Comments on: The Fastest, Easiest and Cheapest Way to Reset Your Life in a New Country

By: Ana

Ana — Mon, 15 Feb 2010 12:53:05 +0000

Hi John,

I’ve read your comments for some time now. I’m currently on my third gig teaching English in Japan and looking eagerly for my fourth, as this contract ends at the end of March. So I’m kind of in a hurry and it’s not as easy as it once was to find jobs. Also, I’m a lot older than the average EFL teacher (in Asia anyway) and don’t have a certificate beyond a B.A. Still, I’m finding some good ads so let’s hope I get a nibble soon.

I’ll probably do this for only about a year more, at least here in Asia. At this age I’ve got to think of my immediate future. Hopefully I will have found other, freelance ways to earn income so I can move on to Europe where I really want to spend my life.

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Thu, 14 Jan 2010 15:06:24 +0000

[...] easiest, fastest and safest way to leave your home country and begin a life in a foreign country is to teach English. If you have a university degree, a [...]

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By: Beth

Beth — Sat, 09 Jan 2010 02:01:36 +0000

Hi – thanks for a great post! I knew the second I stumbled upon teaching in Korea this past summer that it was going to be the most painless way for me to start working and living away from the US. It was absurdly easy to find a good recruiter and sign with a school. I’ve allowed the process to take a few months longer to take a while away from work obligations, but the availability of a guaranteed way to make money was my tipping point. Hopefully after my year I’ll 1 – know if I ever want to be a for real teacher – and 2 – I’ll have an online income that will support me staying abroad for a long, long time!

P.S. – just wanted to put a plug in for teaching in S.K. – not that I’m there yet – but you do NOT need to go through an English teaching training program, just a Bachelors degree, and many schools will pay your airfare over there! Also – take a great picture, sounds shallow but that’s how you get hired.

By: John

John — Mon, 28 Dec 2009 15:27:47 +0000

Hi Phil,

Thanks for the comment. Yes, a university degree is required to get a work visa and work legally in Japan and most other countries. Certifications like TEFL are not particularly necessary but they can help.

By: Phil

Phil — Mon, 28 Dec 2009 14:45:44 +0000

But don’t you still need appropriate qualifications to meet the visa requirements? A TEFL diploma alone is not enough – as far as I know – to get into Japan (for instance). You need a University Degree as well.
Isn’t this so?

By: John

John — Mon, 28 Dec 2009 08:52:21 +0000

Hi Matt,

We won’t be moving to Bangkok, but we will probably go through there a couple of times in the near future. I really want to meet up with everyone there.

Thanks for the comment.

By: Nomadic Matt

Nomadic Matt — Sun, 27 Dec 2009 22:16:06 +0000

Teaching English is one of the easiest ways to get overseas. I totally agree! It’s especially easy if you want to go to Asia…you just basically have to be white and string a few sentences together!

Lovely post!

ps- I hear you are moving to bangkok?
.-= Nomadic Matt´s last blog ..Waitomo’s Glow Worm Caves =-.

By: John

John — Thu, 24 Dec 2009 13:12:51 +0000

The biggest reason teachers save so much is that they don’t get caught up with all the consumption like they would back home. Everyone thinks they will only be here for a short time so they don’t buy things.

Alcohol is a different issue. Many teachers have no problem blowing their paychecks in bars.

By: John

John — Thu, 24 Dec 2009 13:11:20 +0000

Hi Gordie,

I have also had enough for teaching, for now. I am still excited about some teaching related websites that I am creating but I need a break from the day to day teaching. I have been doing it for 13 years now.

I hope that doesn’t discourage anyone out there. Teaching English in a foreign country is a fantastic start to a life abroad and a decent way to save some money.