From Songkran celebrations in Hua Hin, to our ugly sweater Christmas Party in Seoul, it’s been great to reconnect with past and present teachers from all over the globe. Here is an update on each country and what happened in 2022:

Thailand: Interest in Thailand has been strong. With a strong network 10 years in the making, the process of coming to teach is one of the simplest. Our placements are throughout the country with dates throughout the year. With good pay, long holidays, motivated students, and respectful co-workers, it is no surprise that it is one of the would’s top destinations for English teachers. 

Vietnam: Vietnamese people welcome foreigners and will use any chance they get to practice their English. That’s what makes teaching there so worthwhile. The government understands the importance of English education and it shows. Can you believe Vietnam had the strictest regulations during COVID? But that has totally changed now. They are totally open and welcoming teachers again. Our new teachers absolutely love our updated cultural orientation course and schools are high tech and very supportive of English teachers. 

South Korea: Another country that got hit hard, was South Korea, it is now thriving. South Korea is very popular for teachers due to the high salaries and high standard of living. South Korea went from government-required quarantine in designated hotels, to home-isolation to now … nothing at all! Masks are still required, but that was normal anyway. COVID vaccinations are highly recommended but not a requirement in all schools. 

Japan: We launched our placement program in the land of the rising sun in March 2020 – we all know how that went 🙁 Since the middle of 2022, the country has completely opened up!

Costa Rica: Now here is a country that never really shut down completely. Due the importance of tourism in Costa Rica, the country managed to operate throughout COVID with a few precautions here and there. Understandably though, people were hesitant to leave home, but now our in-country TESOL course is thriving and we have more placements that we could have imagined. What happened in 2022 is a great indication of what’s to come next year! 

:Camp Counselors: This program had some soaring highs this year! After some time off, we came back with a bang, hosting numerous camp counselor intakes! The Camp Counselor Program is a favorite for those looking for short-term experience (usually over the summer lasting 4, 8 or 12 weeks) that allows participants to have an incredible and impactful adventure across Thailand. Camp counselors travel to different parts of Thailand to conduct English camps at local schools who cannot afford resident English teachers. These English camps involve lots of fun lessons and activities which last between 2 and 4 days in each location, after which the camp counselors took in the local and natural sites. It was an extremely rewarding experience. One of our teachers commented, 

Placement Program Plus: Our PPP is the new and improved program for teachers who have already completed a 120-hour TEFL/TESOL course through another accredited provider. Just like our placement program, teachers will take part in our comprehensive, action-packed Cultural Orientation. Then, we spend a day (or two) of teaching practice with a local school in the community to prepare you even more for your permanent placement. This is a game-changer, especially for first time teachers. 

Summer Undergrad Teach Thailand Program: This is a paid teaching program that gives undergrads an excellent opportunity to learn how to teach English abroad and get real-world experience during their summer break, all while receiving a salary. It’s also a great chance to make a difference in the lives of others while experiencing the rich culture of the East. This is a rare program perfect for those who are still considering teaching after graduating. 

Japan: After many hurdles, our Japan program is up and running! For the past year, we have been encouraging participants to get qualified through our 120-hour online course, but from February, Japan will join the rest and host its very own in-country TESOL course in Nagoya! In-country is often preferred by employers as it provides a strong grounding in the history and theory of teaching English as a foreign/second language. Our in-class course includes live student lesson presentations which allows for real-time peer and instructor feedback which is invaluable! The TESOL course is also based on the Japanese schooling experience. 

South Korea Working Holiday Program: Another exciting update from right next door is our Working Holiday program. Working abroad is an excellent alternative to the traditional post-graduate employment path. It enables participants to gain invaluable experience working and living in another culture, developing soft skills like cross-cultural communication, empathy, and cultural awareness that employers around the world are increasingly valuing. South Korea is teeming with job opportunities in education, hospitality, and other fields. Our program will help you gain valuable experience and the best part is, a degree is not required. 

Finally, the biggest news: CAMBODIA! After months (almost years) of work, our newest baby is ready to join the ranks! Teaching in Cambodia! Teaching in Cambodia can be the beginning of a rewarding career path, not to mention a chance to gain a one-of-a-kind international experience. XploreAsia is excited to provide aspiring teachers with excellent orientation, placement, teacher assistance and support to help make a smooth transition. Cambodia is rich in history, culture and more. With great salaries, amazing saving potential and simple enough visa requirements, Cambodia is no doubt going to take off very quickly. We launch in March – for degree and non-degree holders!