More than 250,000 English teachers work abroad each year, yet roughly half leave their positions within the first 12 months, according to the International TEFL Academy.
Surprisingly, the reason isn’t always homesickness or bad schools. Rather, the decision comes down to weighing salary expectations, benefit packages, daily living costs, and whether you’ll actually enjoy the local culture beyond the honeymoon phase.
In this article, we’ll walk you through how to compare high-paying teaching positions against easier entry requirements. You’ll also learn which perks save you more money than a bigger paycheck, and why some popular countries attract completely different types of teachers.
Let’s begin with how to decide on the best country for you.
What Should You Consider Before Picking a Country?
The right teaching country depends on three main factors: your lifestyle preferences, financial situation, and career goals for teaching English abroad. We’ve placed teachers across 15 countries since 2007, and the ones who stay longest matched their destination to their actual priorities upfront.
Here’s what you need to consider before applying to teaching jobs overseas.
Your Daily Lifestyle and Weekend Plans
Think about whether you want busy city life or quiet towns where you can hike and explore nature. Some teachers prefer constant travel opportunities on weekends. What does it mean, though? Well, they’re hopping between countries in Asia or exploring different European cities every month.
While others prefer staying local and building routines in one place, like joining a football league or taking cooking classes with locals. In the end, your free time is just as important as classroom hours, so picture what your weekends actually look like there.
Weather and Cost of Living
Nobody talks about this enough, but climate affects your mood more than you’d expect. Consider that hot tropical climates in Costa Rica differ massively from freezing winters in South Korea or Japan.
Monthly expenses vary wildly, too. Say, what you save in South Korea might disappear fast in expensive European cities where rent alone eats half your pay. So, check rent, food, and transport costs because expensive cities can bleed you dry within months.
Teaching Career Path and Contract Length
Some teaching positions focus on young learners, but others need you to work with business professionals or university students. For example, short six-month contracts in Latin America suit travellers, while year-long commitments in Asia offer better job security and benefits.
Since 2007, we have connected Australian teachers with schools across Asia, Europe, and Latin America, and contract length always comes up as one of the biggest factors. That’s why you need to consider whether this teaching job is suitable for your long-term career or just to fund your next adventure around the world.
High Salaries Vs. Easy Requirements
Should you chase the highest-paying teaching positions or pick a country where you can actually land a job without years of experience? The answer depends on what stage you’re at in your teaching career and how much flexibility you’ve got with qualifications.
Take a look at these factors to decide what would be suitable for you.
TEFL Countries Paying the Most
Middle Eastern countries and South Korea top the salary charts, with teachers earning $2,500-$5,000 monthly plus housing and flights covered.
Right, so the money sounds fantastic on paper until you see what rent actually costs in these places. For instance, Japan pays well, but living costs eat into savings, whereas Vietnam offers lower pay with cheaper expenses and a better lifestyle overall.
Along with that, high-paying teaching positions usually demand bachelor’s degrees, TEFL certificates, and sometimes prior classroom experience to even apply, not just enthusiasm.
Places Where You Can Start Without Much Experience
Spain lets you teach English abroad without a four-year degree, though the pay sits lower at $900-$1,200 per month. Similarly, Schools in Europe and Latin America focus more on personality and willingness to learn than on perfect qualifications.
Latin American countries like Mexico and Costa Rica hire teachers with just TEFL certification and a genuine interest in the work.
Basically, lower requirements mean more competition and fewer perks like free housing, but you’ll gain experience for future contracts (and experience beats a slightly higher salary when you’re building your teaching resume).
Perks That are More Important Than Your Salary
The best part about teaching overseas in places like South Korea is that your employer covers rent, flights, and insurance (which means you keep more of what you earn). These benefits often add up more to your bank account than an extra monthly $500 would.
These are some of the perks that can completely change how much you save each month:
- Free Accommodation: Countries like South Korea and Japan save you $500-$1,000 monthly by providing housing. Plus, you don’t have to hunt for apartments in a foreign language or deal with dodgy landlords who don’t fix the heating.
- Flight Coverage: Most schools in South Korea and the Middle East cover your initial flight and give you money for a ticket home at the end of your contract. That alone saves you $1,500 upfront just to start teaching abroad.
- Health Insurance: Health coverage usually includes doctor visits, prescriptions, and emergency care without the paperwork headaches. They protect you from massive medical bills that wipe out your earnings (one emergency room visit shouldn’t cost three weeks of work).
- Paid Holiday Time: Some contracts give you two weeks off, while others offer full month-long breaks to travel or visit home without losing pay. We’ve often seen how this part gets overlooked, but paid holidays can make or break your entire year abroad.
- End-of-Contract Bonuses: These are added as an extra month’s salary when you complete your year successfully. That’s basically free money for finishing what you agreed to do, and it covers your travel expenses.
These perks are often overlooked, but they stack up fast. A teacher earning $2,000 monthly with free housing and flights ends up saving more than someone earning $2,800 without those benefits.
Popular Picks: South Korea and Costa Rica
South Korea and Costa Rica consistently rank in the top five teaching destinations globally, yet they offer teachers very different experiences and benefits. These destinations keep coming up in teacher groups for good reason, and they’ve proven themselves time and again.
Let’s break down what makes each one work for different types of teachers.
South Korea’s All-Inclusive Teaching Packages
South Korea covers your flight, apartment, health insurance, and pays $1,800-$2,500 monthly, with end-of-year bonuses included too. We’ve helped place dozens of teachers in South Korean schools, and the all-inclusive packages consistently attract those who want fewer financial surprises.
The competition is fierce, though. Schools want bachelor’s degrees, clean background checks, and often prefer native English speakers from countries like the UK, Canada, or Australia. You’ll also need your documents properly notarised and apostilled, which takes time if you’ve never sorted a work visa before.
The work culture is structured and formal, so teachers who want laid-back classrooms might find it restrictive at first. You’ll find that students respect authority, classes follow strict schedules, and you’re expected to dress professionally every day.
Teaching English in Latin America and What to Expect
Costa Rica offers warm weather year-round, friendly locals, and a relaxed teaching environment that suits first-timers perfectly well. That’s why the country attracts teachers who value lifestyle over big paycheques and don’t mind piecing together income from multiple schools.
Although pay in Latin America sits lower at $800-$1,500 monthly, living costs are cheap, so your money stretches further. You can rent a decent apartment for $400, eat fresh local food for pennies, and still have money left for weekend beach trips.
You’ll rarely get free housing or flight reimbursements, but the cultural immersion and Spanish practice make up for it. Other countries like Mexico and Argentina also attract teachers looking for adventure over financial security.
Time to Book Your Next Adventure
Choosing where to teach English abroad comes down to balancing what you earn, what you spend, and what kind of life you want outside the classroom. High-paying countries like South Korea might offer incredible perks, but demand more qualifications. Contrastingly, Latin America welcomes newer teachers with open arms and lower costs.
So don’t just pick a country because it sounds exciting, think about matching it to your teaching career goals and lifestyle preferences too.
If you’re still weighing your options or need help finding legitimate job placement opportunities, Biography Shelf connects Australian-certified teachers with reputable schools worldwide. Check out our website to see current openings across Europe, Asia, and Latin America.