearly Broke to Teaching Online
A buddy of mine was down bad in the Philippines. He was up against a wall, seriously running low on cash, and starting to panic. He didn’t want to go back home to the United States — but he didn’t know what to do either.
He ended up grabbing a fast-tracked TEFL certification online (I think it was around $200), and within two months, he was teaching English online to Chinese, Korean, and Japanese students.
Was he living a glamorous lifestyle? Nope. He was making about $8 an hour. But he was surviving — and that bought him time instead of having to go back to the U.S. to find a job. Time to stabilize, pay all his monthly expenses, and get some teaching experience so that later he could explore better-paying employers.
A FREE Guide For You:
Before you dive into TEFL or any other path, it’s smart to see all your options.
I put together a free guide called “7 Ways To Fund Your Travel” — these are the exact methods I’ve used (and seen others use) to stay overseas long-term.
👉 [Download the free guide here]