Top Countries for Teaching English in Asia

From ancient civilisations and sprawling megacities to world-class cuisine, Asia is one of the best places to teach English abroad. But with demand for English teachers across the continent, choosing where to go first can be a tough decision.

In celebration of our new guide to teaching English in Asia , we’ve put together a list of some of the best places to teach, whether you’re after culture, high salaries, or overall career progression. 

1. China

• Average salary : ¥11,000–¥25,000 RMB / $1,605–$3,640 / £1,200–£2,720
• Requirements : Bachelor’s degree, TEFL certificate
• Top cities : Shanghai, Beijing, Shenzhen

From the Forbidden City in Beijing to Shanghai ’s fusion of Chinese heritage and western influence, there’s no shortage of lifestyle and teaching opportunities in China. But with 18 megacities, you don’t have to limit your scope to Beijing or Shanghai; other hubs like Shenzhen, Guangzhou, Xi’An, and Chengdu captivate teachers from all over the world. 

Tip: In China, a ‘megacity’ is defined as one with over 10 million people living there.

With around 300–400 million people learning English, China has one of the highest demands for English teachers in the world. It also offers some of the best teaching salaries and benefits; entry-level and experienced teachers often get benefits like free accommodation, health insurance, completion bonuses, and more. 

You should teach English in China if you’re…

• An entry-level or experienced teacher looking for strong salaries and benefits
• Looking to save money while teaching abroad
• Focused on career progression
• Interested in history and culture
• A food enthusiast

2. Thailand

• Average salary : ฿30,000–฿50,000 / $915–$1,525 / £685–£1,140
• Requirements : Bachelor’s degree, TEFL certificate
• Top cities : Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Phuket, Khon Kaen

With tropical islands and mountain villages to bustling cities and golden temples, Thailand remains one of the most popular destinations for teaching English abroad. Its relaxed lifestyle, low cost of living, and mai bpen rai mentality (meaning "no worries") make it especially appealing to adventurous teachers.

While Thailand offers a comfortable lifestyle enveloped in Buddhist culture, you can up the tempo in an instant. When you’re not teaching, you can embrace world-class cuisine through spicy pad kra pao or sweet mango sticky rice , train in its national sport Muay Thai, or grab a tuk tuk to one of Bangkok ’s renowned party strips.

You should teach in Thailand if you’re…

• Seeking a short-term TEFL adventure 
• Teaching abroad for the first time
• Prioritising cultural immersion and lifestyle over saving potential 
• A food enthusiast or beach lover
• A martial arts fan

3. Japan

• Average salary : ¥220,000–¥280,000 / $1,405–$1,805 / £1,050–£1,350
• Requirements : Bachelor’s degree, TEFL certificate
• Top cities : Tokyo, Kyoto, Nagoya, Osaka, Sapporo

Cherry blossoms, Shibuya Crossing, Mount Fuji, ancient temples – Japan has long been one of the most desirable places to travel on the planet. But it’s also a great place to launch your career teaching English in Asia, with a high demand for foreign teachers in cities like Tokyo , Kyoto, Nagoya, Osaka, and others. 

Whether you're exploring Tokyo's neon-lined streets, hiking near Mount Fuji, or enjoying life in a smaller regional city, there's always something new to discover. There are also a wide range of options for TEFL teachers in Japan, whether you apply directly to recruiters who connect teachers with private language schools (also known as eikaiwas) or you enroll in the highly popular Japan Exchange and Teaching (JET) Programme .

You should teach in Japan if you’re…

• Interested in long-term professional development
• Seeking a balance of tradition and modernity
• A pop culture fan (anime, gaming, manga)
• A food enthusiast 

4. South Korea

• Average salary : ₩2.1 million - ₩3.2 million / $1,400–$2,140 / £1,045 - £1,600
• Requirements : Bachelor’s degree, TEFL certificate
• Top cities : Seoul, Busan, Incheon, Daegu

While it’s known as the Land of Morning Calm , Korea ’s energetic culture transcends borders. But, you don’t have to watch K-dramas and eat kimchi from afar to embrace this captivating culture, because there’s a high demand for English teachers in Seoul , Busan, and beyond. 

In fact, English teachers in Korea receive some of the best salaries and benefits, including free accommodation and a contract completion bonus. English teaching programmes such as EPIK are a popular route for entry-level teachers who want to work in public schools, while hagwons , a form of private language schools, are also accessible for entry-level teachers. 

You should teach English in South Korea if you’re…

• An entry-level teacher seeking structured support
• Interested in K-pop and K-drama 
• A food enthusiast 
• Interested in hiking
• Interested in skincare and fashion 
• Looking for strong benefits packages

5. Vietnam

• Average salary : 30 million₫–45 million₫ / $1,145–$1,715 / £855–£1,280+
• Requirements : Bachelor’s degree, TEFL Certificate 
• Top cities : Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Hai Phong, Da Nang

From the misty mountains of Ha Giang and Hanoi’s street food scene to the skyscrapers of Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam is a country of remarkable variety. Whether you're seeking adventure, cultural immersion, career opportunities, or simply some of the world's best coffee, Vietnam has it all. 

As long as you have a TEFL and a degree, you can earn an excellent salary in Vietnam . Although lower than in East Asian countries like China or South Korea, its low cost of living allows for immense saving potential. While the average salary sits between ₫30–₫40 million ($1,140–$1,520 / £860–£1,150) , a cup of coffee or a meal costs as little as ₫30,000 ($1.15 / £0.85) . Not to mention, Vietnamese coffee (or cà phê ) and cuisine is among the best in the world. 

You should teach English in Vietnam if you’re…

• Seeking strong salaries relative to living costs
• A coffee lover and food enthusiast
• Interested in history 
• A motorbike enthusiast and adventurer

6. Taiwan

• Average salary : NT$50,000–NT$90,000 / $1,575–$2,830 / £1,175–£2,115
• Requirements : Associate’s or bachelor’s degree, TEFL certificate 
• Top cities : Taipei, Taichung, Kaohsiung

Around two-thirds of this island nation is mountainous, which means that the cities of Taiwan are packed with life. When you’re not hiking mountains or taking scenic coastal trips, you can embrace a liberal scene in any of Taiwan’s cities. 

As the first Asian country to legalise same-sex marriage — and having some of the highest wellbeing and safety scores in the world — Taiwan is an Asian pioneer when it comes to equality and hospitality. What’s more, many private language schools, also known as buxibans , welcome teachers who have an associate’s degree. 

You should teach English in Taiwan if you’re…

• An associate’s-degree holder looking for the best TEFL opportunities 
• Looking for a safe and welcoming destination (Taiwan has the most progressive LGBT rights in Asia!)
• An outdoor enthusiast and hiker

7. Cambodia

• Average salary : ៛2.8 million–៛4.8 million / $700–$1,205 / £525–£900
• Requirements : TEFL certificate
• Top cities : Phnom Penh, Siem Reap, Sihanoukville

Known for the ancient wonder of Angkor Wat and Khmer culture, Cambodia has become an increasingly popular destination for English teachers. As tourism and international business continue to grow, so too does the demand for TEFL teachers.

This high demand also means more opportunities for teachers of all backgrounds. For non-degree holders , Cambodia is one of the best and highest-paying TEFL locations. But it’s not the only reason to choose Cambodia; many experienced teachers also head to the Land of Khmer to continue their teaching career. 

When you’ve clocked out, saunter by Phnom Penh ’s aromatic food markets, local shrines, and temples, or take the trip to see the world's largest religious structure — Siem Reap’s Angkor Wat.

You should teach English in Cambodia if you’re…

• A non-degree holder looking for the best TEFL opportunities 
• Adventurous and seeking a less conventional TEFL path 
• Interested in Khmer history, culture, and archaeology
• Seeking a relaxed pace of life

Teach English in Asia with a TEFL 

For some people, teaching English in Asia is a once in a lifetime opportunity. For others, it’s a long-term career. But whether you want to spend a semester in Thailand or build a life in Japan, you’ll need a TEFL certificate to teach abroad. 

While a TEFL certificate may be required for most teaching jobs abroad, it's also an essential step in developing professionally as a teacher. A TEFL certificate may open up jobs across the world, but it will also help you feel confident in your abilities to teach English as a foreign language. 

Get started today with our 120-hour TEFL course .

Read more about teaching English in Asia:

• Teach English in Asia
• Teaching English Abroad without a Degree
• How to succeed teaching English in the Four Asian Tigers