The Footloose Teacher
I'm a teacher, YouTuber and blogger who loves to talk about teaching overseas, travel, personal development, and education. Subscribe to my newsletter to find out all about teaching overseas and how you can do the same.
The 10 questions I get asked most about international teaching
Hi Reader, If you’re considering international teaching, you probably have questions. A lot of them. I get the same ones repeatedly on YouTube, so I put together a video answering the 10 most commonly asked — everything from qualifications and pay to safety, travel, and the mistakes that trip people up. Here’s a quick summary of what’s covered: What qualifications do you need? (Spoiler: a recognised teaching qualification and a bachelor’s degree are non-negotiable for real international...
All My Free Resources
Hi Reader, If you're receiving this email then chances are you clicked on a link to get one of my free products to help you understand more about international teaching or getting an international teaching job. But rather than just a one-off click, I want to give you something useful here in my newsletter, which I'm now sending every weekend. Mostly its a topic from one of my videos or blog articles. So this weekend instead of a story or a tip, I want to give you all of my free pdfs in case...
I ‘GET’ To Do This! My Final 12 days.
Hi Reader, I have only twelve school days left in this academic year. Twelve! Twelve more days working at my current international school before the summer break, followed by a move to China. I tend to like counting down the days. If I’m honest, I probably started around day fifty. But during an amazing graduation speech this weekend, our valedictorian pointed out something that really stayed with me: it’s not always good to wish time away. He spoke about the time machine he used to pray for...
Why I’m Moving Back to China (Not Hong Kong)
Hi Reader, I’m moving back to China in August. Mainland China. Not Hong Kong. And whenever I tell people that, the reaction is almost always one of two things: “Are you serious?” Or: “Yeah… I get it.” There’s rarely any middle ground. Shenzhen After living across Asia for 24 years — including three years in China and eight in Hong Kong — I’ve spent a long time thinking about this decision. And what struck me most is how much outdated information, political noise, and flat-out myth surrounds...
The type of teacher who never lasts overseas (and the one who never leaves)
Hey Reader, I've been doing this for 24 years. Seven schools. Six countries. In that time I've watched a lot of teachers arrive with big plans and high hopes. Some of them loved every minute of it. Some were miserable from the moment they landed. And honestly? You could usually tell within the first month which one they were going to be. It wasn't qualifications. It wasn't experience. It wasn't even which country they'd moved to. It was something else — a set of patterns I've seen repeat...
The thing most teachers never find out!
Hi Reader, Here's something I've noticed after years of teaching abroad and talking to dozens of international teachers for my book. Most teachers who want to teach overseas never do it. Not because they can't. Not because they're unqualified. Not because the opportunity isn't there. Because nobody ever told them it was genuinely possible for someone like them. So they stay. Same staffroom. Same commute. Same slow drift towards a retirement they're not even sure they want. And every year,...
The 3 Ways to Teach Abroad (Most People Choose the Wrong One)
Hi Reader, If you’ve ever thought about teaching abroad, there’s a good chance you don’t actually have a clear picture of what it looks like. And that’s not your fault. Most of the information out there is either vague, outdated, or focused on just one version of “teaching abroad” — when in reality, there are three completely different paths you can take. After 24 years teaching overseas across 6 countries, I want to break this down for you simply. Because choosing the right path makes all...
Are you actually ready to teach abroad?
Hi Reader, Most people think landing an international teaching job is just about finding vacancies and sending out a few applications. It’s not. From what I’ve seen (and lived), the teachers who succeed overseas are the ones who prepare properly before they ever hit “apply”. Maybe you're still thinking about doing this or you plan to begin applying later this year. Or maybe you've accepted a job but don't quite know what else needs to be done before heading to the airport. That’s exactly why...
“Free” trips as an international teacher? Not quite…
Hi Reader, Some people think I’m currently on an all-expenses-paid holiday in Malaysia. Nice hotel. Flights covered. Food sorted. Sounds pretty good, right? But here’s what today actually looked like… 6:00am start. A couple of lessons taught back in Bangkok. Quick staff meeting. Then straight to the airport with 22 students for a football tournament in Kuala Lumpur. By the time we landed, cleared immigration, dealt with delays, and finally reached the hotel… it was 8:30pm. Dinner. Room...
I’m Leaving Thailand… But Is This a Huge Mistake?
Hi Reader, You may or may not know that after four great years in Bangkok, I'm moving on to China. Shenzhen to be more precise. I’ve made a decision that, on the surface, doesn’t make much sense to some. I’m leaving a very comfortable life in Thailand… for a move to China. Right now, I’m earning 180,000 baht per month (~$5,490) with low rent and a lifestyle that’s honestly hard to beat. Good food, easy travel, low stress, and a school that I really like—it’s the kind of setup many...
I'm a teacher, YouTuber and blogger who loves to talk about teaching overseas, travel, personal development, and education. Subscribe to my newsletter to find out all about teaching overseas and how you can do the same.