Teach in Asia
Asia is the best place to be an ESL teacher. The pay here is high, the demand is high, and you receive a lot of benefits. The English teachers that come here are usually young, single, and looking to have a good time. Getting a teaching job is very easy here and since you don’t need a lot of experience, you tend to get a lot of recent graduates. however, you also have a lot of older males who come here for the Asian women and stay long term as well as a lot of teachers in international schools who have been recruited from abroad. Ex-pat life in Asia is quite interesting and fast paced. The large number of people, the youthful spirit of those that come here, the fast pace, and the high pay, make it a sort of high rolling place for English teachers. There is always something to do and it’s very hard to get bored (unless you are teaching in very remote and rural cities). I loved teaching in Asia and most people who come here stay longer than expected. When you teach in Asia, you will generally get the following benefits package:
- Return airfare
- Subsidized or free housing
- Paid vacation
- 4 weeks sick leave and vacation leave
- One year completion bonus (usually equal to one month’s salary)
In the end, you will find a lot of different communities here in which you can make friends. Asia is a really fast paced and exciting place. Everywhere is markedly different than the west and I am constantly amazed by this place. Everywhere hires first year teaches and you won’t have a problem finding a job here. If you are looking for a place where you can also have a “wild time” then consider Thailand, South Korea, and Beijing. If you have more experience and are looking to work in a good international school, all major cities have great international schools, particularly Bangkok and Hong Kong. For those with a family or looking for something a bit tamer, consider Singapore.
You can click on the links below to find in in depth information about the major English teaching destinations in Asia:
Teaching in China- China is one of the up and coming places to teach as it enters the world stage. It is becoming increasingly popular to go to, especially the major cities on the east coast. In recent years, the pay and benefits you receive has improved dramatically. Big cities like Beijing now rival countries like South Korea in terms of pay.
Teaching in Japan- Japan has long been a mecca for ESL teachers despite the high cost of living. Though its hay day is long over, it remains an attractive place to go to, especially if you plan on staying awhile. Salaries have become depressed in recent years but the benefits packages are really good. If you teach outside the major cities, you’re costs will be a lot less and you can save a substantial amount of money.
Teaching in Korea- Korea is one of the most popular destinations for teachers as it offers a high salary, a good night life, and good benefits. The vast majority of people who go there do so after college as the country likes to take a lot of young and first year teachers.
Teaching in Singapore- Singapore is a good destination for those who are a bit more settled in their life and looking for a quiet place. Schools here want teachers to have a lot more experience than in other parts of Asia and you will need to have a professional degree.
Teaching in Southeast Asia- Southeast Asia is where backpackers looking to make a quick buck go. The jobs are abundant, the pay and responsibilities low, and the work easy. You don’t need a lot of qualifications to teach here.
Teaching in Taiwan- Like Korea, Taiwan offers a lot of good benefits and a high salary for few hours. Unlike Korea, there is not great nightlife and the expat scene is really small. A lot of the work here involves teaching young children.
Teaching in Thailand- There are a lot of teaching jobs in Thailand. While the pay is above average, it’s nothing spectacular, especially outside of Bangkok. However, life here is very easy and cheap, tropical islands are close, and the nightlife is some of the best in the world.
