ESL WAVE · Teacher Toolkit
Contract Checklist
Never sign on the spot. Ask for the contract in writing and check each point before you commit.
Money
- Base salary and when it is paid
- Overtime and extra-class rates
- Flight reimbursement and end-of-contract bonus
- Severance pay and pension contributions
- Tax rate and any other deductions
Housing
- Provided, allowance or neither
- Furnished, and single or shared
- Who pays the deposit, utilities and internet
- Distance from the school
Working terms
- Teaching hours vs total hours on site
- Class sizes and age groups
- Paid vacation days and public holidays
- Sick days and how they are paid
- Contract length, start date and renewal terms
Leaving & legal
- Notice period on both sides
- Penalties for leaving early
- Who sponsors your visa and pays the fees
- Health insurance from day one
Red flags
- Salary or hours that differ from the job post
- Your passport kept by the employer
- Pressure to sign before you have read it
- Clauses that are only in a language you cannot read
From the ESL WAVE Teacher Toolkit — free resources for English teachers across Asia. Adapt freely for your own use.