Teaching English as a second language
By Greg Rodgers
If you know English, you can definitely travel forever! This is one of the favorite options for long term backpackers looking to make funds and live outside of their home countries.
English doesn’t even have to be your first language! The number one myth about English Teaching is that you must speak the local language. This is not true! You do not have to learn the local language where you want to teach.
Of course, learning some of the language will enhance your journey – but it is not expected. You will learn their language very easily once you get there anyway.
Most schools want to submerge their children in English, and many even just want your Western presence in their institutions. Some schools in developing countries offer room and board, and some countries such as Japan and Korea pay a good monthly salary, allowing you to work abroad AND save travel savings for the future.
Even if you have no real teaching experience, you can still probably find a place to teach. Getting your TESOL/TEFL certification helps establish your credibility and gives you an advantage over other travelers. Just have a look at some of the available TEFL opportunities in Asia on www.eslcafe.com!
You can even earn your TEFL certificate online, which expands your options later once you are traveling abroad.
You can decide to give your time just to reside somewhere nice and beautiful with an interesting culture, or you can take a paying job. Either way, by living and working in a place, you will get an insight into the everyday life and culture that most travelers never get to discover.
TEFL is definitely the surest way to get money while backpacking. Even you do not want to make English Teaching a career, the leadership experience looks great on future resumes. Not only that, but the personal memories that you gain by teaching and interacting with locals will last indefinitely.
Read this personal account of teaching English abroad.
