Jobs in Asia
Asia is a great region to work as part of your backpacking adventure. If you’re after paid work in Asia, chances are it will come in the form of teaching English as a foreign language (TEFL), either in a local or dedicated language/extracurricular school.
TEFL in Asia
Teaching English as a foreign language is the most common paid job for travellers in Asia, offering a chance to earn a solid wage as well as add some valuable experience to your CV. The bulk of TEFL jobs are found in China, but it’s also possible to find work in South Korea and Japan.
Most teaching jobs will require you to have a degree, but you will not need to speak the local language, as you’ll work with a local teaching assistant. Generally you’ll be encouraged to speak English in classes to help the children learn.
You will also need a TEFL qualification. Most people will obtain these in the UK before travelling, though courses are available abroad. You might come across schools that will offer a job regardless of a TEFL qualification, but we preach caution here, as it’s often a sign of low standards, and may lead to a bad experience.
Before you accept any job teaching abroad, do a little research into the school. Testimonials from past or current teachers can tell you a lot about how well you will you be treated.
To work as a teacher in Japan you will likely need an advanced TEFL qualification or higher, as restrictions here are generally stricter.
Wages anywhere in Asia aren’t high compared to what you would earn in the West, but it’s all relative. For example, living costs in China are so low that a teacher can live a very comfortable life on a seemingly small wage. Many jobs also pay for your accommodation.