Tripping Blonde A Travel And Lifestyle Blog

Although some people grow to love the lifestyle of an ESL teacher so much that they never return to work in their home country, the majority will head home at some stage. In many cases this can be an unsettling experience as you are no longer the same person that left home in the first place. So many things can feel strange, from the everyday language and time zone, to the climate and cuisine. One way to tackle this reverse culture shock is to find a job that allows you to use the new skills and knowledge that teaching English abroad has given you. The obvious answer might be to simply carry on working as an ESL teacher. Most cities will have language schools and community colleges that provide English lessons to a range of clients, whether it is foreign students, immigrants, or...  [Read more]

The list of potential teaching destinations for 2022/23 is long and exciting, with something to suit all preferences. The most important factor when choosing where to teach will vary from one person to the next as we all have different priorities. The most important factor for some is the salary on offer, while others are drawn by cultural attractions or even nightlife. We should also acknowledge the ever increasing popularity of teaching English online that has become even more prominent since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. All of the possible options have pros and cons, so take a minute to read through this brief guide to the most common TESOL destinations. The simple answer to this common question is Asia. The Asian continent is vast in size and diversity and it is also home...  [Read more]

Asia and Latin America both have a strong demand for English language teachers and you will always find a wide range of opportunities whether you are an experienced teacher or looking for your first classroom job. To help you decide which is the better option for you, you should take a look at the following points. Although you should be able to earn enough to live comfortably, most teachers in Latin America will find it hard to save much (if anything at all) of their monthly income. The average salary should take care of your rent and utilities, and leave enough to enjoy a good social life and even to cover some travel in the region. However, if you are looking to pay off debts or you want to save up for a travel fund, this might not be the region for you. Unlike much of Latin...  [Read more]

Linda is a passionate traveler and English teacher exploring the world one country at a time. After studying Mandarin Chinese, she moved to Guangzhou, China, to pursue an internship at a German online marketing company. She loved it so much that she decided to move back to China after finishing her Bachelor’s degree in Management in California. After working in online marketing for a while, she got into English teaching. Teaching English overseas has enabled her to experience life in different countries and fund her passion for travel. She taught English in China for a year and also during my her year in South Korea. She’s been living in South Korea since 2015 and returned to working in online marketing and teaching online in 2016 remotely. On her Website, she shares her tips and...  [Read more]

Teaching English abroad as a digital nomad is a popular choice for many individuals seeking a location-independent lifestyle while making a positive impact through education. As a TEFL (Teach English as a Foreign Language) expert, I can provide you with insights and guidance on how to pursue this rewarding career path. Firstly, it is important to obtain a TEFL certification from a reputable institution. This certification equips you with the necessary skills and knowledge to effectively teach English to non-native speakers. Many employers, especially in countries where English is not the primary language, require a TEFL certification as a minimum qualification. Once you have obtained your TEFL certification, you can start exploring job opportunities abroad. There are various options...  [Read more]

There is no doubt that online English language teaching is one area of TESOL that has grown enormously in recent years. New platforms for providing online teaching services continue to appear, offering a wide variety of services to students in countries worldwide. Some specialize in 1 to 1 lessons or speaking and pronunciation, while others focus on specific areas such as business English. Current opportunities within the world of online English teaching are vast and varied, and the future seems to offer unlimited potential. Thanks to this rapid growth, the demand for online English teachers is very high and will only increase in the coming years. One of the main benefits of teaching English online is you can be based anywhere in the world. It is not necessary to fly overseas or...  [Read more]

The typical salaries for teaching English abroad are determined by a number of factors, including your qualifications, previous experience, and the country you wish to teach in. Let's look at how much an average TESOL teacher can make in different regions around the world. The pay for teaching English in other countries varies, but you should usually be able to make a decent living. Teachers in high-paying countries may earn anywhere from $2,000 to $5,000 USD per month. Many factors can influence your TESOL salary, including the type of employer, your qualifications, previous teaching experience, and the location of your school. Teaching English abroad can be an attractive career path, but salaries vary greatly by region. For example, first-time English teachers in several Asian and...  [Read more]

If you plan to head overseas to teach English, one important factor to consider is the amount of cash you will need to cover your initial start-up costs. Depending on where you end up teaching, your are certain to have some unavoidable expenses that might include the cost of a TESOL certification course, travel to your chosen destination, and funds to support yourself until you get your first paycheck. The cost of your initial TESOL training will depend on which type of course you choose to take. At ITTT our popular online courses start at less than $200, while an intensive in-class TESOL course costs in the region of $1500 to $2000, without flights, accommodation, and other daily expenses. However, your choice of course should not be based entirely on its cost as there are several...  [Read more]

South Korea is a small but incredibly beautiful country, and during the 4 week TEFL you will have fantastic opportunities to experience the rich culture and history. Not only will you have the chance for local excursions, but based in Incheon, you will be less than an hour away from the lively city of Seoul on the express train. The first week of your program includes in-depth cultural orientations, ensuring you deeply understand the Korean way of life and culture. This includes a welcome dinner, tour of the local neighbourhood and the “Grand” Palace (Gyeongbok Palace), taekwondo class and learning South Korean cookery and language. Incheon is home to Korea’s only official Chinatown, where you can try jajangmyun (noodles with black bean sauce) at the Gongwachun restaurant and for...  [Read more]

There is a very strong demand for ESL teachers in many parts of Poland which makes it a popular place for first-time teachers to gain classroom experience. EU citizens are free to work anywhere in the country without restrictions which does give them a good advantage, however, as demand is high non-EU citizens will also find plenty of opportunities. Although it is possible to acquire a work permit from within Poland, most teachers find it more convenient to secure a job via an online recruitment site and then apply for an entry visa from a Polish Consulate in their own country. Jobs are widespread throughout the country, although major cities such as Warsaw, Krakow, Lodz, and Wroclaw traditionally have the largest number of openings. Despite the abundance of jobs across the country,...  [Read more]

Teaching English abroad can be a rewarding experience, but it's essential to consider your health before making such a commitment. While having health issues doesn't necessarily disqualify you from teaching abroad, there are several factors to take into account to ensure a smooth and successful experience. First and foremost, it's crucial to assess the nature and severity of your health issues. Some conditions may not pose a significant barrier to teaching abroad, especially if they are well-managed with medication or treatment. However, certain health concerns may require regular medical attention or access to specific healthcare facilities that may not be readily available in all countries. Before embarking on a teaching adventure abroad, consider consulting with your healthcare provider...  [Read more]

Demand for TESOL qualified teachers in Hungary has grown steadily since the country joined the EU in 2004. Today there are a large number of jobs available across a diverse range of employers. Although many employers are keen on native English speakers, there are also plenty of opportunities for non-native speakers who have a good standard of language skills. Big cities such as Budapest, Debrecen, Miskolc, Szolnok, and Szeged are where the majority of jobs are located. Monthly salaries in Hungary range from $700 to $900, although teachers at college or university level might be able to earn significantly more. Classroom time averages around 20 to 25 hours per week, which provides enough free time for many teachers to take on a few private students to bump up their income. In many...  [Read more]

There are a few reasons why we think taking a TESOL course is more than worth it. Firstly, many employers all over the world now require their job applicants to be TESOL certified in order to qualify for their vacant positions, as they rightly believe that some form of training is required in order to give the students the best chance of reaching their goals. It is also increasingly common for whole countries to require potential teachers to hold a TESOL qualification to be eligible for an official work visa. Without a recognized qualification in these countries you will have no chance of securing a job legally. The other main reason why we recommend all teachers get TESOL certified is so they learn all the essential skills and knowledge needed to plan and deliver quality lessons...  [Read more]

With around 100,000 foreign teachers working across the country each year, China is now the world leader in ESL teaching jobs. This recent boom has been brought about by a buoyant economy that has given more and more families the financial freedom to provide a good education for their children. There are an estimated 300 million people currently learning English in China, so potential jobs are widespread and relatively easy to come by. As there is often a shortage of available teachers in many areas, schools are increasingly offering high salaries and other bonuses in an effort to attract teachers to their door. The exact figure you can expect to earn will vary considerably depending on the type of employer and the location you choose, but the average is between $1,000 and $2,500...  [Read more]

Spain has many attractions that draw a large number of teachers every year. The warm climate, relaxed lifestyle, world class beaches, and world famous cuisine are just a few. Many people also take the opportunity to learn Spanish while living and working in a modern, international city such as Madrid or Barcelona. If Spain is on your list of potential destinations, take a look at the following tips that should help you on your way. The main requirement for teaching English in Spain is a TESOL qualification. The vast majority of employers that offer a decent salary will expect their job applicants to have completed an internationally recognised teacher training course. A relatively small number of teaching jobs can be secured from within your home country via a government recruitment...  [Read more]

  In this video Linda explains the differences between "assure", "insure" and "ensure". They not only sound similar, but those three words also make an outcome sure but they are in no way interchangeable. "Assure" is used to speak out a promise or say something with confidence, for example "I assure you that he is a great lawyer". "Ensure" is used to make something certain, such as here: "Please ensure that you will be home at five o'clock today"."Insure" means to protect an object against risk by buying an insurance policy from an insurance company, like here: "I insure my television because it was expensive". Once you have realized the three different meanings and usages, there is no way you'll confuse them again. Below you can read feedback from an ITTT graduate regarding one...  [Read more]

Every year thousands of foreign ESL teachers head to Japan as jobs are widespread in towns and cities across the country. The average salary is enough to live well and still save and the cultural and social aspects of the country are unlike anywhere else on Earth. If you have already decided that Japan is for you, it might not be quite so easy to decide on exactly which part of it to call home. Every city will have plenty of potential options and quieter areas will also offer a change from the normal hectic pace of city life. Although it would be hard to make a bad choice of destination in Japan, we recommend the following options based on the local job market and the experiences of our previous course graduates. It is no surprise that Japan’s largest urban area is at the top of...  [Read more]

Due to the ever-increasing popularity of English as a second language, there are dozens of great options when it comes to picking a destination for teaching abroad. There are popular destinations on every continent (maybe not Antartica), where jobs are widespread and the quality of life you can expect as a teacher is above the local average. However, there are some places that are easier to get set up in than others. We have looked at a wide range of criteria such as job availability, the visa process, average income compared to average outgoings, how welcome you will feel on arrival, and even the local cuisine, to come up with the following list of great destinations for teaching English abroad. To provide a range of options we have limited it to one country per region. There are...  [Read more]

People have many different reasons for wanting to teach English abroad. For some it is the adventure, while others are looking to experience a new culture, or even just to escape the daily 9 to 5 grind. Whatever your reasons, the financial side of heading overseas as a TESOL qualified teacher is also likely to be of some importance. Although the majority of teachers have no problem finding a job that pays them enough to live a comfortable lifestyle, for some it is also essential that they are able to save some of their income to put towards future travel or to pay off student loans etc. Despite being an automatic first choice destination for a large number of TESOL qualified teachers, Europe is often one of the hardest places to save money while teaching English. If you decide on...  [Read more]

Mexico is one of the leading travel destinations in the world. What makes Mexico so appealing for travel? The food, the people, the culture, the natural beauty and so much more. Mexico offers its visitors a taste of every possible landscape that you can imagine, from sandy dune deserts to snow pine forests or buzzing cities to majestic beaches… you name it and Mexico’s got it. If sightseeing is your thing when you explore then take your pick; Mexico has Mayan and Aztec pyramids like Templo Mayor or Calakmul, colonial jewels like Museo de Bellas Artes and Castillo de Chapultepec. Mexico’s past is not all that glorious, but its future is brighter than ever. Impressive urban developments throughout the country place it as one of the most important economies in the world. Puerto Vallarta...  [Read more]