Around 250,000 TEFL teachers work in foreign countries each year, with Asia and Latin America managing most of that growth. However, nearly half of them head home within their first year.
Unfortunately, it’s because most people choose countries based on surface-level research. Until they realise the lifestyle doesn’t match what they’ve wanted, once they’ve already moved.
In this article, we’ll break down which regions pay teachers the most and which ones welcome complete beginners. You’ll also learn about all the visa requirements and when the schools in different countries begin their hiring.
Let’s find out how you should approach this competitive job market.
What Makes a Country Right for Teaching English Abroad?
The right country depends on three things: what you want from teaching English abroad, how much you need to save, and what qualifications you already have.
Picking where to teach English abroad gets easier once you focus on matching your situation with what different countries offer. For example, some places welcome complete beginners, while others want years of classroom experience before they’ll even look at your application.
Here’s how each factor plays out in helping you decide.
Your Career Goals Influence Where You Should Teach
When it comes to choosing career goals, some TEFL teachers aim for professionally valuable experience at top international schools with structured training programs. Contrastingly, we’ve also seen many prefer casual conversation classes in smaller cities, where they can immerse themselves in local culture.
Beyond personal preferences, your long-term plans are important too. If you’re eyeing teaching English online later, classroom experience in Asia gives you solid credentials. Especially, teachers looking at education management often find coordinator roles open up in Middle Eastern language schools more than entry-level teaching positions elsewhere.
Salary Expectations vs Cost of Living
South Korea and the Middle East pay around $2,000-$3,500 monthly, but living costs vary between regions. Say, Seoul’s rent might hit $800 while a flat in Riyadh costs half of that.
The trade-off is lower salaries in Latin America. They usually offer $800-$1,500, but at the same time, living costs in places like Colombia or Mexico are much lower, with apartments around $300-$400. So calculate your monthly savings potential instead of fixating on the gross salary number in English teaching job postings.
Work Visa and TEFL Certificate Requirements by Region
Asia typically requires bachelor’s degrees for work visas, while Latin America often accepts tourists who convert permits after landing (paperwork that’ll take longer than you’d expect). A 120-hour TEFL certificate opens doors in most countries.
On the other hand, shorter courses limit your options, especially in competitive markets like South Korea, where schools can be picky. Some European countries require EU citizenship or sponsored visas. These systems make them tougher for Australian ESL teachers unless you’ve already got experience.
Best Countries to Teach English: High-Paying Destinations
Top high-paying countries for teaching English include South Korea and the Middle East.
The greatest advantage of these countries is that you can save money while still enjoying your life abroad and building your teaching resume. These destinations typically offer the most competitive salaries, but they also come with stricter requirements.
Take a look at all the perks of the best teaching destinations.
South Korea and the Middle East Offer Strong Salaries
South Korea provides furnished housing, flight reimbursement, and end-of-contract bonuses on top of monthly pay. With this whole package, you won’t have to scramble to find a flat or fork out for a plane ticket before you’ve even earned your first paycheck.
Similarly, the UAE and Saudi Arabia offer tax-free salaries between $2,500-$4,000. However, they require a minimum of two years of teaching experience. Both regions let ESL teachers save $1,000 monthly while experiencing new cultures on weekends.
Business English Teaching Positions in Major Asian Cities
Corporate training roles in Shanghai, Bangkok, or Ho Chi Minh City pay more than standard classroom jobs. You’ll teach professionals who need English for meetings, presentations, and international client interactions.
These teaching positions often require a suit-and-tie approach (no more casual Fridays). But the good thing is they offer flexible afternoon and evening schedules.
European Language Schools and Lifestyle Benefits
Spain and Italy may pay less at $1,200-$1,800, but the Mediterranean lifestyle, travel access, and work-life balance help save up your dollar in unexpected ways. Plus, private language schools hire year-round, unlike public schools.
Along with that, TEFL teachers are allowed to supplement their income with private tutoring, which can add $500-$800 monthly to their base salary.
Where Can You Start Teaching Abroad as a New Teacher?
New teachers can start teaching English abroad in countries like Vietnam, Cambodia, parts of Latin America and some smaller Chinese cities. Some of these countries hire teachers fresh out of TEFL courses without asking for classroom experience.
Here are some destinations where you can start:
- Latin America: Mexico, Costa Rica, and Colombia hire ESL teachers with only TEFL courses. You don’t need prior classroom experience, just your certificate and enthusiasm for working with students. Plus, language schools offer shorter 3-6 month contracts so you can test the waters before committing to a full year.
- Vietnam and Cambodia: Over our 18 years of placing Australian teachers, we’ve seen these Southeast Asian countries consistently hire first-timers and pair them with experienced mentors. You’ll get help with lesson planning and classroom management instead of being thrown in the deep end.
- Online Platforms: Building experience from home works too. You can gather up 50-100 hours of teaching on platforms like Cambly or Preply. It will make your CV look stronger when you apply for in-person positions later.
- Smaller Chinese Cities: Usually, tier-1 cities like Beijing and Shanghai want experienced teachers with references, but smaller cities hire beginners. You’ll earn less, but your cost of living will be modest.
The secret is to target regions that prioritise native English speakers over teaching credentials. We suggest starting somewhere beginner-friendly, building up six months to a year of experience, and then moving to more competitive markets if you want higher pay.
Latin America vs Asia: Comparing Teaching Opportunities
Latin America and Asia offer completely different teaching experiences. One region lets you show up and start English teaching job hunting within weeks, while the other requires months of paperwork before you even board a plane.
Let’s compare what you’re signing up for in each region.
Latin America’s Lower Barriers To Entry
Most countries let Australians enter on tourist visas and sort out work permits after arriving. You can start teaching within 2-3 weeks of landing, compared to Asia’s 2-3 month visa processing.
You’ll also get a casual teaching culture, which means flip-flops and jeans work fine at many language schools. If it’s possible, you can learn some Spanish or Portuguese basics, but they aren’t mandatory for getting hired at English language schools.
Asia’s Structured TEFL Jobs And Contracts
The contracts there spell out exact salary, housing allowances, flight reimbursements, and health insurance coverage upfront, so you know what you’re getting into.
Schools usually provide work visas before you arrive (no hassle of sorting paperwork in-country). Also, you’ll follow set curricula with textbooks and lesson plans that are already prepared by the school. This system takes pressure off, but also means less creative freedom in how you teach.
Take a look at this quick comparison table:
| Factor | Latin America | Asia |
| Visa Process | Tourist visa on arrival, convert later | A work visa is required before departure |
| Time To Start | 2-3 weeks after landing | 2-3 months (visa processing) |
| Dress Code | Casual (jeans, flip-flops) | Professional (business attire) |
| Contracts | Often informal, month-to-month | Formal contracts with set terms |
| Housing | Find your own | Often provided or subsidised |
| Salary Range | $800-$1,500/month | $2,000-$3,500/month |
| Lesson Plans | Create your own | School-provided curriculum |
| Support System | Independent teaching | Structured mentor programs |
Both regions have their advantages depending on what you value. From our experience, Latin America suits teachers who want flexibility and cultural immersion, but Asia works better if you’re focused on saving money and prefer a clear structure.
Your Job Search Timeline and When to Apply
The English teaching job search timeline for teaching abroad typically begins several months before the intended start date. You have to keep an eye out for the timing because schools in different countries follow completely different hiring cycles.
Here’s when to actually start applying for teaching positions.
| Region/Country | Peak Hiring Months | Start Dates | Application Timeline |
| South Korea | November-January, April-June | February, September | Apply 2-3 months before start |
| China | February-March, August-September | March, September | Apply 2-3 months before start |
| Middle East | January-March | August | Apply 5-6 months before start |
| Europe | June-July, December | September, January | Apply 2-3 months before start |
| Latin America | Year-round | Rolling starts | Apply anytime |
| Online Teaching | Year-round | Immediately after onboarding | Apply anytime |
Pro Tip: Budget 4-6 weeks for visa processing after receiving your job offer and signing the contract. Sometimes, Middle Eastern schools need longer because of document authentication requirements. Plus, if you miss the hiring window in competitive markets like South Korea, you’ll be waiting months for the next batch of positions to open up.
Find Where You’ll Thrive as an English Teacher
Picking the right country requires matching your goals with what different regions offer. With that in mind, new teachers should start in beginner-friendly regions, then move to competitive markets once they’ve built classroom experience. And don’t forget to take your time researching visa requirements and the cost of living before applying to avoid setbacks down the track.
If you need more guidance for your teaching abroad career, Biography Shelf connects Australian teachers with vetted positions across Europe, Asia, Latin America, and the Middle East, managing everything, including initial applications and visa support. Visit us to explore teaching opportunities that match your specific goals and experience level.
