ESL teaching job interviews in Asia: how to prepare, answer and spot a bad contract

In the ads we checked, the usual path is a CV and photo, one or two online interviews, often a demo lesson, then an offer and the visa paperwork. Expect some mix of these:

• A recruiter screen. If you applied through an agency, the first call is usually with them: a quick check of your passport country, degree, start date, location preferences and whether you can collect the visa documents. Ask early which school the job is at. A recruiter who won't name the employer before you sign is a warning sign.
• A video interview with the school. Usually with a director, head teacher or HR person on Zoom, Teams, WeChat or a similar app. They want to see that you're friendly, clear, reliable and actually planning to come.
• A demo lesson. Either a short live lesson to the interviewer (who plays the student), a lesson to real students, or a recorded video you send in. Ask how long you'll have.
• Programme interviews. Government programmes run their own rounds. EPIK in Korea reviews applications in the order received, tells applicants whether they've been selected for an interview, and only asks for the full document package after a successful interview (EPIK: how to apply). JET Program USA interviews for the 2027 programme are in late January 2027, with dates set by each interview location (JET Program USA: application timeline).

Get the paperwork moving early. In Korea, gathering apostilled documents can take weeks, especially the criminal record check, so start before the interview. See our country guides for China, Japan, South Korea and Vietnam for what each visa needs.

"Tell us about yourself."

Keep it to about a minute: your degree, any teaching or tutoring (including volunteering, coaching or camp work), your TEFL if you have one, and why this country. End with something that links to the job, such as liking young learners.

"Why this country, and why our school?"

Schools worry about teachers who quit after a few weeks. Give a reason that sounds like you'll stay: something you want to learn, a city you've chosen, an interest in the school's age group. Look at the school's website before the call and mention one real detail.

"How would you teach a class of young beginners who don't speak English?"

Talk about short activities, gestures and pictures, songs or games, lots of repetition, and checking understanding by having students do something rather than asking "Do you understand?".

"How do you handle a student who misbehaves?"

Mention clear routines, praise for good behaviour, calm consequences, and asking the homeroom or co-teacher for help. Avoid anything that sounds like shouting or punishment.

"How do you feel about working with a co-teacher or following a set curriculum?"

This is common in public schools and big language-centre chains. Show you're happy to plan together and follow the book.

"How long do you plan to stay?" and "When can you start?"

Be honest. If you can only commit to one contract, say you plan to finish it. Know your realistic start date, including how long your documents will take.

"Do you have any questions for us?"

Always say yes. The next section has a list.

A demo lesson isn't about showing everything you know. The interviewer wants to see energy, clear instructions, simple language and lots of student talk. If you aren't given a length, a plan like this fits into 5 to 15 minutes:

1. Ask first. Check the students' age and level, how long you have, and whether the interviewer will play the student. If they don't say, pick a level and say which one you chose.
2. Warm up (1 minute). A greeting routine or a quick question.
3. Teach one small target (3 to 5 minutes). For example, five food words, or "Can you...? Yes, I can." Use pictures or real objects, model it, then drill it.
4. Practise (3 to 5 minutes). A short game or question-and-answer so the "student" uses the language.
5. Check and wrap up (1 minute). Have the student show they've learned it, then praise them.

Online tips: test your camera, microphone and internet beforehand, sit facing a light, keep props within reach, and use short sentences. Speak a little slower than normal and smile. If something breaks, stay calm and keep going.

The interview is your chance to check the job. Get the answers in writing before you accept:

• Who is the employer? The exact school or company name and address, and who will sponsor your visa.
• Pay. Monthly salary before and after deductions, payday, and whether pay is the same in holiday months and during probation.
• Hours. Teaching hours and total hours a week, split shifts, weekend work, overtime rate, and a guaranteed minimum if pay is hourly.
• Holidays and sick leave. How many days, and whether you choose them.
• Housing. Free apartment or allowance, who pays the deposit, and what you pay for utilities.
• Visa and arrival costs. Who pays for the visa, health check and flights, and whether any of it is only reimbursed after probation or at the end of the contract.
• Insurance. Health insurance and, where it applies, pension or social insurance.
• Teaching load. Class sizes, ages, materials provided, and how much planning time you get.
• Can I talk to a current foreign teacher? A good school usually says yes.

All four countries expect working conditions to be set out clearly. In Japan, the employer must clearly indicate wages, working hours and other working conditions when the contract is made, and if the real conditions differ you may cancel the contract (Labor Standards Act, Article 15). In Korea, the employer must state wages, contractual working hours, weekly holidays and annual paid leave, and give you a written statement of them (Labor Standards Act, Article 17, in Korean). In China, the employer and the foreign employee must sign a labour contract, which can't be longer than five years (Provisions on the Administration of Employment of Foreigners in China, Article 17, in Chinese). Watch out for:

• Fees to get hired. A real employer doesn't charge you for the job (FTC: Job scams).
• The wrong visa. "Come on a tourist visa and we'll fix it later" means working illegally.
• A contract with a different employer from the school you interviewed with, or no employer named at all.
• Pay that isn't fixed in writing: vague "up to" salaries, deductions that aren't listed, or a lower probation or holiday-month rate you weren't told about.
• Big penalties for leaving early, or the school keeping your passport.
• Pressure to sign today, or a contract only in a language you can't read with no translation.

If a clause worries you, ask about it in writing and keep the replies. You can also ask a current teacher at the school.

Your interview will often be early in the morning or late at night for you. None of the four countries changes its clocks for daylight saving time, so if your home country does, the time gap shifts during the year.

• Confirm the time in writing in both time zones, for example "10:00 Seoul time, 20:00 the day before in New York".
• Watch the date: a morning interview in Asia can be the previous evening in the Americas.
• Add the call to your calendar with the time zone set, and join a few minutes early.

Time zones from China, Japan, South Korea and Vietnam pages on timeanddate.com.

China

Many China jobs are advertised by recruiters, so the first call may be with an agency. Ask which city and which school you'd work at, and confirm that the school itself will apply for your work permit. Foreigners in China work on a Z visa followed by an employment permit and residence permit, and must work for the employer named on the permit; individuals aren't allowed to hire foreigners (Provisions on the Employment of Foreigners, Articles 8, 23 and 33). More in our China guide.

Japan

Expect a polite, fairly formal interview. The usual process is an online application, one or two interviews and often a demo lesson, and some chains also run in-person recruiting sessions abroad. JET runs its own interviews in late January for the 2027 programme (JET Program USA). Ask for the monthly take-home pay in each month of the year, including August, and the visa sponsor. More in our Japan guide.

South Korea

Hagwon hiring usually means a video interview with the school or a recruiter; EPIK runs a separate interview after reviewing your application (EPIK). Ask about teaching hours, housing, severance and who pays for the flight. Many of the best-paid jobs in our Korea pack only accept people already in Korea. More in our South Korea guide.

Vietnam

Language-centre chains hire all year. The usual process is an online interview, sometimes a demo lesson, then an offer. Some employers prefer people already in Vietnam, especially for part-time work. Ask how many hours are guaranteed and how the school will get you a work permit and the right visa, because working on a tourist visa isn't legal. More in our Vietnam guide.