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:
|
China |
|
Capital city |
Beijing |
|
|
Language |
Cantonese/Mandarin |
|
Currency and exchange rate |
Renminbi (8.3 RMB = $US 1) |
|
Typical TEFL teacher salary |
7,000 RMB monthly (varies widely from
region to region) |
|
Major TEFL locations |
Nationwide |
|
TEFL 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 to Mongolia. 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 |
|
Capital city |
Jakarta |
|
|
Language |
Indonesian |
|
Currency and exchange rate |
Rupiah (8,800 rupiah = $US 1) |
|
Typical TEFL teacher salary |
7,000,000 rupiah per month |
|
Major TEFL locations |
Jakarta, Surabaya, Bandung, Yogyakarta
+++ |
|
TEFL 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 |
|
Capital city |
Tokyo |
|
|
Language |
Japanese |
|
Currency and exchange rate |
Yen (108 Yen = $US1) |
|
Typical TEFL teacher salary |
250,000 Yen |
|
Major TEFL locations |
Tokyo, Osaka +++ |
|
TEFL job prospects
There are countless job opportunities
in Japan for TEFL 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 seemed
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 |
|
Capital city |
Seoul |
|
|
Language |
Korean |
|
Currency and exchange rate |
Won (1,100 Won = $US1) |
|
Typical TEFL teacher salary |
2,000,000 Won |
|
Major TEFL locations |
Seoul, Pusan +++ |
|
TEFL job prospects
South Korea has a huge demand for EFL
teachers and offers some of the highest paid EFL employment.
Opportunities exist in the state sector but most teachers find
themselves working in one of the thousands of hogwons (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 6,000 per month. Any qualified
teacher who has a university degree and a TEFL certificate
should have no problem whatsoever in finding employment. |
|
Taiwan |
|
Capital city |
Taipei |
|
|
Language |
Chinese |
|
Currency and exchange rate |
New Taiwanese $ (NT$ 31 = $US1) |
|
Typical TEFL teacher salary |
NT$ 50,000 |
|
Major TEFL locations |
Taipei |
|
TEFL 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 |
|
Capital city |
Bangkok |
|
|
Language |
Thai |
|
Currency and exchange rate |
Baht (45 Baht = $US1) |
|
Typical TEFL teacher salary |
25,000 Baht |
|
Major TEFL locations |
Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Phuket, Hat Yai,
+++ |
|
TEFL job prospects
The current job opportunities in Thailand
for TEFL teachers are numerous. In Bangkok there are far more
jobs than teachers, while in other parts of the country the
prospects are still good. In virtually every city in Thailand,
if a qualified TEFL teacher decides they want to live there,
they will be able to find a teaching position. Teachers are
highly respected by Thai students, and they are generally highly
motivated and willing to learn. They are also great fun! As
Thailand is such an attractive country in which to work, there
many unqualified teachers looking for a job. A TEFL qualified
teacher will find work very easily. |
|
Singapore |
|
Capital city |
Singapore |
|
|
Language |
Mandarin Chinese, Malay, Tamil, English |
|
Currency and exchange rate |
Singapore dollar (S$ 1.75 = $US1) |
|
Typical TEFL teacher salary |
S$ 2,800 |
|
Major TEFL locations |
Throughout the state |
|
TEFL job prospects
Singapore is a very wealthy and westernized
city-state in which there is a considerable demand for qualified
EFL 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 |
|
Capital city |
Kuala Lumpur |
|
|
Language |
Bahasa Malaysia |
|
Currency and exchange rate |
Ringgit (3.8 Ringgit = $US 1) |
|
Typical TEFL teacher salary |
4,000 Ringgit |
|
Major TEFL locations |
Kuala Lumpur |
|
TEFL 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 $1,000 per month and while this is lower than Singapore
the cost of living is much lower. |
|
Vietnam |
|
Capital city |
Hanoi |
|
|
Language |
Vietnamese |
|
Currency and exchange rate |
Dong |
|
Typical TEFL teacher salary |
US$ 15 per hour |
|
Major TEFL locations |
Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi |
|
TEFL 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 |
|
Capital city |
Ventiane |
|
|
Language |
Laotian |
|
Currency and exchange rate |
Kip |
|
Typical TEFL teacher salary |
US$ 10 per hour |
|
Major TEFL locations |
Ventiane |
|
TEFL 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 |
|
Capital city |
Phnom Penh |
|
|
Language |
Khmer |
|
Currency and exchange rate |
Riel |
|
Typical TEFL teacher salary |
US$ 7 per hour |
|
Major TEFL locations |
Phnom Penh |
|
TEFL job prospects
See Laos and Vietnam. |
|
Indian Subcontinent |
|
Capital city |
India, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka |
|
|
Language |
Various |
|
Currency and exchange rate |
Various |
|
Typical TEFL teacher salary |
- |
|
Major TEFL locations |
- |
|
TEFL job prospects
Job opportunities in this region are
almost always on a voluntary basis. There are various voluntary
placement agencies who can arrange unpaid (or sometimes local
salary) employment for qualified EFL teachers. |
|
