Teaching In Japan: 6 Questions with Matt Keighley

Posted on May 10, 2013 | Leave a comment

TeacherPort sits down with Matt Keighley to learn a little bit more about his experience teaching English in Japan and what brought him out there in the first place. Matt keeps a blog at Marshmallow Sensei which provides readers with anecdotes, observations, and insights into Matt’s life teaching in Japan.

 Q.1) Hi Matt, thanks for sitting down with TeacherPort. To get us started could you please tell us a little bit about your background.

A) Born in the US to English parents, grew up near London, in Yorkshire, Leicester, in London proper then finally found myself in of all places the Japanese countryside in Nagano prefecture. I realized soon after that I’d rather fallen for this place but needed a few more people and a few less mountains so upped sticks to Shizuoka prefecture.

Q.2) What was it that first drew you to the idea of teaching in Japan?

A) A facebook message. I was in the midst of finishing up my masters thesis while simultaneously being furious with the world economy for collapsing just as I was about to graduate when out of the blue a friend of mine suggested I think about teaching abroad, specifically her old job in rural Thailand. However, by the time the Thai school got back to me I was already out here in Japan working for a cram school.

Rather than what drew me here, what has kept me here is far more important. The people, the countryside, my wonderful students mean that whatever I do in the future this country will always be a major part of my life.

Matt Keighley in Japan
Q.3) You keep a blog at Marshmallow Sensei (http://marshmallowsensei.com/) writing about your time teaching in Japan and highlighting some cultural observations you make along the way. How long have you been blogging and why did you decide to start your blog?

A) About two and a half years now, immediately after a good friend of mine gave me a good verbal kick up the backside to get writing.

As for why, well I’ve been writing in some form or other since I was about fourteen years old and frankly I go a little strange if I don’t get a regular fix. A blog seemed the perfect way to inflict that on an unsuspecting world.

Q.4) Do you have a memorable experience/story from your time teaching in Japan that you can share with us?

A) Well you have to learn how to switch off your natural instinct to laugh or look surprised at life’s little verbal missteps. Not for the student’s sake, but your own. Because as embarrassing as mispronouncing a word in English might be for the student it is nothing compared to the embarrassment you will feel having to explain why you responded that way.

You see, in Japan, because various textbooks have taught Japanese to read English using their own pronunciation system there are some common mistakes. The letters L and R are readily transposed while the letter S is often read like the Japanese character し　which is actually pronounced as shi. This isn’t usually a big deal.

Unless you’re asked, “How long is the British election?” or, “May I sit here?”

Matt Keighley in Japan
Q.5) What are the top 3 places you’d like to visit next? Why?

A) Well the top 3 right now, not a top 3 in my lifetime but…

Thailand, to catch a glimpse of the road I didn’t travel. Well, that and the amazing food.

South Korea, to catch up with an old friend and maybe learn why my students are so obsessed with Korean pop music.

Finally, Nagasaki. Not another country but within Japan it might as well be. Food, history and culture from four different nations all blended into one city. That’s one for springtime.

Q.6) Finally, do you have any advice/tips for teachers thinking about teaching abroad?

A) Make a real effort to learn the language and keep an open mind as to how long you’ll be staying for. Learning Japanese and keeping my plans open have probably being the best decisions I’ve made since I’ve been here. It really is amazing how much a new place can feel like home if you make a conscious effort to join the community and not just pass through.

Thanks for the great interview Matt and we look forward to reading more about your experiences on your blog. Good luck in Japan and with your travels!

If you know anybody who might be interested in being featured in our Teaching Abroad Interview Series, get in touch at feedback@teacherport.com!

TeacherPort is a free resource for teachers and new university graduates who are interested in finding teaching jobs abroad. 

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Teaching Abroad Tips – Managing Expectations

Posted on April 11, 2013 | Leave a comment

Accepting a position to teach abroad is no doubt the start of an exciting journey. However, while the journey ahead will provide many opportunities for adventure, self-discovery, professional development and much more, it’s important to make sure that you are managing your expectations so you are not left frustrated when things do not play out exactly as you anticipated.

Some people have no problem hitting the ground running and making a quick and easy transition into life in a new country, culture and workplace. For most, though, this transition takes time. It takes time to feel comfortable in your new apartment. It takes time to feel accepted in your new workplace. It takes time to get into a routine. It takes time to get your bank account set up. It takes time to get to know your way around a new location. It takes time to make friends.

Don’t expect everything to click into place immediately when you arrive to begin a new job. You will need to make an effort for your new life to take shape and if you are faced with initial obstacles or difficulties shortly after you arrive, trust that things will work out and give yourself some time to figure out your new surroundings.

This teaching abroad advice was to you by TeacherPort: A free resource for teachers and new university graduates who are interested in teaching jobs abroad.

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How To Prepare For Your Teaching Abroad Interview

Posted on March 11, 2013 | Leave a comment

It’s high season for teachers to be interviewing for next year’s international teaching positions around the world. To help those teachers who have been shortlisted and heading in for their first (or second) round interviews, here’s the TeacherPort guide that should help you prepare for your teaching abroad interview.

So, you’ve submitted your application and the feedback has been good: you have been successfully shortlisted for an interview for your number 1 teaching job abroad for next year.

First off, it’s important to remember that any interview is a two way street. It’s a chance for the interviewer to learn more about you as a professional and as an individual, and it’s also a chance for you to learn more about your potential employer and the work environment that you may be joining. With that being said, you are the one who is interviewing for the job, so it’s important to shake any chip off your shoulder before you sit down with your potential employers.

Most interviewers have a set amount of information that they need to get from an interview in order to make a decision about a candidate. The weight of the various aspects of the application process can vary from employer to employer, but to help you prepare for your teaching abroad interview, this information should allow you compartmentalize how the interviewer goes about making a decision on your application.

The interview team are mainly targeting three areas when assessing whether or not they wish to offer you a position on their staff:

Do you have what it takes to get the job done in the classroom?
- Previous experience and how it relates to the position you are applying for.
- How you developed professionally from your previous positions/experiences.
- The level of your education certificates and any additional awards you may have received that can be related to the position.
- Your subject knowledge and professionalism towards your vocation.

Will you be a good fit with their teaching staff and work culture?
This evaluation will come organically from the interview discussion as it has more to do with personality rather than skills or previous experience. It is worth trying to research the type of work culture the employer has, just so you are sensitive to their rules and expectations of teachers.
- Involvement with extra-curricular activities.
- Attitude towards overtime.
- How you think you would integrate with an international staff. Share examples of previous experience working in a diverse work place.
- Have a general idea of your professional and personal expectations for the next 2 – 4 years.

How easily will you adapt to the lifestyle and culture of the country?
- Be able to answer questions about why you are interested in working abroad and  why you are interested in working in their specific school or city.
-  If you have not worked abroad previously, you should explain if you have had previous experience working away from family and friends.
- Be able to share some knowledge about the country/culture where the employer is based.

Other Helpful Tips To Review:

- Let the interviewer dictate the direction of the interview. Answer his/her questions fully, but try not to carry on too long and connect too many things into the answer of one question.

- Always have 3-4 questions up your sleeve that you can ask to the employer to show your interest in the position. Even if you know the answer, at least it gives the employer a chance to elaborate about the school, benefits, classroom sizes etc.

- If you have friends or family who have worked in the country where the employer is based, you should find a way to work this into the interview.  This will provide additional comfort to the employer to know that you are familiar with the culture and are not going into the position blind.

- Brush up on your subject knowledge. This is more applicable to those applying for ESL/EFL positions, but it is not completely uncommon for an employer to test an interviewee’s subject knowledge on the spot.

If you’re still searching for a international teaching position for the 2013 academic year, don’t forget to check out all the jobs listed on TeacherPort today.

Good luck with your applications!!

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Do I Need A Teaching Certificate To Teach Abroad?

Posted on March 5, 2013 | Leave a comment

The question ‘Do I need a teaching certificate to teach abroad’ comes up quite often from university graduates looking to work overseas and also from more experienced professionals seeking a change/break from their current job. The answer to this question depends on what types of teaching you wish to do.

If you are looking for a teaching position at an international or national school then you will at minimum need a Bachelors of Education or a Bachelors degree complimented by a teaching degree or certificate. If you do not possess these qualifications and find yourself shortlisted for a position with an international school abroad, you would do well to take a closer look at the institution to assess their validity as a suitable employer. So, for international school jobs, the answer to the question ‘do I need a teaching certificate to teach abroad’ is YES.

However, if you are interested in teaching English abroad there is good news! Although many employers require a BA degree and an ESL diploma (TEFL, CELTA), there are a number of employers who accept applications from candidates who only possess a BA degree in any field. Although these positions may not be the best paying jobs in the ESL world, they are a great way to kick-start your teaching career and you can also start earning your TEFL or CELTA qualification while you work! The majority of positions available for those interested in teaching English abroad without an ESL certificate can be found in South Korea, Vietnam, Thailand, and Taiwan.

If you are exploring the possibility of teaching abroad, feel free to head over to TeacherPort to check out what teaching jobs abroad might be available to you!

Good luck!

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Teaching Abroad Interview: 6 Questions with Tom Gates

Posted on February 12, 2013 | Leave a comment

TeacherPort sits down with Tom Gates of The Red Dragon Diaries to hear about how he ended up teaching in Korea and what advice he has for other teachers starting their teaching careers overseas.

Q.1) Hi Tom, thanks for sitting down with TeacherPort. To get us started could you please tell us a little bit about your background.

A) I’m from the United States and I was born and raised in New Hampshire in a very small town.  I grew up cutting firewood, bailing hay, and hunting.  It’s probably strange for most people to imagine a Korean growing up this way in America!

My father is American of English decent and my mother is Korean.  He was in the Army way back when and they met in Seoul while he was stationed there.  My mother is originally from North Korea, but fled to South Korea during the war.  It’s an interesting story, but one of a harsh period in history.

Though I never had the opportunity to learn the Korean language, I grew up eating much of the food and hearing bits and pieces about the culture.  Growing up in a place like New Hampshire makes it tough to speak a language other than English.  My mother attempted with my two older brothers, but to no avail.  By the time I came around she was more or less, “when in Rome…”

Q.2) What was it that first drew you to the idea of teaching abroad?

A) When I was younger I had a burning desire for the martial arts.  I played other sports as well, but the arts were always my passion.  When I was finally introduced to judo in my teens, it was the beginning of a lifetime journey.  I wanted so badly to become great in the sport that I took Japanese courses in college and seriously considered travelling there to train.

At about that time, one of my roommates in college (who is Korean) left for Korea after graduating to teach English.  I thought that would be such a great way to travel to Japan or Korea to train.  Though the plans didn’t ultimately pan out, I never lost the desire to travel abroad.

Fast forward to today.  Thanks to the economic downturn, I decided to finally take the opportunity to travel abroad.  It wasn’t for judo like when I was younger, but more for the experience and exploration of a new life change.  I have a career in the IT industry, albeit in shambles, but I wanted to open the door to new possibilities.  Maybe reinvent myself.  If for no other reason, it would be an experience I could always look back on and reminisce.  For me, it’s turned out to be that and a whole lot more.

Tom with his students in Korea.

Tom with his students in Korea.

Q.3) You keep a blog at The Red Dragon Diaries. How long have you been blogging and why did you decide to start your blog?

A)  I started blogging in my dorm room at orientation at Jeonju University (August 2011).  I didn’t post very frequently in the beginning as everything was so new.  However, about 7 months ago I decided to really start applying myself to blogging and it’s turned out to be an incredibly rewarding pastime.  I was blogging to put out information for others considering teaching abroad.  One thing I knew from personal experience is that when you’re considering taking this leap, you scour the internet for blogs and videos about other’s experiences.

Also, it was a way for me to capture my experiences and mind set during this time.  Someday when I look back at these posts they will bring me right back to the moment and help me remember where I was during it all.  Like a diary of sorts.  My nickname back in Florida (my recent home) was “Red Dragon” because I always wore the same red trunks to play beach volleyball.  Hence…the Red Dragon Diaries.

Q.4) Can you tell us about one memorable experience/story from your time teaching abroad?

A) Without question, it was a night at a popular “foreigner” bar called Thursday Party.  I was kicking back with my friend (a teacher from South Africa) and we noticed a gentleman maybe in his 50s sitting by himself.  We could tell he was trying to engage with others somehow, so we struck up a conversation with him.  Come to find out he was a professor at the Maritime University in Yeoungdo (where I am located).  Why was he a professor there?  Because he happened to be a retired Admiral of the Korean Navy.  That’s the Navy’s equivalent of a general.  He showed us his ID and everything.  He bought us drinks all night and gave us big hugs at the end.  When my friend and I were walking home we were like, “we just partied with a Naval Admiral!”  That’s one for the highlight reels.

Tom.Gates     DSC00435-1

Q.5) Are there any other countries that you would like to spend some time teaching in? Why?

A) There’s still a part of me that will always want to go to Japan.  Though I visited the Kodokan Judo Institute in Tokyo (judo’s birthplace and headquarters), I would still like to live there for an extended period of time.  If I could get a job teaching in Japan someday, I would gladly go.

I also like the idea of Hong Kong or Taiwan.  Korea is my home for now though, and I don’t really see an end in the foreseeable future.  When the day comes to move on though, I’ll look to those countries for opportunities to live and work.

Q.6) Finally, do you have any advice/tips for teachers thinking about teaching abroad?

A) Teaching in Korea is an experience.  For some it’s great, for others not so great.

It’s definitely different than the brochure! Usually people watch Youtube videos (including mine) and see all the colorful pictures of brilliant landscapes and beautiful temples online and they develop an expectation.  It is like the videos and pictures, but it also isn’t.  It’s Korea.  It’s the home and country to Koreans and it’s based on the way they do things.

It’s important to keep a flexible and open mind at all times.  Everything here will be different than what one may be accustomed to.  It’s easy to become frustrated for some if they don’t maintain an open and positive mind.  If you can stay focused on the right attitude, the little things will roll off and the experience will then turn out to be like the videos and pictures.  Embrace both the fun things and the differences and it isn’t a far stretch to consider staying longer than expected.

Thanks for taking the time to sit down with TeacherPort, Tom! 

If you’re interested in teaching abroad, please head over to the TeacherPort teaching jobs abroad page to browse through our currently advertised opportunities. Good luck!

If you know anybody who might be interested in being featured in our Teaching Abroad Interview Series, get in touch at feedback@teacherport.com!

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Teaching Abroad Interview: 6 Questions With Jessica Hill

Posted on January 7, 2013 | Leave a comment

TeacherPort sits down with Jessica Hill to learn a little more about her background and how she’s enjoyed her teaching abroad experiences in Thailand and China so far.  If you want to stay up to date with Jessica’s experience abroad, you can head over and follow her regularly updated blog at Miss Adventure.

Q.1) Hi Jessica, thanks for sitting down with TeacherPort for our Teaching Abroad Interview. To get us started please tell us a little bit about your background.

A) Hi TeacherPort, thanks for the opportunity. I grew up on a wheat farm in rural Oregon before I moved to downtown Los Angeles for a fashion degree. I think that was the beginning of my slow traveling, though I soon tired of the big city and ventured north again to obtain a BA in journalism from the University of Oregon. There, I took advantage of a study abroad program in Spain, which furthered my interest in foreign cultures. After school, I grew impatient with the U.S. job market and tried to figure out how I could make my dreams of traveling and writing a combined reality. That led me to teaching abroad, first in Thailand and now China, but I have yet (in 16 years) to skip my part-time job as a combine driver during my family’s summer wheat harvest at home.

Q.2) What was it that first drew you to the idea of teaching abroad?

A) At first, I only wanted a lucrative way pursue my desire to travel and write. Teaching English seemed to be the only tool in my bag when it came to working overseas, so I looked into what it would take and discovered I might actually enjoy it. Teaching has it’s positives and negatives, as does any job, but I’ve gained enough of a glimpse into the profession to know that I want to pursue my dream of teaching writing at the university level. In August, I’ll begin my graduate studies at Colorado State University, which is just another step in my life’s curvy path.

Q.3) You keep a blog at Miss Adventure (http://jessicajhill.com/). How long have you been blogging and why did you decide to start your blog?

A) I created MissAdventure a few weeks before I left for Thailand, a year and a half ago. It began as a way to document my trip for my family and myself, and a portfolio for my photos. I’m a writer, so I knew I would be filled with so much inspiration I would need a way to channel it and a reason to write consistently, but I had no idea I would enjoy blogging as much as I do. The blog has been a fun adventure in itself.

Jessica.teaching

Q.4) Can you share one memorable experience/story from your time teaching abroad?

A) For me, the entire experience is memorable – the good and the bad. But one thing about my time in Thailand that stands out is the first day I was asked to dress in traditional Thai costume and parade down the streets of the village. The school didn’t explain what was going on, as was usual, and I was whisked away from the grounds and taken to a small wooden shed that doubled as a beauty parlour where a lady-boy by the name of Coco Chanel enthusiastically told me, “Ooooh! I make you sooo beautiful!”

I endured a few hours of hair and makeup before I squeezed into a gold, form fitting number and was decked out with jewels. I stole a quick glance in the mirror and it screamed back, “Tramp!” as I walked out into the street to lead the 2,000 students from my high school in a village-wide parade toward the park.

It was Loy Krathong, the Festival of Lights, a holiday meant to celebrate the Gods and Goddesses of light and water. The Thais in Northeast Thailand will use any excuse for a parade, it seems. This was the first of many in which I would participate, and only the beginning of my immersion into Thai culture. You can read the full story here.

Q.5) What are the top 3 places you’d like to visit and why would you like to visit them?

A) Only three? That’s tough. Every time I think about all the places I want to go, I realize there’s still so much of the world I haven’t seen. But if I have to choose…

  1. India: I’ve always been intrigued with Indian culture, the famous desert landscapes, and the friendly natives I’ve met. I took a class on Bollywood in college and have since read several books about the country – all of which portray the idea of love having a different meaning than our western ideals – it’s more open, and there’s more of it. My ticket is booked for January 6, so I’ll soon be crossing this populous nation off my bucket list and I couldn’t be more excited!
  2. Africa: It says places, not countries, right? I’m particularly interested in South Africa, Ghana and Tanzania. When I first thought about teaching abroad, I tried to go to Africa, but I couldn’t find any jobs with money to pay me. This continent has long been a dream destination of mine, Ghana coming highly recommended by a friend who studied abroad; Tanzania by a friend from South Africa; and the beaches and safaris of the latter are said to be unbeatable.
  3. Latin America: The entire continent appeals to me, but firstly Argentina, Chile and Peru. I would one day like to teach in a Spanish-speaking country to hone my skills and immerse myself in its culture, and I hope that after I earn a graduate degree, I’ll be able to afford to do so.

Q.6) Finally, do you have any advice/tips for teachers thinking about teaching abroad?

A) You’ll never be prepared, so stop trying and just go! Even your TEFL class cannot begin to give you an idea of what your first days will be like in the foreign classroom, and each country and every school within that country will be a different situation. Having (and keeping!) an open mind will be your biggest asset. There are countless times when teaching overseas when you’ll have no idea what’s going on, why things are happening or what you’re supposed to do, and nobody can explain it to you in words you understand. It’s been my experience that you’ll have a lot less stress if you stop asking questions and just go with the flow, letting each day’s events materialize as they will. After all, even the bad experiences make for great stories.

Thanks for the interview Jessica!

If you’re interested in teaching abroad, please head over to the TeacherPort teaching jobs abroad page to browse through our currently advertised opportunities. Good luck!

If you know anybody who might be interested in being featured in our Teaching Abroad Interview Series, get in touch at feedback@teacherport.com!

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Best Teaching Abroad Blogs of 2012 – Awards

Posted on December 4, 2012 | Leave a comment

TeacherPort is delighted to announce the winners of the Best Teaching Abroad Blogs of 2012. After reviewing over 100 blogs that are produced and updated by international educators around the world, our final selections showcase the best teaching abroad blogs on the web.

Congratulations to the winners and finalists of the Best Teaching Abroad Blogs of 2012 and keep up the great work!

WINNERS – BEST TEACHING ABROAD BLOGS of 2012

China.Flag  Thailand.Flag  Miss Adventure – Thailand/China
Jessica’s blog is a fantastic resource for anybody exploring the possibility of teaching in either Thailand or China. Jessica is currently teaching English at the university level in China and she updates her blog with travel adventures, classroom stories, and general tips about teaching in Asia. Before she made the move to China this year, she was previously teaching in Thailand and has loads of posts related to her experience there. We look forward to everything that is to come from Miss Adventure’s time in China!
http://jessicajhill.com

SK.Flag  My Life! Teaching in a Korean University – South Korea
Jackie’s blog is a must read if you are thinking about accepting a teaching position in South Korea. Jackie blogs about ESL teaching topics, hiring trends in Korea, as well as opinion pieces about her life and experiences in South Korea. This is a high quality blog that provides insightful, informative content for it’s regular followers.
http://eslteacherinkorea.blogspot.com

UAE.Flag  Abu Dhabi & I – UAE
Kelby has been teaching in the UAE since August 2011 and does a super job documenting her experience abroad. Insightful observations and well-written updates make her blog a very valuable resource for anybody interested in learning about life as a teacher in Abu Dhabi.
http://abudhabiandi.blogspot.com

Brazil.Flag  Danielle In Brazil – Brazil
Danielle’s blog is not necessarily a ‘guide to teaching in Brazil’ but it does provide valuable information about what it’s like to be an expat teacher living in Brazil. Danielle provides tips and advice based on her experiences, but the blog is more helpful in the way it allows its readers to understand the ins-and outs (and the pros and cons) of what it’s like to be a teacher living in Brazil.
http://daniellebrazil.blogspot.com

TP.Ball1  Teaching Traveling – Global
Lillie does a great job keeping the content on Teaching Traveling up to date, fresh and informative. Interviews with international teachers around the world plus guest posts related to the world of teaching overseas makes this blog one of the best resources on the web for anybody interested in teaching abroad. Keep it up Lillie!
http://www.teachingtraveling.com/

Oman.Flag  Andy In Oman – Oman
Andy is a Canadian ESL teacher who has over 15 years experience teaching English overseas. Andy has been teaching in Oman for over 4 years and has been sharing his experiences on his blog, Andy in Oman, so readers can get an understanding of what it’s like to be an expat teacher (and family) living and working in Oman. Andrew updates his blog with photos, videos, and musings about his experiences and the blog really does provide valuable information and tips (travel & eating) for anybody interested in Oman. Another top blog from a professional educator in Oman.
http://andyinoman.com/

SK.Flag  Teaching and Travelling – South Korea
Hannah is teaching English in Ulsan, South Korea, and keeps her blog up to date about her teaching experiences and traveling adventures, as well as doing some Q&As and posting some very funny GIFs about minor frustrations she’s encountered along the way. The blog is really well designed and is easy to read and to navigate, and is an all round great resource!
http://hannahsouthkorea.tumblr.com/

Japan.Flag  Marshmallow Sensei – Japan
Matt has been teaching in Japan since 2010 and has been updating his blog, Marshmallow Sensei, with musings, observations, and the odd bit of advice throughout his time there. Although not heavily focused on the teaching aspect of his stay in Japan, this blog does provide some great insight into Japanese culture and what life is like as a visiting foreigner. His blog is professionally written, and a number of very funny posts will reward any reader.
http://marshmallowsensei.com

SK.Flag  The Red Dragon Diaries – South Korea
Tom has been teaching in South Korea since 2011 and keeps his blog updated with very helpful information for anybody thinking about teaching in South Korea (and who might also have an interest in judo smiley). Tom shares advice, posts some videos, and has all round good content to keep his readers very informed on life as an ESL teacher in South Korea.
http://tommyreddragon.blogspot.com

Japan.Flag  Jimbo’s English Teaching in Japan Blog – Japan
Jamie has been teaching in Japan since 2005 and his blog exudes a certain maturity of an educator who knows his was around his subject specialty as well as his foreign surroundings. Jamie blogs about language lessons and international education, as well as sharing personal stories about his adventures teaching in Japan. An informative, professional blog that would be valuable to any reader.
http://discussenglish.blogspot.com

UAE.Flag  An American Teacher in the United Arab Emirates – UAE
Tammie is a primary school teacher in Abu Dhabi and she has been updating her teaching blog from the time she completed her interview for the job in the UAE! It’s a great resource for anybody wondering not only about the lifestyle in Abu Dhabi, but also the whole recruitment process in joining an international school. She shares photos of her school, accommodation, and of various day trips in the region.
http://teacherinuae.blogspot.com

FINALISTS – BEST TEACHING ABROAD BLOGS of 2012

Oman.Flag  Omani Adventures – Oman
Cliff has been teaching at the university level in Oman for over 4 years and he’s been updating his blog with countless photographs related to various adventures and trips during his time there. This blog very much provides a cultural snapshot of what it’s like to be an expat living and teaching in Oman during this period. Fascinating blog and recommended viewing even if you don’t plan on teaching in the Middle East.
http://omaniadventures.blogspot.com

SK.Flag  A Geek In Korea – South Korea
Updated by an English language teacher who has been teaching in South Korea since 2001, this blog focuses more on the day-to-day experiences of life in South Korea, both in and out of the classroom. The goal of the blog is not geared towards informing new teachers about general living in SK, but the blog is very well written and does provide a good view of one teacher’s account of life in South Korea.
http://blog.torgodevil.com

UAE.Flag  My Teaching Adventure in the UAE – UAE
Miss Sherry keeps a great up to date blog about her teaching experience in Abu Dhabi. Expect fun commentary about activities outside the classroom and lots of photos so her readers get a good idea of what life is like in the UAE. Keep the posts coming Miss Sherry!
http://sherryteachinguae.blogspot.com

Japan.Flag  Good And Bad Japan – Japan
This blog is updated by an English language teacher in Japan but mainly focuses on the teacher’s excursions, adventures and observations of life in Japan outside of the classroom. You can also expect some music recommendations (to the author’s taste) as well as various other promotions based on the blogger’s own preference. Very much a unique blog in this space, but it’s fresh, original and it definitely makes our list!
http://goodandbadjapan.wordpress.com

UAE.Flag  My Experience In Dubai – Teaching Math – UAE
Sky Rookie blogs about his experience teaching Math in the UAE since he arrived earlier in 2012. In his (very honest) blog, he keeps readers informed about the ups and downs of his experience so far, as well as posting lots of great photos so readers get a good feel for what it’s like to be a math teacher in Dubai. The early signs are great for this up and coming teacher’s blog!
http://mathteacherindubai.blogspot.com

China.Flag  Tom’s China Blog – China
Tom’s China Blog is an extensive blog covering a wide range of topics including traveling in China, Chinese culture and ESL teaching in China. Tom’s blog has a great balance between advice about working/teaching in China and observations/documentation about his experience working and traveling in the region. Tom’s China Blog is a solid starting point for anybody interested in exploring China as a teaching abroad option.
http://www.tomschinablog.com

SK.Flag  Inhale. Exhale. Repeat. – South Korea
Amy is an English language teacher at a hagwon in South Korea and updates her blog with regular posts about her life and experiences abroad. Although there are a number of posts about classroom observations, the main focus of the blog is to provide readers with a view into the lifestyle and activities of a foreign teacher in South Korea.  A fun read and some great photos to keep followers coming back!
http://theseoulsister.blogspot.com

UAE.Flag  Battered Suitcases – UAE
While teaching at a primary school in Abu Dhabi, Jill updates her blog about life in the UAE, traveling trips, and guest submissions from around the web. Although Jill is no longer teaching in the UAE, her earlier posts up to February 2012 provide good insights into the lifestyle of an international teacher in the UAE and we still think it’s a worthy finalists on this year’s list.
http://www.battered-suitcases.com

China.Flag  Bruce Teaching English in China – China
Bruce has been teaching English in China since May, 2012 and has been doing a great job sharing his experiences (positive and negative) so far during his journey. He posts about life in China, successes in the classroom, as well as sharing photos from all aspects of his time teaching and traveling so far. We look forward to seeing what else is to come from this blog during Bruce’s stay in China.
http://brucegoestochina.blogspot.com

Japan.Flag  The Japan Guy – Japan
Donald was an ALT teacher in Japan from 2011 up until the fall of 2012. During this time he kept a very regular blog about his experience teaching and living in Japan and although he is no longer an English teacher, his blog is still a great resource for anybody interested in teaching in Japan. The Japan Guy is full of advice, recommendations, and random posts about life in Japan. Definitely worth a view for anybody considering a position as an ALT in Japan.
http://www.thejapanguy.com

Oman.Flag  A Nomad In The Land of Nizwa – Oman
Cathy is an American English language teacher living and teaching in Oman. A true nomad, Cathy was previously teaching in South Korea before her current teaching position at the University of Nizwa. Her blog is jammed with great posts, photos, and commentary about her time and travels while in Oman (and we have at least until the middle of 2013 to keep reading about her experiences!).
http://catbirdinoman.wordpress.com:

SK.Flag  Gone Seoul Searching – South Korea
Although Marie is now back in sunny California, we couldn’t leave her information packed blog off our top blog list. She has compiled some great posts and valuable tips throughout her 2 year stint teaching at YBM in Seoul. This blog is a must read for any university graduates interested in teaching English in South Korea straight out of university.
http://www.goneseoulsearching.com

Brief summary of evaluation criteria:

A number of factors were considered when evaluating each blog, including:
-       Quality of information provided
-       Authenticity
-       Writing style
-       Regularity of posting

Above all else, the most important evaluation criteria is whether the blog provides its readers with a unique perspective into the life of an international teacher at their chosen location – whether South Korea, Brazil, UAE or elsewhere!

If you have a favorite blog that you would like considered for future awards, please contact us on feedback@teacherport.com.

TeacherPort – A free resource for teachers and new graduates to find suitable teaching jobs abroad.

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