Most people think of online teaching as the consolation prize, something you settle for if the "real" plan of moving abroad falls through. That's backwards. For most people starting this path, online teaching isn't the backup plan. It's the smart first step. It's Not a Fringe Thing Anymore The digital English learning market is projected to grow from $12.25 billion in 2025 to $25.47 billion by 2030, and 73% of students worldwide now say they prefer learning online over in-per

Almost everyone I talk to eventually asks some version of the same question. Not "is this possible," but "can I actually afford to do this." Fair question. Here's the honest answer, numbers included. You Won't Get Rich. Let's Get That Out of the Way. Nobody gets into teaching English to build wealth, in any country. If that's the goal, this isn't the path. But "not going to make you rich" and "not financially realistic" are two very different things, and a lot of people confu

I've been doing this for 25 years, and I've lived in Costa Rica for over 20 of them. If you're considering this move, you deserve a straight answer, not a sales pitch. So here it is: the real upsides, and the real downsides, of teaching English abroad. The Pros You actually live somewhere, instead of visiting it. A two-week vacation shows you the highlights. Teaching abroad gives you a routine, a job, coworkers, neighbors, a grocery store you know by heart. That's a complete

I've lived and taught in France, Italy, and the Czech Republic. Of everywhere I've called home, Costa Rica is the one I stayed in for over 20 years. That's not a coincidence. It's one of the safest, most stable countries in Latin America. Rainforests, volcanoes, beaches, all a few hours apart. Life runs on "pura vida," pure life, a slower, more present way of living most people spend years chasing before they find it here. Healthcare is excellent, and there's already a large

27 years teaching English. 12 of those running TEFL certification programs, over 1,500 students certified along the way. 23 years calling Costa Rica home. In all that time, I've seen almost every kind of student walk through a classroom door. But there's one group I think about more than any other. It's the reason I built 1 on 1 TEFL the way I did. Close-up view of a classroom setting with a teacher and student engaged in a lesson The Woman Who Didn't Pass Years ago, I had a