| With travel becoming cheaper and the world getting | | | | maintaining prosperity, with English language as an |
| smaller, it might be tempting to think that there are no | | | | important part of both lower and higher levels of |
| new experiences to be had. Well, we have news for | | | | education. Countries such as South Korea are |
| you: this definitely isn't the case in Asia! It's one part of | | | | improving education and emphasising the importance |
| the world that has managed to keep the flame of its | | | | of the English language and the use of modern |
| ancient traditions burning brightly, despite its gleaming, | | | | technology. In fact, they were the first country to |
| modern side. Its history, diversity and great respect for | | | | provide high speed internet access to primary, |
| tradition are amongst the things that Asia is famous | | | | secondary and high schools! |
| for. There's also an abundance of sights worth seeing: | | | | Unforunately, some poorer areas haven't benefitted |
| the Great Wall of China, the Taj Mahal, Sunkakuwan | | | | from the commercial success of the cities and when |
| Bay, the Tubbataha Reef, Mt.Kinabalu and the industrial | | | | an education is costly it is all too often forgone. Kerala |
| hubbub of Tokyo are just the tip of the iceberg! | | | | is the only Indian state to have achieved anywhere |
| Though it is a veritable feast for the eyes, Asia is | | | | near full literacy in primary education, while Bihar |
| much more than a tourist destination. With so many | | | | struggles with less than half. Learning English is hugely |
| interesting things to see and experience it's no wonder | | | | beneficial in these poorer areas, but many have to rely |
| that people flock to Asia, but you can still find areas | | | | on volunteer work. |
| untouched by the tourist boom. | | | | Teaching opportunities |
| Working in Asia will give you a completely different | | | | The most popular areas for English teaching are |
| perspective, as you're not just going to lie on the | | | | Taiwan, Thailand, Japan, China, South Korea and |
| beach (although you'll be forgiven for relaxing by the | | | | Vietnam. Increasing populations and expanding |
| sea on your days off!). Rural areas are often | | | | economies have created a high demand for the |
| less-visited and are also where English teachers are | | | | English language and the growing middle classes view |
| scarcest, so you'll see a way of life entirely removed | | | | education as essential for both children and adults alike, |
| from your own as well as some stunning scenery. In | | | | so you'll have a wide range of pupils! There's also a |
| the major cities, living amongst the people you're | | | | great variety of places to teach in, including primary |
| teaching will give you a chance to try your hand at the | | | | schools, secondary schools, language schools and |
| local language as well as finding everything from the | | | | private schools. |
| best street food, to the best place to buy a Kimono | | | | With their increasing appeal to English teachers some |
| and the best place to hear traditional Sitar playing! | | | | countries, have tightened up entry requirements. Japan, |
| Culture | | | | Taiwan and Thailand are amongst those where it is |
| Not only does Asia have the largest market for English | | | | now a visa requirement to have a degree if you want |
| teachers, it's absolutely huge (breathe in...): Afghanistan, | | | | to teach English. If you're volunteering, it may not |
| Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Bhutan, | | | | necessarily be an issue but one thing's for sure: any |
| Brunei, Burma, Cambodia, China, Hong Kong, India, | | | | paid work requires a work or working holiday visa, so |
| Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Japan, Jordan, Kazakhstan, | | | | doing your research is worthwhile. |
| North Korea, South Korea, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, | | | | The Indian subcontinent offers less pay but lots of |
| Lebanon, Malaysia, Maldives, Mongolia, Myanmar, Nepal, | | | | enthusiasm and appreciation for your hard work. |
| Oman, Pakistan, Philippines, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, | | | | Though paid opportunities can be limited to the more |
| Singapore, Sri Lanka, Syria, Taiwan, Tajikistan, Thailand, | | | | affluent areas, poorer countries have no less to offer |
| Turkey, Turkmenistan, United Arab Emirates, | | | | culturally and the experience is rewarding enough in |
| Uzbekistan, Vietnam, Yemen... phew! | | | | itself! |
| With so many countries, it's no wonder that cultural | | | | Facilities |
| diversity is one of the things Asia is so well known for! | | | | Accommodation in Asia can be as varied as the |
| From riding an elephant in Sri Lanka, to fishing with the | | | | climate, which ranges from glorious sunshine to chilly |
| locals in Mongolia, sipping green tea in China and surfing | | | | snow capped peaks. Wealthy countries have higher |
| the waves in Taiwan, everywhere is open to | | | | standards of accommodation which also reflects the |
| exploration! | | | | cost of living. Japan is famously expensive but the |
| Educational standard | | | | placements are usually well paid: US$1000 per month |
| Asia countries are famed for their advances in | | | | on average. Homestays and shared accommodation |
| mathematics and medicine, hundreds of years before | | | | are kinder to your budget and are more likely to be |
| the West began to develop, and many countries in | | | | find when working in the South, where pay is less but |
| Asia are still very forward-thinking. Japan and China | | | | so is the cost of living. When a meals costs as as little |
| have experienced massive economic growth and | | | | as 50p, there's not much room for complaint! |
| education is considered a vitally important part of | | | | |