International Teacher Salary

Latin America contains several countries such as Chile, Costa Rica, and Mexico that are well known destinations for teaching English abroad. However, there are a few other countries across the region that are starting to challenge the dominance of these traditional teaching markets. Ecuador is certainly one of these as it boasts a wide range of extraordinary environments to explore, from the Andean Mountains to the Amazon rainforest. Big cities such as Quito, Guayaquil, and Cuenca, all have plenty of potential job opportunities, although there are many smaller towns and cities across the country to look at if you want to stay off the beaten track. The average salary for a foreign teacher in Ecuador is generally quite low when compared to many other popular destinations around the...  [Read more]

The simple reason why some countries or schools offer higher salaries is to attract the very best candidates for their vacant positions. What is considered to be the best candidates does vary considerably from one country to the next, but there are a few common factors regarding teaching qualifications and classroom experience that appear when looking at jobs that pay the most. These common factors are: being a native English speaker, with a degree in education or a related field, and a TESOL certificate (although higher qualifications such as a Diploma in TESOL are sometimes needed). A minimum of two years previous teaching experience is also often asked for. If you are lucky enough to tick all the boxes stated above you will be in with a very good chance of securing a top teaching...  [Read more]

Although violence and drug related crime have dominated the headlines in Colombia in the past, the country is now changing dramatically. Peace has largely returned to the streets and the tourism industry is thriving as people flock to enjoy the country?s many attractions. Colombia is an exotic and exciting place to teach English, but just make sure you get there before the whole world finds out. Although the average salary of between $700 and $1,000 per month is not particularly high, teachers can still live well in Colombia due to the relatively low cost of living. The best salaries are usually found in private schools which also typically provide extra benefits such as housing assistance and health insurance. The average hourly rate for private tutoring is around $12 to $25,...  [Read more]

Thailand is one of the undisputed top destinations in Southeast Asia for ESL teachers. Jobs are relatively easy to find in many areas of the country, although the average salary is not as high as in several other countries across Asia. However, many teachers still flock to Thailand to enjoy the laid back lifestyle, vibrant culture, and extensive entertainment options. In years gone by it was common for teachers to work in Thailand without an official work permit, however, things have moved on and you will now need to meet the set requirements if you want to earn a good income. The main requirement for gaining a work permit is a university degree in any subject. A TESOL qualification is not officially required, although without one you may struggle to find a job with a reputable...  [Read more]

As 90% of the population of the United Arab Emirates is made up of expatriates from all over the world, it provides a great environment for English language teaching. Demand for foreign teachers is very high in major centers such as Dubai and Abu Dhabi. However, as salaries are famously high, competition for jobs can often be very strong. If you are new to teaching and have little or no classroom experience, you are unlikely to get employed in the UAE. For those who are successful, you can expect to live a very comfortable lifestyle during your stay. You will find a wide variety of employers across the country, all of which should pay a competitive salary of between 9,000 AED (currently $2,500 US) and 20,000 AED ($5,500 US) per month. The exact figure will depend on the employer,...  [Read more]

Due to its popular culture, entertainment options and delicious cuisine, Thailand is always a popular choice for teaching English abroad. There are plenty of job options year-round in the capital Bangkok, as well as other popular destinations such as Chiang Mai, Phuket and Pattaya. Previous experience is often not required, so it is particularly popular with newly qualified teachers and those who are looking for a more relaxed environment to live and work. A large number of people choose to teach English in Thailand due to its laid-back lifestyle, however, the average salary is typically quite low in comparison to some other countries in Asia. First time teachers can expect to earn around $1,000 per month which should cover your everyday expenses. If you have previous experience and...  [Read more]

Due to the ever-increasing popularity of English as a second language, there are dozens of great options when it comes to picking a destination for teaching abroad. There are popular destinations on every continent (maybe not Antartica), where jobs are widespread and the quality of life you can expect as a teacher is above the local average. However, there are some places that are easier to get set up in than others. We have looked at a wide range of criteria such as job availability, the visa process, average income compared to average outgoings, how welcome you will feel on arrival, and even the local cuisine, to come up with the following list of great destinations for teaching English abroad. To provide a range of options we have limited it to one country per region. There are...  [Read more]

With its unique position overlapping Europe and Asia, Turkey has been popular with international travelers for many years. The country is also rapidly becoming popular with ESL teachers as demand for the English language continues to grow at a fast rate in many areas. Big cities such as Istanbul, Ankara, and Izmir are home to the majority of teaching jobs, but smaller numbers can be found elsewhere. In theory, a degree is required for all teaching jobs in Turkey, however, a shortage of teachers means that a TESOL certificate is often enough to secure many jobs. As Turkey is a big country with different levels of economy in different regions, the average monthly salary ranges from $800 to $1,800, depending on the individual employer, your qualifications, and level of experience. Most...  [Read more]

In recent years Kuwait has become a very wealthy nation and a very popular place for teaching English abroad. A wide variety of jobs are on offer, from kindergarten right through to university level and beyond. The center of the job market is Kuwait City which has a booming demand and all the comforts you could want while living and working overseas. As well as modern Kuwait, you will also be able to explore the rich Arab culture, ancient archaeological sites, and white sandy beaches that make up this fascinating country. As a wealthy, oil rich country, Kuwait has no shortage of employers who are able to offer teachers a very healthy salary. On average, you can earn in the region of $2,500 to $4,000 per month and most jobs also include extra benefits. A typical contract should...  [Read more]

When it comes to teaching English overseas many people imagine it always involves teaching in rundown inner city schools or backwater villages with few resources. However, while there are plenty of jobs like that out there, there are other options that are far from this scenario. International schools aimed at wealthy locals and expat children are one such option. Here you will find teaching jobs located in a modern environment where resources and facilities are typically top class. If you have not yet looked into teaching in an international school environment, take a look at the following reasons why you really should. Unlike most ESL teaching jobs that are aimed at local students and involve teaching English at typically low levels, international schools actually teach most of...  [Read more]

Some people see Saudi Arabia as the ideal destination for teaching English abroad as potential salaries and other benefits are as good as anywhere in the world. Cities such as Riyadh and Jeddah have a strong and continuous demand for qualified teachers, with universities, colleges, international schools, and private language academies all looking to fill vacant positions. Although salaries are very high across the country, Saudi Arabia has a unique cultural environment that you also need to be aware of before getting on the plane. The country has very conservative laws and traditions that might make it unsuitable for some teachers. Drinking alcohol is completely forbidden and close interaction between unmarried couples is not allowed. It can be particularly challenging for female...  [Read more]

Cambodia is an increasingly popular destination for teaching English abroad. Phnom Penh is home to the largest market for foreign teachers. Other smaller cities such as Siem Reap, Battambang, and Sihanoukville are also worth a look if you prefer to be away from the hustle and bustle of the capital. One reason for its growing popularity is that a 4-year degree is not an official requirement for living and working in the country. Because of this, Cambodia is a great place for new teachers to find a job that will give them the experience necessary to work in more lucrative countries in the future. Others choose Cambodia simply because it is a little off the beaten track and offers plenty of adventure. Your expected earnings in Cambodia will depend on your level of teaching experience,...  [Read more]

  Over the years tens of thousands of new ESL teachers have graduated from ITTT certification courses, which is why we are one of the world’s leading TESOL course providers. Due to our high profile in the English teaching field and the overall quality of our courses, international employers are fully aware of our certification and the type of graduates we produce. Many schools and language centers around the world actively seek out our graduates as they know that they will have received the relevant training that prepares you for the realities of life in an ESL teaching environment. This recognition applies to all regions where there is a demand for TESOL qualified teachers. In fact, you will probably find our graduates teaching in almost every country you can imagine. In days...  [Read more]

ESL teachers have flocked to Japan in large numbers for many years due to the abundance of jobs and good salaries. However, in recent years the cost of living has risen faster than salaries, making it harder to save as much as was traditionally possible in previous years. Although it might have lost some of its status as a high earning destination, there are still plenty of well paid jobs available across the country, particularly in cities such as Tokyo, Osaka, and Yokohama. Your expected salary will vary based on your previous experience, academic qualifications, the location, and the employer. The typical salary range is from 200,000 to 600,000 yen (currently $2,000 to $6,000 US) per month. Certain jobs might pay an hourly rate rather than a fixed salary and in this case you can...  [Read more]

If you want to join the tens of thousands of people who are teaching ESL in China right now, the first decision to make is which location would suit you best. The largest markets for foreign teachers are in the two big cities of Beijing and Shanghai. However, there are another 150 other cities with a population of over one million people, where ESL jobs can also be found. Shanghai is a truly vast city with a population of over 20 million people. Across the city there are countless potential employers, particularly in the field of business related English. As jobs are so widespread and the salaries are generally very competitive, Shanghai is one of the most popular teaching destinations anywhere in Asia. The city?s population is swelled by a huge number of expats from all over the...  [Read more]

Having adequate health insurance is clearly an important issue wherever you are living and working around the world. Whether health insurance is covered by your employer or not is something that varies from one situation to the next so it is important to confirm this whenever you are interviewed for a teaching position. Here we take a brief look at health insurance within the ESL teaching world. In most of the big ESL job markets across Asia such as China, Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, Indonesia and Vietnam, health insurance is typically included in a teaching contract. In most cases the cost will be fully covered by the employer, although a small sum might be deducted from your salary in certain situations. In other less developed markets, health insurance is less likely to be...  [Read more]

Located in the heart of the tropics, Malaysia is a rapidly developing country that has a diverse culture, great food, and plenty of ESL jobs for those with experience. However, as there is no shortage of local English language teachers, the competition for many available positions can be strong. Malaysia cannot compete with other Asian countries such as China, Japan, and South Korea when it comes to salaries as the monthly average income is only around $1,000. However, the cost of living is relatively low in comparison to some other parts of the region, which means this figure can spread quite far if you live within your means. The big bonus is that many jobs include free accommodation or a housing subsidy which removes the biggest monthly expense from your budget. It is common...  [Read more]

You are prepared to start teaching ESL online, but is a TESOL certification necessary to get a successful online teaching job? In general, a TESOL certificate is required if you want to earn good money teaching online. Even if it might not be necessary for all online teaching platforms, having TESOL certification will increase your salary and attract more students. The confidence and skills required to teach someone a foreign language, which is no easy task, come from completing a TESOL course. We will go over a few other prerequisites for teaching English online, other than a TESOL certificate. To teach English online, you will often need to fulfill the following requirements: Even without a university degree, there are various platforms where you can work as an English instructor....  [Read more]

There is no doubt that online English language teaching is one area of TESOL that has grown enormously in recent years. New platforms for providing online teaching services continue to appear, offering a wide variety of services to students in countries worldwide. Some specialize in 1 to 1 lessons or speaking and pronunciation, while others focus on specific areas such as business English. Current opportunities within the world of online English teaching are vast and varied, and the future seems to offer unlimited potential. Thanks to this rapid growth, the demand for online English teachers is very high and will only increase in the coming years. One of the main benefits of teaching English online is you can be based anywhere in the world. It is not necessary to fly overseas or...  [Read more]

  Another TEFL trainee shares his experiences of completing his TEFL/TESOL in-class course in Sydney, Australia. In this TEFL review he talks about some of the course components and why he would recommend others to do the course. ITTT's intensive in-class course meets all international standards and our TEFL/TESOL certification courses are internationally recognized and accredited. No matter which of our training centers you select to complete the course you will receive the highest standards and support. Below you can read feedback from an ITTT graduate regarding one section of their online TEFL certification course. Each of our online courses is broken down into concise units that focus on specific areas of English language teaching. This convenient, highly structured design...  [Read more]