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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CELTA vs TEFL: Which Qualification Do You Actually Need?
CELTA, TEFL, TESOL, DELTA — the alphabet soup of ESL qualifications is genuinely confusing. Here's what they actually mean and which one you need.
Getting Started
08 Jan 2025 · 6 min
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