tefl destination guides
Start here if you are deciding between Thailand, Vietnam, and Taiwan. This hub gives you a quick comparison first, then links you into the full destination guides with current visa, salary, and hiring detail.
If you are still figuring out your baseline qualification, read the TEFL/TESOL certification guide first. If you already know you need a certificate, the 120-hour course page, certificate information page, and where can I teach? calculator will help you narrow down the right route before you apply anywhere.
quick destination comparison
This is the short version. Use it to decide which full guide to read next, not as a substitute for checking the actual destination details.
| Destination | Degree | TEFL | Approx salary | Hiring difficulty | Visa complexity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thailand | Usually yes | Recommended and often expected | THB 30,000-50,000 | Moderate | Moderate |
| Vietnam | Usually yes | Usually yes | VND 30m-50m | Moderate | Moderate to high |
| Taiwan | Yes | Depends, but strongly recommended | NT$65,000-75,000 | Moderate to higher | Moderate |
In broad terms, Thailand is the easiest cultural landing for many first-time teachers, Vietnam often offers the strongest salary-to-cost ratio, and Taiwan usually gives you the most structured legal pathway and the highest mainstream pay. The trade-off is that Taiwan is less forgiving if you do not meet the formal document and degree baseline.
choose your full guide
Each guide covers work eligibility basics, degree and TEFL expectations, salary ranges, hiring patterns, and what the destination is actually like on the ground in 2026.
teach English in Thailand
Visa basics, realistic salaries, hiring seasons, and whether Thailand still works as a first abroad move in 2026.
teach English in Vietnam
Work-permit basics, TEFL expectations, salary ranges, and what the Vietnam market looks like for new teachers now.
teach English in Taiwan
A current guide to legal work routes, degree expectations, salary bands, and the public-school vs buxiban split.
how to use these guides well
Pick the country that matches your documents, budget, and tolerance for admin. Then read the full guide with one question in mind: "Can I legally and realistically get hired there in the next 3-6 months?"
If the answer is still unclear, cross-check the destination guide with the calculator and the certification guide. That combination is the fastest way to avoid spending money on the wrong course or targeting a country that does not fit your background.