How much time off do you get when teaching English abroad?
Regardless of our profession or location, we all require downtime to rejuvenate and fully appreciate the country and culture we are inhabiting. Vacationing in your host country during holidays offers an excellent opportunity to get acquainted with the local people and to experience a lifestyle that most tourists miss out on. Whether it is Diwali in New Delhi, Songkran in Phuket, Ramadan in Abu Dhabi, or Christmas in Rome, major holidays give you an intimate exposure to local culture. Such times are usually the best to explore the music, food, and nightlife of your new home, especially during significant cultural or religious festivals.
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How much time off do ESL teachers get?
Middle East and Islamic Nations
However, celebrating your own national holidays may be a different matter as you might be required to work, making your first Thanksgiving in Tokyo, for instance, quite unique. You might miss your family and traditional home-cooked meals, but celebrating with fellow expats abroad can often lead to some of the year's most enjoyable moments.
Also read: How will I make friends while teaching English abroad?
How much time off do ESL teachers get?
The amount of vacation time while teaching English overseas can differ greatly. It is vital to understand all the job details during your interview, including whether you will be paid during holidays. Some roles may offer ample time off, but it may be unpaid, posing a challenge for those with tight budgets or those eager to travel during holidays. If your job pays a monthly salary, you will likely receive paid holidays, while hourly-paid jobs usually don't offer this benefit.
Also read: What questions should I ask a TESOL employer?
Europe
Most ESL positions in Europe are hourly-paid, leading to limited holiday pay. Ensure you understand these details by checking with potential employers. Usual holidays include:
- Christmas and New Year: Two to three weeks (usually ends around January 6)
- Easter: One to two weeks
- Summer holiday: Four to six weeks (usually in July and August)
- National holidays: Around 10 to 15 days on average
Latin America
Here too, hourly-paid roles are common, which might mean minimal holiday pay. Always check the details with each potential employer before signing a contract. Typical holidays include:
- Christmas and New Year: Two to three weeks (usually ends around January 6)
- Easter: One to two weeks
- Summer holiday: Six to eight weeks (usually in Dec/Jan/Feb)
- Winter break: One or two weeks (usually in July/August)
- National holidays: Around 10 to 15 days on average
- Carnival: A major celebration in many Latin American countries, although the extent of holidays varies from country to country
Asia
Asia offers more monthly-paid jobs than hourly, meaning more teachers receive paid holidays here than in many other regions.
- Lunar (Chinese) New Year: One to two weeks (usually in late January or early February)
- National holidays: 10 to 15 days annually (depending on country)
- Western holidays: American holidays will not normally be recognized, but major international holidays such as Christmas and New Year may be celebrated at internationally owned schools and training centers
Middle East and Islamic Nations
In the Middle East, most ESL jobs are paid monthly, providing teachers with substantial paid time off. However, many holidays, determined by the Islamic lunar calendar, change annually.
- Islamic holidays: 10 to 14 days (depending on the country)
- National holidays: 10 to 15 days (depending on the country)
- Summer holidays: Varies, but many teacher receive one to two months off
- Western holidays: American holidays will not normally be recognized, but major international holidays such as Christmas and New Year may be celebrated by western-owned training centers and international schools
Also read: How long do TESOL contracts last?
