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Asia
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:
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China
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Capital city
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Beijing
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Language
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Cantonese/Mandarin
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Currency and exchange rate
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Renminbi (8.3 RMB = $US 1)
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Typical TEFL teacher salary
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7,000 RMB monthly (varies widely from region to region)
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Major TEFL locations
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Nationwide
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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.
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Indonesia
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Capital city
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Jakarta
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Language
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Indonesian
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Currency and exchange rate
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Rupiah (8,800 rupiah = $US 1)
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Typical TEFL teacher salary
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7,000,000 rupiah per month
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Major TEFL locations
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Jakarta, Surabaya, Bandung, Yogyakarta +++
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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.
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Japan
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Capital city
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Tokyo
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Language
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Japanese
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Currency and exchange rate
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Yen (108 Yen = $US1)
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Typical TEFL teacher salary
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250,000 Yen
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Major TEFL locations
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Tokyo, Osaka +++
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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.
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South Korea
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Capital city
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Seoul
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Language
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Korean
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Currency and exchange rate
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Won (1,100 Won = $US1)
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Typical TEFL teacher salary
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2,000,000 Won
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Major TEFL locations
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Seoul, Pusan +++
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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.
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Taiwan
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Capital city
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Taipei
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Language
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Chinese
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Currency and exchange rate
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New Taiwanese $ (NT$ 31 = $US1)
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Typical TEFL teacher salary
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NT$ 50,000
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Major TEFL locations
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Taipei
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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.
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Thailand
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Capital city
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Bangkok
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Language
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Thai
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Currency and exchange rate
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Baht (45 Baht = $US1)
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Typical TEFL teacher salary
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25,000 Baht
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Major TEFL locations
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Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Phuket, Hat Yai, +++
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TEFL job prospects
The current job opportunities in Thailand for TEFL teachers are
numerous. In Bangkok there are far more jobs than teachers, while
in other parts of the country the prospects are still good. In virtually
every city in Thailand, if a qualified TEFL teacher decides they
want to live there, they will be able to find a teaching position.
Teachers are highly respected by Thai students, and they are generally
highly motivated and willing to learn. They are also great fun!
As Thailand is such an attractive country in which to work, there
many unqualified teachers looking for a job. A TEFL qualified teacher
will find work very easily.
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Singapore
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Capital city
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Singapore
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Language
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Mandarin Chinese, Malay, Tamil, English
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Currency and exchange rate
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Singapore dollar (S$ 1.75 = $US1)
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Typical TEFL teacher salary
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S$ 2,800
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Major TEFL locations
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Throughout the state
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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.
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Malaysia
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Capital city
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Kuala Lumpur
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Language
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Bahasa Malaysia
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Currency and exchange rate
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Ringgit (3.8 Ringgit = $US 1)
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Typical TEFL teacher salary
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4,000 Ringgit
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Major TEFL locations
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Kuala Lumpur
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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 $1,000 per month and while
this is lower than Singapore the cost of living is much lower.
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Vietnam
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Capital city
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Hanoi
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Language
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Vietnamese
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Currency and exchange rate
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Dong
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Typical TEFL teacher salary
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US$ 15 per hour
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Major TEFL locations
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Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi
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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.
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Laos
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Capital city
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Ventiane
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Language
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Laotian
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Currency and exchange rate
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Kip
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Typical TEFL teacher salary
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US$ 10 per hour
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Major TEFL locations
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Ventiane
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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.
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Cambodia
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Capital city
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Phnom Penh
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Language
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Khmer
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Currency and exchange rate
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Riel
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Typical TEFL teacher salary
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US$ 7 per hour
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Major TEFL locations
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Phnom Penh
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TEFL job prospects
See Laos and Vietnam.
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Indian subcontinent
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Capital city
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India, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka
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Language
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Various
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Currency and exchange rate
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Various
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Typical TEFL teacher salary
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-
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Major TEFL locations
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-
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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.
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What
is TEFL/TESOL ?
