Choosing Your TEFL Adventure: Korea vs. China

So, you’re ready to take the leap and teach English abroad. You’ve got your sights set on East Asia, but a big question remains: South Korea or China?

Both are giants in the EFL world, offering incredible opportunities for adventure and professional growth. But the path to getting there—and the experience itself—can be quite different.

The Gateway: Certification Requirements

One of the first differences you’ll encounter is the paperwork.

• South Korea often has more flexibility. Many public school programs and some private academies (hagwons) might hire you without a specific TEFL certificate, especially if you have a bachelor’s degree in any field.
• China, on the other hand, has standardized its requirements. To obtain a legal work visa (Z-visa), a TEFL certification is almost always mandatory. It’s a non-negotiable step in the process.

Is getting certified a hassle? Think of it as an investment. Even if not strictly required for your target country, a quality TEFL course provides essential classroom skills, boosts your confidence, and often makes you a more competitive candidate with the potential for a higher salary.

The Lifestyle & Adventure Factor

Your life outside the classroom is a huge part of the experience.

• In Korea, you’re in a compact, technologically advanced nation. Efficient public transport makes exploring easy. You can hike ancient mountains in the morning and be in a buzzing metropolis like Seoul or Busan by afternoon. The culture is fast-paced, orderly, and deeply rooted in tradition.
• In China, you are signing up for sheer scale and diversity. The country is a continent in itself. You could be in a futuristic megacity like Shanghai or Shenzhen, or in a historical heartland city rich with ancient culture. The pace, food, and dialect can change dramatically from region to region. It’s a constant, thrilling learning curve.

The Teaching Environment

What will your daily work life look like?

• Korean schools (particularly hagwons) are known for their rigorous schedules. Students often study long hours, and you may teach back-to-back classes with a strong focus on structured curriculums and test preparation. The environment can be high-pressure but also very organized.
• Chinese classrooms can vary wildly. In public schools, you might face larger class sizes, requiring more energy and crowd management skills. In private training centers, the focus might be on conversational English and engaging activities. There’s often more flexibility in how you teach, but also more variability in resources.

Financial Considerations

Both countries offer packages that make saving money possible.

• Korea typically provides a clear package: a competitive salary, free housing, a settlement allowance, and a pension contribution. The cost of living is notable, but the benefits package is designed to help you save.
• China offers a massive range. Salaries in major cities can be very high, often surpassing Korea, but the cost of living in those cities is also significant. Housing allowances are common, and the lower cost of living in smaller cities can lead to substantial savings. Always scrutinize the contract details carefully.

Making Your Choice

There’s no universal “better” option. It comes down to your personal priorities.

Choose Korea if you value a more predictable, organized system, love a blend of high-tech and outdoor adventure in a smaller geographic area, and want a standardized benefits package.

Choose China if you are drawn to immense cultural and geographic diversity, thrive on adaptability, are willing to navigate more bureaucratic steps for the visa, and are excited by the scale of opportunity—both in and out of the classroom.

Ultimately, getting your TEFL cert is your key to unlocking these doors. It’s not just a checkbox for China; it’s your toolkit for success anywhere. Whichever you choose, you’re in for a life-changing chapter.