The 5 Most Popular Countries For English Teachers

There are so many opportunities to teach English in Asia, it is impossible to list them all here. The most popular destinations are Japan, Korea, China, Taiwan and Thailand. Here’s a brief description of each, to give the would-be Asia traveler some ideas.

Japan - Japan is still the number one destination for English teachers headed for Asia. Japan is safe, clean and friendly. You’ll be amazed by the food, service, comfort and convenience. Japan also has a rich history and lots of great sightseeing opportunities.

In Japan, it’s really easy to find western movies, music and culture. If you live in a major city, it’s pretty easy to sometimes forget that you’re living abroad! It’s also easy to make friends with people who have similar interests. Japan has a bit of everything.

Unfortunately, Japan is also expensive. In recent years, more and more English teachers have been heading to Korea and Taiwan as alternatives to Japan. In Japan, you can make a high salary, but living expenses are so high that most find it impossible to save money. The bubble years, where you could make $150 an hour teaching business classes, is long over.

Korea - Most English teachers will tell you that Korea is the best place in Asia to make good money. Korea has a growing economy, and the demand for English teachers is growing accordingly. There is so much demand for teachers in Korea that many people head there on tourist visas and get a job within days.

Koreans are friendly to foreigners, and you may find yourself getting “rock star treatment” from people who have never had a chance to meet a westerner before. In Seoul, there is lots of nightlife, and there are lots of out of the way places for cheap sightseeing.

One thing that mars the reputation of Korea for English teachers, however, are all the scams. It is estimated that 1 in 10 job offers (at the very least) are operating illegally. Horror stories abound about English teachers getting ripped off or unknowingly teaching under fake visas. Korea is a great place to teach, but check out the company you are considering carefully.

China - China has the fastest growing economy in the world, and they need English teachers like nobody else. China has the most opportunity for teachers in Asia. With only a bachelor’s degree, you can find yourself a job at a university teaching English.

China also has the richest history of Asia. It is a major tourist spot, and you can easily find jobs with enough vacation time to experience it. As everybody knows, the food is amazing. And, Chinese people are very friendly and welcoming to westerners.

But, China is not as developed as Korea or Japan. Many teachers find themselves overwhelmed by culture shock in China. The cities are polluted, some of the local customs are strange to foreigners, and you don’t have the same freedoms that you have back home. Still, China is an amazing place to experience one of the oldest countries in the world, and it’s a goldmine for English teachers.

Taiwan - Taiwan offers a good medium between Japan and China. Taiwanese society is very open to the west and friendly, and the pay you’ll get as a teacher is almost as good as in Korea. Unlike the other countries mentioned, Taiwan is a diverse society. It is easy to get western goods.

Taiwan probably has the highest expectations for its teachers. This can be a good thing or a bad thing, depending on how you look at it. In Taiwan, you will really be expected to teach, and Taiwanese people can tell if you’re doing a good job or not. For those who want to be “real” teachers, Taiwan is probably the overall best place.

Thailand - Thailand is a paradise with beautiful beaches, great sightseeing and delicious food. What more can you say? Everybody wants to go to Thailand. Unfortunately, there’s not much money to be made. You can teach English and live like a king in Thailand, but don’t expect to bring any savings home with you. Thailand’s currency is too devalued.

If you want to teach in Asia, there are many opportunities available. You can also teach in Vietnam, Laos, Indonesia, Malaysia and many other places. Just pick your favorite spot, and start looking!