The Best Countries for TEFL Teachers to Save Money

Travelling to and working in other countries is a significant advantage of obtaining your online TEFL certification and getting started as a TEFL teacher. You can gain access to jobs in many different countries and get to know new cultures, places and people. A career in TEFL can be fulfilling and rewarding in many ways. For some, the objective is to make a financial gain and save some money on the side.

If your goal is to save money for the future or a bigger adventure, you will need to make the most of your TEFL salary to do this. This depends on many factors: what you earn, where you live, and what you spend. We’ll look at some top 2025 destinations that can help you save money and build towards your financial future.

South Korea 

Living and working in South Korea is a dream for many. The blend of modern and traditional attracts many TEFL teachers from across the globe. You can live in a big metropolis, shop for the latest global products, and then take a bus to an ancient temple within an hour! Cities such as Seoul, Daegu and Busan are popular choices for ESL teachers.

One big advantage of working in South Korea is that the salaries tend to be higher than in other parts of Asia, especially if you have another teaching degree or a Master’s on top of your TEFL certification. Housing and flights are often subsidised or even included in your work contract, allowing you to save more money.

The cost of living in South Korea is reasonable, especially if you venture out of Seoul. Transport is affordable and effective, allowing you to explore nearby at a reasonable cost. 

To work in South Korea, it’s important to note that you often need a passport from countries such as the UK, USA, Canada or Australia, as this is how you obtain your legal working visa. Education is highly valued in South Korea. If you are qualified, you can gain employment in universities that will come with even higher salaries.

China 

There is a lot of demand for TEFL teachers in China and various jobs await you if you’re qualified. Competitive salaries are offered in major cities such as Shanghai, Beijing or Shenzhen. Job offers often come with accommodation and flight reimbursement, allowing you to make the most out of your salary. 

China is a vast country, so you can also find work in lesser-known cities that still offer competitive salaries due to their size and population. This will help you save more and also get to know the local culture even more.

United Arab Emirates (UAE)

If you’re looking to earn and save money as an English teacher then the UAE is a great opportunity. Salaries are often tax-free and job offers include accommodation as part of the contract. Whilst the cost of living might be higher in general in the UAE, with accommodation covered, you can make significant savings if you spend wisely.

It’s important to note that you often need a degree and your TEFL qualification to work in the UAE. You will also need a passport from an English-speaking country for visa purposes. This is due to the demand from parents and clients for native English teachers.

Vietnam

Vietnam might not also make the list of countries offering higher savings as the salaries are significantly lower compared to other countries nearby. However, TEFL teachers can still make a very affordable living as they tend to be higher paid than other professions. 

Vietnam has a very low cost of living, which makes your salary go further. You can eat out for as little as $2 and get around very cheapy. Accommodation is not always included in your work contract but this is also cheap, especially if you share or live in more simple accommodation. Apartments don’t tend to be too big or have big kitchens. Most people will eat out due to the cheap and delicious food available on every street.

Japan

Japan has long been a dream destination for TEFL teachers due to its rich culture and good working conditions. Subsidised accommodation and flights can help you earn a good salary and save money in the long term. 

Tokyo is one of the most expensive cities in the world. If saving is your goal, it might not be the best idea to live and work there. There are many other bustling and enriching cities in Japan where you can earn a good salary and experience a lower cost of living compared to the capital.

Japan is a country full of amazing technological advances, an interesting culture and important traditions. This blend makes it a fascinating place to live and explore. The food is also one of the most popular cuisines in the world. Why wouldn’t you want to live there?

Thailand

Like Vietnam, Thailand might not offer the highest salaries for TEFL teachers but the low cost of living and working conditions can make saving possible. Accommodation is often included or subsidised for job offers in Thailand and living there is relatively cheap. 

Thai people are notoriously welcoming and warm towards foreign teachers. Thailand offers busy cities and beautiful beaches and islands to explore, all at a reasonable cost.

As you will have seen, there is a lot of potential for saving in jobs in Asia. This is due to the higher salaries in some countries and the very low cost of living in others. However, if you are based in Europe and want to stay closer to home, there can be ways to make some savings, although not as much as if you were working in the Middle East or South Korea, for example.

Czech Republic

The Czech Republic (or Czechia) can offer TEFL teachers a reasonable salary and a relatively low cost of living. If you watch where you spend, you can make some savings on the side. You can also subsidise your income with private lessons which can help boost your income.

The Czech Republic is very well situated for those who want to explore more of Europe, offering excellent public transportation to nearby countries such as Austria, Germany or Poland. Travelling in the country itself is affordable and you can visit charming cities all over for cheap.

If you’re not working or planning to work in one of the countries above, then there are ways to supplement your income so that you can save more money.

Teaching online

If you have some free time, you can earn more by teaching online for a few hours a week. Finding a company that works well for you based on their peak hours and time zones will help you fit this into your existing teaching schedule.

Some companies will have a fixed number of hours a week that they want you to teach. Others will be flexible. Many do not have fixed schedules, meaning you open up your availability week by week. This is great for those who don’t want to commit to the same hours every week.

Private classes

There are always students who are looking to improve their English in a more bespoke way or need extra speaking practice. This is a good way to earn some extra money in your local area (or you can also do this online). What you charge will depend on where you live. it will be in accordance with local expectations. This is a good way to build up some income in your free time. 

Sometimes it might be possible to find extra classes through your school so ask if this is an option. If not, you can advertise online or on local job boards to find students. Starting group classes is a lucrative way to teach privately as you will gain more per hour.

Watching your spending

No matter what location or salary, there are always ways you can cut down to save some money. This might mean doing home workouts instead of going to the gym or cooking more than eating out. Think about whether you need monthly subscriptions for films, music etc or whether you need to buy new clothes on a regular basis. Of course, these things are part of enjoying life but if you really want to save a certain amount each month, you can look into ways you can cut down.

If your focus is saving as much money as possible, then countries such as UAE and South Korea offer this as the best option with their higher salaries. This is especially true if you have further qualifications such as a teaching degree from your own country or a Master’s degree. If you want a more balanced lifestyle saving something on the side and also able to spend in a sensible way, then countries such as Vietnam and Thailand can be good choices.