There’s no doubt that in Australia, Daniel Tidy’s skills are in demand. With a work history in computer systems administration, and a graduate diploma in education (secondary) under his belt, he’s worked contract roles in both fields here at home.

But as demand to learn to speak English booms globally, the British Council says the estimated 12 million English teachers active across the world masks a huge global shortage.

It meant when Tidy felt the itch to both travel and use his qualifications, he easily found a job teaching English in Japan. It was a route many of his family and friends had enjoyed in the past.

“I’m hoping that living in Japan will be an easy and exciting adventure,” he says. Tidy is currently working as an assistant language teacher at four secondary schools in the Toyota area (yes, it’s named after the car manufacturer). Although he had long been interested in Japanese art and culture, Tidy left Australia with only a semester of high school Japanese under his belt.

With English translations appearing far less frequently in Japan than Tidy anticipated, using translation apps on his smartphone has been “incredibly helpful”.

“It all adds to the adventure, of course,” he says.

Teaching English overseas is a popular choice for native speakers. According to Global Work & Travel CEO and co-founder, Jürgen Himmelmann, it’s one of the most interesting and meaningful work and travel opportunities around.

“Not only do English teachers get to escape the typical 9 to 5 routine back home, they get to experience a whole new culture while making an incredibly positive impact on a local community and its people’s education,” Himmelmann says.

Himmelman says the age range on teaching trips like Tidy’s is “18 to 80”, and that since the COVID pandemic, it has become an increasingly popular choice.