Asia TEFL Job Markets

The job market for English teachers in East and Southeast Asia is the largest in the world. Most of these nations are highly industrialized and economically strong with large populations, enormous middle classes and a high demand for education. There are hundreds of thousands of jobs in public and private language schools.

The following information represents typical experiences for teachers but of course varies. Always carefully review contract details for any position and don’t be afraid to ask for clarification.

Cambodia

Degree Requirements: BA/BS preferred, not required
Typical Contract Length: 6 & 12 months
Peak Hiring Season: Year-round
Interview Procedure: Face-to-face
Visa: Tourist visa convert to work visa
Typical Students: Business professionals, children
Housing: Not included
Reimbursed Airfare No
Est. Start-Up Costs (USD and local currency): $1,000 - $1,500 (3,995,000 - 5,992,500 KHR)
Avg. Monthly Living Costs (USD and local currency): $500 - $1,000 (1,997,500 - 3,995,000 KHR)
Avg. Monthly Salary (USD and local currency): $700 - $1,000 (2,796,500 - 3,995,000 KHR)
Can save $200 - 500 per month

China

Degree Requirements: BA/BS required
Typical Contract Length: 6 & 12 months
Peak Hiring Season: Year-round
Interview Procedure: Phone/Skype in advance & face-to-face
Visa: Work visa or tourist visa convert to work visa
Typical Students: Business professionals, children
Housing: Free or subsidy provided
Reimbursed Airfare: Yes
Est. Start-Up Costs (USD and local currency): $1,000 - 2,000 (6,700 - 13,400 RMB)
Avg. Monthly Living Costs (USD and local currency): $650 - $1,100 (4,350 - 7,350 RMB)
Avg. Monthly Salary (USD and local currency): $1,250 - $2,850 (8.400 - 19,100 RMB)
Can save $600 - 1,750 per month

Hong Kong

Degree Requirements: BA/BS required
Typical Contract Length: 12 months
Peak Hiring Season: Year-round
Interview Procedure: Phone/Skype in advance
Visa: Work visa
Typical Students: Business professionals, children
Housing: Not included
Reimbursed Airfare: Sometimes
Est. Start-Up Costs (USD and local currency): $2,000 - 3,000 (15,700 - 23,250 HKD)
Avg. Monthly Living Costs (USD and local currency): $2,300 - 5,000 (18,000 - 39,000 HKD)
Avg. Monthly Salary (USD and local currency): $2,300 - 3,000 (18,000 - 23,250 HKD)
Can save $400 - 600 per month

Indonesia

Degree Requirements: BA/BS required
Typical Contract Length: 12 months
Peak Hiring Season: Year-round
Interview Procedure: Phone/Skype in advance
Visa: Work visa
Typical Students: Business professionals, children
Housing: Not included
Reimbursed Airfare: Sometimes
Est. Start-Up Costs (USD and local currency): $700 - 1,100 (9,790,050 - 15,384,350 IDR)
Avg. Monthly Living Costs (USD and local currency): $550 - 850 (7,330,000 - 12,000,000 IDR)
Avg. Monthly Salary (USD and local currency): $650 - 1,050 (9,300,000 - 14,700,000 IDR)
Can save $100 - 500 per month

Japan

Degree Requirements: BA/BS required
Typical Contract Length: 12 months
Peak Hiring Season: Year-round
Interview Procedure: In the U.S., 3-6 months in advance
Visa: Work visa
Typical Students: Business professionals, children
Housing: Some free housing or subsidy
Reimbursed Airfare: No
Est. Start-Up Costs (USD and local currency): $2,600 - 4,200 (280,080 – 468,000 JPY)
Avg. Monthly Living Costs (USD and local currency): $800 - 2,000 (88,650 - 221,650 JPY)
Avg. Monthly Salary (USD and local currency): $1,500 - 2,500 (166,250 - 277,050 JPY)
Can save $600 - 700 per month

Kazakhstan

Degree Requirements: BA/BS preferred, not required
Typical Contract Length: 12 months
Peak Hiring Season: Year-round
Interview Procedure: Phone/Skype in advance
Visa: Work visa
Typical Students: Business professionals, children
Housing: Some free housing
Reimbursed Airfare: Sometimes return flight
Est. Start-Up Costs (USD and local currency): $800 - 1,000 (301,050 – 376,300 KZT)
Avg. Monthly Living Costs (USD and local currency): $700 - 850 (253,000 – 316,000 KZT)
Avg. Monthly Salary (USD and local currency): $350 - 1,250 (126,000 - 474,000 KZT)
Can save up to $550 per month

Krygzstan

Degree Requirements: BA/BS preferred, not required
Typical Contract Length: 6 & 12 months
Peak Hiring Season: Year-round
Interview Procedure: Phone/Skype in advance, sometimes face-to-face
Visa: Work visa
Typical Students: Business professionals, children
Housing: Some free housing
Reimbursed Airfare: No
Est. Start-Up Costs (USD and local currency): $800 - 1,000 (54,000 – 68,000 KGS)
Avg. Monthly Living Costs (USD and local currency): $400 - 800 (27,000 – 54,000 KGS)
Avg. Monthly Salary (USD and local currency): $400 - 800 (27,000 – 54,000 KGS)
Can save up to $400 per month

Laos

Degree Requirements: BA/BS preferred, not required
Typical Contract Length: 6 & 12 months
Peak Hiring Season: Year-round
Interview Procedure: Face-to-face in Laos
Visa: Tourist or Work visa
Typical Students: Business professionals, children
Housing: No
Reimbursed Airfare: No
Est. Start-Up Costs (USD and local currency): $1,000 - 1,500 (8,360,000 – 12,540,000 LAK)
Avg. Monthly Living Costs (USD and local currency): $500 - 1,000 (4,180,000 – 8,360,000 LAK)
Avg. Monthly Salary (USD and local currency): $500 - 1,000 (4,180,000 – 8,360,000 LAK)
Can save up to $500 per month

Malaysia

Degree Requirements: BA/BS required, Master’s preferred
Typical Contract Length: 12 months
Peak Hiring Season: Year-round
Interview Procedure: Phone/Skype in advance
Visa: Work visa
Typical Students: Business professionals, children
Housing: Not included
Reimbursed Airfare: No
Est. Start-Up Costs (USD and local currency): $1,350 - 2,700 (5,300 – 10,550 MRY)
Avg. Monthly Living Costs (USD and local currency): $900 - 1,800 (3,650 – 7,000 MRY)
Avg. Monthly Salary (USD and local currency): $1,200 - 2,300 (4,700 - 9,000 MRY)
Can save $300 - $1,400 per month

Myanmar

Degree Requirements: BA/BS required
Typical Contract Length: 12 months
Peak Hiring Season: Year-round, May-Sept
Interview Procedure: Phone/Skype in advance, sometimes face-to-face
Visa: Work visa
Typical Students: Business professionals, children
Housing: Not included
Reimbursed Airfare: No
Est. Start-Up Costs (USD and local currency): $1,100 - 2,000 (1,676,500 – 3,048,200 MMK)
Avg. Monthly Living Costs (USD and local currency): $650 - 800 (1,027,400 – 1,232,900 MMK)
Avg. Monthly Salary (USD and local currency): $900 - 1,800 (1,371,200 - 2,739,700 MMK)
Can save $250 - $800 per month

Singapore

Degree Requirements: BA/BS required
Typical Contract Length: 12 months
Peak Hiring Season: Year-round
Interview Procedure: Phone/Skype in advance
Visa: Work visa
Typical Students: Business professionals, children
Housing: Not included
Reimbursed Airfare No
Est. Start-Up Costs (USD and local currency): $5,500 - 6,800 (7,450 - 9,200 SGD)
Avg. Monthly Living Costs (USD and local currency): $2,750 - 3,400 (3,700 - 4,600 SGD)
Avg. Monthly Salary (USD and local currency): $2,750 - 3,550 (3,700 – 4,800 SGD)
Can save up to $800 per month

South Korea

Degree Requirements: BA/BS required
Typical Contract Length: 12 months
Peak Hiring Season: Year-round
Interview Procedure: Phone/Skype in advance
Visa: Work visa
Typical Students: Business professionals, children
Housing: Free or subsidy provided
Reimbursed Airfare: One-way or round trip
Est. Start-Up Costs (USD and local currency): $1,000 - 2,000 (1,122,850 - 2,245,650 KRW)
Avg. Monthly Living Costs (USD and local currency): $650 - 900 (730,600 - 1,010,500 KRW)
Avg. Monthly Salary (USD and local currency): $1,850 - 2,500 (2,100,000 - 2,807,000 KRW)
Can save $1,200 - $1,600 per month

Taiwan

Degree Requirements: BA/BS required, some AA accepted
Typical Contract Length: 12 months
Peak Hiring Season: After Lunar (Chinese) New Year & July - August
Interview Procedure: Phone/Skype in advance
Visa: Work visa
Typical Students: Business professionals, children
Housing: Not included
Reimbursed Airfare: No
Est. Start-Up Costs (USD and local currency): $1,000 - 1,400 (32,300 – 45,200 TWD)
Avg. Monthly Living Costs (USD and local currency): $500 - 1,500 (15,400 - 46,150 TWD)
Avg. Monthly Salary (USD and local currency): $1,000 - 2,000 (30,800 - 61,500 TWD)
Can save up to $500 per month

Thailand

Degree Requirements: BA/BS required
Typical Contract Length: 5 to 12 months
Peak Hiring Season: February - April & August - October; year-round
Interview Procedure: Mostly face-to-face; some phone/Skype in advance
Visa: Work visa
Typical Students: Business professionals, children
Housing: Not included
Reimbursed Airfare No
Est. Start-Up Costs (USD and local currency): $1,000 - 1,500 (31,350 – 47,000 THB)
Avg. Monthly Living Costs (USD and local currency): $500 - 800 (15,700 – 25,100 THB)
Avg. Monthly Salary (USD and local currency): $950 - 1,500 (30,000 – 47,000 THB)
Can save $450 - 700 per month

Vietnam

Degree Requirements: BA/BS required
Typical Contract Length: 12 months
Peak Hiring Season: Year-round
Interview Procedure: Mostly face-to-face; rarely phone/Skype in advance
Visa: Tourist visa convert to work visa or work visa
Typical Students: Business professionals, children
Housing: Not included
Reimbursed Airfare: No
Est. Start-Up Costs (USD and local currency): $1,050 - 1,350 (23,347,315 – 30,000,000 VND)
Avg. Monthly Living Costs (USD and local currency): $500 - 900 (11,605,000 – 20,889,000 VND)
Avg. Monthly Salary (USD and local currency): $1,100 - 1,500 (25,049,500 - 35,000,000 VND)
Can save up to $600 per month

NOTE:

For the most up-to-date exchange rates check out xe.com.

Start-up costs are estimates in a country for housing, food and expenses until receiving your first paycheck, which is typically 30 days after start of contract.