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ASIA |
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The Asian continent offers a remarkably diverse range of experiences and opportunities to a qualified EFL teacher. In many Asian countries there is a huge demand for English native speakers and some of the highest paying employment in the industry.
Anybody with a university degree and a TEFL certificate should find a wide range of opportunities. Industrialized nations such as Japan, Korea and Taiwan have western-style economies and a high standard of living, while developing nations like China, Vietnam and Thailand offer lower salaries but perhaps a greater variety of cultural experience. Asia certainly has something for everyone and your time there is likely to be unforgettable. Students in most Asian countries are very respectful to teachers, further enhancing your experience.
In some of the poorer countries of the region (particularly the Indian subcontinent) paid employment is very difficult to find and most teachers in those locations are there on voluntary placements (a local wage may be available).
Details of major EFL destinations are given below:
To view a map of Asia as well as current job listings for this region
|
 China |
Area: 9,596,960 sq km
Pop: 1,286,975,488 |
| Capital city |
Beijing |
| Languages |
Cantonese/Mandarin |
| Currency |
Renminbi (Yuan) |
| Climate |
Diverse; tropical in S to sub-arctic in N |
| Typical teacher salary |
7,000 RMB monthly (varies widely) |
| Major teaching locations |
Nationwide |
Job Prospects:
The demand in China for TEFL teachers is huge. There seems to be far more jobs than teachers and teachers are needed in all parts of the country, from Beijing to Hong Kong. Any qualified EFL teacher should be able to pick and choose from a wide variety of opportunities throughout the country in both state and private sectors. Salaries (and costs) can vary tremendously between regions. |
 Indonesia |
Area: 1,919,440 sq km
Pop: 234,893,453 |
| Capital city |
Jakarta |
| Languages |
Bahasa Indonesia |
| Currency |
Rupiah |
| Climate |
Tropical/hot, humid; moderate in highlands |
| Typical teacher salary |
7,000,000 rupiah per month |
| Major teaching locations |
Jakarta, Surabaya, Bandung, Yogyakarta |
Job Prospects:
Indonesia is the fifth most populous nation on earth and at times is can seem as if all of them are learning English! As a result there is a great demand for English language teachers throughout the nation. Opportunities can range from state to private sector. Most teachers are employed on the island of Java, though there are many possibilities on other islands too. |
 Japan |
Area: 377,835 sq km
Pop: 127,214,499 |
| Capital city |
Tokyo |
| Languages |
Japanese |
| Currency |
Yen |
| Climate |
Tropical in S to cool temperate in N |
| Typical teacher salary |
250,000 Yen |
| Major teaching locations |
Tokyo, Osaka, Kyoto, nationwide |
Job Prospects:
There are countless job opportunities in Japan for qualified teachers. In Tokyo and Osaka there can be more jobs than teachers, while in other parts of the country the prospects are still good. Teachers are usually highly respected by Japanese students, and they are generally highly motivated and willing to learn. Salaries don't seem to have changed much in recent years and so it is not as attractive a location as it once was but most teachers are still able to save considerable amounts without having to live too frugal a lifestyle. A university degree is essential for obtaining a work permit. |
 South Korea |
Area: 98,480 sq km
Pop: 48,239,037 |
| Capital city |
Seoul |
| Languages |
Korean |
| Currency |
Won |
| Climate |
Temperate, rainfall heavier in Summer |
| Typical teacher salary |
2,000,000 Won |
| Major teaching locations |
Seoul, Busan, Daejon, Daegu, nationwide |
Job Prospects:
South Korea has a huge demand for ESL teachers and offers some of the highest paid ESL employment. Opportunities exist in the state sector but most teachers find themselves working in one of the thousands of hogwans (private language institutes) throughout the country. A large percentage of teachers are employed in Seoul or Pusan but there are employment possibilities in smaller cities and towns also. Many teachers complain of the working conditions but others feel that the high salaries counterbalance this. Teachers willing to work overtime can be earning up to $US 4,000 per month. Any qualified teacher with a Bachelor's degree should have no trouble finding employment. |
 Taiwan |
Area: 377,835 sq km
Pop: 127,214,499 |
| Capital city |
Taipei |
| Languages |
Mandarin Chinese |
| Currency |
New Taiwanese $ |
| Climate |
Tropical, rainy season June-Aug |
| Typical teacher salary |
NT$ 50,000 |
| Major teaching locations |
Taipei, nationwide |
Job Prospects:
The EFL industry in Taiwan is booming and job opportunities for native speakers with a degree and TEFL qualification abound. Salaries are quite high and working conditions are reasonable. Teaching positions are normally found in the hundreds of bushibans (private schools) throughout the country. There does seem to be a preference for American English but other native speakers will encounter little difficulty in finding work. |
 Thailand |
Area: 514,000 sq km
Pop: 64,265,276 |
| Capital city |
Bangkok |
| Languages |
Thai |
| Currency |
Baht |
| Climate |
Tropical; monsoon seasons, hot/humid |
| Typical teacher salary |
25,000 Baht |
| Major teaching locations |
Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Phuket, Hat Yai |
Job Prospects:
The current job opportunities in Thailand for teachers are numerous. In Bangkok there are far more jobs than teachers, while in other parts of the country the prospects are still good. In virtually every city in Thailand, if a qualified teacher decides they want to live there, they will be able to find a teaching position. Teachers are highly respected by Thai students, and they are generally highly motivated and willing to learn. They are also great fun! As Thailand is such an attractive country in which to work, there are many unqualified teachers looking for a job. A qualified teacher will find work very easily. As of May, 2003, the Thai government is clamping down on unqualified teachers and now requires you to have at least a TESOL Certificate to teach. Backbackers looking to make a quick buck are out of luck. |
 Singapore |
Area: 693 sq km
Pop: 4,608,595 |
| Capital city |
Singapore |
| Languages |
Mandarin Chinese, Malay, Tamil, English |
| Currency |
Singapore dollar S$ |
| Climate |
Tropical; hot, humid, monsoons, thunder |
| Typical teacher salary |
S$ 2,800 |
| Major teaching locations |
Throughout the state |
Job Prospects:
Singapore is a very wealthy and westernized city-state in which there is a considerable demand for qualified ESL teachers. While salaries are reasonably high, Singapore certainly isn't the cheapest place to live and work. Work is not quite so easy to find as elsewhere in Asia but a qualified teacher with a university degree should be able to find a few openings. |
 Malaysia |
Area: 329,750 sq km
Pop: 23,092,940 |
| Capital city |
Kuala Lumpur |
| Languages |
Bahasa Malaysia |
| Currency |
Ringgit |
| Climate |
Tropical, annual SW + NE monsoons |
| Typical teacher salary |
4,000 Ringgit |
| Major teaching locations |
Kuala Lumpur, other larger cities |
Job Prospects:
The current situation for English language teachers in Malaysia is similar to that in Singapore. There is a reasonable demand and qualified teachers should (with a little patience) be able to find a suitable position. Salaries are about $1,000 per month and while this is lower than Singapore the cost of living is much lower. |
 Vietnam |
Area: 329,560 sq km
Pop: 81,624,716 |
| Capital city |
Hanoi |
| Languages |
Vietnamese, Chinese |
| Currency |
Dong |
| Climate |
Tropical in S, Monsoon seasons in N |
| Typical teacher salary |
US$ 15 per hour |
| Major teaching locations |
Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon), Hanoi |
Job Prospects:
Following a fairly turbulent recent past, Vietnam has now stabilized and as a result the demand for English has exploded. Well-paid employment is quite easy to find in the major cities and qualified teachers shouldn't have any problems. Compared to the cost of living, salaries are high. Outside the two largest cities (Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi) work is mainly on a voluntary basis and there are numerous organizations who can help arrange this. |
 Laos |
Area: 236,800 sq km
Pop: 5,921,545 |
| Capital city |
Vientiane |
| Languages |
Lao, French |
| Currency |
Kip |
| Climate |
Tropical, Rainy May-Nov, Dry Dec-Apr |
| Typical teacher salary |
US$ 10 per hour |
| Major teaching locations |
Vientiane |
Job Prospects:
The situation in Laos is very similar to that in Vietnam. Quite well-paid (in comparison to the low cost of living) work is available in the capital and mainly voluntary work elsewhere. The demand for native speaker teachers of English is very high. |
 Cambodia |
Area: 181,040 sq km
Pop: 13,124,764 |
| Capital city |
Phnom Penh |
| Languages |
Khmer, French, Chinese |
| Currency |
Riel |
| Climate |
Tropical; humid, monsoons, little variance |
| Typical teacher salary |
US$ 7 per hour |
| Major teaching locations |
Phnom Penh |
Job Prospects:
Much like Laos and Vietnam, not much work outside of the capital city and a handful of the bigger cities. Wages are even lower here as this is still an extremely poor country as it struggles to move its economy along after years of corruption and genocide of its own people. |
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