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For many years Japan has been one of the top draws for EFL teachers. With its strong international business infrastructure, sailing economy, and official programs like JET (Japan Exchange and Teaching), it seemed as if anyone who showed up on their shores could land a job making serious money. That's changed, however. Japan's economy is still recoiling from the Asian economic crisis and the ensuing recession. Steve Jackson feels that can be interpreted as a good thing. "The recession's hit more the corporate environment than the general population. More people have found that they need English now to compete in the tight job market." Despite the yen's recent weakness against the dollar and the high cost of living, EFL teachers in Japan still feel as if they are making a good income while doing what they love.

The more that China's Open Door policy flourishes, the more opportunities there will be for foreigners to teach English there. Already, there are more English speakers in China than there are in the United States (keep in mind that there are five times as many people in China, and that "speaker" is a loosely defined term, especially applied to the students I had.) Nevertheless, from my year spent teaching at Chongqing University, I can attest first-hand that it sure seems that everyone and their mother wants to learn English.

Unfortunately, Western Europe has traditionally been closed for American EFL teachers. Due to restrictive hiring practices among European Union countries, speakers from the United Kingdom and Ireland are given preference in hiring over Americans.

The situation is very different in Eastern Europe though. "There's still a very heavy demand for native speaking English teachers in Central and Eastern Europe," says Alex Dunlop from the Central European Teaching Program. "It's still possible to get a job with just a bachelor's degree... public schools have many openings because the industry sector has stolen all the best English speakers."