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TEFL JOBS/ TESOL ASIA
Regional Overview
There are excellent opportunities for travelling and teaching English in Asia, and in these pages we’ll show you how to do it. Japan is still a hotbed for TEFL, with China one of the largest markets and even high demand in developing countries such as Nepal and Thailand. The difficulty comes in securing a position in these countries before travelling. For employers the cost of advertising outside of the country is prohibitive, which means many organisations and institutions will only look to hire on the spot. Therefore, opportunities to teach in these countries exist for the more adventurous individuals who are prepared to take the plunge, travel to the country and have enough funds to support themselves in the meantime. Even then, do not expect to secure a fixed term full time contract with all the benefits you would expect in the West. You may find yourself contracted to do a varying amount of hours with different schools and supplementing your income by freelancing. In these countries it is possible to live well by local standards but it will prove difficult to save. In Thailand many travellers simply use teaching to fund their trips through the region. Obviously the longer you stay, the more long-term opportunities there will be.
At the other end of the spectrum, Japan is one of the most lucrative countries for the new EFL teacher. Eleven or twelve month contracts with return flights, good salaries and paid holidays are the norm. All that is required is a degree and possibly an TESOL certificate. Jobs are frequently advertised in the Guardian newspaper in the UK on a Tuesday. Large recruitment organisations such as the Council on International Education Exchange (who operate the JET scheme) send hundreds of people to the country every year. Many of the same lucrative conditions exist in Taiwan and Korea, although positions are not so frequently seen in our national press.
China sits between the 2 extremes. Demand for English has exploded and there are several opportunities for the newly qualified EFL teacher. Living conditions are modest compared to the West but like much of Asia the people tend to be warm and welcoming.
DISCLAIMER
These pages are for general information only and whilst every effort has been made to ensure information is correct, it is up to the individual to thoroughly investigate the conditions of entry to countries and the legal working regulations. If offered a job, please carefully vet all terms and conditions. Inclusion of potential employment opportunities does not in any way represent a guarantee of employment.
When travelling overseas, please refer to your government’s own advice on current conditions in each country. The British Foreign Office website is a good resource for travel advice. Please follow the link: http://www.fco.gov.uk/
If you find a broken link or if you have an experience you would like to share with others about working in a particular country, please email us.
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