Teaching English in Asia

The job market for English teachers in East and Southeast Asia is the largest
in the world. Most of these nations are highly industrialized and economically
strong with large populations, enormous middle classes and an extremely
high demand for education. This combination has created the strongest
outward recruitment market in the world and hundreds of thousands of jobs
paying wages that far exceed the cost of living. The job markets for teaching both adults and
young learners (children and adolescents) are both strong as native English speakers are
commonly recruited to teach in public schools and many children attend English language
school after their public school day finishes. The hiring seasons in language schools run year
round due to the high demand for teachers. Public school jobs begin in March & September,
and interviews for such jobs are typically conducted 3-6 months in advance.
In most cases, English teachers can expect to save 30-50% of their salary, though exact
amounts will vary based on exchange rates and other factors. With such high competition for
quality teachers, schools charge a considerable amount to their students and provide teachers
with such benefits as free airfare, housing allowances, medical insurance, paid vacation and a
completion bonus. Schools in most Asian countries will also recruit teachers from their home
country by phone in advance of the contract start date.
Country

Degree
Requirement

Typical
Contract
Length

Peak Hiring
Seasons

Expected
Down Times

Interview
Procedures

Visa Info

Typical
Students

Average Monthly
Cost of Living
in $ USD
& Local Currency

Average Monthly
Salary in $ USD
& Local Currency

Estimated
Start-up Costs*

Housing

Reimbursed
Airfare

Cambodia

BA/BS
preferred,
not required

6 & 12
months

All Year
Round

Lunar
(Chinese New
Year)
2 weeks late
Jan-early Feb

Face-to-face in
Cambodia

Tourist visa
convert to
work visa

Business
Professionals,
Children

$450 - 600 USD

(1,822,500 2,430,000 KHR)

$700 1,000 USD

(2,835,000 4,050,000 KHR)

$700 - 900 USD

(2,835,000 3,645,000 KHR)

Self-pay,
Housing
advice
provided by
employer

No

China

BA/BS
preferred,
not required

6 &12
months

All Year
Round

Lunar
(Chinese New
Year)
2 weeks late
Jan-early Feb

Phone/skype
in advance &
face-to-face in
China

Work visa in
advance or
Tourist visa
convert to
work visa

Business
Professionals,
Children

$600 - 800 USD

(3,706 - 4,941
RMB)
Plus housing

Free
Housing or
Housing
Subsidy

Yes

Hong
Kong

BA/BS
required

12
months

All Year
Round

Lunar
(Chinese New
Year)
2 weeks late
Jan-early Feb

Phone/skype
in advance

Work visa in
advance

Business
Professionals,
Children

$2,300 - 5,000 USD

(17,825 - 38,750
HKD)

Self-pay,
Housing
advice
provided by
employer

Sometimes

$950 - 1,900 USD

plus free housing.
(5,868 - 11,736
RMB) Can save
$400 - 1,000
USD/Mo
$2,300 - 3,000 USD
(17,825 - 23,250
HKD) Can save
$500 - 600 USD/Mo

$700 - 900 USD

(4,323 - 5,559 RMB)

$2,000 - 2,500 USD

(15,500 - 19,375
HKD)

Country

Degree
Requirement

Indonesia

BA/BS
required

Housing

Reimbursed
Airfare

Phone/skype in
advance

Work visa in
advance

Business
Professionals,
Children

$600 - 1,000 USD

(6,948,000 11,580,000 IDR)

$800 - 1,200 USD

(9,264,00013,896,000
IDR) Can save
$250 - 300 USD/Mo

$600 - 1,000 USD

(6,948,000 11,580,000 IDR)

Self-pay,
Housing
advice
provided by
employer

Sometimes

Lunar
(Chinese New
Year)
2 weeks late
Jan-early Feb

Phone/skype in
advance

Work visa in
advance

Business
Professionals,
Children

$900 - 1,800 USD

(2,876 - 5,752 MRY)

$1,200 - 2,300 USD

(3,835 - 7,350 MRY)
Can save
$300 - 600 USD/Mo

$900 - 1,800 USD

(2,876 - 5,752 MRY)

Self-pay,
Housing
advice
provided by
employer

No

All Year
Round

None

Interview in US,
Canada, UK 3 6 months in
advance

Work visa in
advance

Business
Professionals,
Children

$1,800 - 2,800 USD

(185,193 - 288,078
JPY)

$2,500 - 2,800 USD

(257,212 - 288,078
JPY) Can save
$600 - 800 USD/Mo

$2,600 - 4,200 USD

(267,501 - 432,117
JPY)

Some free
housing or
housing
subsidy

No

All Year
Round

Lunar
(Chinese New
Year)
2 weeks late
Jan-early Feb

Phone/skype in
advance

Work visa in
advance

Business
Professionals,
Children

$2,100 - 2,500 USD

(2,618 - 3,117 SGD)

$2,400 - 3,000 USD

(2,992 - 3,740 SGD)
Can save
$300 - 500 USD/Mo

$2,100 - 2,500 USD

(2,618 - 3,117 SGD)

Self-pay,
Housing
advice
provided by
employer

No

$1,700 - 2,000 USD

(1,753,156 2,062,560
KRW)
Plus free Housing
Can save
$1,000 USD/Mo

$700 - 1,000 USD

(721,896 -1,031,280
KRW)

Free
Housing or
Housing
Subsidy

Some round
trip, most
one way

12
months

All Year
Round

Islamic
Holidays

All Year
Round

Japan

BA/BS
required

12
months

South
Korea

Estimated
Start-up Costs*

Interview
Procedures

BA/BS
required

BA/BS
required

Average Monthly
Salary in $ USD
& Local Currency

Expected
Down Times

Malaysia

BA/BS
required

Average Monthly
Cost of Living
in $ USD
& Local Currency

Peak Hiring
Seasons

12
months

Singapore

Visa Info

Typical
Students

Typical
Contract
Length

12
months

Phone/skype in
advance

Work visa in
advance

Business
Professionals,
Children

$700 - 1,000 USD

(721,896 -1,031,280
KRW)
Plus housing

Lunar
(Chinese New
Year)
2 weeks late
Jan-early Feb

Phone/skype in
advance

Work visa in
advance

Business
Professionals,
Children

$1,000 - 1,400 USD

(30,085 - 42,119
TWD)

$1,400 - 2,100 USD

(42,119 - 63,178
TWD)
Can save
$500 - 600 USD/Mo

$1,000 - 1,400 USD

(30,085 - 42,119
TWD)

Self-pay,
Housing
advice
provided by
employer

No

All Year
Round

None

Most face-toface in
Thailand; Some
phone/skype in
advance

Work visa in
advance or in
country

Business
Professionals,
Children

$500 - 750 USD

(16,097 - 24,146
THB)

$750 - 1,000 USD

(24,146 32,195
THB)
Can save
$150 - 250 USD/Mo

$750 - 1,100 USD

(24,146 - 35,414
THB)

Self-pay,
Housing
advice
provided by
employer

No

All Year
Round

Tet Holiday
2 weeks late
Jan-early Feb

Most face-toface in Vietnam;

Few
phone/skype in
advance

Tourist visa
convert to
work visa or
work visa in
advance

Business
Professionals,
Children

$700 - 900 USD

(14,864,500 19,111,500 VND)

$1,200 - 1,800 USD

(25,482,000 38,223,000 VND)
Can save
$500 - 600 USD/Mo

$1,050 - 1,350 USD

(22,296,750 28,667,250 VND)

Self-pay,
Housing
advice
provided by
employer

No

12
months

All Year
Round

BA/BS
required,
some AA
accepted

12
months

All Year
Round

Thailand

BA/BS
required

6 &12
months

Vietnam

BA/BS
required

12
months

Taiwan

None

Teaching English in Latin America

Hiring for English teachers in Mexico, Central and South
America is cyclical and there are two major hiring seasons in
most countries.
Major hiring periods in Mexico and Central America will occur
in January/February and then again in June/July. Because the summer in
most of South America is opposite of what it is in North America and Europe,
summer vacations wrap up at the end of January and so a major hiring
season is February/March; the secondary hiring season is in July/August.
Wages are modest but given the low cost of living full-time English teachers
are able to live comfortably. Most jobs entail teaching adults at private
language schools. Most job interviews are conducted locally in the country at
the start of each hiring season and schools will help their employees become
assimilated to the city and offer advice on finding an apartment to live in. Most
teachers end up sharing accommodations with other teachers and private
tutoring is a popular means of earning extra income.

Visa Info

Typical
Students

Average Monthly
Cost of Living
in USD
& Local Currency

Average Monthly
Salary in $ USD
& Local Currency

Approximate
Start-up Costs*

Face-to-face in
Argentina

Tourist visa

Business
Professionals

$800 - 1,000 USD

(6,569 - 8,212 ARS)

$800 - 1,000 USD

(6,569 - 8,212 ARS)

$1,200 - 1,500 USD

(9,854 - 12,318 ARS)

ChristmasEnd of
January

Face-to-face in
Bolivia

Tourist visa

Business
Professionals

$400 - 600 USD

(2,764 - 4,146 BOB)

$400 - 600 USD

(2,764 - 4,146 BOB)

$600 - 900 USD

(4,116 6,219 BOB)

ChristmasEnd of
January

Most face-toface in Brazil;

Some
phone/skype in
advance

Tourist visa

Business
Professionals

$1,200 - 1,400 USD

(2,719 3,172 BRL)

$1,200 - 1,400 USD

(2,400 - 2,800 BRL)

$1,800 - 2,100 USD

(4,078 - 4,758 BRL)

Country

Degree
Requirement

Typical
Contract
Length

Peak Hiring
Season

Expected
Down Times

Interview
Procedures

Argentina

BA/BS
preferred,
not required

6 & 12
months

Feb-Mar,
July-Aug

ChristmasEnd of
January

Bolivia

BA/BS
preferred,
not required

6 & 12
months

Feb-Mar,
July-Aug

Brazil

BA/BS
preferred,
not required

6 & 12
months

Feb-Mar,
July-Aug

Housing

Self-pay,
Housing
advice
provided by
employer
Self-pay,
Housing
advice
provided by
employer
Self-pay,
Housing
advice
provided by
employer

Reimbursed
Airfare

No

No

No

Country

Degree
Requirement

Typical
Contract
Length

Peak Hiring
Seasons

Expected
Down Times

Interview
Procedures

Visa Info

Typical
Students

Average Monthly
Cost of Living
in $ USD
& Local Currency

Average Monthly
Salary in $ USD
& Local Currency

Estimated
Start-up Costs*

Housing

Reimbursed
Airfare

Chile

BA/BS
preferred,
not required

6 & 12
months

Feb-Mar,
July-Aug

ChristmasEnd of
January

Many face-toface in Chile;

Some
phone/skype in
advance

Tourist visa
or work visa

Business
Professionals,
Children with
Public
Schools

$900 - 1,200 USD

(515,000 - 690,000
CLP)

$900 - 1,200 USD

(515,000 - 690,000
CLP)

$1,350 - 1,800 USD

(773,000 - 1,030,00
CLP)

Self-pay,
Housing
advice
provided by
employer

No

Colombia

BA/BS
preferred,
not required

6 & 12
months

Jan-Mar,
July-Aug

ChristmasEnd of
January

Face-to-face in
Colombia or
Phone/skype in
advance

Tourist visa
or work visa

Children or
Business
Professionals

$500 - 900 USD

(945,000 - 1,700,000
COP)

$500 - 900 USD

(945,000 - 1,700,000
COP)

$750 - 1,350 USD

(1,420,000 25,500,000 COP)

Self-pay,
Housing
advice
provided by
employer

No

Costa Rica

BA/BS
preferred,
not required

6 & 12
months

Christmasnd
2 week in
January
Early July
for 2 weeks

Face-to-face in
Costa Rica

Tourist visa,
Independent
Contractor
License

Business
Professionals

$700 - 800 USD

(378,500 - 433,000
CRC)

$700 - 800 USD

(378,500 - 433,000
CRC)

$1050 - 1,200 USD

(567,682 - 648,780
CRC)

Self-pay,
Housing
advice
provided by
employer

No

Ecuador

BA/BS
preferred,
not required

6 & 12
months

Feb-Mar,
July-Aug

ChristmasEnd of
January

Phone/skype in
advance, or
face-to-face in
Ecuador

Work visa

Business
Professionals

$500 - 700 USD

$500 - 700 USD

$750 - 1,050 USD

Self-pay,
Housing
advice
provided by
employer

No

Mexico

BA/BS
preferred,
not required

6 & 12
months

All Year
Round

ChristmasEnd of
January

Many face-toface in Mexico;

Some phone
and email in
advance

Work visa

Business
Professionals

$800 - 1200 USD

(10,560 - 15,840
MXN)

$800 - 1200 USD

(10,560 - 15,840
MXN)

$1,200 - 1,800 USD

(15,840 - 23,800
MXN)

Self-pay,
Housing
advice
provided by
employer

No

Nicaragua

BA/BS
preferred,
not required

3, 6 & 12
months

All Year
Round

ChristmasMid January

Face-to-face in
Nicaragua

Business
Professionals

$300 - 600 USD

(7,800 - 15,600 NIO)

$300 - 600 USD

(7,800 - 15,600 NIO)

$600 - 900 USD

(15,600 - 23,400 NIO)

Self-pay,
Housing
advice
provided by
employer

No

Panama

BA/BS
preferred,
not required

6 & 12
months

Feb-Mar,
July-Aug

ChristmasEnd of
January

Face-to-face in
Panama

No

Peru

BA/BS
preferred,
not required

3, 6 & 12
months

Feb-Mar,
July-Aug

ChristmasEnd of
January

Face-to-face in
Peru

Uruguay

BA/BS
preferred,
not required

6 & 12
months

Feb-Mar,
July-Aug

ChristmasEnd of
January

Face-to-face in
Uruguay

DecJan,
June-July

Tourist visa

Tourist visa

Business
Professionals

$900 - 1,100 USD

$900 - 1,100 USD

$1,350 - 2,025 USD

Self-pay,
Housing
advice
provided by
employer

Tourist visa

Business
Professionals

$700 - 1,000 USD

(2,000 - 2,800 PEN)

$700 - 1,000 USD

(2,000 - 2,800 PEN)

$1,350 - 1,500 USD

(3,800 - 4,200 PEN)

Self-pay,
Housing
advice
provided by
employer

No

Tourist visa

Business
Professionals

$ 1,200 1,400
USD
(29,000 - 34,000
UYU)

$ 1,200 1,400
USD
(29,000 - 34,000
UYU)

$ 2,100 2,500 USD

(51,000 61,000
UYU)

Self-pay,
Housing
advice
provided by
employer

No

Teaching English in Europe

The English teaching market in Europe is booming. With the

emergence of the European Union (EU) the use of English as a
common language for business and education is now essential.

The primary hiring season begins after the summer holiday in

September and a second season occurs right after Christmas in
January. The majority of the hiring in Western Europe is conducted locally and
face-to-face, and most teachers begin working immediately after theyre hired.
Interviewing in advance is more common in Central/Eastern Europe, and for EU
citizens within the EU. The majority of jobs are teaching adults in private
language schools, but the market for teaching young learners is emerging.
Teachers are paid in the local currency and make a comfortable wage working
full time. Language schools typically close after June when many English
teachers take jobs in summer camps to make extra money.

Country

Degree
Requirement

Typical
Contract
Length

Austria

BA/BS
required

10 & 12
months

Belgium

BA/BS
required

10 & 12
months

Bulgaria

BA/BS
preferred,
not required

9 & 12
months

Peak Hiring
Season

Expected
Down Times

Interview
Procedures

Visa Info

Typical
Students

Average Monthly
Cost of Living
in $ USD
& Local Currency

Average Monthly
Salary in $ USD
& Local Currency

Approximate
Start-up Costs*

Housing

Reimbursed
Airfare

Sept & Jan

Aug,
Christmas- 2nd
week in Jan

Face-to-face in
Austria

Tourist visa,
EU
Citizenship

Business
Professionals

$2,300 - 3,200 USD

(1,720 - 2,400 Euro)

$2,300 - 3,200 USD

(1,720 - 2,400 Euro)

$3,450 - 4,800 USD

(2,600 - 3,600 Euro)

Self-pay,
Housing
advice
provided by
employer

No

Sept & Jan

Aug,
Christmas- 2nd
week in Jan

Face-to-face in
Belgium

Tourist visa,
EU
Citizenship

Business
Professionals

$2,050 - 2,600 USD

(1,530 - 1,950 Euro)

$2,050 - 2,600 USD

(1,530 - 1,950 Euro)

$3,075 - 3,900 USD

(2,300 - 2,920 Euro)

Self-pay,
Housing
advice
provided by
employer

No

Sept & Jan

Aug,
Christmas- 2nd
week in Jan

Phone/skype in
advance or
face-to-face in
Bulgaria

Tourist visa,
convert to
work visa or
EU
Citizenship

Business
Professionals

$500 - 800 USD

(735 - 1,200 BGN)

$500 - 800 USD

(735 - 1,200 BGN)

$750 - 1,200 USD

(1,100 - 1,760 BGN)

Self-pay,
Housing
advice
provided by
employer

No

Country

Degree
Requirement

Typical
Contract
Length

Croatia

BA/BS
required

10 & 12
months

Czech
Republic

BA/BS
required

10 & 12
months

Expected
Down Times

Interview
Procedures

Visa Info

Typical
Students

Average Monthly
Cost of Living
in $ USD
& Local Currency

Average Monthly
Salary in $ USD
& Local Currency

Aug,
Christmas- 2nd
week in Jan

Face-to-face in
Croatia

Tourist visa,
EU
Citizenship

Business
Professionals,
Children

$680 - 800 USD

(3,880 - 4,560 HRK)

$680 - 800 USD

(3,880 - 4,560 HRK)

Most face-toface in Czech

Republic; Some
phone/skype in
advance

Tourist visa,
convert to
contractor
visa or EU
Citizenship

Business
Professionals,
Children

$800 - 1,300 USD

(16,540 - 26,900
CZK)

$800 - 1,300 USD

(16,540 - 26,900
CZK)

Face-to-face in
France

Student visa,
work visa
through
government
program,
EU
Citizenship

Business
Professionals

$2,050 - 2,600 USD

(1,530 - 1,940 Euro)

Sept & Jan

Aug,
nd
Christmas- 2
week in Jan

Face-to-face in
Germany

Tourist visa,
convert to
contractor
visa or EU
Citizenship

Business
Professionals,
Children

Sept & Jan

Aug,
Christmas- 2nd
week in Jan

Face-to-face in
Greece

EU
Citizenship

Phone/skype in
advance or
Face-to-face in
Hungary

Peak Hiring
Seasons

Sept & Jan

Sept & Jan

Aug,
nd
Christmas- 2
week in Jan

Aug,
Christmas- 2nd
week in Jan

Housing

Reimbursed
Airfare

Self-pay,
Housing
advice
provided by
employer

No

$1,200 - 1,950 USD

(24,800 - 40,300
CZK)

Self-pay,
Housing
advice
provided by
employer

No

$2,050 - 2,600 USD

(1,530 - 1,940 Euro)

$3,075 - 3,900 USD

(2,300 - 2,920 Euro)

Self-pay,
Housing
advice
provided by
employer

No

$1,350 - 2,600 USD

(1,000 - 1,940 Euro)

$1,350 - 2,600 USD

(1,000 - 1,940 Euro)

$2,025 - 3,900 USD

(1,515 - 2,915 Euro)

Self-pay,
Housing
advice
provided by
employer

No

Business
Professionals

$1,000 - 1,300 USD

(746 - 970 Euro)

$1,000 - 1,300 USD

(746 - 970 Euro)

$1,500 - 1,950 USD

(1,120 - 1,460 Euro)

Self-pay,
Housing
advice
provided by
employer

No

Tourist visa,
convert to
work visa or
EU
Citizenship

Business
Professionals,
Children

$700 - 1,000 USD

(164,110 - 234,450
HUF)

$700 1,000 USD

(164,110 - 234,450
HUF)

$1,050 - 1,500 USD

(245,000 - 352,000
HUF)

Self-pay,
Housing
advice
provided by
employer

No

$1,500 - 1,800 USD

(1,120 - 1,350 Euro)

$1,500 - 1,800 USD

(1,120 - 1,350 Euro)

$2,250 - 2,700 USD

(1,680 - 2,020 Euro)

Self-pay,
Housing
advice
provided by
employer

No

Self-pay,
Housing
advice
provided by
employer

No

Self-pay,
Housing
advice
provided by
employer

No

France

BA/BS
required

10 & 12
months

Germany

BA/BS
preferred,
not required

10 & 12
months

Greece

BA/BS
required

10 & 12
months

Hungary

BA/BS
required

10 & 12
months

Sept & Jan

Aug,
Christmas- 2nd
week in Jan

Italy

BA/BS
required

10 & 12
months

Sept, Oct
& Jan

Aug,
Christmas- 2nd
week in Jan

Face-to-face in
Italy

Tourist visa,
student visa,
EU
Citizenship

Business
Professionals

Lithuania

BA/BS
required

10 & 12
months

May and Aug

for a
Sept start

Aug,
Christmas

Face-to-face in
Lithuania

Tourist visa,
student visa,
EU
Citizenship

Business
Professionals

Poland

BA/BS
preferred,
not required

9 & 12
months

Sept, Oct
& Jan

Aug,
Christmas- 2nd
week in Jan

Face-to-face in
Poland

Tourist visa,
convert to
work visa
EU
Citizenship

Business
Professionals

Sept & Jan

Aug,
Christmas- 2nd
week in Jan

Portugal

BA/BS
required

10 & 12
months

Sept & Jan

Face-to-face in
Portugal

EU
Citizenship

Business
Professionals

Estimated
Start-up Costs*

$1,020 - 1,200 USD

(5,820 - 6,850 HRK)

$600 - 1,000USD
(1,550 2,580 LTL)

$600 - 1,000 USD

(1,550 2,580 LTL)

$900 - 1,500 USD

(2,320 - 3,870 LTL)

$800 - 900 USD

(2,500 - 2,800 PLN)

$800 - 900 USD

(2,500 - 2,800 PLN)

$1,200 - 1,350 USD

(3,7500 - 4,215 PLN)

$1,400 - 1,800 USD

(1,045 - 1,400 Euro)

$1,400 - 1,800 USD

(1,045 - 1,400 Euro)

$2,100 - 2,700 USD

(1,570 - 2,020 Euro)

Self-pay,
Housing
advice
provided by
employer

No

Expected
Down Times

Country

Degree
Requirement

Typical
Contract
Length

Romania

BA/BS
preferred,
not required

9 & 12
months

Sept & Jan

Aug

Russia

BA/BS
preferred,
not required

12
months

All Year
Round

Aug

Slovakia

BA/BS
preferred,
not required

6 & 12
months

Sept & Jan

Spain

BA/BS
preferred,
not required

10 & 12
months

Late Septearly Oct

& Jan

Turkey

BA/BS
required

12
months

All Year
Round

Ukraine

BA/BS
required

10 & 12
months

Mostly Sept /
All year
around

Peak Hiring
Seasons

Aug

Aug

Aug

Aug

Interview
Procedures

Visa Info

Typical
Students

Average Monthly
Cost of Living
in $ USD
& Local Currency

Average Monthly
Salary in $ USD
& Local Currency

Estimated
Start-up Costs*

Housing

Reimbursed
Airfare

Most face-toface in
Romania; Some
phone/skype in
advance

Tourist visa,
convert to
work visa or
EU
Citizenship

Business
Professionals

$350 - 450 USD

(1,160 - 1,500 RON)

$350 - 450 USD

(1,160 - 1,500 RON)

$600 - 700 USD

(2,000 - 2315 RON)

Self-pay,
Housing
advice
provided by
employer

No

Phone/skype in
advance or
face-to-face in
Russia

Work visa

Business
Professionals

$1,000 - 1,500 USD

(35,750 - 53,600
RUB)

$1,000 - 1,500 USD

(35,750 - 53,600
RUB)

$1,500 - 2,250 USD

(53,600 - 80,400
RUB)

Some Free
Housing

No/Some
return flight

Business
Professionals

$550 - 900 USD

(410 - 672 Euro)

$550 - 900 USD

(410 - 672 Euro)

$1,000 - 1,500 USD

($746 - 1,120 Euro)

Self-pay,
Housing
advice
provided by
employer

No

Business
Professionals

$1,500 - 2,000 USD

(1,120 - 1,500 Euro)

$1,500 - 2,000 USD

(1,120 - 1,500 Euro)

$ 2,250 - 3,000 USD

(1,680 - 2,240 Euro)

Self-pay,
Housing
advice
provided by
employer

No

Phone/skype in
advance or
face-to-face in
Slovakia
Face-to-face in
Spain except
government
program in
advance

Tourist visa,
convert to
work visa or
EU
Citizenship
Tourist visa,
student visa,
work visa via
Government
program, EU
Citizenship

Phone/skype in
advance or
face-to-face in
Turkey

Work visa

Business
Professionals

$800 - 1,600 USD

(1,700 - 3,500 TRY)

$800 - 1,600 USD

(1,700 - 3,500 TRY)

$1,200 - 2,400 USD

(2,570 - 5,140 TRY)

Some free
housing or
housing
subsidy

No

Phone/skype in
advance or
face-to-face in
Ukraine

Tourist visa,
EU
Citizenship

Business
Professionals

$600 - 1000 USD

(7,260 - 12,100
UAH)

$600 - 1000 USD

(7,260 - 12,100
UAH)

$900 - 1,500 USD

(10,900 - 18,150
UAH)

Some Free
Housing

No

Teaching English in the Middle East

Stretching from the western shores of North Africa and the
Eastern Mediterranean to the Persian Gulf, the Middle East
incorporates a broad array of job markets for English teachers.
Oil rich nations of the Persian Gulf offer some of the most
lucrative ESL teaching positions in the world, but job markets
are small and competitive, and many jobs require previous
experience and advanced credentials. For these positions, teachers will
typically interview in advance from their home country. First-time teachers
will find more opportunities in countries like Turkey, Egypt, and Morocco,
where salaries and benefits are more modest, but the cost of living is low and
the experience of living in one of the worlds most historic and culturally rich
societies is second to none.
The majority of jobs will be found in private schools and language institutes
teaching both adults and children. Positions open throughout the year, but
months leading to the beginning of the school year in late August and
September offer the most opportunities.
Country

Degree
Requirement

Typical
Contract
Length

Peak Hiring
Seasons

Bahrain

BA/BS
required/
MA preferred

12
months

All Year
Round/
May Aug
preferred

Egypt

BA/BS
preferred,
not required

6 & 12
months

All Year
Round/
May Aug
preferred

Israel

BA/BS
required

6 &12
months

All Year
Round

Expected
Down
Times

Average Monthly Cost Average Monthly Salary

of Living in $ USD
in $ USD
& Local Currency
& Local Currency

Interview
Procedures

Visa Info

Typical
Students

Phone/skype
in advance

Work visa in
advance

Business
Professionals,
Children

$700 - 1,000 USD

(265 - 377 BHD)
Plus housing

$1,500 - $3,000 USD

(565 - 1,130 BHD)
Can save
$800-2,000 USD/Mo

Islamic
Holidays

Face-to-face in
Egypt; Some
phone/skype in
advance

Tourist visa
convert to
work visa

Business
Professionals,
Children

$500 - 1,000 USD

(3,580 - 7,150 EGP)

$600 - 1,200 USD

(4,290 - 8,580 EGP)

Jewish
Holidays

Face-to-face in
Israel

Tourist visa
convert to
work visa

Business
Professionals,
Children

$1,000 - 1,500 USD

(3,428 - 5,150 ILS)

$600 - 1,200 USD

(2,060 - 4,115 ILS)

Islamic
Holidays

Estimated
Start-up Costs*

Housing

Reimbursed
Airfare

Free Housing
or
Housing
Subsidy

Yes

$700 - 900 USD

(5,000 - 6,440
EGP)

Self-pay,
Housing
advice
provided by
employer

Rarely

$1,000 USD
(3,428 ILS)

Self-pay,
Housing
advice
provided by
employer

No

$700 - 900 USD

(265 - 340 BHD)

Country

Degree
Requirement

Jordan

BA/BS
preferred,
not required

Typical
Contract
Length

6 & 12
months

Peak Hiring
Seasons
All Year
Round/
May Aug
preferred

Expected
Down
Times

Interview
Procedures

Visa Info

Typical
Students

Average Monthly
Cost of Living in
$ USD
& Local Currency

Average Monthly
Salary in $ USD
& Local Currency

Estimated
Start-up Costs*

Housing

Reimbursed
Airfare

Islamic
Holidays

Face-to-face in
Jordan; Some
phone/skype in
advance

Tourist visa
convert to
work visa

Business
Professionals,
Children

$500 - 1,000 USD

(350 - 700 JOD)

$600 - 1,200 USD

(425 - 850 JOD)

$700 - 900 USD

(495 - 640 JOD)

Self-pay,
Housing
advice
provided by
employer

Rarely

$700 - 900 USD

(200 - 250 KWD)

Free Housing
or
Housing
Subsidy

Yes

12
months

All Year
Round/
May Aug
preferred

Islamic
Holidays

Phone/skype
in advance

Work visa in
advance

Business
Professionals,
Children

$700 - 1,000 USD

(200 - 280 KWD)
Plus housing

$1,500 - 3,000 USD

(425 - 850 KWD)
Can save
$800 - 2,000 USD/Mo

BA/BS
preferred,
not required

6 &12
months

All Year
Round

Islamic
Holidays

Face-to-face in
Lebanon

Tourist visa
convert to
work visa

Business
Professionals,
Children

$500 - 1,000 USD

(756,000 - 1,512,000
LBP)

$500 - 1,000 USD

(756,000 - 1,512,000
LBP)

$700 - 900 USD

(756,000 1,512,000 LBP)

Self-pay,
Housing
advice
provided by
employer

No

Morocco

BA/BS
required

6 & 12
months

All Year
Round

Islamic
Holidays

Face-to-face in
Morocco

Tourist visa
convert to
work visa

Business
Professionals,
Children

$500 - 1,000 USD

(4,200 - 8,370 MAD)

$500 - 1,000 USD

(4,200 - 8,370 MAD)

$700 - 900 USD

(5,900 - 7,530
MAD)

Self-pay,
Housing
advice
provided by
employer

No

Oman

BA/BS
required/
MA preferred

12
months

All Year
Round/
May Aug
preferred

Islamic
Holidays

Phone/skype
in advance

Work visa in
advance

Business
Professionals,
Children

$700 - 1,000 USD

($270 - 385 OMR)
Plus housing

$1,500 - 3,000 USD

($270 - 385 OMR)
Can save
$800 - 2,000 USD/Mo

$700 - 900 USD

(270 - 350
OMR)

Free Housing
or
Housing
Subsidy

Yes

Saudi
Arabia

BA/BS
required/
MA preferred

12
months

All Year
Round/
May Aug
preferred

Islamic
Holidays

Phone/skype
in advance

Work visa in
advance

Business
Professionals,
Children

$700 - 1,000 USD

(2,630 - 3,750 SAR)
Plus housing

$1,500 - 3,000 USD

(5,630- 11,250 SAR)
Can save
$800 - 2,000 USD/Mo

$700 - 900 USD

(2,630 - 3,375
SAR)

Free Housing
or
Housing
Subsidy

Yes

Syria

BA/BS
preferred,
not required

6 &12
months

All Year
Round

Islamic
Holidays

Face-to-face in
Syria

Tourist visa
convert to
work visa

Business
Professionals,
Children

$500 - 1,000 USD

(74.700 - 149,400
SYP)

$500 - $1,000 USD

(74.700 - 149,400 SYP)

$700 - 900 USD

(104.580 134,460 SYP)

Self-pay,
Housing
advice
provided by
employer

No

Turkey

BA/BS
required

6 & 12
months

All Year
Round

Aug

Phone/skype
in advance or
face-to-face in
Turkey

Work visa

Business
Professionals

$800 - 1,600 USD

(1,700 - 3,500 TRY)

$1,050 - 1,650
USD
(2,250 - 3,530
TRY)

Some Free
Housing or
Housing
Subsidy

No

BA/BS
required/
MA preferred

12
months

All Year
Round

Islamic
Holidays

Phone/skype
in advance

Work visa in
advance

Business
Professionals,
Children

$ 1,500 - $ 3,800 USD

(5,500- 14,000 AED)
Can save
$800 - 2,000 USD/Mo

$700 - 900 USD

(2,570- 3,300
AED)

Free Housing
or
Housing
Subsidy

Yes

Kuwait

Lebanon

UAE
(including
Dubai &
Abu Dhabi)

BA/BS
required/
MA preferred

$800 - 1,600 USD

(1,700 - 3,500 TRY)

$700 - 1,000 USD

(2,570- 3,670 AED)
Plus housing

Disclaimer: International TEFL Academy tries to provide the most up to date and accurate information. Work visa requirements vary by citizenship.
This document is based on citizens of the United States. Exchange rates were accurate at time of publication, please consult www.xe.com.
*Startup costs are estimates in a country for housing, food, expenses until first receiving first paycheck typically 30 days after start of contract.
International TEFL Academy assumes no responsibility for the accuracy of this document as information changes daily around the world.
The information is provided only as a guide and not a guarantee. Copyright 2014 by International TEFL Academy Inc.