Comparison
Teach English in South Korea vs China
New teacher debating starting in Korea vs. waiting two years to qualify for higher pay in China.
Korea is the most beginner-friendly market in Asia; China pays the most for experienced teachers. Korea takes new graduates through public school programs like EPIK. China requires two years of post-graduation work experience and rewards it with significantly higher pay, especially at international schools.
South Korea
EPIK, hagwons, and university roles. E-2 visa support is standard.
Salary
Public schools: 2.0M to 2.7M KRW per month with housing. Hagwons: 2.1M to 2.8M KRW with housing or stipend. Universities: 2.3M to 3.5M KRW with shorter contact hours.
Visa
E-2 visa for most roles. Requires a bachelor's degree, a clean criminal record check, and citizenship from one of seven approved countries (US, UK, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Ireland, South Africa). A 120-hour TEFL certificate is standard, sometimes required.
Best for
First-time teachers who want a structured contract with housing handled. Korea's system is the most beginner-friendly path into ESL.
China
International schools, training centers, and universities. Pay is the highest in Asia.
Salary
International schools: 25k to 45k RMB per month. Training centers: 18k to 30k RMB. Public schools: 12k to 22k RMB. Universities: 10k to 20k RMB with long vacations. Most contracts include housing or stipend.
Visa
Z visa. Requires bachelor's, two years of post-graduation work experience, a 120-hour TEFL, and a notarized criminal record check. Citizenship from one of seven native English countries is standard. Age cap of 60 is typical.
Best for
Experienced teachers who want to maximize savings. Two years of teaching in China can clear 30k USD in savings if you live carefully.
Open positions, side by side
South Korea
Kindergarten & Elementary English Teacher
Hanmaeum English Academy · Seoul, South Korea
Teach English Abroad 2026 – Paid Jobs in Japan, Korea, China, Vietnam, Uzbekistan, Indonesia & More | Housing + Visa Support
TEFL UK · Various
**ASAP**Elementary English Teacher | Daechi| E-2 Sponsorship | Max 6 Students
Milestone Institute · South Korea
Kindergarten English Teacher / 12pm - 6pm / Jamsil, Seoul / ￦3.2M
Creverse · Jamsil, Seoul
English Part-time positions in Yongsan, Seoul
Yongsan Global Language Center · South Korea
ESL Teaching Positions | Seoul & Nationwide | Start ASAP /August/September/October
Korea Global Connections · South Korea
China
ESL Teacher - Training Center
BrightPath Language Center · Shanghai, China
English Teacher – China | Graduate & Experienced | Visa Sponsored
China Link ESL · Southampton, Hampshire, GB
Entry Level English teacher in China
Teach TEFL in China · Newcastle Upon Tyne, Tyne and Wear, GB
Teach English in China – Training, Visa Support & Career Development
English 1 China · China
Teach English Abroad 2026 – Paid Jobs in Japan, Korea, China, Vietnam, Uzbekistan, Indonesia & More | Housing + Visa Support
TEFL UK · Various
ESL positions China with Working Visa
Meidongli Culture Company · International
Common questions
South Korea
Do I need to speak Korean to teach in Korea?
No. Most schools want monolingual English in the classroom. Picking up basics for daily life helps but is not a hiring requirement.
South Korea
When is hiring season?
Public schools (EPIK) recruit in two main intakes for March and September starts. Hagwons hire year-round but the biggest wave is February to April.
China
Is online teaching of Chinese students still possible?
Not for K-9 students inside China. Adult-focused online teaching to Chinese learners through global platforms is allowed but pays much less than the old VIPKid era.
China
What's the salary difference between Tier 1 and Tier 2 cities?
Tier 1 (Beijing, Shanghai, Shenzhen, Guangzhou) pays 30 to 50 percent more, but cost of living absorbs much of that. Tier 2 cities often have better savings rates.