“From the moment I first arrived in Busan, South Korea I knew I was in for a unique experience. The sights, sounds, bustling streets and heat of an early summer all reminded me I was truly a long way from home. But it was a positive sense of culture shock I experienced as I began exploring the city that ...
“If there is an ideal time to visit Kyoto, it’s early April. With the cherry blossoms in full bloom, the city takes on an otherworldly persona. Despite the throngs of visitors, which provide continuous people-watching opportunities, there is a sense of calm, stillness, and peace as you pause to marvel at the exquisiteness of the cherry blossom, a shape ...
Teaching English abroad is a great way to save some money or pay off those crippling student loans. If you’re interested in teaching English in South Korea, most schools offer contracts that pay rent for you (unless otherwise specified, for whatever extenuating circumstances). Saving money before you leave is crucial for when you are just starting your ...
An Unexpected Opportunity to Teach English in Laos After our harrowing escape from the jungle tree house during the Gibbon Experience zipline adventure, we returned to Huay Xai for one more night before heading for Thailand. On the zipline trip, we shared our treehouses with two French travelers who had stayed in Huay Xai for a few nights earlier. ...
When you’re first beginning in this wonderful world of ESL teaching, it can be daunting to know what is best for you. Do you know what country you want to teach in? Do you have all the requirements they ask for? Urban or rural? What grades and levels should you teach? What should you bring with you to your new home? ...
Discover why Taiwan is known as Ilha Formosa meaning ‘beautiful island’. From the hustle and bustle of Taipei to the beaches and tropical mountainous regions, Taiwan is a small country worth exploring. The cultural and religious hybrid of the island makes this a unique destination. Taiwan's economy consists of both smaller businesses and international manufacturing companies, making it a stable economic environment ...
Thailand, the “Land of Smiles,” is a great destination for ESL teachers who want to teach abroad and experience a country that’s rich in history, famous for its culinary arts, and replete with vacation destinations. Most ESL teaching positions here are in Bangkok, a beautiful and busy metropolis famous for its floating markets, spectacular sights, and delicious food. On ...
It was mid-August in Southern California and our daughters were still very young. Lara just finished kindergarten and Lisa was ready for third grade. Both went to school a few blocks from our home and would be starting classes in a couple of weeks. Late one night, I got a phone call from the business manager of a school ...
Improvisation! Whether you are traveling in your new country or teaching a class, things don't always go according to plan, so it is important to be able to think on the fly and improvise. Improvisation is the most important skill for any ESL teacher to have. Sometimes, your quick thinking is rewarded with an even better outcome than you ...
Zip Lining in Laos while teaching ESL & traveling in Asia Traveling and teaching ESL in Asia gives you the opportunity to go on some pretty incredible adventures. One such adventure was The Gibbon Experience in Laos. The Gibbon Experience is one of the must see places in Asia. It was also one of the pre-planned highlights of our ...