World TEFL Factbook | Ultimate Guide to Teaching English Abroad

Teaching in Asia

Asia is often the first choice for new TEFL teachers and for good reason. Asia represents one of the largest TEFL markets in the world and the diverse culture, food and people are enough to attract any budding explorer.

The diverse culture, food and people are enough to attract any budding explorer.

East and South East Asia represent the largest market for English teachers in the world. This area is one of the fastest-growing economic regions and as a result there has been an explosion in the requirement for English tuition.

This increase in the need for English teachers has resulted in hundreds of thousands of jobs becoming available every year in the region. These jobs often pay far more than the local cost of living. TEFL teachers in East and South East Asia can enjoy a high standard of living.

The region is also one of the most beautiful and diverse places in the world. TEFL teachers really do get the chance to immerse themselves in a new culture and a new way of life.

Private language schools tend to hire English teachers all year round. Public school jobs generally begin in March or September. Interviews for jobs are usually conducted roughly 3 months before the actual job start date.

Many private language schools and public schools offer benefits such as free airfare, housing allowances, health insurance, paid holidays and a completion bonus.

Teaching requirements by country

Country	Degree Requirement	Typical Contract Length	Peak Hiring Seasons	Visa Info	Typical Students	Average Monthly Cost of Living in £ GBP & Local Currency	Average Monthly Salary in £ GBP & Local Currency

Bangladesh	BA/ BS degree required for international schools, none for volunteer programmes	10 – 12 months	year-round	Employment Visa	children, adults	24 000 – 40 000 BDT (250 – 410 GBP)	approx. 80 000 – 160 000 BDT (825 – 1 600 GBP)
Bhutan	BA/ BS/BEd degree preferred but not required	12 months	December, January and May, June	work visa	children, adults, monks	10 000 – 15 000 BTN (120 – 180 GBP)	approx. 20 000 – 30 000 BTN (240 – 360 GBP)
Cambodia	Not required	6-12 months	All year round	Tourist visa convert to work visa	Business professionals, children	1,973,453 - 4,473,160 KHR (300 - 680 GBP)	2,861,507 - 4,473,160 KHR (435 - 680 GBP)
China	BA/BS required	12 months	All year round (although March and September are peak times to find job opportunities)	Z visa in advance (see the Chinese Embassy site at http://www.chinese-embassy.org.uk/eng	Business professionals, children	3,000 – 4,500 RMB (300 - 500 GBP)	8,990 - 15,000 RMB (900 - 1,500 GBP)
Haiti	BA/BS required	3 – 12 months	January, June	Work permit	Children,adults	HTG 95 000 – HTG 150 000 (£1 300 – £ 2 100)	HTG 16 000 – HTG 23 000 (£230 – £330)
Hong Kong	BA/BS required	3-12 months	March - December, all year round	Work visa in advance	Business professionals, children	19,075 - 31,792 HKD (1,500 - 2,500 GBP)	19,075 - 50,867 HKD (1,500 – 4,000 GBP)
India	Not required	6 – 12 months	Year-round	Work permit	Students, professionals	36 000 INR – 55 000 INR (£100 – £ 600)	32 000 INR – 59 000 INR (£ 350 – £680)
Indonesia	Not required	12 months	All year round	Work visa in advance	Business professionals, children	6,000,000 - 9,000,000 IDR (350 - 500 GBP)	10,000,000 - 13,500,000 IDR (550 - 750 GBP)
Japan	BA/BS Required	12 months	All year round (there are also major job openings for September/October employment)	Work visa in advance (If you lose your job, it is still valid for work.)	Business professionals, children	150,000 - 200,000 JPY (945 - 1,260 GBP)	250,000 - 300,000 JPY (1,575 - 1,890 GBP)
Kazakhstan	BA/BS required	6 – 12 months	June, July	Work visa	Children, adults	KZT 165 000 – KZT 275 000(£600 – £1 000)	KZT 220 000 – KZT 330 000 (£800 – £1 200)
Malaysia	BA/BS required	12 months	All year round	Tourist visa convert to work visa	Business professionals, children	2,000 - 6,400 MYR (400 - 1,250 GBP)	3,000 - 9,000 MYR (550 - 1,750 GBP)
Mongolia	BA/BS required	12 months	May, June	Z visa	Children, professionals	MNT 1 800 000 – MNT 2 200 000 (£620 – £760)	MNT 2 500 000 – MNT 4 000 000 (£860 – £1 375)
Myanmar	BS/ BA degree required	1 month – 12 months	year-round	business visa	children	1 300 000 – 1 600 000 MMK (820 – 990 GBP)	2 000 000 – 3 500 000 MMK (1 200 – 1 500 GBP)
Nepal	BA, BSC degree required unless volunteering	1 – 3 months	year-round	work permit	children, adults	20 000 – 25 000 NPR (150 – 190 GBP)	approx. 7 500 – 15 000 NPR (volunteer), 50 000 – 75 000 NPR (50 – 110 GBP, 370 – 560 GBP)
Philippines	Bachelor’s degree, preferably Master’s	Monthly, 12 months	Year-round, March	Alien Employment Permit, work permit	Students, professionals	PHP 11 000 – PHP 13 000 (£160 – £200)	PHP 30 000 – PHP 35 000 (£450 – £520)
Singapore	BA/BS required	12 months	All year round (with the exception of state jobs)	Work visa in advance	Business professionals, children	2,500 - 3,500 SGD (1,250 - 1,700 GBP)	2,500 - 4,200 SGD (1,250 GBP - 2,100 GBP)
South Korea	BA/BS required	12 months	February, August	E2 visa	Children, students	₩ 800 000 – ₩1.3 million (£500 – £800)	₩ 1.9 – ₩2.1 million (£1200 –£1300)
Sri Lanka	Not required	12 Months	Year-round	Work permit	Children,adults	50 000 LKR – 80 000 LKR (£250 – £400)	25 000LKR – 50 000LKR (£130 – £260)
Taiwan	BA/BS required	12 months	All year round	Work visa in advance	Business professionals, children	30,900 - 42,700 TWD (650 - 900 GBP)	42,780 - 64,200 TWD (900 - 1,350 GBP)
Thailand	BA/BS required	3-12 months	All year round	Work visa	Business professionals, children	20,480 - 30,725 THB (400 - 600 GBP)	21,107 - 31,661 THB (650 - 900 GBP)
Vietnam	BA/BS required	12 months	All year round	Work visa in advance, or a tourist visa which can be converted to a work visa	Business professionals, children	14,053,974 - 21,072,004 VND (400 GBP - 600 GBP)	22,125,605 - 44,094,345 VND (630 GBP - 1255 GBP)

Argentina

Degree Requirement:

Not required

Typical Contract Length:

6 - 12 months

Peak Hiring Seasons:

January - September

Visa Info:

Tourist visa convert to work visa

Typical Students:

Business professionals, children

Average Monthly Cost of Living in £ GBP & Local Currency:

3,600 - 6,100 ARS (370 GBP - 630 GBP)

Average Monthly Salary in £ GBP & Local Currency:

3,600 - 6,100 ARS (370 GBP - 630 GBP)

Bhutan

Degree Requirement:

BA/ BS/BEd degree preferred but not required

Typical Contract Length:

12 months

Peak Hiring Seasons:

December, January and May, June

Visa Info:

work visa

Typical Students:

children, adults, monks

Average Monthly Cost of Living in £ GBP & Local Currency:

10 000 – 15 000 BTN (120 – 180 GBP)

Average Monthly Salary in £ GBP & Local Currency:

approx. 20 000 – 30 000 BTN (240 – 360 GBP)

Bolivia

Degree Requirement:

Not required

Typical Contract Length:

1 - 12 months

Peak Hiring Seasons:

January - February and June - July

Visa Info:

Tourist visa

Typical Students:

Business professionals, children

Average Monthly Cost of Living in £ GBP & Local Currency:

2,780 - 4,174 BOB (250 - 375 GBP)

Average Monthly Salary in £ GBP & Local Currency:

2,780 - 4,174 BOB (250 - 375 GBP)

Brazil

Degree Requirement:

Not required

Typical Contract Length:

1 - 6 months

Peak Hiring Seasons:

March - August

Visa Info:

Tourist visa

Typical Students:

Business professionals, children

Average Monthly Cost of Living in £ GBP & Local Currency:

1,850 - 3,555 BRL (250 - 375 GBP)

Average Monthly Salary in £ GBP & Local Currency:

1,850 - 3,555 BRL (250 - 375 GBP)

Cambodia

Degree Requirement:

Not required

Typical Contract Length:

6-12 months

Peak Hiring Seasons:

All year round

Visa Info:

Tourist visa convert to work visa

Typical Students:

Business professionals, children

Average Monthly Cost of Living in £ GBP & Local Currency:

1,973,453 - 4,473,160 KHR (300 - 680 GBP)

Average Monthly Salary in £ GBP & Local Currency:

2,861,507 - 4,473,160 KHR (435 - 680 GBP)

Colombia

Degree Requirement:

Not required

Typical Contract Length:

6 - 12 months

Peak Hiring Seasons:

March - August

Visa Info:

Work visa

Typical Students:

Business professionals, children

Average Monthly Cost of Living in £ GBP & Local Currency:

958,962 - 1,342,550 COP (310 - 435 GBP)

Average Monthly Salary in £ GBP & Local Currency:

1,342,550 - 1,917,000 COP (435 - 620 GBP)

Costa Rica

Degree Requirement:

Not required

Typical Contract Length:

6 - 12 months

Peak Hiring Seasons:

October - December

Visa Info:

Tourist visa

Typical Students:

Business professionals, children

Average Monthly Cost of Living in £ GBP & Local Currency:

240,000 - 400,000 CRC (300 - 500 GBP)

Average Monthly Salary in £ GBP & Local Currency:

252,000 - 544,400 CRC (315 - 680 GBP)

Ecuador

Degree Requirement:

Not required

Typical Contract Length:

6 - 12 months

Peak Hiring Seasons:

February - March and July - August

Visa Info:

Tourist visa

Typical Students:

Business professionals, children

Average Monthly Cost of Living in £ GBP & Local Currency:

400 - 700 USD (250 - 435 GBP)

Average Monthly Salary in £ GBP & Local Currency:

400 - 800 USD (250 - 496 GBP)

Egypt

Degree Requirement:

Not required

Typical Contract Length:

3 - 24 Months

Peak Hiring Seasons:

May -August, all year round

Visa Info:

Tourist visa convert to work visa or work visa in advance.

Typical Students:

Business professionals, children

Average Monthly Cost of Living in £ GBP & Local Currency:

3,370 – 7,860 EGP (300 – 700 GBP)

Average Monthly Salary in £ GBP & Local Currency:

5,500 – 12,350 EGP (490 – 1,100 GBP)

Greece

Degree Requirement:

Not required

Typical Contract Length:

6- 12 Months

Peak Hiring Seasons:

September & January

Visa Info:

EU citizenship or work visa

Typical Students:

Business professionals, children

Average Monthly Cost of Living in £ GBP & Local Currency:

1,000 – 1,500 EUR (833 - 1,250 GBP)

Average Monthly Salary in £ GBP & Local Currency:

1,000 – 1,500 EUR (833 - 1,250 GBP)

India

Degree Requirement:

Not required

Typical Contract Length:

6 – 12 months

Peak Hiring Seasons:

Year-round

Visa Info:

Work permit

Typical Students:

Students, professionals

Average Monthly Cost of Living in £ GBP & Local Currency:

36 000 INR – 55 000 INR (£100 – £ 600)

Average Monthly Salary in £ GBP & Local Currency:

32 000 INR – 59 000 INR (£ 350 – £680)

Indonesia

Degree Requirement:

Not required

Typical Contract Length:

12 months

Peak Hiring Seasons:

All year round

Visa Info:

Work visa in advance

Typical Students:

Business professionals, children

Average Monthly Cost of Living in £ GBP & Local Currency:

6,000,000 - 9,000,000 IDR (350 - 500 GBP)

Average Monthly Salary in £ GBP & Local Currency:

10,000,000 - 13,500,000 IDR (550 - 750 GBP)

Jordan

Degree Requirement:

Not required

Typical Contract Length:

6 - 12 Months

Peak Hiring Seasons:

July - August, all year round

Visa Info:

Tourist visa convert to work visa

Typical Students:

Business professionals, children

Average Monthly Cost of Living in £ GBP & Local Currency:

695 – 930 JOD (600 – 800 GBP)

Average Monthly Salary in £ GBP & Local Currency:

695 – 930 JOD (600 – 800 GBP)

Lebanon

Degree Requirement:

Not required

Typical Contract Length:

6- 12 Months

Peak Hiring Seasons:

All year round

Visa Info:

Tourist visa convert to work visa

Typical Students:

Business professionals, children

Average Monthly Cost of Living in £ GBP & Local Currency:

775 – 1,550 LBP (315 – 630 GBP)

Average Monthly Salary in £ GBP & Local Currency:

775 – 1,550 LBP (315 – 630 GBP)

Madagascar

Degree Requirement:

Not required

Typical Contract Length:

9 months

Peak Hiring Seasons:

Year-round

Visa Info:

Work visa

Typical Students:

Children,adults

Average Monthly Cost of Living in £ GBP & Local Currency:

MGA 1 800 000 – MGA 2 500 000 (£400 – £ 550)

Average Monthly Salary in £ GBP & Local Currency:

MGA 2 500 000 – MGA 3 700 000 (£ 550 – £ 814)

Mexico

Degree Requirement:

Not required

Typical Contract Length:

6 – 12 months

Peak Hiring Seasons:

May - August

Visa Info:

Work visa

Typical Students:

Business professionals, children

Average Monthly Cost of Living in £ GBP & Local Currency:

3,870 - 9,100 MXP (185 - 435 GBP)

Average Monthly Salary in £ GBP & Local Currency:

5,230 - 19,460 MXP (250 - 930 GBP)

Morocco

Degree Requirement:

Not required

Typical Contract Length:

6- 12 Months

Peak Hiring Seasons:

All year round

Visa Info:

Tourist visa convert to work visa

Typical Students:

Business professionals, children

Average Monthly Cost of Living in £ GBP & Local Currency:

4,000 - 10,000 MAD (295 – 740 GBP)

Average Monthly Salary in £ GBP & Local Currency:

4,000 - 10,000 MAD (295 – 740 GBP)

New Zealand

Degree Requirement:

Not required

Typical Contract Length:

Monthly

Peak Hiring Seasons:

January, June, November

Visa Info:

Working Holiday visa

Typical Students:

Students, professionals

Average Monthly Cost of Living in £ GBP & Local Currency:

NZD 1300 – NZD 1550 (£1000 – £1500)

Average Monthly Salary in £ GBP & Local Currency:

NZD 3350 – NZD 5000 (£1665 – £2500)

Panama

Degree Requirement:

Not required

Typical Contract Length:

6 - 12 months

Peak Hiring Seasons:

March - August

Visa Info:

Tourist visa or work visa

Typical Students:

Business professionals, children

Average Monthly Cost of Living in £ GBP & Local Currency:

700 - 1,000 PAB (185 - 620 GBP)

Average Monthly Salary in £ GBP & Local Currency:

800 - 2,500 PAB (250 - 1,460 GBP)

Paraguay

Degree Requirement:

Not required

Typical Contract Length:

6 – 12 months

Peak Hiring Seasons:

March

Visa Info:

Work permit

Typical Students:

Students

Average Monthly Cost of Living in £ GBP & Local Currency:

PYG 7 500 000 – PYG 10 000 000 (£1 100 – £ 1 400)

Average Monthly Salary in £ GBP & Local Currency:

PYG 5 000 000 – PYG 10 000 000 (£ 670 – £ 1 340)

Peru

Degree Requirement:

Not required

Typical Contract Length:

6 - 12 months

Peak Hiring Seasons:

All year round

Visa Info:

Tourist visa or work visa

Typical Students:

Business professionals, children

Average Monthly Cost of Living in £ GBP & Local Currency:

800-1,500 PEN (175 - 330GBP)

Average Monthly Salary in £ GBP & Local Currency:

1,120-2,240 PEN (250 - 495 GBP)

Poland

Degree Requirement:

Not required

Typical Contract Length:

9 - 12 Months

Peak Hiring Seasons:

October and January

Visa Info:

EU citizenship or working visa

Typical Students:

Business professionals

Average Monthly Cost of Living in £ GBP & Local Currency:

700 – 1,400 EUR (586 - 1,170 GBP)

Average Monthly Salary in £ GBP & Local Currency:

700 – 1,400 EUR (586 - 1,170 GBP)

Romania

Degree Requirement:

Not required

Typical Contract Length:

9 - 12 Months

Peak Hiring Seasons:

September - June

Visa Info:

EU citizenship or tourist visa convert to work visa

Typical Students:

Business professionals, children

Average Monthly Cost of Living in £ GBP & Local Currency:

1,100 – 2,200 RON (205 - 410 GBP)

Average Monthly Salary in £ GBP & Local Currency:

1,100 – 2,200 RON (205 - 410 GBP)

Russia

Degree Requirement:

Not required

Typical Contract Length:

9 - 12 Months

Peak Hiring Seasons:

September - June

Visa Info:

Work visa

Typical Students:

Business professionals, children

Average Monthly Cost of Living in £ GBP & Local Currency:

20,000 – 33,000 RUB (370 - 612 GBP)

Average Monthly Salary in £ GBP & Local Currency:

20,000 – 33,000 RUB (370 - 612 GBP)

Slovakia

Degree Requirement:

Not required

Typical Contract Length:

6 - 12 Months

Peak Hiring Seasons:

June and September

Visa Info:

EU citizenship or tourist visa convert to work visa

Typical Students:

Business professionals, children

Average Monthly Cost of Living in £ GBP & Local Currency:

460 – 915 EUR (400 - 795 GBP)

Average Monthly Salary in £ GBP & Local Currency:

460 – 915 EUR (400 - 795 GBP)

South Africa

Degree Requirement:

Not required

Typical Contract Length:

Monthly

Peak Hiring Seasons:

Year-round, especially October

Visa Info:

Work permit

Typical Students:

University students, professionals

Average Monthly Cost of Living in £ GBP & Local Currency:

approx. R7 500 – R8 500 (£415 – £480)

Average Monthly Salary in £ GBP & Local Currency:

approx. R10 000 – R12 000 (£550 – £680)

Spain

Degree Requirement:

Not required

Typical Contract Length:

6 - 12 Months

Peak Hiring Seasons:

September - October

Visa Info:

EU Citizenship or work visa

Typical Students:

Business professionals, children

Average Monthly Cost of Living in £ GBP & Local Currency:

1,000 – 1,500 EUR (833 - 1,250 GBP)

Average Monthly Salary in £ GBP & Local Currency:

1,000 – 1,500 EUR (833 - 1,250 GBP)

Sri Lanka

Degree Requirement:

Not required

Typical Contract Length:

12 Months

Peak Hiring Seasons:

Year-round

Visa Info:

Work permit

Typical Students:

Children,adults

Average Monthly Cost of Living in £ GBP & Local Currency:

50 000 LKR – 80 000 LKR (£250 – £400)

Average Monthly Salary in £ GBP & Local Currency:

25 000LKR – 50 000LKR (£130 – £260)

Turkey

Degree Requirement:

Not required

Typical Contract Length:

6 - 12 Months

Peak Hiring Seasons:

Year-round language schools, September - public and private schools

Visa Info:

Work visa

Typical Students:

Business professionals, children

Average Monthly Cost of Living in £ GBP & Local Currency:

3,390 – 5,085 TRY (500 - 750 GBP)

Average Monthly Salary in £ GBP & Local Currency:

5.085 – 12,205 TRY (750 - 1,800 GBP)

Turkey

Degree Requirement:

Not required

Typical Contract Length:

6 - 12 Months

Peak Hiring Seasons:

Year-round language schools, September - public and private schools

Visa Info:

Work visa

Typical Students:

Business professionals, children

Average Monthly Cost of Living in £ GBP & Local Currency:

3,390 – 5,085 TRY (500 - 750 GBP)

Average Monthly Salary in £ GBP & Local Currency:

5.085 – 12,205 TRY (750 - 1,800 GBP)

Uruguay

Degree Requirement:

Not required

Typical Contract Length:

6 - 12 months

Peak Hiring Seasons:

March - August

Visa Info:

Work visa

Typical Students:

Business professionals, children

Average Monthly Cost of Living in £ GBP & Local Currency:

6,230 - 10,435 UYU (185 - 310 GBP)

Average Monthly Salary in £ GBP & Local Currency:

6,230 - 10,435 UYU (185 - 310 GBP)

Please note the information provided above is given as a general guide only. Information and currency conversions were correct at the time of publication, but they may change at any time.

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