Where to Teach English Abroad? Countries with High-Demand for English Teachers!
As you are naturally traveling, it is essential to select the right destination that will generate the most results from your teaching efforts. Not all countries are created equal in terms of salary for English teachers.
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There are specific places that pay well, others have a ridiculous cost of living, while your only option in some is to volunteer. However, whichever place you decide to go, you can offset the high cost of living by haggling for a better salary.
Always consider the salary as it relates to the cost of living. You cannot travel as much as you want if all your pay goes to expenses, right? See the discussion below regarding specific areas where you should take your skills and cash in on it.
This Article will answer some of the frequently asked questions below:
1. Where Should You Teach English Abroad?
2. When is the Best Time to Apply as an English Teacher – Freelance or Full-time?
3. How to apply for Teaching English jobs?
4. How much salary to expect from Teaching English per country?
5. Cost of Living in each country with High Demand for English Teachers.
6. Requirements to be qualified as an English Teacher abroad.
Please also know that: The more qualified you are, the better the payments you receive. This comes not only in terms of money but also in extra perks like shorter working hours and free accommodation or food. Some countries won’t even require you to have a University degree as long as you have a CELTA, TESOL or TEFL certificate. TEFL certification online is the cheapest, you can get it for less than $200 online compared to $1500 minimum cost of getting a CELTA.
Already know how to get started teaching English abroad? Just want to take the online TEFL course? OK! Then get 60% off your 120 hours online TEFL course here with Promo Code TWOMONKEYS.
We have also partnered with Let’s TEFL to offer accredited 120-hour TEFL courses with a 60% discount. Just use our exclusive promo code – TWOMONKEYS. Let’s TEFL courses include free certificate shipping!
- How to Teach English in Thailand – The Land of Smiles!
- Teaching English in Japan with the JET Programme: A Guide for Filipinos and other Non-Native Teachers
- How to Teach English in Laos – Guide to Teaching in Vientiane and other small cities!
- How to Teach English in South Africa – English Teacher Jobs in Africa
- How to Teach English in Cambodia – Experience the Fun of Teaching!
More TEFL country guides coming soon!
Table of Contents
Where Should You Teach English Abroad? Countries with High Demand for English Teachers!
1. The Middle East
They pay is really good, particularly in Kuwait, United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Qatar, but employers usually demand more requirements like two years minimum teaching experience, an advanced college degree, and proper teaching certifications.
Salary:$2,400 to $4,000 per month, tax-free. On top of this, teachers receive non-salary benefits like housing, airfare reimbursement, bonuses, and health insurance.
Cost of living: It is very high, especially in UAE, Dubai and Saudi Arabia. The average cost is $2000 a month.
How to find English teaching jobs: Apply online where general teaching jobs are posted. Look for positions in private language schools, colleges, and universities. Target freshmen students preparing for their English proficiency examinations. Plenty of opportunities can be found in Saudi Arabia, UAE, Qatar, and Israel.
2. East and Southeast Asia
This is where you want to go, especially if you are a first-time teacher. Countries in this region have a high demand for English teachers with salaries higher compared to other countries in the region. Cost of living is also low so you keep most of your money.
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Thailand
Salary: THB15,000-THB30,000 (approximately $550-$1200)
Cost of living: Studio type accommodation starts at THB2,000
How to find English teaching jobs: It is not hard to find a job when you get there. Bring the necessary documents and contact the big companies. Also, check Ajarn.com, the primary site for teaching jobs in Thailand. Visit schools, inquire, and be ready to have an on-the-spot interview. Look at classified ads in The Bangkok Post and The Nation, too.
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Vietnam
Salary: $1000-$2000, or average of $20 per hour
Cost of living: You can get an apartment for $200-$300, and it’s possible to get food for the day at $5-$8. You can spend less than $800 a month.
How to find English teaching jobs: Work is mostly available in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh. There is a high demand for English teachers as private tutors, in language centers, primary and secondary schools and universities. You can get work when you are already there.
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Cambodia
Salary: $1000-$2000 a month
Cost of living: A studio costs $100 a month while an apartment with one to two bedrooms range from $200 to $500 a month. Bigger houses can be rented ranging for $350 to $550. The rent is lower in rural areas.
How to find English teaching jobs: It is easier to find jobs in Cambodia if you are already in the country. However, if you want to secure a job in advance, refer to job listing sites such as CamHR and Bong Thom Classifieds. Check the newspapers printed in English as well for job listings.
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Laos
Cost of living: In Luang Prabang and Vientiane, you can get an apartment for $300 a month. Local food is cheap and it is possible to walk around the cities.
How to find English teaching jobs: Focus on cities, as most of the teaching jobs are there, particularly in international schools and language institutions.
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China
Salary: Up to $4,700 in international schools
Cost of living: A centrally located apartment costs $600 but if you are out of the city, $250 is enough. Food is cheap and you can live on less than $5 eating on local restaurants.
How to find English teaching jobs: Check TEFL websites and send in applications before early April to coincide with the academic year. Apply in public schools, international schools, and language academies. The higher paying jobs are in Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, and Shenzhen.
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Japan
Salary: The minimum wage for English teachers is $2500
Cost of living: It is expensive in the major cities. Shared apartments are at $800, same with utilities. The food bill racks up to $400.
How to find English teaching jobs: Advance applications are recommended. Look up TEFL websites and access Japanese online job resources like GaijinPot, teflSearch, O-Hayo Sensei, and ELT News. Most jobs can be found in private language schools, language academies, and universities in Tokyo, Osaka, and Nagoya.
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Korea
Salary: Up to $2500 a month
Cost of living: Employers usually provide for accommodation for English teachers. Transportation is around $100 monthly, while food is around $300.
How to find English teaching jobs: Check out opportunities in Seoul and Busan. English teachers are mostly sought by universities, private language institutes, and large companies. Apply through different websites offering job listings and placements, different TEFL sites, or through a recruitment agency. Use Facebook groups, too. Scout for specific job postings in the specific location you want to work in.
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Singapore
Salary: between $1,500-$4,000
Cost of living: $1,200 for accommodation, utilities, and food.
How to find English teaching jobs: Positions in the British Council pay particularly well but language centers and international schools are not far behind.
3. Europe
Its greatest attraction is its tourism value so expect stiff competition for teaching jobs. Remember that there is a high concentration of native English speakers in the region, too. It is best to have an approved visa prior to applying for a teaching job in Europe and mind the high cost of living.
Cost of living: Eastern Europe is more affordable compared to the rest of the continent. An apartment in Moldova costs $265 a month, $320 in Bosnia, $380 in Albania, Belarus, Bulgaria, and Macedonia, $488 in Poland, and $570 in Ukraine. Food costs $5-$30 per meal.
How to find English teaching jobs: Again, Eastern Europe is the best destination. It is much easier to find a job in person. Language institutes need teachers year-round. However, if you are certified, with teaching experience, and a degree, you can try to apply ahead online to schools and universities.
4. South America
Beautiful cities, landscapes, and breathtaking natural beauty lure many a traveler to South America, including many English teachers. The demand for teachers is high but the pay is lower compared to East and Southeast Asia.
Cost of living: Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru have the lowest cost of living while Argentina, Chile, Brazil, and Uruguay are the most expensive.
How to find English teaching jobs: Apply in language schools or teach private lessons. The most powerful qualification are certifications in TEFL, TESOL, or CELTA. If you want to do volunteer teaching work, head to Ecuador or Mexico. However, if you want to teach in a university or elementary school, your best chance of employment is catching the hiring season. In Chile, it is between the last week of February and the first week of March; for Costa Rica, it is January, while in Peru, it is January to February or September to October. In all cases, it is better to apply in person as institutions prefer someone readily available to begin.
5. Africa
This is another great place to teach English because of the demand, but most positions are in a volunteer capacity.
Cost of living: A one-bedroom apartment is affordable at $200-$400. Food is cheap, too.
How to find English teaching jobs: Public schools and language centers publish the need for English teachers year round. Check online job resources for teaching positions or check the TEFL websites though your best option is to take volunteer work.
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Hi there, my name is Lilly and I’ve been a teacher for the past year aboard, I have a TEFL and I’d like an opportunity to teach in another country
Hi there 🙂 I would like to ask if you are going to apply in South East Asia I apologize for multiple questions I really admire this site and I know I can get my answer here. Thanks in advance. Here’s my question:
1. Am I required to study their language before going to their country?
2. Is it possible for me to apply for a first timer right away after I received my TEFL Certificate?
3. How long is the contract when you teach?
Thank you so much 🙂
Regards,
Leia, 25
Hi, I checked the website you suggested the myTEFL, when i checked the requirements to land a job, like for example in Vietnam it says there that one of the requirements is – Native English speaker from the US, UK, CA, AU, NZ, IR, ZA- Im a Filipino and I would like to ask if this is gonna be a problem ?
Not really a problem, Dianna! There’s a lot of Pinoys teaching! You can read my article –> https://mrandmrshowe.com/lifestyle-blog/find-teaching-english-jobs-in-vietnam
Hi! I really want to work as TEFL or ESL in South Korea but like Vietnam, one of the requirements too is I must be coming from a Native-English speaking country (US, UK, Australia, Canada, etc.). Can I still apply for the teaching position? Thank you in advance!
My name is Zinzi from South Africa. I have a diploma and degree. I have
been teaching English as a first language for fourteen years
Hello, I really wanted to land a teaching job abroad like China, South Korea and Thailand. I am a Filipino Teacher with 14 years of teaching experience.
Hiya! Thank you for the article. I am wondering if this article also applies to non-native non-European English teachers with more than two years of solid teaching experience?
Yes Intan.. applicable to non-native! =)
hi kach and jonathan , I really your blog so much . Im a english teacher and I just got my tesol certificate , now Im looking for a job abroad to be a esl teacher . would you mind if I ask a copy of your sample cv . please thanks.
I taught in China, Korea and Taiwan. Korea is probably the easiest for many to get a job in. Chances are that you might get free airfare. China’s salaries for teachers varies quite a bit. $500-2500+ depending on where you are. To teach in an international school you need to be a licensed teacher.
Hello Ian do I have to go through Agency if I want to get a teaching job in Korea?. I have 4years teaching experienced in China.
?
Does teaching in Korea required teaching experience?