TEFL Jobs in Macau
Make a positive impact and see the world with our exciting TEFL jobs.
Teach English in Macau and savour a rich blend of Chinese and Portuguese cultures, architectural legacies, and traditional cuisine in this unique former Portuguese territory. See historic architectural treasures, take a leisurely stroll through ornately tiled plazas and cobbled streets, and enjoy authentic Macanese food. Teaching in Macau offers the chance to explore a vibrant, cultural melting pot in the heart of Asia. With a warm, year-round climate and English being widely spoken, Macau makes for the perfect TEFL destination! Take a look at our exciting teaching jobs in Macau today.
Small city, small classes, big character
Macau packs Portuguese squares, Cantonese street food and one of Asia's most famous skylines into a city you can cross by bus in under an hour. Teaching here means young learners in small classes, a work permit arranged by your employer, and a salary paid in patacas. The one thing to plan for is rent, which is high for a city this size. That's why the optional staff accommodation on offer matters more here than almost anywhere else in Asia. Get that sorted and Macau is one of the most rewarding first postings in the region.
- Macau Peninsula
- Historic Centre
- Taipa
- Cotai
- Coloane
What you need to teach English in Macau
Macau runs its own immigration system, separate from mainland China and Hong Kong. There's no Z visa here: your employer applies to hire you as a non-resident worker, and you arrive with the paperwork already done. What you bring is the qualifications that make that application possible.
-
A TEFL certificate
Our partner school asks for one as standard. Lessons are play-based and phonics-led, so a course that covers young learner methodology is what carries you through the web interview and your first term.
-
A bachelor's degree, in any subject
Required for the role. Your employer has to show the Labour Affairs Bureau why it's hiring a non-resident teacher, and your degree and TEFL are the core of that case. Have your original certificate and transcript ready.
-
An employer-sponsored blue card
Once the Labour Affairs Bureau (DSAL) approves your employer's application, you're issued a Non-Resident Worker's Identification Card, known as the blue card. It's tied to that employer and role, so you can't switch jobs or take on other paid work without a new authorisation.
-
A genuine love of teaching children
Classes are for ages 2.5 to 12, in groups of 4 to 12, covering early phonics, spelling and grammar. That's a very different day from teaching adults, and the teachers who thrive here are the ones who enjoy energy, songs and small wins.
Permit processing times vary, and your employer may ask for authenticated copies of your degree and certificate. Talk to our team before you commit, and see our guide on how to legalise your TEFL certificate if you're asked for it.
Which TEFL course should you take for Macau?
A 120-hour certificate meets the requirement. But every class in this role is young learners in small, play-based groups, and the interview is where you show you can handle that. So our pick is the course that puts real teaching practice on your CV before you apply.
120hr Professional TEFL
£99
The internationally recognised standard, at our lowest price. The right choice if you already have experience with children and just need the certificate.
- The hours employers look for
- Finish in 2–4 weeks
- Lifetime access to materials
170hr Combined TEFL
£279
Includes 20 hours of assessed practice with real ESL learners. For a young learner role with a web interview and no experience requirement, it's the strongest way to stand out as a first-time teacher.
- Real teaching practice on your CV
- Ready for interview questions on class management
- Free lesson plan bundle included
168hr Level 5 TEFL
£269
Ofqual-regulated and awarded by TQUK. If Macau is the first step in a longer career, this is the qualification that carries furthest into bilingual and international schools across the region.
- Regulated, not just accredited
- Tutor-assessed assignments
- Recognised well beyond Macau
Some of your learners will be as young as two and a half. The Early Childhood Education course (£15) is a small add-on that shows you know what those classes need. Or compare every package side by side.
What to expect teaching English in Macau
Pay and package
Your salary is paid in Macau patacas, which are pegged to the Hong Kong dollar. The package is built to take the hard parts of moving to a new city off your hands.
- MOP 18,000–22,000 a month (roughly £1,700–£2,100)
- Contract completion bonus
- Flights reimbursed on completion
- Optional, affordable furnished staff accommodation
- Legal work permit arranged by your employer
- One-year contract, renewable
Your classroom
Our partner is a private English school teaching children through a structured, play-based curriculum, so you're never starting from a blank page.
- Children aged 2.5 to 12
- Small classes of 4 to 12
- Early phonics, spelling and grammar
- Curriculum and lesson plans provided
- Positive reinforcement and play-based learning
Getting hired and settling in
Everything happens before you fly, and you arrive into training rather than a job hunt. Plenty of teachers stay on beyond their first year.
- Apply online, then a web interview
- Contract signed before the permit is filed
- Comprehensive 8-day training on arrival
- An experienced mentor teacher from day one
- A path to senior teacher and management roles
- A ready-made social circle of English teachers
| Area | Character | What it's like | For teachers |
|---|---|---|---|
| Macau Peninsula | Historic, busy, dense | Senado Square, the Ruins of St. Paul's, backstreet bakeries and Macanese restaurants | The city's everyday centre, with the best bus links and most local life |
| Taipa | Residential island | Apartment blocks, quieter streets and the old lanes of Taipa Village | Popular with expats who want a calmer base close to everything |
| Cotai | Resorts and entertainment | Reclaimed land between Taipa and Coloane, home to the big integrated resorts, malls and shows | Where you'll go out, more than where you'll live |
| Coloane | Green and coastal | Hiking trails, a village atmosphere and Hac Sa beach | The weekend escape when you want space and sea air |
Teaching in Macau: your questions answered
How much do English teachers earn in Macau?
Our current Macau role pays MOP 18,000 to 22,000 a month (roughly £1,700 to £2,100), depending on qualifications and experience, with a contract completion bonus and flights reimbursed when you finish. The pataca is pegged to the Hong Kong dollar, so the value is stable. For how Macau compares with other destinations, see our guide to how much you can earn as a TEFL teacher.
Is accommodation provided for teachers in Macau?
Our partner school offers optional, affordable staff accommodation in a good location. It isn't compulsory, but it's worth taking seriously: private rents in central Macau are high relative to local salaries, and staff housing removes both the cost and the difficulty of finding a flat from overseas.
Do I need a degree to teach English in Macau?
Yes. A bachelor's degree is a requirement for our Macau role, and together with your TEFL certificate it forms the core of your employer's application to hire you as a non-resident worker. The subject of your degree doesn't matter.
Is a Macau work permit the same as a China or Hong Kong visa?
No. Macau runs its own immigration and labour system, separate from both mainland China and Hong Kong. Your employer gets approval from the Labour Affairs Bureau (DSAL), and you're then issued a Non-Resident Worker's Identification Card, known locally as the blue card. It's tied to your employer and role, and the employer handles the application. If you're weighing up the region, have a look at our teaching jobs in Hong Kong and teaching jobs in China too.
Do I need to speak Cantonese or Portuguese?
No. Classes are taught in English, and you're hired to teach in English. Chinese and Portuguese are Macau's official languages and Cantonese is what you'll hear on the street, but English is widely used in shops, restaurants and tourist areas. Picking up some Cantonese makes daily life easier and goes down well with students' families.
Can I teach English in Macau with no experience?
Yes. Our Macau role doesn't set a minimum amount of teaching experience. You'll start with a comprehensive 8-day training programme on arrival, follow a curriculum that's provided for you, and have an experienced mentor teacher supporting you. A course with assessed teaching practice, like our 170hr Combined TEFL, gives you real classroom hours to talk about at interview.
What age groups will I teach in Macau?
Children aged 2.5 to 12, in small classes of 4 to 12. Lessons cover early phonics, spelling and grammar through a play-based curriculum that uses positive reinforcement. If you enjoy working with young children, it's a rewarding way to see individual progress week by week. See the full Macau teaching job.
How easy is it to travel from Macau?
Very easy. Hong Kong is about an hour away by high-speed ferry or by road over the Hong Kong–Zhuhai–Macau Bridge, Zhuhai in mainland China is just across the border, and Macau International Airport has regular flights around Asia. Check the entry requirements for your passport before crossing into the mainland, as they're separate from Macau's.
Not certified yet? Start there.
Our Macau role needs a TEFL certificate before you can apply. Get qualified in a few weeks, then our placement team will support you through the interview, your contract and the work permit.
Teaching in Macau?
Learn Cantonese and get 50% OFF your first lesson with Preply. Bou jyu ngo dei zou laa!
