Teaching at English Camps in Asia – FAQs
Published by Johnny Ward on February 08, 2012
I have spoken about English camps in Asia briefly before but I wanted to go into a big more detail considering the fact that I’ve just finished a 3 week camp in South Korea in January. I just had one of the greatest months of my life, teaching awesome kids, meeting amazing people and all in a cool, foreign country so I would like to share some of the information with you guys… here we go:
Me at Camp in 2012
What is an English camp?
English camps are short, intensive courses where kids get sent to fully immerse themselves in English for a period of time, usually around 1 month. The idea is that they are only allowed to speak English for the duration of the camp.
Who works at English camps?
It’s a bit of a mixture really but the majority of people who work at English camps are the ‘teach-travel’ type. Normally aged between 22-35, people are traveling in Asia and want to bolster their travel fund. There are also an older group of teachers who may be retirees.
When are these English camps?
They normally run in the summer or winter although their dates are never set in stone. Factor in something around December 26th-January 30th and July 15th to August 15th, give or take a week or so.
Where can I work at an English Camp?
They are becoming more and more popular throughout Asia, at this stage Japan and South Korea are the most prevalent. They also exist now and again in Taiwan, China and Thailand.
Can I work at an English camp?
Probably, although it is quite competitive so you have to be prepared to lodge a quality application. This is an awesome, short-term job and the secrets out so you can’t just wing it. You need to be from a native English-speaking country (Ireland, UK, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, South Africa and the US) so regardless of your English ability, if English isn’t your first language the embassies simply won’t give you your work visa.
Also, you need at least a bachelors 3 or 4 year degree and if you have no teaching experience you’re going to probably need a TEFL too. Even if you have a year or two of teaching experience, a TEFL will make your application a lot stronger.
Where do we sleep at English camps?
It’s almost always the case that the camp will supply you with free accommodation, more often than not in university style dorms, often sharing with a fellow ELT (English language teacher). If they don’t supply accommodation they’ll most likely give you a stipend for renting your own place.
What about the food at camp?
Think high school/university cafeteria food in the country that the camp is held, that’s what you’ll get. Far from disgusting but certainly not gourmet, but hey – it’s free!
http://teach.travel
How much do I get paid at an English camp?
Most agencies and camps will pay for your flights to and from camp (or onwards to a destination of your choice) so depending on where you’re flying from, you will be paid accordingly. You’re looking at something along the lines of a return from from London/Toronto etc + $500-$900 tax-free pay.
How do I get a job at an English camp?
Like I mentioned earlier, it can be quite competitive. If you know of anyone who has taught at camps previously, that’s a great avenue to pursue. Failing that my new company, Teach dot Travel will be recruiting for both summer and winter camps in the upcoming months. Just comment below if you want any more information about that. Happy travels!!
Tags: english camps, south korea, teach dot travel, teaching english, TEFL
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OneStep4Ward loves to hear from you readers, so don't by shy! 
Hey Johnny
I’m looking to teach at an English camp in Korea this summer, but am only available for 1 month. Could you possibly guide me to where I should look for such opportunities?
Cheers
Hi Johnny, I’m really keen to teach English at a summer camp in Asia this year. Could you recommend any good camps? It’s hard to know where to start! Thanks.
Hey Johnny, been following you for a while now, I taught in Korea last year and am in Thailand now. I just quit my job and am trying to become more location independent like you
I think working camps all over and then being able to come back to my base set up in Thailand sounds perfect. Would love to talk to you more about your company and teaching camps in Korea,Japan and even Thailand. Will check out your website but would love to email you as well.. Mine is elizabethnoelle11@gmail.com
Thanks for the help, cheers!
sure, drop me a link Elizabeth
where r u based in Thailand? im back to bkk soon
Hey Johnny, I’m really interested in teaching at a winter camp in January or February (I’ve just qualified from a Trinity TESOL course). I’ve scoured the internet for upcoming jobs for 2013 but cannot find anything beyond this month! Are there any websites you know about that I’m missing?
Love your site
aaaagh – it’s so difficult sometimes, i know :S Have u tried Dave’s Esl?
Hi!
This past summer I taught English in Italy with ACLE. In September I’m moving to Madrid to teach English there with NALCAP until June. I’m already looking into summer camp opportunities for next year. Can you please send me some information? I’ve never been anywhere in Asia and am extremely interested!
Hey Johnny! I’d be interested in learning more about the camps! It would be a nice way to visit and learn about S.Korea since it’s too cold there for me to be there for a year! Haha!
it’s so cool jess – check out http://teach.travel/demo
AS I mentioned before, you may recall, I’m really interested in teaching in an English camp. I felt a bit sad though that the governments won’t give me a visa because I’m not a native English speaker. Heck, I invested 20 of my years into this language, so I should be given a chance. As far as teaching goes, do you think that teaching for 5 years at a University (not English but other topic, not to mention teaching students from the international section) counts for something?
Btw, just finished “around the world in 80 days” per your suggestion (even mentioned you on my new book website project – bookhurricane.com) Keep on entertaining us with your travels!
Many of the jobs at http://www.teachergig.com does not require you to be a native speaker….
Sending email to whatsup@@teach.travel does not seem to work. I had mine bounced back. Any idea, Johnny?
did it bounce back again? should be fixed now =)
This sounds awesome! I’m moving to Thailand for a (yet to be obtained) teaching gig with a TEFL and college degree in hand – hoping it all works out once I get there and this sounds exciting
cool emily! let me know when you’re here and I’ll see if i can help you out!
Hell yeah, that’d be great. I’ll definitely be in touch, thanks!
Hey Johnny, I’d be quite interested in getting some more info regarding the English camps and your new company. I’m curious if you know of any setups like this in Central or South America, as that is where I’ll be starting my travels later this year (after 4 trips to SE Asia I think it’s time to check out another part of the world lol)
Keep up the great work! You’re an inspiration to all of us who seek long-term world travel..thanks man.
i dont know of any in Central or South America Andy I’m afraid, although I am certainly looking! That would be great so let me know if u stumble across any too
thanks for the kudos too mate =)