Teaching English in the Philippines: A Step-By-Step Guide
- Connor O'Donoghue
- May 3
- 3 min read
Why the Philippines?
When people decide to teach English in East Asia, there are a lot of options to choose from and many will think of China, Japan or South Korea, but the Philippines is an alternative option that shouldn't be dismissed. It's a country of infinite variety, having over 7400 islands and is an attractive destination for fans of unspoilt beaches, scuba diving, mountain hikes or vibrant cities. The Philippines is the twelfth most populous country in the world and it has something to offer everyone!
Best Places to Find a Job Teaching English in the Philippines
The Philippines is unlike other destinations in Asia for teaching English. English is a national language in the Philippines and most Filipinos speak fluent English. This doesn't mean that there is no work for international English teachers! But it does make the scene for English teachers quite different from other parts of South-East Asia. You can find jobs in private language schools teaching Chinese, Korean or other foreign students and you may also get work teaching Filipinos advanced English. Many call centres (which are huge employers) will also hire 'accent trainers' for their staff.
Most jobs will be in the bigger, more cosmopolitan cities. The most obvious places to start are the two huge modern metropolises of Manila and Quezon, where employment chances are the highest, but there are other, smaller cities with international populations like Cebu and Baguio, where teaching work can also be found.
How much do English Teachers make in the Philippines?
It is likely that a CELTA-qualified foreign national from somewhere like the UK or the USA, working for a private language education provider, preparing students for IELTS exams or working on accent training with call centre workers, would make in the region of 55,000 to 65,000 pesos a month. This is roughly twice what a Filipino teacher would earn and is equivalent to seven or eight hundred British pounds. It's more than enough to live in the Philippines.
Make Extra Money as an English Teacher in the Philippines
One option that many English teachers in the Philippines go for is teaching English online, either to supplement their local earnings, or as their primary income. Of course, they'll need to have a visa to live in the Philippines while teaching online. Online work is relatively easy to find and it is the fastest growing area of English teaching. Chinese and Korean companies and schools will advertise for online teachers on websites like www.eslcafe.com and you can also register as an online tutor on sites like www.preply.com. If you wish to make a lot of money, and you're good at marketing yourself, then the best option is to go for tutoring one-to-one lessons.
Living Costs in the Philippines
The Philippines is not an expensive place to live. On average, the cost of living is 52% lower than in the United Kingdom. A typical meal in an inexpensive restaurant will cost approximately £3 and a one-bedroom apartment will cost between £130 and £230 per month.
Can You Teach English in the Philippines Without a Degree?
The Philippines is a competitive market for English teachers because the general population's English level is so high! This means that a recognised qualification like CELTA will set you apart from the competition. There isn't a specific type of working visa for English teachers like there is in Japan or South Korea, so you don't necessarily need a university degree to work there.
How to Find a Job Teaching English in the Philippines
The first place to start is to look at general job ad noticeboards online like www.tefl.com or www.eslbase.com. These will have jobs listings for all over the world. Because Filipino schools often hire teachers locally (again because of the high numbers of English teachers available), it is one of the countries where you won't necessarily see many ads online and you'll need to be there in person to apply for work. The best method can be to call into schools and training companies in person.
Dr Connor O'Donoghue hails from Ireland and he started teaching English as a foreign language in Poland in 2003 and he became a CELTA trainer in 2008. He has taught and trained in Ireland, the UK, France, Italy, Slovenia, Macedonia, Poland, Russia, Kazakhstan and Vietnam. Connor also holds a Masters and a PhD in Education from Trinity College in Dublin. He has previously managed large teacher training centres in Vietnam and in London before founding DC Teacher Training.
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