~ Cambodia ~ China ~ Hong Kong ~ Indonesia ~ Japan ~ Laos ~ Malaysia
~ South Korea ~ Taiwan ~ Thailand ~ Vietnam ~

JAPAN
From Tokyo to Tokushima, technology to tofu, Japan offers big bustling cities and quiet rural communities. The country is perfectly situated for trips to Bali, Hong Kong, Thailand, Vietnam and other exotic locations as the strong yen makes for very inexpensive traveling. Traveling within Japan is also a must for those who do not mind spending some of their hard earned money, as it is quite expensive but well worth it! Make sure to go to Kyoto, a site renowned for its ancient temples and ruins as well as its Geisha culture. There are many ESL teaching opportunities in Japan, and the lucrative private tutoring options make it possible to save a substantial amount of money. ESL students are attentive and kind, with many schools catering to teenagers.
Requirements: |
College Degree and a TESOL/TEFL
Certificate |
Typical Contract: |
1 year |
Peak Hiring Season: |
All year round |
Teaching Hours/week: |
25-40 |
Monthly Salary*: |
250,000 JPY |
Exchange Rate*: |
$1 USD=110 JPY |
Income Tax*: |
10-37% |
Cost of Living/month**: |
150,000 JPY |
Accommodations: |
Sometimes provided |
Airfare: |
Sometimes provided |
Health Care: |
Provided |
Holidays: |
Paid |
Visa: |
Certificate of Eligibility required; usually employer assisted; degree required |
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SOUTH KOREA
If you want to save money, enjoy delicious foods, and visit beautiful Buddhist temples, South Korea is the place for you. There are many job opportunities around South Korea, whether in big cities, small towns, or tropical islands surrounding the mainland. You may find yourself teaching kindergarten students, teenagers or business professionals. There are also plenty of opportunities for private tutoring.
Requirements: |
College Degree and a TESOL/TEFL
Certificate |
Typical Contract: |
1 year |
Peak Hiring Season: |
All year round |
Teaching Hours/week |
25-40 |
Monthly Salary*: |
1.8-2.2 million KRW |
Exchange Rate*: |
$1 USD=1,040 KRW |
Income Tax*: |
5-10% |
| Cost of Living/month**: |
500,000 KRW |
Accommodations: |
Provided |
Airfare: |
Provided |
Health Care: |
Provided |
Holidays: |
Paid |
Visa: |
Employer assisted; degree required |
| Important Notes: |
Very Large TESOL/TEFL Market |
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CHINA
China is the fourth largest country in the world. Its history dates back over 6,000 years. The yin of Imperial structures, calligraphy, Tai Chi, the Great Wall and green tea is balanced by the yang of cell phones ringing, digital cameras, DVD’s and palm pilots. Shanghai is booming as the Asian center for economy and trade and the demand for ESL teachers is extremely high. Teaching English in China gives you the opportunity to learn about a fascinating culture while gaining an extremely rewarding experience.
Requirements: |
High School Diploma and a
TESOL/TEFL Certificate |
Typical Contract: |
6 months-1 year |
Peak Hiring Season: |
All year round |
Teaching Hours/week |
20-25 |
Monthly Salary*: |
4,000-7,000 CNY |
Exchange Rate*: |
$1 USD=7 CNY |
Income Tax*: |
15-20% |
| Cost of Living/month**: |
1,000-3,000 CNY |
Accommodations: |
Provided |
Airfare: |
Provided |
Health Care: |
Usually provided |
Holidays: |
Paid |
Visa: |
Employer assisted |
Important Notes |
Very Large TESOL/TEFL Market |
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HONG KONG, TAIWAN
Skyscrapers and dragon boats line the Hong Kong harbor skyline. The city’s magnificent restaurants, nightlife, and shopping centers draw hundreds of thousands of visitors each year. The “New York” of Asia, Hong Kong is the center of international trade, industry, and adventure. Hong Kong offers competitive salaries and schools usually provide accommodations. Some universities employ teaching assistants. Schools in Taiwan do not usually pay for accommodations or airfares, however living expenses are quite low. Living in the whirlwind pace of these areas is challenging but makes for a gratifying teaching experience.
Hong Kong
Requirements: |
College Degree and a TESOL/TEFL
Certificate |
Typical Contract: |
1 year |
Peak Hiring Season: |
All year round |
Teaching Hours/week |
30-40 |
Monthly Salary*: |
12,000-25,000 HKD |
Exchange Rate*: |
$1 USD=7.5 HKD |
Income Tax*: |
16-20% |
| Cost of Living/month**: |
4,500-9,000 HKD |
Accommodations: |
Provided |
Airfare: |
Provided |
Health Care: |
Provided |
Holidays: |
Paid |
Visa: |
Employer assisted |
Taiwan
| Requirements: |
College Degree and a TESOL/TEFL
Certificate |
| Typical Contract: |
1 year |
| Peak Hiring Season: |
All year round |
| Teaching Hours/week |
25-30 |
| Monthly Salary*: |
50,000-70,000 TWD |
| Exchange Rate*: |
$1 USD=30 TWD |
| Income Tax*: |
6-40% |
| Cost of Living/month**: |
9,700-12,000 TWD |
| Accommodations: |
Usually not provided |
| Airfare: |
Sometimes provided |
| Health Care: |
Usually not provided |
| Holidays: |
Paid |
| Visa: |
Employer assisted |
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INDONESIA, MALAYSIA, THAILAND
The islands in this region are heaven for pleasure-seekers who love swimming, scuba diving and sun bathing. In Thailand, most of the jobs offered are in Bangkok. Compared to other countries, the wages in Thailand are lower in accordance with much lower living expenses. The education system is more relaxed compared to other Asian countries; thus teachers will be able to enjoy the perpetually nice weather and serene teaching environment. Within Indonesia, it may be more difficult to find teaching positions. The best opportunities for ESL teaching can be found in the capital of Jakarta. There are amazing islands in the area, such as Bali, which allow time for relaxation away from the big city. Again, finding jobs in Malaysia may be more difficult and your best option is the capital of Kuala Lumpur. Home to over one million inhabitants, Kuala Lumpur offers many diverse backgrounds. In one house, a Chinese opera will be playing on the radio and in another they are preparing for Muslim prayers; in the next, the daughter of the household readies herself for classical Indian dance lessons. What a rich cultural experience you will have if you teach in this area!
Indonesia
Requirements: |
High School Diploma and a
TESOL/TEFL Certificate |
Typical Contract: |
1 year |
Peak Hiring Season: |
All year round |
Teaching Hours/week |
25 |
Monthly Salary*: |
9-13 million IDR |
| Exchange Rate*: |
$1 USD=9,400 IDR |
Income Tax*: |
5-35% |
| Cost of Living/month**: |
3 million IDR |
Accommodations: |
Usually provided |
Airfare: |
Sometimes provided |
Health Care: |
Provided |
Holidays: |
Paid |
Visa: |
Employer assisted |
Malaysia
Requirements: |
College Degree, 3 years of teaching related experience and a
TESOL/TEFL Certificate. Must be at least 26 years of age. |
Typical Contract: |
1 year |
Peak Hiring Season: |
All year round |
Teaching Hours/week |
25 |
Monthly Salary*: |
3,200-4,500 MYR |
| Exchange Rate*: |
$1 USD=3 MYR |
Income Tax*: |
2-30% |
| Cost of Living/month**: |
1,000-1,200 MYR |
Accommodations: |
Not provided |
Airfare: |
Not provided |
Health Care: |
Provided |
Holidays: |
Paid |
Visa: |
Provided by employer |
Important Notes |
Small TEFL market, best to be in the country to find a teaching job. |
Thailand
Requirements: |
College Degree and a TESOL/TEFL
Certificate |
Typical Contract: |
1 year |
Peak Hiring Season: |
All year round |
Teaching Hours/week |
25-30 |
Monthly Salary*: |
25,000-40,000 THB |
Exchange Rate*: |
$1 USD=35 THB |
Income Tax*: |
5-37% |
Cost of Living/month**: |
15,000 THB |
Accommodations: |
Sometimes provided |
Airfare: |
Rarely provided |
Health Care: |
Provided |
Holidays: |
Paid |
Visa: |
Employer assisted |
Important Notes |
Accommodations usually easy to find and inexpensive. |
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CAMBODIA, LAOS, VIETNAM
Spicy foods, breathtaking landscapes, and deep-rooted religious traditions make these countries enticing to visit. In Laos, the Pak-Ou Caves are home to hundreds of Buddha statues, which stand poised with the secrets of their history. In Vietnam, the Royal Palace, built by the French in 1866, houses the Silver Pagoda and Emerald Buddha. In Cambodia, the Angkor War temples are one of the most inspired religious monuments ever built; their beauty, symmetry, and mystery defy description. As a backdrop to these sites, densely forested mountain ranges meet fertile plains where spices and coffee are grown and harvested. Meanwhile, the Mekong River, which flows through both Laos and Cambodia, creates more than 4,000 river islands. In between some of these islets, water cascades over rocks forming beautiful waterfalls. Freshwater dolphins, unique to this river system, are a wonder to behold. Many local students study English in order to attend university abroad. The experience of living in a region shaped by such a rich history will make any teaching job rewarding.
Cambodia
Minimum Requirements: |
High School Diploma and a
TESOL/TEFL Certificate |
Typical Contract: |
1 year |
Peak Hiring Season: |
All year round |
Teaching Hours/week |
25-30 |
Monthly Salary*: |
2.0-6.2 million KHR |
Exchange Rate*: |
$1 USD=4,100 KHR |
Income Tax*: |
10% |
| Cost of Living/month**: |
0.5-0.8 million KHR |
Accommodations: |
Assistance provided |
Airfare: |
Usually not provided |
Health Care: |
Sometimes provided |
Holidays: |
Paid |
Visa: |
Employer assisted |
Laos
Minimum Requirements: |
College Degree and a TESOL/TEFL
Certificate |
Typical Contract: |
1 year |
Peak Hiring Season: |
All year round |
Teaching Hours/week |
25-30 |
Monthly Salary*: |
5.5-17.5 million LAK |
Exchange Rate*: |
$1 USD=8,700 LAK |
Income Tax*: |
10% |
| Cost of Living/month**: |
1.5-2.3 million LAK |
Accommodations: |
Assistance provided |
Airfare: |
Usually not provided |
Health Care: |
Sometimes provided |
Holidays: |
Paid |
Visa: |
Employer assisted |
Vietnam
Minimum Requirements: |
College Degree and a
TESOL/TEFL Certificate |
Typical Contract: |
1 year |
Peak Hiring Season: |
All year round |
Teaching Hours/week |
20-30 |
Monthly Salary*: |
10-28 million VND |
Exchange Rate*: |
$1 USD=16,600 VND |
Income Tax*: |
0-40% |
| Cost of Living/month**: |
2.1-3.2 million VND |
Accommodations: |
Assistance provided |
Airfare: |
Sometimes provided |
Health Care: |
Sometimes provided |
Holidays: |
Paid |
Visa: |
Employer assisted |
*Wages vary depending on the economy of the country.
*Exchange rates subject to change. Check www.xe.com for current rates.
*Income tax rate is based on the amount of yearly income. Most
TESOL/TEFL instructors will be charged no more than the minimum
percentage.
**Cost of Living = Middle-class standards for the country