Vietnam vs. China, which country to teach ESL? Vietnam is becoming a more common choice for teaching English abroad. That’s because the country is experiencing a growth spurt and investing in its youth. Like China, it wants to hold a global position.
But which country is better for teaching English…China or Vietnam?
Vietnam vs. China: Teaching in Vietnam
In Vietnam, there are many adventures to have both in and out of the country. You’ll be close to Laos and Cambodia too which are always worth a visit. Then again, from China, you can access flights to an Asian city with ease. The cost of living in Vietnam is low but then again, so is the earning potential. On average, you can expect to earn $800 to $1,700 per month.
Most of the teaching jobs are available in the bigger cities, so you’ll have to go there to score the positions you want. You can always visit the smaller cities in your spare time. You get about 4 weeks off per year to enjoy the country. You’ll have to be a native English speaker with a bachelor’s degree, and you should have TEFL/TESL qualifications for some of the opportunities you’ll see.
Vietnam vs. China: Teaching in China
One of the biggest differences with teaching in China over Vietnam is the difference in pay. You’ll earn more money and enjoy a lower cost of living with it. While Vietnam has a low cost of living, you won’t exactly be making gobs of money there.
On top of that, while Vietnam is gaining more traction for English teaching opportunities, China has a well-established system for this and often employs teaching assistants to help you. Students in this day and age have been drilled by their parents to achieve the best heights for better jobs and opportunities when they are older. There is a huge drive to compete here.
Chinese holidays certainly give you more free time to explore, the only downside being that everyone else has those days off too. That means monuments and landmarks are crowded. But much of Asia is likely more crowded than you are used to back home, even if you hail from a large city yourself.
Our Recommendation Goes to: China!
Ultimately, both China and Vietnam have great opportunities for teaching though China gives teachers even more. The reason is because with Mandarin becoming so popular, it hands you a free opportunity to learn the language as you teach English to those in China. Mandarin is rising up as quickly as Spanish for most popular languages to study and you can get the chance to bring that with you to any career you choose down the road.
Choose teaching in China and you won’t be disappointed for all the experiences you’ll enjoy, the salary, the learning opportunities, and the chance to explore some of the world’s most renowned sites!
