Question 1

Do I need a TEFL certificate to teach English abroad?

Accepted Answer

A TEFL or CELTA certificate is required by most employers. A 120-hour online TEFL certificate is the minimum standard; 120 hours with a practicum component is strongly preferred. CELTA and PGCE carry the most weight for international school and university positions.

Question 2

Do I need a degree to teach English abroad?

Accepted Answer

Most countries require a bachelor's degree for a work visa. China, South Korea, Japan, the UAE, and Saudi Arabia all mandate a degree for sponsored work visa applications. Some countries (Vietnam, Cambodia, online platforms) hire without a degree if you have TEFL and experience.

Question 3

How much do ESL teachers earn abroad?

Accepted Answer

Earnings vary widely by country. Tax-free packages in the Middle East are the most lucrative: UAE $3,500–7,000/mo, Saudi Arabia $2,500–6,000/mo. Asia is competitive with housing included: Korea $1,800–2,800/mo, China $1,500–3,500/mo, Japan $1,800–3,000/mo. Southeast Asia pays less but cost of living is significantly lower.

Question 4

How do I apply for ESL jobs without creating an account?

Accepted Answer

On ESLGorilla, you can browse and apply to all ESL teaching positions without registering. Click any job listing, review the details, and contact the employer directly using the application instructions provided — no account or sign-up is required.

Question 5

How long does it take to get a work visa for teaching abroad?

Accepted Answer

Visa timelines vary. China's Z-visa typically takes 2–4 months. South Korea's E-2 visa takes 4–8 weeks. Japan's Instructor visa takes 1–3 months. UAE and Saudi Arabia employment visas take 4–8 weeks. Your employer sponsors and manages the process in all cases.

Question 6

How do I post an ESL job as a school or employer?

Accepted Answer

Create a free employer account on ESLGorilla, write your job listing with salary and requirements, and checkout from $39. Your listing goes live within minutes and reaches thousands of active ESL teacher candidates worldwide.

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