Teaching English Abroad: Teaching Children vs. Adults – Styles, Challenges & Opportunities

Teaching English abroad is an exciting path for young travelers and aspiring educators. But one big question to consider is: Do you want to teach children or adults? 

In this comprehensive guide, we’ll compare teaching English abroad to children versus adults, highlight what to expect in each setting, and discuss how to prepare. Whether you dream of energizing a class of kindergartners in Thailand or leading business English workshops in Costa Rica, read on to learn which path is right for you.

Teaching English to Children Abroad

Teaching children abroad is a high-energy, interactive experience.

Here’s what to expect:

• Engaging Teaching Style: Children thrive with games, songs, movement, and techniques like Total Physical Response (TPR). Using props, flashcards, and puppets keeps lessons fun and focused. 
• Classroom Management: Kids need structure and frequent reminders of rules. Patience and strong management skills are essential to keep the classroom running smoothly. 
• Fearless Learners: Unlike adults, children are not afraid to make mistakes. They often participate enthusiastically and learn quickly through trial and error. 
• Motivation Tactics: Most kids attend English class due to school or parental expectations. To keep them engaged, teachers use external motivators like praise, games, and rewards. 
• Role of the Teacher: Teachers often act as entertainers and motivators, creating a vibrant and exciting learning environment.

Where Can You Teach Children?

Asia is the hottest region for teaching children and teens, with huge demand in countries like South Korea, Thailand, China, and Japan.

Programs in Japan place foreign teachers in public schools across the country, and South Korea’s public schools and private academies (hagwons) hire thousands of English teachers each year. 

In Southeast Asia, countries like Thailand and Vietnam also have many opportunities to teach in schools or language centers for kids.

Europe has options, too, often through government-sponsored programs. For example, Spain and France recruit natural English speakers to assist in K-12 classrooms. 

Teaching English to Adults Abroad

Teaching adults requires a different approach tailored to their needs and learning styles.

Here’s what to expect:

• Advanced, Relevant Content: Lessons focus on complex language, clear grammar explanations, and real-life communication—especially for work, travel, or study—challenging learners and fueling ongoing professional growth. 
• Self-Directed Learning: Adults are motivated and self-regulating, minimizing classroom management and maximizing time for productive learning. 
• Supportive Atmosphere: Creating a safe space and encouraging participation helps overcome adults’ fear of mistakes and boosts confidence. 
• Goal-Driven Focus: With clear objectives (career advancement, relocation, etc.), lessons are purposeful and outcome-oriented, leading to tangible progress. 
• Dynamic Discussions: Diverse backgrounds enrich the classroom through engaging debates, presentations, and those rewarding “aha” moments.

Where Can You Teach Adults?

Latin America is one great option. Popular countries in this region for teaching adults include Costa Rica, Mexico, Argentina, and Brazil, where private language schools cater to adult students in the evenings. These learners might be business professionals or university students looking to improve their English for work opportunities. 

The Middle East is another region where teaching adults is common. Countries like the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Oman often hire English teachers for universities, colleges, and corporate training centers. These positions typically come with high salaries and benefits, so they may seek teachers with experience or advanced degrees.

You can also find a mix of adult teaching jobs in parts of Europe and Asia. For example, large cities in China or Japan have private language centers that offer night classes for adult learners (though teaching kids is still more prevalent in East Asia). 

From business English classes in Spain to hospitality English courses in Thailand, you can find a niche that fits your interests. 

Getting TEFL Certified for Teaching Abroad

A TEFL (Teaching English as a Foreign Language) certification is typically required for most paid teaching jobs abroad. It equips you with essential teaching skills and shows schools that you’re qualified. 

Here are a few top options to consider (which offer high-quality training and support):

• Maximo Nivel: Maximo Nivel is an education organization in Latin America known for its award-winning TEFL certification program. Their 4-week, 150-hour onsite TEFL course in Costa Rica, Guatemala, or Peru is internationally accredited and very hands-on. Trainees get real teaching practice with local ESL learners as part of the course. Maximo Nivel also offers lifetime job placement support for TEFL graduates, which means they’ll help connect you with teaching opportunities in Latin America and worldwide.  
• International TEFL Academy (ITA): A highly respected TEFL provider with worldwide reach. ITA offers accredited online and in-person courses (120 hours and up) and has an alumni network of over 50,000 graduates around the globe.  
• IVHQ Online TEFL: International Volunteer HQ (IVHQ) offers a convenient 100-hour online TEFL course for prospective volunteer teachers at a discounted rate. It’s an affordable way to get certified from home. 

Tip: Completing this certification before you volunteer abroad will help you feel more confident walking into the classroom.

Volunteer Teaching Abroad: Gain Experience and Make an Impact

Volunteer teaching abroad is a great way to start your journey and give back while traveling.

It helps you build confidence, gain experience, and strengthen your resume before applying for paid roles. 

Below are eight highly recommended organizations that offer reputable, impactful volunteer teaching opportunities around the world:

International Volunteer HQ (IVHQ)

IVHQ offers a range of 50 volunteer teaching programs across 48 countries worldwide – from teaching in bustling cities to remote villages. They are known for low-cost, fully hosted experiences that include accommodation, meals, orientation, and in-country support, so volunteers can focus on teaching. 

With IVHQ, you can teach in places like Costa Rica, Bali, India, Thailand, Italy, and many more popular destinations. This organization’s strong reputation and extensive support network make it a top choice for first-time volunteer teachers.

GoEco

GoEco is a well-established volunteer abroad organization that has sent over 15,000 volunteers overseas in its first 12 years. They offer a wide variety of teaching and education projects, making it ideal for launching your ESL teaching journey. 

With GoEco, you could volunteer as an English teacher in a community center, a childcare program, or even unique settings like a Buddhist monastery or a sports camp, teaching life skills. 

For example, GoEco offers placements such as teaching in Cape Verde, volunteering for women’s literacy in Sri Lanka, or even assisting English classes in a rural Japanese village – so you have no shortage of unique options. 

Maximo Nivel

Maximo Nivel specializes in impactful education programs in Costa Rica, Guatemala, and Peru. Their volunteer teaching projects aim to bridge the educational gap in under-resourced communities, where access to quality English instruction is limited. 

Volunteers support public schools, after-school programs, community centers, shelters for street children, and even fire stations and military facilities. Responsibilities include lesson planning, teaching classes, tutoring, and leading educational games. You may also contribute to support tasks like organizing materials or improving classroom spaces.

Projects Abroad

Projects Abroad is one of the world’s largest volunteer organizations, founded in the early 1990s and now operating global programs with 600+ staff. They run volunteer teaching projects in dozens of countries. 

As a teaching volunteer, you might find yourself helping in a classroom in Ghana, tutoring children in Jamaica, or teaching English in Mongolia. Projects Abroad provides comprehensive support: pre-departure guidance, trained local staff, accommodation (often with host families), and social activities for volunteers. 

African Impact

African Impact is a leading social enterprise on the African continent, offering projects in 6 countries. Their volunteer teaching programs in Africa combine rewarding work with adventurous travel.

Uniquely, African Impact’s teaching projects can span a wide range of ages: you might work with little kids in preschools or help out in adult literacy workshops for older learners. This gives you a diverse experience. They also offer special TEFL internship programs in Zambia and Zanzibar, where you can earn your TEFL certificate on-site while volunteering. 

Involvement Volunteers International (IVI)

IVI, based in Australia, has been sending volunteers abroad since 1989  – over 35 years of experience. Their teaching abroad programs focus on addressing local needs and can be quite unique. 

For instance, with IVI, you could find yourself teaching English on a remote island in Fiji, supporting special needs education in Ecuador, or coaching sports and teaching in a village in Ghana. This variety means you can pick a project that really aligns with your passions.

Volunteering Solutions (VolSol)

Volunteering Solutions has made a name for itself by offering affordable programs in 20+ countries, and their teaching volunteer projects are very popular. You can choose from placements in Sri Lanka, Thailand, Vietnam, Peru, South Africa, Tanzania, Morocco, and many more. 

VolSol’s teaching programs often serve underprivileged communities – you might be teaching English to children in a slum area in Jaipur or assisting teachers at a rural school in Kenya. 

For a balance of meaningful work + travel adventure, Volunteering Solutions is a fantastic option. 

Global Vision International (GVI)

GVI is very focused on sustainable development goals, so their education programs aim to improve literacy and education in line with local objectives. 

One highlight is GVI’s TEFL and teaching internship in Thailand: it’s an internship where you get TEFL training included, so by the end, you’ve volunteered, gotten certified, and even had leadership and professional development experiences. 

GVI also provides extensive support: airport pickups, orientation, housing, and even assistance finding accommodation if needed during your placement. 

Ready, Set, Teach!

Whether you’re energized by the playful curiosity of young learners or inspired by the goal-driven focus of adults, teaching English abroad has something to offer everyone. By choosing the path that best fits your style — and equipping yourself with a solid TEFL certification and hands-on volunteer experience — you’ll be ready to make a real impact in the classroom and beyond.

So pick your classroom, pack your passion, and get ready to embark on an unforgettable adventure that will transform both your students’ lives and your own.