The Timeshare Beat: On the Road With Fast Eddie; Cool Web Sites

March 23, 2004
Exchange rate: $1 = about 11 pesos

Hi to friends, family, neighbors and all kindred spirits:

I guess I’m kind of cheating on this On the Road, as I’m not writing about anything. Nor am I on a road, trail or river, or anything like that which goes anywhere new or interesting. Maybe that’s because I don’t have anything to write about… I haven’t really done any traveling since I was in Copper Canyon in early January. Oh yeah, there was a return one weekend to Morelia, primarily to see a soccer game. That was fascinating and a rollicking good time, but hardly worthy of a story. The fact is I’ve been pretty much lying low lately, partly to save money and partly because that’s just what I feel like doing these days.

When I was in Mazatlan over Christmas I noticed that what I mostly enjoyed doing there were activities I do here in Zamora: hanging out in some public place relaxing and observing life as it’s lived in pure and simple terms; chowing down yummy ethnic cuisine; taking in nature while sitting in a park or walking around; finding interesting people to converse with… that kind of thing. I have no yearning at the moment to zoom off to another destination just for the sake of seeing “something new”.

I will go to Mexico City and its surrounding treasures in early April, meeting up there with a dear friend of mine I knew and traveled with in Europe. You’ll read about that eventually. And I also have an article in the works about the fabulous cuisine here, including a recipe or two. It’s guaranteed to make your mouth water! But this time I’m offering up yet another twist on what I usually send out: Cool Web Sites! This might be the most useful thing I’ve ever done for those you who invest your time reading what I put together.

There are three categories:

Budget Travel
Living Abroad
ESL Jobs

Each is chocked full of websites that should facilitate the gathering of information in each respective area of interest. “Budget Travel” is not purely specific to the backpacking mode, put clearly leans in that direction since that’s what I’m mostly into. “Living Abroad” is for expatriates and those yearning to be. There’s also plenty of terrific travel writing on some of the sites. “ESL Jobs” deals with “Teaching English as a Second Language”, my chosen career path at present. It’s an invaluable resource for anything related to teaching, not just job hunting.

With about 85 different sites and untold links to others, there’re hours of potentially productive pleasure ahead for those of you who choose to indulge.

www.eslcafe.com/jobs - The most popular and widely used ESL website! This part of Dave’s ESL Café site not only advertises ESL jobs around the world, but also offers a journal of job experiences and forums for teachers to post their CVs (resumes), as well as to discuss job-related and teacher training issues.
www.tefl.com – Excellent...one of my favorites. This site contains information on job vacancies around the world and a facility where job seekers can advertise their availability and experience, which can be used automatically when applying for a new vacancy.
www.englishjobmaze.com - Job listings around the world, especially Asia.
www.onestopenglish.com - Job listings, along with teacher aids.
www.esljobfind.com - Very nice site with a listing of jobs by country and useful links, as well.
www.eslfocus.com - Worldwide job listings, plus articles and teacher support.
www.eslcareer.com - This site lists thousands of ESL jobs, especially in Asia. It accepts CVs for inclusion on its database and these can be automatically forwarded to the institution advertising a job when you apply online.
www.eslworldwide.com - This web site contains an easy-to-use searchable database of ESL and English-medium teaching jobs around the world.
www.eslbuddy.com – Jobs posted internationally, but heavier on Asian opportunities.
www.esljunction.com – Various ESL resources, including job postings.
www.eflweb.com/vacancies.php - An easy-to-navigate ESL job site with information on current vacancies around the world, for which job seekers can apply via e-mail.
www.europa-pages.com/www_write/eltoffers.html - Sizeable listing of jobs around theworld.
www.store.yahoo.com/alphabetcity/yellowpages.html - This site, the ‘Yellow Pages’ section of the Alphabet City web site, contains current ESL job listings around the world listed alphabetically by the country in which the job is offered.
www.jobs.edunet.com/summary.cfm - This job site is part of Digital Education Network’s web site. It offers a summary list of jobs available, a ‘featured’ jobs list, and a list by country. It also has a ‘job seekers’ forum where ESL professionals can swap advice and experiences.
www.tefl.net/jobs - This site offers lists of current vacancies with their date of listing in categories of ‘Europe’, ‘Asia’, and ‘Worldwide’. It also offers a facility whereby job seekers can advertise their availability for work on the site and give details of their qualifications, experience, area preference and testimonials.
www.ihworld.com – Worldwide organization (based in London) with many schools.
www.britishcouncil.org/work/index.htm - This recruitment site, which is part of the British Council web site, is a place to see details of current vacancies within the British Council teaching network, and to apply on line for individual posts.
www.english-international.com/jobmarket.html - Written predominantly from a North American job seekers’ perspective, this site provides information on the job market and conditions in different parts of the world, including what teaching qualifications are recognised where.
www.linguistic-funland.com - This is not a job vacancies site so much as a useful list of links to other job sites, as well as offering information on job exchange opportunities.

Asia

www.teflasia.com - Free jobs database for Thailand, Vietnam, Japan, Korea and Cambodia, plus teacher resources.
www.jet.org - For the JET Program, the major employer in Japan
www.121sensei.com - Search for English teaching jobs in Japan and advertise your teaching services online.
www.jobsinjapan.com - This site offers an easy-to-view list of ESL job vacancies in Japan, as well as jobs in other (related?) professions (such as modeling and acting). It also provides a guide on working in Japan.
www.eltnews.com/jobs/jobsinjapan.shtml - This site lists ESL jobs throughout Japan. Morning, evening and full-time teaching positions are available. The job seeker can choose to contact either the agency or the institution itself.
www.tokyoconnections.com - Carries over 200 links to English-language resources relating to finding jobs in Japan, as well as information for Japanese speakers looking to work overseas. Also teaching English resources.
www.hess.com.tw - Massive employer of teachers in Taiwan.
www.teach-in-china.com - This web site contains details of current ESL and English-medium teaching job vacancies in China, arranged by province.

www.teach-english-mexico.com – “This is your one-stop-shop for information and resources on teaching English in Mexico. Everything you need in one place.”
www.innovative-english.com – “Teach and travel in Latin America...the largest EFL teacher placement agency in Latin America, serving schools in 20 countries. Placement firm – fee required.

Living Abroad
(An Expatriates Tool Chest)

www.expatexchange.com - Fantastic – a wealth of info.
www.transitionsabroad.com - Great site!
www.interexchange.org - Many options for Europe... geared towards younger people.
www.ciee.org - Council on International Educational Exchange – working, volunteering, teaching, and studying abroad.
www.escapeartist.com - “Restart your life overseas.” That says it all!
www.iagora.com - Bulletin boards and a searchable database for expats.
www.aca.ch - Geared for Americans living abroad, with advice, links, country contacts, etc.
www.transition-dynamics.com - Assists international expat families.
www.embassyworld.com - List of embassies/consulates for most countries.
www.expatexpert.com - Useful resource for going and living abroad...family oriented.
www.expatriates.com - Extensive resource directory and discussion board.
www.expatworld.net - Newsletter with good links.
www.goabroad.com - Extensive resources for living, working or studying abroad.
www.talesmag.com - Webzine with news, stories, links, message boards and other resources.
www.wwoof.org - Work on organic farms around the world in exchange for room and board – must register and pay to be placed, but worth it. Get your fingers dirty!
www.luxuryyachtcrew.co.uk - How to get jobs crewing on yachts.
www.cruiseserver.net - How to work on a cruise line.
www.backdoorjobs.com - More temporary work...summer jobs, internships, volunteer vacations, work abroad.
www.jobfindersonline.com - Working in Europe.
www.workingtraveler.com - Finding a job overseas