The Best Countries in Asia to Teach Abroad

Asia is a popular destination for both new and experienced TEFL teachers. Aside from beautiful scenery and thrilling cultures to get to know, a lower cost of living makes any salary go far.

Whether you’re just finishing up your TEFL training or are a seasoned English teacher looking to jet off to your next destination, Asia is full of exciting countries to choose from.

There is a high demand for English teachers in locations across Asia. Many nations have relatively low levels of English proficiency but are filled with eager students keen on improving their skills – a perfect combination for prospective teachers!

💰 Average monthly salary: $1,500-$4,000 USD
🏠 Average monthly cost of living: $750-$1,400 USD
📝 Minimum requirements: bachelor’s degree, native or native level English speaker, TEFL certificate
✅ Common benefits: paid housing, health insurance, flight reimbursement
📍 Popular cities: Shanghai, Beijing, Shenzhen, Guangzhou

The ESL teaching market in China is booming, and the demand for international teachers is much greater than the supply, meaning you can get a great job with little to no experience. Teachers in China have room to grow in their careers. There are jobs in teaching, test prep, academic counseling, and even administration.

Teaching in China is an adventure. Not only will you get to experience a culture vastly different from your own, but there are also plenty of places for you to travel during all of those public holidays. Hike the Great Wall, take a bamboo raft down the Li River, or even ride camels in the Gobi Desert!

Read more: The Ultimate Guide to Teaching English in China

💰 Average monthly salary: $2,100-$4,500 USD
🏠 Average monthly cost of living: $850-$1,200 USD (not including housing which is usually provided)
📝 Minimum requirements: bachelor’s degree, TEFL certificate, native English speaker
✅ Common benefits: paid housing, health insurance, flight reimbursement
📍 Popular cities: Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka, Okinawa

Japan is one of the top teach abroad countries in Asia, and why shouldn't it be? It’s an incredible place to live and work. With kind people, clean streets, beautiful nature, and historic temples, what's not to love?

Teaching abroad in Japan is one of the best ways to live in Japan for an extended amount of time, and be able to afford the high cost of living. While it isn't the highest-paying country in Asia, Japan has been a popular teach abroad destination for a long time and has many established programs in place for those who want to teach abroad.

Many people decide to teach abroad in Japan through the JET program, however, this program is extremely competitive. Thankfully, Go Overseas has a range of teaching programs to choose from, so there are plenty of positions for everyone!

Read more: The Ultimate Guide to Teaching English in Japan: Requirements, Salary, & Benefits

💰 Average monthly salary: $1,600-$2,500 USD
🏠 Average monthly cost of living: $900-$1,200 USD (not including housing which is usually included)
📝 Minimum requirements: bachelor’s degree, native English speaker
✅ Common benefits: paid housing, flight reimbursement, health insurance, paid holidays
📍 Popular cities: Seoul, Jeju, Busan, Daegu

South Korea has been a popular teach abroad destination for almost as long as Japan. Many people get their start teaching abroad in South Korea. It’s also one of the best places in Asia to make money teaching abroad!

South Korea's popularity isn't just about making money though. South Korea has fantastic food, vibrant nightlife, incredible shopping streets, stunning temples, and an extensive rail network to easily get around the country.

It’s important to keep in mind that South Korea has a “work hard, play hard” culture and your workday can be long. If you’re passionate about teaching though, working in a public school through a program like EPIK or in an after-school hagwon (academy) will be a welcome challenge!

Read more:

• How to Get a Job Teaching English in South Korea
• The Best Teach Abroad Programs in South Korea

💰 Average monthly salary: $900-$1,300 USD
🏠 Average monthly cost of living: $500-$750 USD (not including housing which is usually provided)
📝 Minimum requirements: bachelor’s degree, native or native level English speaker, TEFL certificate
✅ Common benefits: paid housing, paid vacation, health insurance
📍 Popular cities: Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Phuket, Krabi

Thailand is another very popular teach abroad destination for both new teachers and more experienced professionals. Thailand is known as “The Land of Smiles” and teaching there will show you why. Thai people are generally friendly and welcoming to foreigners, making the country a great choice for English teachers interested in relocating.

Salaries in Thailand are modest when compared to China and South Korea, but the cost of living is lower and allows teachers to have a comfortable lifestyle while saving money each month. The amount you save depends on your spending habits, but especially thrifty teachers could set aside up to $700 a month.

Many are drawn here for the food, the lush green landscapes, and the laid-back vibes. What will you love about Thailand?

Read more: How to Get an ESL Teaching Job in Thailand

💰 Average monthly salary: $1,000-$2,300 USD
🏠 Average monthly cost of living: $500-$900 USD
📝 Minimum requirements: bachelor’s degree, TEFL certificate, native or native level English speaker
✅ Common benefits: paid vacation, visa assistance, assistance finding accommodation
📍 Popular cities: Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Hoi An

Vietnam is definitely the rising star when it comes to teaching abroad. In Vietnam, you can potentially save a significant amount of your teaching salary due to the low cost of living. The quality of life in Vietnam is great as well! Spend your weekends kayaking in Ha Long Bay, trekking in Sapa, or lying on the beach in Danang. With incredible food and strong Vietnamese coffee, along with beautiful, affordable apartments and cheap motorbikes for sale, you're bound to have an epic adventure.

Basing yourself in Vietnam is also a great way to explore Southeast Asia. Thailand, Cambodia, Laos, and the Philippines are all a short plane ride away! With budget flights on Air Asia, you can get to Angkor Wat or Bangkok in just a few hours.

Read more: How to Get a Teaching Job in Vietnam

💰 Average monthly salary: $1,400-$2,000 USD
🏠 Average monthly cost of living: $900-$1,300 USD
📝 Minimum requirements: bachelor’s degree, native English speaker, TEFL certificate
✅ Common benefits: health insurance, housing assistance, flight reimbursement
📍 Popular cities: Taipei, Kaohsiung, Taichung

Taiwan is a hidden gem when it comes to teaching abroad in Asia and isn't as popular as it deserves to be.

Many foreigners who teach in Taiwan started by teaching in Mainland China. With a similar language and culture, it’s a fairly easy transition. Compared with China, Taiwan has a freer society that is more accepting of diversity, including sexual orientation. Teachers who head to Taiwan from China tend to stay here for a long time.

Because many teachers come to Taiwan and never leave, competition for the best jobs is fierce. Many first-time teachers in Taiwan will have to "pay their dues" at an academy before making the right connections to move to a better position.

However, if you're an experienced teacher, or you're willing to wait out a good position, Taiwan is an incredible place to teach abroad. There's a reason why teachers here never leave: fantastic food, affordable cost of living, great job benefits, ease of transportation, the list goes on. I'd never leave either!

Read more: How Much Can You Earn Teaching Abroad in Taiwan?

💰 Average monthly salary: $650-$1,500 USD
🏠 Average monthly cost of living: $600-$800 USD
📝 Minimum requirements: bachelor’s degree, TEFL certification, native English speaker
✅ Common benefits: paid holidays
📍 Popular cities: Jakarta, Bandung, Surabaya, Denpasar (Bali)

Indonesia is a great place to start your teaching career and experience a different pace of life than what you’re used to at home. English teachers in Indonesia love the relaxed lifestyle that comes with island life. The country has a lot to offer whether you want exciting nightlife or a chill beach vibe.

Indonesia is made up of over 18,000 islands and islets divided up into 38 provinces. Some islands are more populated than others, giving you a range of options from rural to urban settings. Many jobs will be located in the capital Jakarta but Bali is another alluring destination for prospective teachers. Thanks to the low cost of living in much of Indonesia, what seems like a modest salary will actually go quite far.

💰 Average monthly salary: $4,000-$6,000 USD
🏠 Average monthly cost of living: $1,000-$1,500 USD (not including housing which is generally provided)
📝 Minimum requirements: bachelor’s degree (master’s preferred), teaching license, TEFL certificate
✅ Common benefits: paid housing, health insurance, flight reimbursement, visa assistance
📍 Popular cities: Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah

Although commonly referred to as a country in the Middle East, the United Arab Emirates is indeed in West Asia. The UAE often tops lists for best-paying countries for teachers abroad but this destination is so much more than just a high income.

The UAE draws top teaching talent from around the world. If you’re serious about your career, this is the right place to develop it. Teachers are respected and find opportunities for advancement and professional development. Many teaching positions are in private and international schools so you will usually need a bachelor’s degree and a teaching license at the very least to be considered for prestigious posts.

For your expertise, you’ll be rewarded with a great tax-free salary and a host of fabulous benefits. Enjoy life outside the classroom by experiencing all the UAE has to offer. Check out the glittering mosques and towering skyscrapers, go on a desert trek, or simply live the cosmopolitan life in Dubai.

Because Asia’s market for English teachers is so large, there are several tried and true ways to get a job. Here are some of the most popular:

• Teach abroad programs: Teach abroad programs often charge a fee that includes TEFL certification as well as placement in a paid teaching position in your country of choice. First-time teachers find these programs worth the money for the support they receive from beginning to end including visa assistance and in-country orientations and guidance.
• Recruiters: Recruiters generally don’t charge a fee to place you in schools abroad. They are especially common in Asia and many trustworthy recruiters can be found right here on GO.
• Government teaching programs: In a push to improve English levels, several countries have established official teaching programs. These include EPIK in South Korea, JET in Japan, NALCAP in Spain, and TAPIF in France. These programs tend to be competitive but are established and trusted ways to teach abroad.
• Online job boards: Whether you use the job board on GO or on an external site, this is a good way to browse listings posted by schools and apply directly if interested. Be on the lookout for scams! If the offer seems too good to be true, it probably is.

Each has pros and cons, so define your goals and needs before starting your research. If you are nervous about moving and working abroad for the first time, a structured program that provides support may be more your speed.

Whether you plan to teach abroad during a gap year or want to make it a career, any of the above countries is a good place to start. With a bit of research, you’re sure to find the perfect place for you. In the end, wherever you choose to go, you’re in for the adventure of a lifetime!