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 TEFL route finder 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.
| Factor | Thailand Asia | Vietnam Asia | Taiwan Asia |
|---|---|---|---|
| Typical pay Route finder estimate | Common entry-level school roles often fall around ฿30,000-45,000 per month Public/government school roles can start lower, while stronger private, bilingual, Bangkok, and subject-teaching roles can pay more | Common language-centre roles often fall around $1,000-$1,800 per month Public-school roles commonly sit around $1,200-$2,000 per month depending on hours and employer | Private buxiban and private-school listings often sit around NT$50,000-75,000 per month, with stronger offers for some schools and locations The 2026 TFETP public-school salary table lists foreign English teachers from NT$69,880 to NT$107,150 depending on degree level and recognised teaching experience |
| TEFL/TESOL Practical baseline | Preferred (120+ hours) A 120-hour TEFL/TESOL certificate is the safer practical standard for most first-time applicants, especially without classroom experience | Required (120+ hours) A 120-hour certificate is the practical standard used by many employers and work-permit guides, but official education rules refer more generally to a suitable foreign-language teaching certificate | Preferred (120+ hours) If you do not hold a bachelor's degree, a language-teaching certificate can become part of the legal cram-school route; some public-programme alternatives also reference 120-hour TEFL/TESOL/CELTA training |
| Degree required Legal baseline | Usually required Clean criminal-record paperwork is normally part of the safer document trail. | Usually required Clean criminal-record paperwork is normally part of the safer document trail. | Usually required Clean criminal-record paperwork is normally part of the safer document trail. |
| Time to start Typical lead time | 2-4 months Seasonal hiring | 1-2 months Rolling hiring | 2-4 months Rolling hiring |
| Visa/work route Admin friction | Moderate access friction Standard school teaching normally requires a Non-Immigrant B visa, work permit, and teacher licence or temporary teaching permit; tourist visas do not permit teaching, even voluntarily. | Moderate access friction Legal teaching normally requires employer sponsorship, a work permit, and the correct visa/residence status; foreign documents usually need legalisation, Vietnamese translation, and certification before use. | Moderate access friction Standard private-school, cram-school, and public-school teaching normally requires employer work-permit sponsorship plus ARC/residence handling; Gold Card holders, qualifying permanent residents, and spouses of Taiwanese nationals may have different work-authorisation rules. |
| Support and benefits Employer caveat | Some schools assist with visa and work permit paperwork Housing is not normally standard | Work permit and visa assistance are common at larger employers Some centres provide housing assistance | Some employers assist with work permit, ARC, and housing search National Health Insurance enrolment for eligible ARC/work-permit holders |
Salary estimates are planning ranges from our route research, not job offers. Check current employer, programme, and visa details before applying.
In broad terms, Thailand is the lifestyle-first landing, Vietnam often offers the strongest salary-to-cost ratio, and Taiwan usually gives the clearest structured route for teachers who meet the paperwork baseline. The right choice depends on your degree, documents, budget, and appetite for admin.
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 route finder 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.