Asia vs Latin America: Where to Teach English

For anyone dreaming of teaching English abroad, two regions consistently rise to the top of the list: Asia and Latin America. Both offer adventure, cultural immersion, and the chance to make a real impact—but they deliver those experiences in totally different ways.

Asia often draws teachers with its high demand, structured school environments, and generous pay and benefits. It’s the go-to for those looking to save money, gain experience quickly, or jump into bustling cities or serene temples with a clear job offer in hand. Latin America, on the other hand, tends to win hearts with its people, rhythms, and warm, spontaneous energy. It’s a region where lifestyle, language, and community tend to come first, and the path to a teaching job is often more flexible and personal.

There’s no one-size-fits-all answer. Whether you thrive in the organized pace of Seoul or crave the café culture of Bogotá, the best region is the one that fits your goals, values, and travel style.

Entry Requirements & Visas

Asia

If you’ve got a bachelor’s degree and a passport from a native-English country, Asia rolls out the red carpet—especially in East Asia. Countries like South Korea and Japan offer streamlined visa processes tied to full-time teaching contracts. China’s Z visa and Korea’s E-2 are examples of structured routes that make it relatively easy (on paper) to start teaching legally, with your school often helping you every step of the way.

That said, paperwork in Asia can be bureaucratic. Expect background checks, notarized degrees, and health checks as part of the process. In Southeast Asia, there’s a little more wiggle room—Cambodia and parts of Vietnam, for example, are more relaxed about formal requirements and may allow teaching without a degree, though it’s often on a tourist visa with a side of legal gray area.

Latin America

Latin America takes a more casual, flexible approach. In many countries, you don’t need a degree, and you can find teaching work simply by showing up, networking, and proving yourself. Tourist visas are widely used—especially in countries like Mexico, Peru, or Argentina—and some employers are willing to sponsor work visas, although it’s less common.

Because visa enforcement varies, many teachers opt for border runs or extended stays while working under the radar, especially in private language institutes or as private tutors. While not always “legal,” it’s widely done—and often tolerated. Colombia and Chile are among the few countries with clearer, teacher-friendly visa paths, especially for those seeking longer-term stays.

Salaries & Cost of Living

Asia

In East Asia—think South Korea, Japan, and China—salaries for English teachers are among the best globally. Monthly pay can range from $1,800 to $3,000 USD (or more), often paired with generous benefits: free housing, flight reimbursements, contract completion bonuses, and national healthcare. These perks, combined with a relatively modest cost of living (especially outside major cities), mean real savings are possible—even while enjoying weekend trips or meals out.

Southeast Asia is a different story. Countries like Thailand and Vietnam offer lower base salaries, often $1,000–$1,500 USD per month, and fewer benefits. But the cost of living is so low—especially for food, rent, and transport—that it balances out. While you likely won’t save much, the lifestyle freedom is hard to beat.

Latin America

In Latin America, teaching English typically covers your day-to-day expenses, but not much more. Salaries often range from $500–$1,200 USD per month depending on the country and type of school. Language centers in Mexico or Colombia may offer consistent hours, while NGOs or volunteer-style schools may offer stipends instead of full salaries.

Benefits like free housing or flights are rare unless you’re working for a high-end private institution. That said, rent, groceries, and transport can be very affordable, particularly in rural areas or smaller cities. Many teachers supplement their income with private lessons or online teaching to make ends meet or afford extra travel.

Job Market & Hiring Process

Asia

Asia’s ESL job market is vast, structured, and relatively easy to navigate if you meet the basic requirements. Countries like China, South Korea, Vietnam, and Thailand are hiring year-round through a mix of public programs (like EPIK in Korea or TFETP in Taiwan), private academies, and recruiters. You can often line up a job from abroad through an online interview and arrive with your visa in-hand and apartment arranged.

The process is formal—think contracts, apostilled degrees, and school-assigned schedules—but it removes a lot of guesswork. Once you’re hired, things tend to move fast and efficiently.

Latin America

In Latin America, personal presence counts for more than paperwork. Most schools and language centers prefer to hire people already in-country, and hiring seasons often follow the local academic calendar—February or March starts in the south, and July or August in places like Mexico.

Don’t expect a standardized process. You’ll likely visit schools in person, hand out résumés, and conduct informal interviews. That flexibility can be freeing if you’re the adventurous type, but it requires patience and a willingness to hustle. For some, this “show up and see” approach is part of the fun; for others, it feels chaotic.

Teaching Environment & Expectations

Asia

Teaching in Asia often means stepping into a highly organized system. In countries like Japan, South Korea, and China, schools operate with clear hierarchies, fixed schedules, and strong discipline. Teachers—especially foreign teachers—are viewed with respect and authority, but you're also expected to maintain a professional appearance and follow the school’s norms closely.

Classes are usually large (30+ students is common), and the curriculum may be rigid, with an emphasis on grammar, test prep, and repetition. However, many schools appreciate a more interactive, Western teaching style to complement local methods—so expect to bring the fun while staying within the lines.

In Southeast Asia, things are often a bit more relaxed, but structure is still present. Students can be warm and eager, especially in places where native English speakers are still a novelty.

Latin America

Latin American classrooms are generally more relaxed, interactive, and personality-driven. There’s often less structure, fewer standardized tests, and more room for creativity in your lessons. Teachers are typically seen as part of the community rather than distant authority figures, and it’s common for students to call you by your first name.

Class sizes vary but tend to be smaller than in Asia. You might have more control over your lesson plans, but also less support or access to materials. Students tend to be expressive and enthusiastic—expect questions, tangents, and plenty of conversation. Adaptability, patience, and a sense of humor go a long way.

Lifestyle & Daily Life

Asia

Life in Asia can feel fast-paced and stimulating, especially in major cities like Seoul, Tokyo, or Shanghai. You’ll find reliable public transport, affordable street food, and modern infrastructure alongside rich cultural heritage. There’s always something happening—from lantern festivals and cherry blossom seasons to night markets and karaoke nights.

In rural areas or smaller cities, the pace slows, and while creature comforts may be fewer, the experience can be deeply immersive. Language barriers can present challenges, but also opportunities for personal growth.

Daily life is often structured around your school schedule, but you’ll likely have plenty of free time for exploration. Whether you spend it hiking, learning a local language, or sipping bubble tea, the intensity of daily life in Asia is rarely boring.

Latin America

In Latin America, life tends to move at a more relaxed rhythm. Whether you're in a colonial town in Colombia, a beachside village in Mexico, or the highlands of Peru, there’s a strong emphasis on connection—family meals, neighborhood chats, and spontaneous social plans are the norm.

Public transport is functional but less polished than in Asia, and day-to-day errands might require more time and patience. Still, the reward is a lifestyle full of color, warmth, and spontaneity. You’ll quickly become part of the local fabric—greeting shopkeepers, dancing at local fiestas, and enjoying long café chats with students or fellow teachers.

Work hours are usually lighter than in Asia, leaving room for side gigs, travel, or just soaking up your surroundings.

Travel & Exploration

Asia

Asia offers some of the most stunning and diverse landscapes in the world—from Japan’s alpine temples and Korea’s sleek cities to Thailand’s tropical beaches and Vietnam’s rolling rice fields. Traveling within each country is generally smooth thanks to excellent infrastructure: bullet trains in Japan, high-speed rail in China, and budget flights across Southeast Asia.

Cross-border travel, however, can be more expensive and logistically complex than in other regions. Flights between countries might take longer or cost more, and visa rules can vary widely. That said, the cultural payoff is immense—each country offers a completely different language, cuisine, and set of customs. It’s like jumping into a new world with every border you cross.

If you're up for the challenge, Asia is incredibly rewarding for those who want their adventures to come with a learning curve and a sense of discovery.

Latin America

Latin America shines when it comes to budget-friendly, spontaneous travel. Once you learn some Spanish (or Portuguese in Brazil), borders become easier to navigate, locals more approachable, and overland travel more manageable. Whether you’re hopping buses across Argentina or surfing your way up the Pacific coast from Chile to Mexico, Latin America is built for the slow, immersive traveler.

Low-cost airlines connect major cities, while buses offer scenic (albeit long) routes between towns. There’s a distinct backpacker culture that makes travel feel communal and easy to plug into.

For teachers who want to spend weekends hiking volcanoes, dancing salsa in new cities, or enjoying fresh ceviche on a different coast each month, Latin America offers a sense of freedom and flexibility that’s hard to beat.

Long-Term Living & Residency

Asia

While Asia is fantastic for a few years abroad, it’s not always built for long-term foreign residents. Visa renewal is usually tied to employment, and permanent residency can be hard to come by—especially in places like Japan, Korea, or China. Most teachers come for 1–3 years, gain experience, and then move on.

If you fall in love with the region, there are some possibilities—Japan and South Korea have clear but demanding pathways to long-term visas, and Taiwan has options for permanent residency after five years of legal stay. Southeast Asia tends to be more relaxed but also more uncertain, with frequent visa rule changes and little clarity for long-term planning.

For those who want to stay indefinitely, it often requires strategic planning, local connections, or transitioning into another profession or marriage visa.

Latin America

Latin America generally makes it easier for foreigners to plant roots. Many countries offer relatively accessible paths to temporary or permanent residency—especially if you’ve been working, studying, or investing in the local economy. After just a couple of years, you may qualify for PR or even citizenship, depending on the country.

Places like Mexico, Colombia, and Argentina offer digital nomad visas, rentista visas, or flexible residency options with relatively low barriers. Plus, once you’re legal in one country, you’ll find regional travel and integration easier across borders due to shared languages and cultural similarities.

If your long-term dream involves buying property, settling down, or staying beyond your teaching years, Latin America may offer more open doors for the life you want to build.

Who Each Region Is Best For

Asia

Asia is a strong fit for teachers who are goal-oriented, organized, and looking to either save money or build their résumé. With its structured teaching contracts, clear visa processes, and consistent demand, it's especially well-suited to first-time teachers or career changers who want support systems in place.

If you’re fascinated by futuristic cities, deep-rooted traditions, and linguistic challenges, Asia will give you plenty to sink your teeth into. It’s also great for anyone who enjoys fast-paced environments, values security, and wants the comfort of housing and benefits included.

Latin America

Latin America is perfect for adventurers at heart—those who prioritize lifestyle, cultural connection, and community over rigid schedules or high pay. If you're a natural Spanish speaker or want to learn, you'll find doors opening more easily here, and communication becoming a richer part of daily life.

It’s especially appealing for backpackers, creatives, and anyone who thrives in warmth—both in climate and human interaction. Teachers who value spontaneity, flexibility, and social depth often find Latin America to be the most rewarding region for a teaching journey.

Final Thoughts

There’s no single “right” choice when it comes to teaching abroad—just the one that fits you best. Asia offers structure, savings, and professional growth in some of the world’s most dynamic cities. Latin America offers passion, personal connection, and the chance to be fully immersed in colorful local communities.

The good news? You don’t have to choose forever. Many teachers start in one region and find themselves drawn to the other later. Both offer lessons that go far beyond the classroom.