Asia being a diverse mixture of cultures, teaching English or ESL (English as Second Language) jobs in Asia would mean an important contribution to the Asian culture by truly immersing in it. When you teach English in Asia you can really get to know one of the world’s greatest continents. Teaching English in Asia is a unique opportunity to experience an entirely new ethnicity and style of living. If you’re passionate about teaching English in Asia, make sure you check out the Asian countries like China, Indonesia, Thailand, Korea, Japan & Taiwan and other non-native English speaking countries for consolidating your teaching spirit and ability. Schools here are struggling and international English teachers are needed to help children from impoverished backgrounds to have a better chance in life. It would be wrong to think that a native’s knowledge of the English language is an automatic passport to employment anywhere abroad but the advantages of being a native English speaker cannot be denied either. In China, Indonesia, Thailand, Korea, Japan & Taiwan there has been a proliferating need of English Teachers, especially those coming from native English speaking countries get an upper-hand for the purpose of imparting English knowledge and skills to the students of these non-native countries. A university degree in any subject is the only prerequisite, though in some cases just a degree of enthusiasm will suffice. Most of the ESL jobs these days require a TESOL (Teaching English to Students of Other Language) / TEFL ( Teaching English as Foreign language) Certification as legal proof for being teachers.

The demand of English Language and English teachers in Chinese nation is quite high and the preference of native English speakers has always been noted. ESL (English as Second Language) / EFL (English as Foreign Language) teachers from the West are flocking together in China in response to the great demand for teaching English there. In China English teachers are a hot commodity and schools from kindergarten through university want a foreign face to place in front of their pupils. Along the well-trod backpacker routes tourists are solicited to stop and teach for a week, a month, or a year; in large cities, like Shanghai or Shenzhen, foreigners are often approached about tutoring or full-time teaching jobs. The past twenty years have witnessed China as one of the fastest growing countries in the world and there has been a remarkable explosion in the number of private language institutes and companies, something that would have been unthinkable just a few years ago.

By the end of 2007, the total number of foreign teachers in China is 162,695, a 15.3% increase over the year of 2005.

In Indonesia, a sharp inclination towards and preference for native -English speakers can be clearly noticed for teaching English language. The main language schools are staffed by the foreign teachers who are paid handsome packages, about ten times the local wages. ESL or TEFL certificate holders are entitled to grab the best opportunities offered in the reputed schools for teaching English. Beginners lacking the appropriate background or training will have to confine their job search to the locally-run back-street schools. Schools are willing to hire teachers with either a British or North American accent. Generally, the foreign certified teachers should be willing to sign a contract of about 12 – 18 months before they join a reputed institution for teaching purposes. Visa and work permits are assisted by the schools and additional perks, like free accommodation and sometimes even food allowances, alongside the salary make lifestyle quite comfortable in Indonesia making it one of the wanted destinations for ESL purposes.

Teaching English in the exotic and adventurous locations of Thailand -“the land of a thousand smiles”, compliment the learning with exposure to a new country and culture. Teaching English in Thailand exposes one to the variety of teaching jobs. Teaching English in Thailand guarantees international standard of teaching skills, furnishing enthusiastic learners with interest in teaching with the skills and techniques involved in teaching. English teaching certificate has become a pre-requisite for teaching jobs in Thailand. Generally, a short-term training course of 3-4 weeks, offered widely in Thailand entitles one to teach English in wide varieties of Private and Public schools and help drive the candidate towards a lucrative teaching career in English strongly based on sound learning, pronounced concepts and productive skills. Tourists all around the world to come to Thailand for either a short-time teaching experience or to teach on a year long contractual basis. Remuneration varies wildly in Thailand. Salaries at Thai schools depend upon the type of institution (public or private) and the level of instruction (secondary or post-secondary). The highest confirmed salaries are supposedly provided by high schools, international schools and language schools. Most schools pay overtime for hours worked over and above the contracted number of hours; however they pay only the same hourly rate at par with the standard pay or in a few cases even less. Schools occasionally provide free housing and other benefits while some provide medical insurance facility as well. In Thai society, English teachers are looked up to with reverence and can attract instant admiration and respect in public.

Korea has relentlessly shown signs of potential development in bewitching thousands of International Teachers from native English speaking countries with the aim of forming a strong base of the students of the country by instilling in them a flair of English Language. In Korea there has been the surge in demand for English language schooling, not just for students but also for everyone from toddlers to taxi drivers. Korea is not only more affordable in terms of travel and living expenses, but also offers numerous teaching employments to help international teachers meet their financial needs. Korea increasingly looks to the West as its paradigm for prosperity. The Korean immigration authorities only offer the relevant working visas to natives of the U.S., Canada, Great Britain, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa who hold full degrees in any discipline from an accredited university and speak English as their first (native) language. A 4-year degree certificate with transcripts and proof of nationality must be submitted to the authorities before an application to teach can be accepted. Teaching English in Korea is a very prestigious job considered now a days and there are huge opportunities available for International teachers who are willing to take up Teaching English to form the basis of their career. Teachers from mainly native English speaking countries between age groups 21 – 40 are eligible to apply for teaching English in Korea which come along with good pay and extra facilities like insurance coverage, medical benefits, free flights, accommodation, etc. Low cost of living, low tax rate, cheap foods, etc. help one to save up a lot at the end of the year and enjoy good standard of living throughout indulging in great Korean Night life, traveling places, etc.

Japan is full of people eager to study English, always giving opportunities for those looking for teaching jobs. The minimum educational requirement is usually a university degree. An English as a Foreign Language (EFL) or teaching certificate is an asset but is not essential. Since English is part of the school curriculum in Japan, many elementary and high schools hire part-time or full-time assistant language teachers (ALT). The average monthly salary is about 260,000 yen, and many schools will provide housing and at least 10 to 20 days off per year, in addition to national holidays. A typical full-time employee can expect to teach 15 to 25 hours per week. A contract is a basic requirement for teaching in Japan. A basic teaching contract should include provisions for the following matters: salary, housing, working hours, severance pay, income tax, medical insurance, holidays, transportation and travel allowance for the passage back home (provided that you complete the period of the contract).

Taiwan’s importance in teaching English cannot be denied either. The contractual system in teaching jobs may not be as important or rigid in Taiwan like it is in Japan or Korea but the pre-requisite of being a certified teacher, native or non-native is a must in Taiwan. Taiwan is placed amongst the top countries in the ESL world for offering a huge variety of English teaching jobs.

Lastly, several placement services dealing with several English Teaching Jobs in Asia, have cropped up in great numbers, with the rising demand of students for teaching jobs world-wide. They come of great help by catering to the needs of thousands of people through proper guidance and information about the valuable resources thus helping them in proper job search and placement in Asia.