Comparison
First-time teacher choosing between the two most structured ESL markets in the world.
The two most asked-about ESL destinations in East Asia. Korea pays better and has more housing support; Japan offers a longer-term career path and a quieter lifestyle. Both require a bachelor's degree and citizenship from one of the seven approved native-English countries.
EPIK, hagwons, and university roles. E-2 visa support is standard.
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.
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.
First-time teachers who want a structured contract with housing handled. Korea's system is the most beginner-friendly path into ESL.
JET, eikaiwa chains, and ALT positions. Pay is steady, vacation is short.
JET: 3.36M JPY for first year, scales up year over year. Eikaiwa: 250k to 280k JPY per month. ALT dispatch: 230k to 270k JPY per month. Cost of living outside Tokyo is reasonable.
Instructor visa or Specialist in Humanities visa. Bachelor's required. Native English speaker preference for most roles. JET requires application by November for the following August start.
Teachers committed to staying multiple years and learning Japanese. The pay does not stretch as far as Korea, but career stability and quality of life are high.
Great Positions All Over Korea
eslteachingjobinasia.com · Various
Great Positions All Over Korea:
eslteachingjobinasia.com · Various
Kindergarten & Elementary English Teacher
Hanmaeum English Academy · Seoul, South Korea
Hagwons in & around Seoul, Private elementary school, Alternative International schools and various positions all over Korea!
SeoulESL - ESL Consulting · Yeoksam, Gangnam-gu, Seoul
We are looking for a dedicated and passionate native English teacher to work with us in Korea in 2026
VOU Agency · South Korea
Teaching Jobs Korea || Ft Placement Options Nationwide Korea || 2026 Listings || Apply Today
Teaching JOBS Korea · South Korea
English Instructor (Eikaiwa)
Sakura English Studio · Tokyo, Japan
Teach Abroad in Japan – Paid Public School Teaching Positions
RVF International · Various
A Full Time English teacher is needed in Tokushima, Japan
Squbee English · Various
English Teaching Opportunities — Online & In-Person in Japan
CES Continental English school · Various
Assistant Language Teachers in Japan
Interac · Across Japan, Japan
South 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
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.
Japan
JET if you can wait 9 months for a placement and want a public school role with full benefits. Eikaiwa if you want to start within 60 days and are okay with evening hours. ALT dispatch is the fallback when you are already in Japan and need work.
Japan
Less than in Korea or the Gulf. Most teachers cover living costs comfortably and save 30k to 80k JPY per month outside Tokyo.