William-Harper

There comes a moment in every aspiring teacher’s life when talk turns into action. You’ve researched, you’ve dreamed, you’ve told friends and family about your plans to teach English abroad. But the real shift happens when you commit. When you finally click “submit” on that application and receive the confirmation email, everything changes. That feeling of excit...[Read More]

You’re standing in front of a classroom. One student. Twenty minutes of class time left. You offer them a relaxed conversation. They stare at you like you’re speaking a foreign language—even though you both know they understand perfectly. You ask again. Silence. You ask in Chinese. Still nothing. This is the moment every TEFL teacher dreads: the student who simply refuses to engage. Th...[Read More]

Moving to China to teach English for the first time is both thrilling and overwhelming. You’ve got the offer—an international kindergarten role in a smaller Hubei city, paying 18.5k RMB before tax, with accommodation included or a housing allowance of 2k RMB. The schedule sounds reasonable: one office day per week, plus generous winter and summer holidays. But the location gives you pause. Thirty ...[Read More]

After a month of sending out applications across China, you’ve probably noticed the same dizzying pattern: wildly different salaries, vague job descriptions, and recruiters whose names trigger warning bells the moment you search for them online. You’re not alone. Every TEFL teacher has walked this tightrope between excitement and skepticism. The truth is that the Chinese job market for English tea...[Read More]

You’re TEFL certified, you’ve got some classroom experience under your belt, and everywhere you turn, the advice is the same: “Go to Thailand” or “Why not Vietnam?”. These are fantastic destinations—vibrant, affordable, and full of teaching opportunities. But what if your heart isn’t set on Southeast Asia? What if you’re craving something different, a bit off the beaten path, or simply a climate t...[Read More]

You’ve done the interview. The recruiter sounded friendly, the hours seemed manageable, and you were already picturing yourself exploring a tier-3 city with weekends free for travel. Then the contract lands in your inbox, and the fine print tells a completely different story. It’s a scenario far too common in TEFL: what you’re told verbally doesn’t match what’s written in black and white. And once...[Read More]

You’ve landed an interview with an international school in Shanghai. The excitement is real. But then the recruiter mentions a “standby teacher” position. Suddenly, you’re flooded with questions. Is it substitute teaching? Is it part-time? Will you earn enough to live in one of Asia’s most expensive cities? Let’s break down what this role actually means. Standby...[Read More]

The landscape of teaching English in South Korea has shifted dramatically. For years, the country was a top destination for foreign English teachers, offering steady work, benefits, and a vibrant lifestyle. Today, the numbers tell a different story. E-2 visa applications have hit a six-year low, and the reasons behind this decline are reshaping the industry. If you’re considering teaching in...[Read More]

Teaching English in Japan comes with its own unique set of challenges—from outdated flashcards missing half their pieces to the chaos of keeping score during team quizzes. Whether you’re a first-year ALT or a seasoned teacher, finding efficient, engaging resources can make or break your classroom experience. Fortunately, a growing collection of free online tools is making lesson prep easier and le...[Read More]