Teaching English Abroad Best Paying Countries

While passion for teaching may be the primary motivation for many of our trainees venturing into English teaching abroad, financial considerations still remain a vital subject. Your salary will influence your lifestyle, the experiences you can afford, and your potential savings each month. In our FAQs on this page, we explore average earnings across all the most popular teaching destinations and highlight the typical perks and bonuses you might encounter in various regions. How much can I earn teaching English abroad?   ESL teachers can potentially earn up to $5,000 USD per month in the Middle East and parts of Asia. Regions such as Europe and Latin America generally have less high paying jobs but are still a big draw because of the culture and lifestyle they offer. ...  [Read more]

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South Asia contains a contrasting array of different countries and different cultures. The incredibly wealthy state of Brunei stands in stark contrast to the poverty of Bangladesh and Pakistan. India, Sri Lanka and Nepal offer stunning natural beauty unsurpassed in the region. In all of these countries English is the de facto second language, and in countries like India it is the medium of instruction in many schools. Again contrast is the keynote here. Brunei requires that prospective teachers wishing to teach in state or private schools have a TESOL certificate, a PGCE and an undergraduate degree, and two years’ teaching experience. With all of the other countries a TESOL certificate alone will do fine. With language institutes you can, in the main, expect to find yourself teaching...  [Read more]

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The Caribbean is home to a vast array of small states, ranging from the Bahamas and Barbados, playground to the great and the good, through to Castro’s Cuba - a quite different kettle of fish. In a relatively small geographic space you can take in Antigua, Aruba, the British Virgin Islands, the Cayman Islands, the Dominican Republic, Grenada, Haiti, Jamaica, Martinique, Montserrat, Puerto Rico and Trinidad and Tobago. Of the Caribbean in general you can expect excellent scuba diving and snorkelling, great big game fishing, beautiful beaches and friendly people. A large percentage of the population is devoted to Catholicism, with a minority of professing Protestantism in one form or another. In some countries such as Belize, English and Spanish are spoken; however, in most other...  [Read more]

Setting aside Costa Rica and Mexico, which have separate entries of their own, central America offers a kaleidoscope of different climates, experiences, and peoples. Many of the countries in the region are now politically stable and are experiencing an upsurge in tourism. Belize, El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua, Panama, and Guatemala all have a very different feel within a relatively small geographic area. Belize is so laid back it is hard to imagine doing anything but being laid back. El Salvador’s bloody civil war is now set firmly in the past. Tourists flock to Guatemala on account of its active volcanoes and Mayan ruins. Honduras is the place to get off the beaten track and get back to nature. Nicaragua boasts natural beauty that few can rival. Finally, Panama offers some of the...  [Read more]

To be on the ground in peru is to stand amidst layer upon layer of great, and very different civilizations. Whether one considers the glittering skyscrapers of today, the well-preserved architecture of the conquistadors, or the legacy left by the Incas atop Machu Picchu, it is hard not to come away deeply impressed. The Peruvian Andes are amongst the most beautiful and most breathtaking on the Andean range, and are a magnet for climbers from around the world. The political troubles that plagued Lima with guerrilla activity now seem to be set firmly in the past. Official languages include Spanish, and Quecha and Aymara - indigenous tongues. Eighty-one percent of the population is Roman Catholic, with six percent Protestant, and remainder ‘other’. The population of twenty-seven millions...  [Read more]

Slovenia is a country rich in natural resources, and blessed by both landscapes of great beauty, and, more importantly, continuing peace, which has either been absent or of precarious purchase in much of the Balkans in the last twenty-five years. This peace, atypical for the region, has brought great prosperity and marked economic development since Slovenia seceded from the former Yugoslavia in 1991, and joined the EU in 2004. In short, Slovenia is a ‘good gig’ for teachers with plenty of opportunities, good wages - relative to the standard of living - good working conditions and enthusiastic students. The economic development which has taken place means that Slovenia is no longer the ‘best deal in Europe’ for those looking for life on the cheap; but this means little to the...  [Read more]

The smallest country in the rugged Andean highlands, Ecuador is home to a diverse array of indigenous cultures, lush rainforests, and mountainous highlands redolent of a lunar landscape. The impressive, well-preserved colonial architecture is not to be missed. Though the country has been stricken by a severe economic crises, it has now adopted the US Dollar as its national currency, and this has brought a measure of stability. The ups and downs of the currency and economy mean little to the TESOL teacher. Wages may seem low, but life is extremely cheap, and a comfortable standard of living is a very achievable goal if you don’t sell yourself short! The official language is Spanish; however, Quecha, a native dialect is still very much alive. At 109 square miles the country is small;...  [Read more]

Whilst Spanish is the official language, there are not less than sixty-five indigenous languages. The forty-three million people fit comfortably into a little over a million square miles. The principal religion is Roman Catholic with the remainder of the Episcopal and Jewish faith. In a continent where baseball and US television is enormously popular, there is considerable enthusiasm for learning English. However, it is ‘American’ English that has most currency and is most sought after, not ‘English’ English. The distinction is noted by locals, bringing considerable advantage to Canadian and North American candidates. Nevertheless, there are many opportunities and, as ever, persistence pays dividends. Those actively looking for work will find it, and be rewarded by the experience...  [Read more]

Sweden offers a combination of big city sophistication and unspoilt Nordic wilderness. Since the devaluation of the Swedish crown this now comes with a considerably reduced price tag. Haunting islands and endless tracts of forest abound, and it’s the perfect place for hiking and getting back to nature. In this predominantly Lutheran country the official language is Swedish, though Finish and Sami are supported as minority languages. English is widely spoken, and so you can expect a helping hand on the ground. With a population of just over ten million you won’t feel crowded out. Prospects for teachers are good, however, the traditional private language institutes do not feature as strongly as in other European countries. This is because of the well-established network of Folk...  [Read more]

Indonesia has placed the turmoil of the nineties firmly in the past. The currency has now stabilized, and once again Indonesia is a hot destination for TESOL teachers. The archipelago is a world of contrast. Rapidly evolving big cities, stand in stark contrast to the seldom travelled, unspoilt, tropical wilderness. Home to a wealth of cultures, the colors, smells, and the people all make for a kaleidoscope experience. A population of two-hundred and thirty four millions fit into a landmass of seven-hundred and forty thousand square miles. Indonesian is the official language, with Javanese, Sudanese and English spoken by a minority, though one shouldn’t expect English to be widely spoken outside of the big cities. It is a predominantly Muslim country, with a minority of Hindi devotees,...  [Read more]

As the wealthiest country in Latin America, Costa Rica - the ‘rich coast’ - stands out in stark contrast to many of its neighbours. It also suffers from none of the political turmoil so characteristic of the region. It’s an eco tourist’s paradise, thanks in large part to the governments desire to preserve habitats and species. It’s a fabulous place to experience the tropics, and since it’s comprised mostly of coastline there are miles of pristine beaches, and it is a heaven for those into diving, surfing an any other eco-friendly water sport. Spanish is the official language, with English, now taught in primary schools, coming a close second. The population is a shade over four millions, fitting snugly into a landmass of about twenty thousand square miles. Seventy five percent...  [Read more]

The world's fifth largest country has a great deal to ignite the imagination of the traveller. Tropical rainforests, the Amazon basin, pristine beaches are just what comes with the territory. Once one adds in the people, who are often extremely friendly, and the buzz of the big cities, you can guarantee that you are entertaining the experience of a lifetime. The official language is Portuguese, and the population of one-hundred and seventy millions has plenty of space in the three-point three millions square miles of landmass. Seventy percent of the population is Roman Catholic. Of the remainder there is a significant proportion of evangelical Christians, but also, interestingly, of native animists - those that believe earthquakes, trees, mountains, etc. all have spirits associated with...  [Read more]

In a continent where baseball and US television is enormously popular, there is considerable enthusiasm for learning English. However, it is American English that has most currency and is most sought after, not British English. The distinction is noted by locals, bringing considerable advantage to Canadian and American candidates. Nevertheless, there are many opportunities and, as ever, persistence pays dividends. Those actively looking for work will find it, and be rewarded by the experience of teaching some of the most enthusiastic, fun-loving students on the planet. In addition to this, America is seen as corporate Big Brother. Its influence and presence is pervasive. Quite unlike Europe, for those wishing to teach in a state or private school, a TESOL qualification is more than...  [Read more]

venezuela is a country where the superlative is commonplace. It has a large landmass, the world’s third longest river, the world’s highest waterfall, and is home to the world’s longest snake, not to mention jaguars, and armadillos. It has great mineral wealth, in the form of oil, and this has led to a thriving economy, much trade with and investment from the US, and, thus, a great demand for English. Spanish is the official language; however, more than thirty native dialects survive. The population is twenty-seven millions, in a landmass of a shade over three-hundred and fifty thousand square miles. The country is ninety-six percent Roman Catholic. Quite unlike Europe, for those wishing to teach in a state or private school, there is not the requirement for a PGCE or an...  [Read more]

This region, encompassing Malaysia, Singapore, Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam offers a wealth of different experiences. Highly developed Malaysia and Singapore, stand in stark contrast to Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam, whom only relatively recently normalised their relationships with the US. You can expect Islam and Buddhism, communism and capitalism. It really is a fascinating region where you have to learn to expect the unexpected! The market for teachers is both phenomenal and varied in nature. Malays seek to send their children to university in English-speaking countries; in Singapore, English is the lingua franca of commerce, and dexterity is seen as a must. In Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam there is huge demand for TESOL teachers due to the inrush of western development capital, and the...  [Read more]

Taiwan is a modern, industrialised megalopolis of big cities that benefit from booming trade with the US and other countries. Its thriving cities skirt glorious mountain ranges, and despite the hi-tech, developed aspect of the country there are still grass-skirted, indigenous tribes slightly at odds with this image. The official language is Mandarin, and twenty-three millions squeeze into an area of fourteen thousand square miles. Religions practiced include Taoism, Buddhism, Confucianism, and Christianity. There is such a wealth of opportunity for TESOL teachers in Taiwan that it is hard to describe. For example English kindergartens are highly fashionable, and the trend for English goes from there up in the education system. In addition to this there are many corporations that need...  [Read more]

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Don’t be put off by the fact that bolivia is one of the poorest Latin American nations. The Andean and Amazonian landscapes offer a breath-taking experience in themselves. In addition to which, there is an interesting class system at play composed of the upper classes - those of Spanish decent; the middle classes - those of mixed race; and the native Bolivians. The interplay between culture and topography make for a fascinating travel and work experience. Spanish is the lingua franca; however, Aymara - a composite of Spanish and native dialects is also, intriguingly, an official language. The population is a shade under nine millions, and ninety-five percent of those profession religious faith are Roman Catholic, with a smattering of Evangelical Methodism. In a continent where baseball...  [Read more]