Lucy's writing

The LucyESL Blog

Honest advice on teaching abroad — country guides, salary data, how to spot a bad school, and everything else I wish someone had told me in 1989.

Featured articles
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Career Advice 7 min read
How Much Do ESL Teachers Really Earn in Asia? (2025 Salary Guide)

Every country advertises a headline salary figure. Here's what teachers actually take home — and which countries offer the best quality of life for their pay.

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Country Guides 8 min read
EPIK vs Hagwon: An Honest Comparison for 2025

Nine years in Korea taught me the real differences between government schools and hagwons. Here's what the recruiting websites don't tell you.

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Country Guides 9 min read
Teaching English in Thailand: What Nobody Tells You

I spent 12 years in Thailand. Here is everything I wish someone had told me before I boarded that first flight to Bangkok in 1989.

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All articles

All Career Advice Country Guides Getting Started
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EPIK vs Hagwon: An Honest Comparison for 2025
Nine years in Korea taught me the real differences between government schools and hagwons. Here's what the recruiting websites don't tell you.
Country Guides
13 Jan 2025 · 8 min
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The Best Cities for ESL Teachers in China (2025)
Nine years across four Chinese cities taught me that where you teach matters as much as who you teach for. Here's how the main options compare.
Country Guides
12 Jan 2025 · 8 min
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Teaching English in Thailand: What Nobody Tells You
I spent 12 years in Thailand. Here is everything I wish someone had told me before I boarded that first flight to Bangkok in 1989.
Country Guides
10 Jan 2025 · 9 min
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