Teaching English in Asia: salaries, requirements, and how to land a job
Teaching English abroad remains one of the most accessible routes to international work — and one of the most financially rewarding when you factor in free housing, return flights, and tax-free salaries. Countries like China, South Korea, Japan, and the UAE collectively hire tens of thousands of teachers every year.
Here is everything you need to know.
Why teach English abroad?
The financial package offered to English teachers in Asia is genuinely exceptional. A typical package includes:
- Monthly salary: $1,800–$3,500 depending on country and school type
- Free accommodation: most programmes provide furnished housing worth $800–$1,500/month
- Return flights: paid by the school or reimbursed on completion of contract
- Health insurance: usually included
- Paid holidays: typically 10–20 days plus national holidays
- Bonus on contract completion: often one month's salary
When you factor in that your biggest expenses (housing and flights) are covered, the real financial value is significantly higher than the headline salary.
Country by country breakdown
China
China is the world's largest market for English teachers, with hundreds of thousands of positions available. Salaries range from $1,500–$2,500/month for public schools and $2,500–$4,000/month for private language schools and international schools.
Requirements: A bachelor's degree in any subject plus a TEFL certificate (120+ hours). Native speaker preferred but not always required.
Key cities: Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Chengdu.
South Korea
The Korean government runs the EPIK programme (English Programme in Korea), which places teachers in public schools across the country. It is one of the most structured and well-supported teaching programmes in the world.
Salary: approximately $1,800–$2,600/month plus free accommodation and a completion bonus.
Requirements: A degree from an English-speaking country or a country where English is a primary language of instruction, plus a clean criminal record.
Private language academies (hagwons) pay slightly higher but have less job security.
Japan
Japan's JET Programme (Japan Exchange and Teaching) is a prestigious government-run programme that places Assistant Language Teachers in schools across Japan. Salary is around $2,000–$2,500/month.
Private conversation schools (like NOVA and AEON) hire year-round with salaries of $1,800–$2,500/month.
Requirements: A bachelor's degree. TEFL certification is preferred but not always required. The JET Programme has a more competitive application process.
UAE and the Middle East
The UAE offers some of the highest salaries in the region — $2,500–$4,500/month at international schools in Dubai and Abu Dhabi, completely tax-free.
Requirements: A teaching qualification (PGCE, BEd, or equivalent) is usually required for international school positions. Government school programmes (like the ADEK Teach For UAE scheme) have different entry requirements.
Minimum requirements to teach English abroad
The baseline requirements vary by country, but generally you need:
1. A bachelor's degree — in any subject for most positions
2. A TEFL/TESOL/CELTA certificate — a 120-hour online TEFL is accepted by most employers. A CELTA is the gold standard and opens doors to the best schools.
3. A native or near-native English speaker — though this is increasingly flexible
4. A clean criminal record — you will need a police clearance certificate
You do not need a degree in education or prior teaching experience for most entry-level positions, though it helps for higher-paying roles.
How to find and land positions
1. Apply through official programmes. EPIK (Korea), JET (Japan), and CIEE (various countries) are reputable, structured programmes with strong candidate support.
2. Use specialist job boards. Dave's ESL Cafe, ESL Job Feeds, and TEFL.com have thousands of listings. Jobsesame's teaching jobs tab aggregates available positions.
3. Contact schools directly. Many international schools recruit directly through their websites. Research schools in your target city and apply directly.
4. Use a recruiter. Specialist ESL recruiters can place you more quickly — they have existing relationships with schools and know which positions are genuinely good.
The application process
A typical application includes: CV, cover letter, copy of degree certificate, copy of TEFL certificate, photo ID, and criminal background check. Some schools require a video interview or a demo lesson.
Timeline: apply 3–6 months before your intended start date. The paperwork and visa processing takes time — do not leave it until the last minute.
Is it worth it?
For most people who try it, yes. The financial benefits are real, the cultural experience is irreplaceable, and many teachers end up staying for 3–5 years because the lifestyle is so good. The communities of expat teachers in cities like Seoul, Tokyo, and Shanghai are large, welcoming, and well-connected.
If you want to see the world, pay down debt, or simply try something different before settling into a career, teaching English in Asia is one of the best options available.