Everyone has dreams to travel - but for many the cost restricts their dreams. What about a working holiday? What about getting paid to travel? There are probably many ways to get paid to travel - but this one is becoming increasingly popular. Teaching English overseas.

These days everyone wants to learn to speak and read English. So many people work in the tourist industry in their own country where travellers from all over the world visit - and the need to speak and understand English is increasing.

Think about visiting China. This year it is Beijing's turn to host the Olympic Games - thousands of Chinese people have been keen to learn English so that they can be better hosts to the athletes and visitors to their country. It has been a boon for teachers of English. But it doesn't end there. In China everyone is keen to get a good education and learning languages other than their own is helpful to them getting and education beyond China.

Now that the people of China are not so poor, they are sending their children to Europe, America, and Australia - and other countries to get a better education than they believe they can in their own country. For example Chinese doctors and medical students are looking to the west to further their studies and perhaps to work in hospitals that are more advanced than the ones in China. Though it seems everyone is on the move to get English language skills.

There are opportunities for native English speakers all over the world.

Teaching English has become very popular for all ages - young people just out of school or university can get paid work after doing some studies, or in some cases as interns they can get overseas to learn a new culture and teach English with very little study. Companies offer "internships" where young people live in hostels or homestays, spend some time working with people who may be their own age or younger to assist with conversation in English.

"Interns" generally pay for their airfares and some administration fee, but are offered several weeks in a foreign country with free board and lodging in return for English conversation classes.

Seniors in our community are not left out. Recently I heard of an 80 year old lady who had completed her TESOL course and was setting off to teach English overseas.

The TESOL class I attended recently had a variety of age groups including several "retired" people looking to make a difference as they travelled and experienced different cultures. Some were people with good careers, but they wanted a "sea change" and wanted to get new experiences.

Couples were enrolled in the class - couples who hoped to travel and teach together.

The best thing is to go to Google and key in "teach English overseas" and you will get thousands of sites to see. Try and find a program in your nearest city and research.

And research and research! There are traps for the unwary! Costs and quality of courses vary - so be warned. Do your research.

It seems there are plenty of opportunities to teach in countries all over the world. Some require their teachers to have a university degree - any degree, as well as TESOL or other recognised qualification - much of which can be done online. In Europe there is more restriction as some countries require that their teachers are native English speakers from EU countries, but there are ways to get around that too.

So, first of all, explore the opportunities that are available to you, and if it is of interest get a handle on the different opportunities available to you.

Remember that in most of the countries you will be working in, you will have to get used to different cultures, and you may not be living in as good conditions as you do at your home! It can be a culture shock - and very daunting.

So research, research, research. Many English Teachers have their own blogs, so you can contact some direct for information.

As I leave to go to China in a few days for my first posting I will be posting information and photos at Adventures of an Australian English Teacher.