Where are the Best Paying English Teaching Jobs?
Where are the best Paying English Teaching Jobs?
I have been an ESL teacher since 35 years ago, since the beginning of the fad and since before it was even a big thing in China.
I’ve taught and lived in Japan, China Australia, Italy and Morocco. I went to Japan in 1988 where it was the best money option. I started like many of you, by stepping off a plane and into a classroom. I had an unrelated degree, and absolutely not a clue about how to teach.
My friends were the same. We included a town planner, a lawyer, an accountant, a nutritionist, and a degree in economics. That qualified us to teach. Tbh, not much has changed.
I was lucky. I stepped into 2 jobs, both of which were an amazing training ground. I still use many of those activities today. But I loved it, so when I went back to Australia I trained.
I couldn’t do what I wanted in just one qualification – teaching language to children. So I rather indulgently ended up with everything – a primary school teaching qualification, a secondary languages qualification, and half a masters specifically in TESOL (like a very extended and in-depth CELTA). I also added all the extra courses which had anything to do with teaching languages to children and Aboriginal education. I even worked for several years teaching Japanese in an Aboriginal school and helping to train teachers to teach language, including to teach their indigenous languages.
Perhaps unsurprisingly, over time I have now ended up teaching almost everything.
The Industry – The Fad
I started in 1988 in Japan. My main qualification is the same as now – by being a native English speaker. Tbh, I get paid for my blonde hair, blue eyes, and passport, and not for my years of experience and extensive qualifications.
Now the main qualification is defined by having 1 of the 7 ‘golden’ passports – UK, Ireland, USA, Canada, Australia, NZ, and South Africa. Sorry Nigeria, and other countries where English is a main language of communication, and any native speakers or even near native speakers from elsewhere whose passport doesn’t happen to be one of the lucky 7. It’s a fad industry and about making money. And it’s not fair.
By the time I left Japan the number of people teaching English had more than doubled as Americans realized that they could pay off their huge college debts that way. This of course combined with a growing demand for learning English, especially in Eastern Asia.
And so the fad began.
And fads are never fair. Local teachers with excellent English, qualifications and experience immediately get only half the pay of the native speaker who picked up a TEFL (Teaching English as a Foreign Language) certificate last week, often for a very cursory 120 hours of skimming through some online notes of minimal quality.
Likewise, I get paid no more than those ‘got a TEFL last week’ teachers in spite of my qualifications and years of experience, and the fact that TEFL qualifications have no information on teaching English to children in spite of their completely different learning requirements. In fact, I have even been told by a school that they loved my 35 years of working experience, but they needed someone under 40 years old!??!!! I’m not sure how anyone is supposed to swing that one!
However, it is what it is. As a native speaker, we have the advantage of knowing what is right – but be aware that it does vary across countries, even within countries. And a non-native speaker has the advantage over us that they understand the rules in a way that we don’t, because they have had to learn them.
They have also experienced trying to learn and function in at least one other language, something that most native English-speaking teachers have never experienced, in spite of the fact that that is what they are teaching. I personally think it should be part of the training, irrespective of results.
So give it a try. If you have never learnt another language, do your best to learn the one in the country where you teach, just to see what it’s like being on the other side. The locals generally appreciate a little effort as well, and it opens more doors – even if your skills extend only as far as some greetings.
What are the best countries for teaching English?
So what are your options, whether you are an experienced and fully qualified teacher like me, or whether you grabbed an online TEFL last week and started on zero teaching knowledge – just like I did.
Whether it is something you want to make a career out of as I have done, or just to use as a way to extend your travels with some good money – as my intentions ran when I started.
You can get teaching jobs anywhere that English is not the first language, just as a way of supplementing your costs. But most places don’t pay the big bucks. They have low cost of living, and low salaries. Any of these countries can be extremely rewarding – most of South America will come into this category, many African nations, and lots of Asia. All these places can give you an amazing time and cultural experience. As you pick up experience, you will also be able to pick up on the better paying jobs.
Which country pays most for teaching English?
This is the wrong question.
There are plenty of places which have top dollars, but won’t give you what you want. For example, the money in Hong Kong is fantastic, but the cost of living is also very high.
In Germany and northern Europe you are competing with a large number of teachers who are experienced and qualified, with excellent English. They also tend to require proper teaching qualifications. Schools aren’t interested in the hassle and costs of getting work visas when they already have a great range of choices without that hassle. And again, in spite of nice salary sizes, the cost of living is also very high.
Southern Europe is cheaper to live in, but the salaries are also much lower. I can earn more in Morocco than I can in Spain, and the cost of living in Morocco is much lower. But Spain does have government programs with some countries such as America and Australia for taking teachers, even without experience. So if here is your thing, check those out.
So, what is the right question?
Which country has the best savings for teaching English?
So, where are the best savings for teaching English?
This is the real question. You don’t just want the good money, and sometimes the money doesn’t sound that great. But there are some countries where the difference between the pay as an English teacher and the cost of living are big enough that you can live very well, and even save up.
The Top Five
NUMBER 1 – The Gulf Territories
Hands down, this is the best money in the world for teaching English – the Gulf Territories and countries such as Qatar, the UAE, Kuwait, Iraq, Oman, and Saudi Arabia. Salaries can be as much as $5,000 usd a month with housing and benefits included. But there are some details that will put this outside the preferences of most.
1 The majority of jobs are in the international schools. This requires proper teaching qualifications and a minimum of 2 years’ experience in a similar situation.
2 International schools want their pound of flesh. The money is amazing, but you will have to work for it.
3 Plus, the students are heavily laced with ‘brats’ – entitled rich kids who are unpleasant and hard work in the classroom.
But there are also some English schools, you still get good money, and they include accommodation. But the brats will still be there. I am reliably told that of these countries, Qatar is less challenging than the others for the teaching.
Remember too that most of these countries are strict and often have bans on alcohol. I have also been told a number of times that the traditionally most strict of them – Saudi Arabia – is changing a lot in good ways. So for a fascinating cultural experience, and to put a good amount of money in your pocket, these countries could be worth a look.
NUMBERs 2, 3, 4 and 5 – China, South Korea, Taiwan and Japan
For the majority, these next four are your best choices. And yes, Japan is still a good option for savings. This is because all these countries usually include accommodation, especially outside the big cities. Your biggest cost goes into your pocket!
Of these, China is arguably the best choice in terms of demand for teachers and savings. It has a famine-level demand for learning English, a huge population of eager learners, and a huge number of teaching jobs available. It can be a challenging country to negotiate, but it is also rewarding for its extraordinary culture. China also has the advantage of often being easier to get jobs as a non-native speaker.
Japan is an extraordinary country and culture, but it will be the most challenging to survive until your first pay day, simply because it is expensive. Don’t forget that search time has to be included if you decide to look after arriving, which always offers a lot of jobs not advertised online (just keep in mind what might be required to gain a work visa. If a trip home is needed, going there first may not be the best way to go about finding a job there). Because it has been so popular from the start – the boom there preceded anywhere else - Japan will more often look for qualifications and experience than elsewhere. The ESL industry there is more established than anywhere else. But there are still jobs to be found for the newly qualified.
All four of these countries, South Korea and Taiwan included, have a huge demand for English teachers, with great pay compared to the cost of living since they mostly include your housing. On top of this, they are 4 amazing cultures to explore.
Three More Surprises
After the 5 besties, there are another 3 which have better savings and potential with plenty of job opportunities than the rest. They are all in countries which are developing economically. I even have a theory that the demand for learning English goes hand in hand with this, that the growing economic opportunities in these countries create an increased demand for learning English.
NUMBER 6 – Vietnam
OK, hardly a surprise. But there are some good opportunities, with the added advantage of easier visa scenarios. And of course, amazing food. Well, in my opinion, all of the Asian countries have amazing food. Thailand next door may not be as lucrative, but it is also a very chill place to live, from all reports. They are still both on my list of must-go places.
NUMBER 7 – Kazakhstan
If you’re not surprised, I most definitely was. I researched all these names in 2019 before I set out, and was in fact planning to head to Kazakhstan, which is also in the vicinity of the Silk Road, something I’ve been fascinated in for years.
I was planning to go to Almaty which sounds very pretty, being near the mountains and the border of Kyrgyzstan which is also apparently very beautiful. But the capital has even better opportunities, with the majority of the jobs which pay the good money. As far as I can tell, even post-covid, Kazakhstan is still a good and growing option. I headed that way, but I missed. I detoured via London. Plans got hijacked via covid etc, And I’m still not there!
NUMBER 8 – Morocco
Another surprise. It is a very long way from Australia, and we only talk about Africa if people are dying.
But it is another amazing culture worth visiting. Housing doesn’t come with the jobs, but the difference between pay and cost of living still gives a very nice lifestyle. A native speaker can get €15-20 per hour in the classroom (which is more than Spain at €12-15), and €20-35 for privates. You can rent a fully furnished 1 bedroom flat in Tangier from €400-500 per month and up (sometimes even cheaper). Mine had sea views of Spain. Visas are very easy.
The biggest drawback is that Moroccan dirhams (mad) don’t go very far as soon as you cross the water to euros. But it is on the doorstep of Europe, with cheap flights, especially to Spain. I’ve seen many for €20 return. From Tangier there is a ferry which takes about an hour, and you can catch a taxi to Ceuta which is even cheaper, and again, just one hour away.
Morocco is also another where the non-native speaker has a greater chance of getting a job. Their market isn’t as closed as many other countries.
After these 8, there is the whole world. With a bit of experience, you will gain access to the better paying jobs. And in the end, if you can work almost anywhere. You just need to check out the work visa requirements, and choose your culture. The world is an amazing place.
What qualifications do I need to teach English?
How do you jump on the lucrative TEFL train?
You need a 120-hour TEFL certificate, level 5. Generally speaking, the industry standard is a CELTA certificate or equivalent, with a degree, any one will usually do. Check my other article, coming soon, on everything about qualifications, what the options are and how to choose the best one for yourself.
Ultimately, if you’re like me – want to travel, will travel – teaching is a great way of getting milage. There is currently a frenetic chase for the Digital Nomad dream. But the truth is, this is a lifestyle which is as old as humanity itself. Being a nomad, or a slomad as I call myself, isn’t new. Being curious about the world is just as old. And finding ways to satisfy that, and needing to fund the journey, even en route perhaps via trade even, is as old as the hills.
There is no fixed definition, besides roaming. You can move as often or as little as you want, and there’s no doubt that digital massively expands the options, including for online teaching.
But if you like to explore cultures and get to know people, if your way is more the slomad way, teaching is a brilliant choice. You have an avenue into the culture and an insider veiw via your students and other locals you will get to know, as well as the opportunity to get involved in the culture, the lifestyle, and the rhythm of a country and how it works.
The longer you stay somewhere, the more insights you gain. It is also cheaper and less exhausting than constantly moving around, paying for accommodation by the night and the constant chase of cheap airfares and visa regulations.
What is the difference between ESL and EFL
Teaching English is full of acronyms. My lecturer gave us a huge list of them: –
EFL
ESL
EAL
ESP
EAP
NESB
TEFL
TESL
TESOL
And finally at the bottom was TEFLON – which we were told was “Teaching English that Doesn’t Stick”. I have now had those students too!
However, for your purposes, there is no need to worry about all of that. Just the difference between EFL and ESL will be enough.
EFL – English as a Foreign Language is when the students are in a country which doesn’t speak English as its main communications. The students’ environment outside the classroom is not an English speaking one. This covers most places you are likely to look for jobs. There will be many beginners, but students can be anywhere from beginner to advanced. Topics tend to be around hobbies, personal life and interests, with focus on communication skills and conversation.
ESL – English as a Second Language is usually in English speaking countries, where the students’ environment outside the classroom is English speaking. This is likely to include new immigrants and kids from non-English speaking backgrounds in an English-speaking country. It also includes students who are learning English in order to study, at university or school. Their language needs and seriousness are much higher. Topics will range into more of the formal and practical ones, and writing skills will play a much bigger role.
If you are reading this page, the English you are looking at will mostly be EFL. One reason is that ESL will mostly require proper teaching qualifications and experience. But there are no rules. You can just as easily land a job in a small international school which functions in English.
Teaching can be in local schools, international schools of all types, and English schools which operate in the afternoons, evenings and on weekends. This latter typically will have a text book, so everything is easy for you. The course is already designed. You just have to look at each chapter and work out how you are going to present the material. It already has the grammar and vocabulary set out, with exercises etc. As you gain in experience you can add more interesting ways of presenting the material.