Life Abroad Archives - Oxford Seminars Blog
Top10IntlSports

Top 10 Amazing International Sports

I admit, I’m not usually what you’d call a sports fan, or at least not in the way that anyone in North America might think of it. I don’t follow any specific teams, nor do I follow any major professional sports. I’ve never attended a single professional game of baseball, basketball, or hockey (I know, I’m a terrible Canadian). ...

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What You Can Buy for a Dollar in Japan

  Teachers the world over know that the dollar store is a great place to get teaching supplies. Classrooms always need pencils, paper, and props for lessons. While Japan doesn’t use the dollar, those embarking on a teaching adventure there can still get everything they need for their classroom at the hyakuen, or 100-yen store. Chains like Daiso and ...

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COVID and the Forecast for Teaching Abroad in 2022

It's pretty fair to say that COVID has been like a very big, very wet blanket, thrown over so many of our plans since it emerged in 2019. Many of us have had to adjust our career goals, our travel plans, and our lifestyles to accommodate this almost surreal situation. Now however, after more than two years of frenzied ...

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Two Places Retro Gamers MUST See in Japan!

There are many paths to developing a lifelong interest in Japanese culture. When I moved to Japan in 2014 to teach English, I got to know how many of my fellow ESL teachers came to be there. Some practiced Japanese martial arts like judo or karate, while others were there for the food, the trains, or anime. For me, ...

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2021: The Year that Inspired my Life-Changing Leap to Thailand

I am a Canadian actor and now ESL teacher and coach, and this is my story. In 2021, the year when the world locked down and self-isolated, the year that I decided to change my life direction, something happened that I had been longing for and thinking about for many years, but never actualized. I have now just finished ...

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Teaching Online – An Experienced Teacher Embraces a New Challenge

My ESL teaching journey began when I ‘retired’ from my career as an early childhood educator and decided it was time to do some traveling. I’ve always been a language nerd and thought it would be fun to do some English teaching abroad. So, I signed up for the Oxford Seminars certificate course, with a plan to complete the ...

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Covid Travel Update: Thailand Lifts Quarantine for Fully Vaccinated Visitors

For those seeking to escape the impending winter doldrums and make a break for the famed beaches and market stalls of tropical Thailand – we’ve got some good news for you! It’s recently been announced that as of November 1st, 2021, Thailand has lifted the mandatory 14-day quarantine period for fully vaccinated travelers from 10 specific countries, which include ...

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Thailand Weekend Market

Shop Till You Drop at a Thai Weekend Market

   When I got the chance to teach English in Japan through the JET Programme, I knew I wanted to take the opportunity to travel and explore the country as much as possible. One of the biggest draws of teaching abroad for me was the idea of seeing as much of Japan – its castles, shrines, and mountainous landscapes – ...

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Teaching English in 2022: Top ESL Job Opportunities

As the new year approaches, and society as a whole is hoping to put COVID-19 in the rear-view mirror, many teachers are wondering about upcoming job opportunities for 2022. Well, for those thinking of getting back on the road to teach English overseas, and experience amazing travel adventures in 2022, we’ve got some good news. There are lots of ...

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Culture Shock! How to Plan for it and Make the Most of Your New Adventure

If you’ve been considering a career abroad, you’ve probably run into the term “Culture Shock” more than a few times. This expression gets bandied about in expat teaching circles quite a bit, but if you’re planning to move overseas for the first time, it’s important to make sure you have an in-depth understanding of this issue. That’s what I’d like ...

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