Looking abroad to get ahead: young Britons explore teaching English overseas as UK career opportunities prove elusive

With half of young people seriously considering moving abroad for work, TEFL students describe how teaching could help them take their next career step

LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM, October 8, 2026 /EINPresswire.com/ -- Young Britons struggling to find a foothold in the jobs market are exploring teaching English overseas as a way to build experience, develop skills and widen their career options.

Recent research from the John Smith Centre at the University of Glasgow found that half of UK 16–29-year-olds have seriously considered moving abroad to find work. The nationally representative poll highlights the frustration facing young people trying to get started in their careers.

Responses from UK students and graduates of The TEFL Org, the UK’s largest provider of TEFL training, offer a personal perspective on those findings. They describe limited graduate opportunities, unanswered applications and uncertainty about their next steps as reasons for exploring Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL).

For UK graduate Beth, looking overseas has already led to a new teaching career. After struggling to find stable employment for more than two years, she started teaching English in South Korea this summer.

Beth reported applying for more than 80 jobs in a single month without receiving a reply. Teaching abroad had been a longstanding ambition, and completing her TEFL qualification helped her take that next step.

“TEFL has, undoubtedly, given me a major confidence boost and positive outlook on my future career prospects,” she said.

She also credited her training with helping her confidently answer interview questions about teaching students with no previous English knowledge - practical preparation that helped her secure the role.

Andy Healy, Managing Director of The TEFL Org, said:

“Young people want the chance to put their skills to use, gain experience and build a career. When applications go unanswered or opportunities in their chosen field are scarce, it’s understandable that they start looking further afield."

“Teaching English abroad can offer a practical way to explore a different career while gaining experience of living and working in another country. These responses show how valuable it can be simply to have another option and a clearer sense of what to do next.”

For Isobel, uncertainty about finding work after university prompted her to explore teaching. She completed her TEFL qualification alongside her English degree, giving her the confidence to consider a future overseas.

“It's made me feel like my future is more open, definitely. I was never planning to move abroad, but it's really reassuring to know that now I can.”

The conversation about overseas opportunities comes as Andy Burnham considers options for Britain’s future EU relationship, including possible membership.

A future agreement that made it easier to live and work in Europe could widen young people’s choices. However, neither EU membership nor restored freedom of movement has been agreed.

Healy added:
“Any future change that makes working overseas more accessible would be welcome. In the meantime, young people need clear information about the opportunities available today, the qualifications employers expect and the requirements for working in their chosen destination."

“A TEFL qualification is a fantastic starting point. Finding the right role also means understanding the job, the employer and what life in that country would involve.”

For more information about TEFL qualifications and teaching overseas, visit www.tefl.org.

ENDS

Notes to editors
The John Smith Centre research was conducted by Focaldata among a nationally representative sample of 523 UK 16–29-year-olds between 11 and 14 August 2026. Findings were published on 9 September 2026.

TEFL Org case studies are drawn from UK respondents in a separate student and graduate survey. Their experiences are individual accounts, not nationally representative findings.

Founded in 2008 and based in Inverness, The TEFL Org provides training for people interested in teaching English abroad and online.

Alan Moir
The TEFL Org
+44 1349 800600
Visit us on social media:
LinkedIn
Instagram
Facebook
YouTube
TikTok