Top 10 Cities in Asia with the Highest Demand for English Language Teachers
Asia is the most popular destination for teaching English in the world with dozens of exciting regions to choose from. Moreover, Asia offers teaching jobs to people of all backgrounds, including native and non-native English speakers and those with or without a degree. Here are the top 10 cities in Asia with the highest demand for English language teachers.
Bangkok - The City of Angels
The capital of Thailand is a great place to start your TEFL journey in Asia. The city is known for its many ornate temples and vibrant street life. The demand for qualified teachers is very high in the city and even non-native English teachers can find employment here. The low cost of living in Bangkok also allows for a comfortable lifestyle, with teacher salaries ranging between $1,000 and $1,500 per month.
Get started by taking an in-class TEFL certification course in Bangkok and learn more about living and teaching in Thailand in our country guide.
Hanoi - The City of Lakes
Hanoi is the capital of Vietnam and is famous for its architecture and vibe influenced by Southeast Asian, Chinese and French styles. The Old Quarter is the heart of the city filled with street markets, restaurants, and lots of small temples. Similar to Thailand, you can live quite comfortably in Vietnam due to the low cost of living. A new teacher usually makes around $1,000 USD per month, while those with experience and a TEFL certificate can make around $2,000.
Get started by taking an in-class TEFL certification course in Vietnam and learn more about living and teaching in Vietnam in our country guide.
Hong Kong - The Pearl of the Orient
Hong Kong is often referred to as the Pearl of the Orient due to its significant role in the region. As a major commercial center in Asia, the opportunities available for qualified English language teachers are plentiful. While the cost of living in Hong Kong is much higher than in Thailand or Vietnam, the salaries are also higher. On top of that, Hong Kong has a teaching scheme in place that places qualified teachers from overseas countries into state-run schools.
Get started by taking an in-class TEFL certification course in Hong Kong and learn more about living and teaching in Hong Kong in our country guide.
Kuala Lumpur - The City of Contrast and Diversity
Malaysia's capital Kuala Lumpur is an exciting melting pot of cultures, predominantly Indian, Chinese and Malay. The 451-meter-tall Petronas Twin Towers are the city's main landmark along with traditional buildings such as the Sultan Abdul Samad Building. Due to this mix of cultures, English is commonly used in Malaysia for mutual communication among the country's ethnic groups. Kuala Lumpur has a lot to offer visitors, from historic sites to modern attractions and year-round warm weather.
Learn more about living and teaching in Malaysia in our country guide.
Seoul - The City of Fortune
South Korea is among the most popular destinations for teaching English as a foreign language and most teachers work in or around its capital Seoul. The city is another great example of a bustling Asian metropolis that combines modernity with tradition. The center of the city is home to Gyeongbokgung Palace, the largest of the city's four palaces. In contrast, Lotte World Tower is the city's newest landmark and Korea's tallest building with 123 floors. Teachers make a competitive salary in Seoul and many are able to save $1,000 a month or more after expenses.
Get started by taking a combined TEFL certification course in Seoul and learn more about living and teaching in Korea in our country guide.
Shanghai - The City That Never Sleeps
As a global financial hub, it's no wonder that Shanghai has a place on this list. China is the largest market for ESL teachers in the world with more than 300 million English learners - many of which live in Shanghai. The city attracts millions of visitors with its colonial-era architecture, famous skyline at the Bund and the beautiful Yu Garden with traditional pavilions and ponds. The cost of living in Shanghai is on the rise, but teachers can still earn a high salary allowing them to live well. Salaries range between 6000 RMB and 12000 RMB per month which equates to around $1000 to $2000 US dollars.
Get started by taking an in-class TEFL certification course in Shanghai and learn more about living and teaching in China in our country guide.
Siem Reap - The City of Temples
Over the past few years, Cambodia has become a fruitful location for EFL teachers from across the world. Due to its importance to the tourism industry, many jobs can be found in Siem Reap. The city is not only a major commercial hub of the country, but also a spiritual hotspot as it is home to the famous Angkor Wat temple complex. As demand is high, non-native English speakers can also find employment here. Even though the salaries are not as high as in some other countries in the region, Cambodia does offer a friendly and vibrant culture which creates a perfect environment for gaining valuable classroom experience.
Get started by taking an in-class TEFL certification course in Siem Reap and learn more about living and teaching in Cambodia in our country guide.
Singapore - The Lion City
Since English is one of Singapore's four official languages, the opportunities for qualified English teachers are very rosy indeed. Moreover, Singapore is an important international trade hub which provides even more openings. Salaries are generally very high, with experienced teachers earning a competitive salary of around $4,000 a month. What is also exciting about Singapore is the mix of cultures which is particularly visible in places such as Chinatown, Little India and Kampong Glam.
Get started by taking an in-class TEFL certification course in Singapore and learn more about living and teaching in Singapore in our country guide.
Taipei - The City of Possibilities
Taipei is an exciting metropolis with tall highrises, like the landmark Taipei 101, as well as traditional streets and temples, one of the most significant being Longshan Temple. English language teachers can find a healthy EFL job market in Taipei and experience the rich cultural heritage of the island. Moreover, the city offers good pay and benefits for TEFL certified English teachers, with a salary between US$2,220 and US$2,730 per month.
Learn more about living and teaching in Taiwan in our country guide.
Tokyo - The Pulsating City
It is no surprise that the city with the largest population within its metropolitan area with over 31,000,000 people offers great opportunities for EFL teachers. Mixing the ultramodern with the traditional, Tokyo is an attractive location for many people from around the world. A lot of teachers find work through the government JET program, which has been successfully in place for decades.
Get started by taking an in-class TEFL certification course in Tokyo and learn more about living and teaching in Japan in our country guide.
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Living and working in Asia is the dream of many qualified teachers around the world. These top 10 cities in Asia with the highest demand for English language teachers are a great starting point for your teaching career in Asia.
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