The Teaching Abroad Pod

In this episode, James and Alex announce some exciting news on the reopening of borders to English teachers in Japan, Taiwan and Vietnam. We then sit down with Pim Arends, Assistant Director at CEDEI Foundation , Ecuador. Pim reflects on how seeing a postcard of the beautiful city of Cuenca inspired him to take a chance and make the truly life-changing decision to move from Europe to South America...

James and Rowan catch up with Oxford Seminars graduate Truitt Urbanic who's back in America after six years of teaching English in South Korea and Vietnam. Truitt touches on the realities of returning home to a place that has stayed the same while he has changed, as well as future plans for making TEFL a long-term career. He also reminisces about some of the best places to visit as a poli-sci buff...

In this episode James and Alex get to hear three perspectives on what it's like to live and work in one of South America's top teaching and travel destinations - Chile! Lorna, Sarah and Devon from The Language Co. share stories about what first drew them to Chile, and some of the very special reasons they've stayed. And for those adult drink aficionados, be sure to listen all the way to the end fo...

In this episode James and Alex have the unique opportunity to speak with recruitment specialist Madeline Moon about applying to teaching jobs in one of the world's most popular English teaching destinations — South Korea! Madeline provides insights on hiring trends and the evolution of the English teaching market in Korea over the past 20 years, and shares some of her favorite stories from over tw...

In this Winter Olympics Special episode, James and Rowan discuss all things winter sports, and James tells us about his experience watching events and hobnobbing with athletes at the 2018 Pyeongchang Games. We are super stoked to also be joined for a full feature interview with the first ever Olympic Gold Medalist in Men's Snowboarding - Canadian Champion Ross Rebagliati! Ross regales us with tale...

We here at The Teaching Abroad Pod are very excited about our upcoming 2022 Winter Olympics Special Episode - be sure not to miss this one! This gold medal episode includes host James Davis sharing some fond memories about attending the 2018 Pyeongchang Games in South Korea, as well as a feature interview with the first ever snowboarding gold medalist, Olympic Champion Ross Rebagliati! Full episod...

In this episode James and Alex have another wonderful opportunity to talk to return guest and Oxford Seminars blog writer Brian Knox McGugan. Brian shares some more thoughtful insights on what it's like to make your way working as a freelance teacher and educator in Bangkok, and explains why he's enjoying the flexibility and variety of opportunities this new career path has afforded him since movi...

In this episode, James and Alex talk with guest Ethan Church about what it's like to live and teach in the famed historic city of Sevilla, Spain. Ethan explains how his lifelong passion for soccer (or football, as it's known everywhere else) led to an early interest in traveling and exploring other languages and cultures. Ethan also offers some very thoughtful advice for those thinking of getting...

In this episode, members of the Oxford Seminars Job Placement Service get together to share some stories about teaching and traveling overseas, and discuss their top picks for teaching destinations to consider in 2022.

In this episode James and Alex speak with returning guest Patricia Persaud about escaping the winter blues and her new home base – Mexico! Nestled in the heart of Mexico’s Mayan Riviera, Playa del Carmen is a sunseeker’s paradise and, as we find out from Patricia, also a pretty great place to teach English. Patricia talks about what it's been like relocating from...

In this episode James and special co-host Joe have a wide-ranging discussion with return guest and itinerant globetrotter Brent (from Episode 2). James, Joe and Brent discuss everything from fishing Canada's Fraser River to feeding rescue elephants in Cambodia. Other topics include: living versus traveling abroad, the cultural nuances of teaching overseas, top dream travel destinations, important...

In this episode James and Rowan share some final Squid Game impressions and provide an exciting update on the November 1st removal of quarantine requirements for fully vaccinated travelers to Thailand. After the break Oxford Seminars grad Hailey Kellum highlights some memorable moments from her long-awaited trip to Jeju Island.

In this thrilling episode, James and Rowan share recommendations for some of their favorite Korean movies and TV shows before speaking with English Teacher Patricia Persaud about the highlights of living and traveling in Jeollanam-do, and beyond.

In this episode, James and Alex talk to actor-turned-teacher Joanna Panayi about transitioning from the stage to the digital classroom and how to use the dramatic arts to help enliven your classes. Joanna also discusses her connection to Cyprus, her plans to relocate there, furthering her teaching career, and the joys of the Mediterranean lifestyle. Finally, Joanna explains to our hosts the many w...

In this episode James shares some highlights from his trip to Cambodia before getting expert advice on teaching and traveling in this exotic, off-the-beaten-track TEFL destination from David at Conversations with Foreigners in Phnom Penh.

In this 11th episode of the podcast, sub-hosts Rowan and Alex from the Oxford Seminars Job Placement Service discuss current teaching opportunities — as well as some of the potential COVID hurdles — in 10 of the world's top TEFL destinations: South Korea, Thailand, Spain, Colombia, Mexico, Costa Rica, China, Japan, Taiwan and Vietnam. Tune in to find out more about the current state of affairs in...

In this episode James and Rowan share some fun facts about Costa Rica and interview Oxford Seminars grad and San Jose-based Recruiting Specialist Lintonia Davis. In the Job Placement Service update Rowan shares some insights on available teaching jobs in Costa Rica and the fallout from China's new online tutoring regulations.

In this episode, our resident Japan teaching expert and Job Placement Advisor Lucas LaPlante discusses falling in love with martial arts and Japanese culture, a passion which led him to spend over 10 years in the land of the rising sun (and this year's Olympics). And speaking of the summer games, James and Alex discuss some of the exciting new Olympic events this summer, and how winning a few gold...

In this episode Alex talks about his experience with Thai kindness and generosity while camping in a national park and Rowan tells tales of traveling and partying in Thailand — and yes, Thai buckets are involved! After the break we chat with actor and teacher Brian Knox McGugan about moving to Bangkok to follow his dream of living abroad. Brian also shares some golden stories from behind the silve...

In this episode, James and Rowan conduct a wide-ranging interview with Oxford Seminars course graduate Abigail Entrican, who is now hiring business English teachers in Colombia. Learn all about stunning cities and beaches to visit, popular foods to try, the ins and outs of teaching business English, and so much more!

In this episode Alex talks about a nail-biting South American air travel adventure story involving clandestine border crossings. In an interview with Oxford Seminars Course Instructor Robin Garnham, we learn about adjusting to life and food in Mexico and Chile. Crickets anyone?

James and Rowan discuss their favorite places to visit in Korea. After the break, teacher and vlogger Hailey Kellum shares some insights from her days teaching and traveling in Beijing, Seoul and Europe, including tips on boating and burrowing meerkats!

James and Alex reminisce about trips to Beijing and Hong Kong before chatting to Janice Tremblay about her time teaching at an international school in Jiangmen, China (and her love of BTS).

In this episode James and Rowan discuss their favorite (and not-so-favorite) pizzas from around the world, and attempt to spark the great Pineapple on Pizza debate. After the break we learn about the best pastas in Italy, and how to succeed at living and working in Milan from Portrait and Fashion Photographer/English Teacher Mychelle Vincent.

In this episode, co-host Alex recalls some thrilling English camp teaching adventures from Korea, Taiwan and Poland. Zombies, bee stings, and dancing, oh my. After the break, TESL course instructor Brent checks in with some insights on where you can get paid to drink wine while teaching English.