What sets teaching English apart from other professions is the sheer variety of choices you have. 

Not only do you have the chance to choose which age group you feel most comfortable teaching, be that young children or adults, but you also get to choose where in the world you’d like to work. 

Globalization means that English teachers are more in demand than ever across the globe, therefore where you choose to head to depends entirely on which continent you’re the most interested in exploring first.

Be smart

Though seemingly an obvious travel tip, it’s fundamental to know where you want to go first, especially for those wanting to teach English in person. The majority of language schools, public or private, will expect teachers to commit to at least a year at the school or around 9 months in some private language schools.

With this in mind, you can choose strategically. Do your research beforehand and apply to schools in a country or region you’ve always wanted to visit. Whilst you’ll still be working 5 days a week as the average person, on weekends you’ll have the opportunity to discover new cities or destinations you’d only previously dreamed of travelling to. 

If you’re planning on teaching English online, be sure to look into the different nomadic visas available to you. Though you won’t face the same constraint of being tied to one place for an extended period, you’ll still need to be aware of the various requirements you’ll need to meet in each country whilst travelling as a nomadic online teacher. 

You should also be realistic about your income as an online English teacher. Unless you’re working with a company that has hired you to teach online, starting out as a freelancer will mean that you’re unlikely to immediately start making the kind of money you’d need to travel freely. Take some time to build your clientele, and your reputation as an online English teacher first. Once you’ve established yourself in the industry, you can book flights to wherever you have your heart set on, whenever you want. 

Be prepared

It’s important to note that in Europe the majority of schools close from July until September for the summer holidays. Depending on whether you’re working with a public school or private language school, and your type of contract, this could potentially mean that you are without an income in the summer. 

Most public schools will offer year-long contracts as a perk of the job, which span from September to September, even though you won’t be working during the summer. This means that you’ll get two whole months of paid time to adventure to entice you to come back the following academic year, rested and eager for the next summer break. 

On the other hand, private schools generally only offer contracts that span the academic year, from September to June or July. However, this is something you will be made aware of before taking the job and therefore also something you can prepare for. By embracing the busier periods of work, when there are generally more hours, you can then put money aside for the summer lull. That way, although your contract will have finished, you’ll have money to spend those two months travelling before September rolls around again. 

If you find yourself in need of a little financial boost, you can also opt to work in a summer camp for a couple of weeks. You could find work in one locally before you set off on your travels further field, or alternatively use it as another opportunity to travel. Most summer camps across Europe will start looking for staff in springtime, so keep an eye out for job listings. From one summer experience, you may discover that it’s a great fit for you, and a place you could see yourself teaching for the next academic year. 

Follow the perks

Schools in Asia are generally known for being well-paid, and having the best benefits available to English teachers. Alongside higher pay, the majority of schools will also sponsor your visa, reimburse flights, and even pay for your accommodation or offer some kind of housing stipend. With so many costs covered, you’ll have plenty of money to put aside for your next trip, when you’re not teaching. 

Japan, in particular, is known to offer numerous teaching opportunities, from private schools to public schools, nurseries and even lucrative jobs at universities, depending on your experience. As a result, these are understandably competitive positions, and some form of higher education is usually a requirement to be in the running for one. Don’t be disheartened if you don’t fall into that category; teaching English without a degree is still possible, and will just require some additional research on your part.

Regardless of where you decide to teach in Japan, teachers can expect to earn around $2,675 a month, with that amount increasing substantially if you secure a job in an international school. You should also be prepared for a slightly different academic year, with the school terms running from January to March,  April to July, and then September to Christmas time. Peak hiring time for all roles is usually from March until April and August. You can also do some research about the teaching salary in Japan.

Another thing to bear in mind is the cultural differences you are certain to experience. To ensure you have the best possible time on your travels, take some time to read up on Japanese culture and customs to avoid making any cultural faux pas. Learning a couple of useful phrases in Japanese to get by initially is also never a bad idea to make your transition to living there as smooth as possible. 

Whichever part of the world piques your interest as an English teacher travelling around the globe, never underestimate the power of knowledge. Knowing as much as you can about the expectations that you’ll face, both professionally and culturally, before arriving at your chosen destination will ensure that your adventures abroad are as fulfilling and stress-free as possible. For more insights on the benefits of travel, check out www.2oceansvibe.com.