Asia




Temples in Bali, Indonesia

Overview

Asia is the most popular destination for newly-qualified TEFL teachers. It’s not surprising really – there is a plethora of jobs available and Asian hospitality is world-class. Many countries including Thailand, Indonesia, Cambodia and Vietnam offer a very low cost of living and an amazingly intoxicating array of cultural experiences to be remembered for as long as you live. Japan, Hong Kong and Singapore are more expensive to live in but the higher salaries tend to reflect this.

Most countries require a degree and a TEFL certificate although it is still very easy to find low-paid work without such qualifications in Thailand and Cambodia simply by knocking on doors and handing out copies of your CV. Needless to say, the better paying positions require 2 or 3 years of teaching experience. Privately-run language institutes advertise positions frequently and are the usual employers for first-year ESL teachers. Contracts with language institutes often include travel allowance for flights from/to the teacher’s country of origin.

The demand for English teachers in Korea and China is, quite simply, insatiable so there are a vast number of opportunities in those countries. In total contrast, it is incredibly difficult to find remotely well-paid positions in the Philippines unless you have a Masters degree. This is because the locals speak wonderful English already!

Southeast Asian nations are wonderful places to teach, with eager and well-mannered students keen to learn and chat. However, bear in mind that corruption is common in certain countries in the region and sometimes it seems that the emphasis in the business of education is on the appearance of success and accomplishment rather than genuine progress! That said, it’s incredibly easy to just go with the flow and enjoy yourself surrounded by some of the warmest, most humble, polite and gentle people in the world.

Country name Main places for jobs Salary range (USD/month) Typical requirements Job availability
Bangladesh Dhaka 500 – 2,000 Degree, TEFL certificate, 1-2 yrs exp., local interview preferred. *
Brunei Bandar Seri Begawan 1,500 – 3,000 Degree, TEFL certificate, PGCE, 2-3 yrs exp. **
Cambodia Phnom Penh, Siem Reap 800 – 1,500 TEFL certificate, local interview preferred ***
China All major cities 1,000 – 2,500 Degree, TEFL certificate ***
Hong Kong Territory-wide 1,500 – 5,000 Degree, TEFL certificate, 1-2 yrs exp., local interview preferred. ***
India Delhi, Bangalore, Mumbai, Chennai, Hyderabad, Kolkata 500 – 2,000 Degree, TEFL certificate, 1-2 yrs exp. *
Indonesia Jakarta, Bogor, Bandung, Surabaya, Medan 1,000 – 2,500 Degree (preferably in English or Education), TEFL certificate ***
Japan All major cities and towns 2,000 – 4,000 Degree, TEFL certificate, 1-2 yrs exp. ***
Kazakhstan Almaty, Astana 1,500 – 2,200 Degree, TEFL certificate **
Korea All major cities and towns 1,800 – 3,000 Degree, TEFL certificate ***
Kyrgyzstan Bishkek 800 – 1,300 Degree, TEFL certificate *
Laos Vientiane 800 – 1,500 Degree, TEFL certificate, local interview preferred. **
Malaysia Kuala Lumpur and the Malaysian peninsula 1,000 – 3,500 Degree, TEFL certificate, 1-2 yrs exp. **
Mongolia Ulaanbaatar 800 – 2,000 Degree, TEFL certificate **
Myanmar (Burma) Yangon (Rangoon), Mandalay 1,200 – 1,800 Degree, TEFL certificate, 1-2 yrs exp. ***
Nepal Kathmandu 500 – 1,000 Degree, TEFL certificate, 1-2 yrs exp. *
Pakistan Karachi, Lahore 500 – 1,000 Degree, TEFL certificate, 1-2 yrs exp. *
Philippines Manila, Baguio, Cebu 800 – 2,500 Masters Degree, TEFL certificate, 2-3 yrs exp. *
Singapore Throughout the island 1,500 – 4,000 Degree, TEFL certificate preferred, 1-2 yrs exp. preferred **
Sri Lanka Colombo 500 – 2,000 Degree, TEFL certificate, 1-2 yrs exp. *
Taiwan All major cities 1,300 – 3,000 Degree, TEFL certificate, 1-2 yrs exp. ***
Tajikistan Dushanbe 600 – 1,000 Degree, TEFL certificate *
Thailand Bangkok, Surat Thani and throughout the country 750 – 2,000 Degree, TEFL certificate, local interview preferred. ***
Vietnam Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Haiphong 1,200 – 2,500 Degree, TEFL certificate, 1-2 yrs exp. ***
Qualified English teachers please register with World of TEFL and we will contact you with relevant vacancies as they come in. This is a free service for teachers.