Do you like to travel? Would you like to spend time in a foreign country, have your airfare paid and make money while you are there?

What a concept that is, huh? Pick a country...explore it...and earn a salary at the same time. Well, folks, you can do it easily. Here's how. Schools around the world are in desperate need of people to teach English to their students. Many, many people have discovered that teaching is a great way to see a different part of the world, experience a new culture, learn a language you never even knew existed and perhaps even meet the love of your life - as I did!

What do you need to make this happen?

ONE - A bachelor's degree in any discipline is a good start. (If you don't have a degree, don't give up. Keep reading!).

TWO - A certificate in TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages). More and more schools are asking for this qualification. After all, they want to know that you have had some training in teaching English as a Second Language (ESL). Having a TESOL qualification will open more doors to better paying jobs so if you would like to do some traveling and teach, this is an easy and very worthwhile certificate to earn and you can do it in a month or two depending on your schedule.

THREE - Enthusiasm. There are millions of students around the world who want to learn English. In most overseas schools, English is a part of the curriculum. In almost every city and town there are usually one or more language schools featuring English grammar, conversation, writing, and business English. Most are looking for teachers.

Several factors have contributed to the huge need for English teachers. The Internet has opened the world to everyone with a computer (this includes almost every school in the world!); the opening of China to world markets; the fall of the Soviet Union and opening of Eastern European countries. You can see how these have created the need.

If you don't have a degree but are truly interested in teaching, you still can. There are countries who will accept you as a teacher if you at least have a TESOL certificate. Oh, and it goes without saying that you should have a good command of English. When I started teaching, even as a native English speaker, I found I had to revisit what I had been taught many years before. There is a learning curve but it is a case of remembering and demonstrating. Never taught before but game to give it a go? Don't worry! There is a vast number of books available to help you. If traveling overseas and getting paid appeals to you, the next question is: How do I make it happen?

If you have a degree, no problem. Key "TESOL certificate" into Yahoo or Google search engines. Then be prepared to go through many school promos offering the course from $300 to $1500. You can do it in a classroom or by e-learning (online). Then search for "ESL jobs". Again, you will be faced with an exhaustive number to research and choose from. Some will be agents for schools; others may be the schools themselves. Check out those of interest.

There are some countries where you are able to teach without having a degree. It is the law of supply and demand. If there is a need for teachers but not enough teachers available with the qualifications the school would prefer, they will look for the next best option - a native English speaker, or someone with very good English skills, without a degree but who has a TESOL certificate. Read another of my articles "How to Teach Overseas Without a Degree". However, I strongly recommend that you plan to complete your degree at some time. Some colleges and universities offer credit for other courses you have taken as well as for business and life experiences. And e-learning is a great way to fit earning a degree, and paying for it, into your own schedule. A degree, a TESOL experience, and some teaching experience are all you need to teach your way around the world if that is what you want to do.

I don't think there is a better way to travel and get paid for it than to teach. Apart from your own personal experiences, you will make a difference and help hundreds, perhaps thousands of students to learn to communicate in English.