5 Country Guitar Licks Every Guitarist Should Know

5 Country Guitar Licks Every Guitarist Should Know Maile Proctor  With its distinct style and signature sound, many guitarists want to learn to play country music. Here,  Katy, TX guitar instructor Zachary A. shares the five country guitar licks you need to know Whether you’re trying to emulate you favorite country guitarist or you just enjoy the twang of country songs, these five guitar licks will help you establish a solid foundation. The majority of country music licks are derived from blues and major pentatonic  scales. In this article, I will provide the sheet music and the tablature layout of the five essential country licks you need to know. These country licks will help you build speed and efficiency in your country solos. These country guitar licks have been used by all the country music legends like Albert Lee, Ricky Skaggs, Ry Cooder, Brent Mason, and many, many more. When you practice, you don’t have to play everything super fast. Personally, I think it’s the melodic, moderate tempo licks that really bring home the country vibe. Remember to learn the scale first, and then work on perfecting it. When you’re learning these licks, or any scale or solo, I recommend using a metronome. A metronome can help you gain speed and develop your sense of time. In my opinion, there’s no one who personifies country guitar quite like Albert Lee. He is a true virtuoso on the guitar. Lee recorded Country Boy in 1979, and it became an instant hit. Here is a lick from Country Boy. This lick may seem intimidating at first glance, but it’s not too overwhelming when you break it up into two-bar sections. Heres a country guitar lick from Ricky Skaggs. Play this lick in G major Mixolydian mode. This lick is one of the more well-known country guitar licks. This country guitar lick is from a Danny Gatton solo.  Gatton was an unbelievably fast guitar player, and he would frequently cover several American music genres in one wicked solo. In this lick, he starts with a bend from the 5th  of the chord, then moves to bend the 2nd  of the chord up to the 3rd. After that, he surrounds the low 3rd  of the chord, and finally resolves everything by moving up to the open G. The licks in figures 1 and 2 are both in the chromatic scale, in the key of G7. The chromatic scale is very straightforward; it’s all 12 notes that we use in Western music. When you play chromatic scales, you can really build up your speed. These scales use chromatic filler tones, which makes these licks seem almost never ending. You can hear these two licks in numerous Albert Lee and Brent Mason tunes. Lee and Mason are both virtuosos on the guitar, and they both have a strong command of the chromatic scale. Figure 2, is a chromatic lick in the key of G. Remember, you can treat these licks as templates for new country guitar licks. It’s always fun to take a simple lick and add to it.  Take these ideas, add to them, or invert them. You can also take part of the lick, and then go in a different direction; its up to you as the musician. Looking for more great country songs to play? Try these easy-to-learn  classic country songs. Looking for a great guitar instructor in your area? Search here for guitar teachers near you!  Zachary A. is a guitar instructor in Katy, TX specializing in beginning and intermediate students. He is currently earning a degree in  music theory. Learn more about Zachary here! Interested in Private Lessons? Search thousands of teachers for local and live, online lessons. Sign up for convenient, affordable private lessons today! Search for Your Teacher Photo by David Masters

10 of the Top Small Colleges in the U.S.

10 of the Top Small Colleges in the U.S. When high school students begin looking for colleges, theyre forced to prioritize the things they want. A strong athletic program, a hard-to-find-major, or a particular location can all influence a students desire to attend. So, too, can sizefor many students, the choice of big schools vs. small schools is one of the most important factors. While there are reasons to attend a big school and reasons to attend a small school, finding an academic institution that suits your needs is crucial to success in your continued education. For those students looking for a smaller college (perhaps with 5,000 students of less), we present you a list of some of the very best. California Institute of Technology The California Institute of Technology is a small private university in Pasadena, California. Known for its abundance of Nobel Prize winners and recipients of the National Medal of Science and Technology, the school accepts only 8% of applicants and specializes in engineering and science. Claremont McKenna College Located in Claremont, California, Claremont McKenna College is a private liberal arts college known for its programs in economics, government, and public affairs. The college accepts only 9.8% of those students who apply to the prestigious school. The school has only been co-ed since 1976. Pomona College Another California school to make the list, Pomona College is located in Claremont and only offers undergraduate education. It is one of the most endowed liberal arts colleges in the United States and accepts 12.1% of applicants. The college is associated with the Say Yes to Education Compact, offering free tuition to inner city youth. Swarthmore College Swarthmore College is a private liberal arts college in Swarthmore, Pennsylvania, and it was one of the first co-ed colleges in the U.S. They accept 17% of applicants. The school is part of a consortium with Bryn Mawr College and Haverford College, which provides an integrated library system and gives students the opportunity to cross-register for classes. Amherst College Amherst College is a private liberal arts school in Amherst, Massachusetts. There are 38 majors to choose from, and it is said that students enjoy the open curriculum. Approximately 14% of students who apply are admitted to the school. Bowdoin College Located in Brunswick, Maine, this East Coast college offers a student-faculty ratio of 9:1. Theyve also got a 118-acre coastal studies center on Orrs Island. Bowdoin accepts 14.9% of students. Perhaps best of all, Bowdoin is a no-loan school, meeting 100% of demonstrated financial need with grants. College of the Ozarks College of the Ozarks sits in Point Lookout, Missouri and is a Christian liberal arts college. They offer over 30 majors and charge no tuition for full-time students, instead offering a student work program, so its no wonder that admissions are difficultthe school accepts only 9% of applicants. Alice Lloyd College This Pippa Passes, Kentucky college offers 18 degree programs and roughly 20 students to every faculty member. The school has a high percentage of first-generation students, and around 33% of students who apply are admitted. Massachusetts Institute of Technology MIT is a private research university in Cambridge, Massachusetts. It is well known throughout the world for its programs in physical sciences, engineering, and biology. The school also boasts a high number of Nobel laureates and National Medal of Science recipients, many Rhodes Scholars and MacArthur Fellows, and Fields Medalists. It is understandably difficult to enrollonly 7.9% of students are admitted. U.S. Naval Academy The U.S. Naval Academy is a four-year school in Annapolis, Maryland, educating officers for commissioning in the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps. To get in, candidates must be nominated for admission, usually by a member of Congress. Candidates must also be between the ages of 17 and 23, unmarried and childless, and of good moral character. Theyre given applications, standardized tests, physical tests, etc. Only 7.9% of applicants are admitted. While some of these schools may to difficult to get into, they certainly offer some rewarding perks. By planning your strategy for college applications well in advance and studying up on the kinds of things admissions officers are looking for, youll undoubtedly increase your chances of going to one of the top small colleges in the United States!

How to Read Guitar Chords

How to Read Guitar Chords Megan L. If youre beginning to learn how to play guitar, chances are youll want to get started by learning a handful of chords. Learning how to read guitar chords is a great way to get familiar with guitar notation and get used to your instrument. A chord is a group of notes that makes a harmony when played all together. On guitar, you can strum chords to accompany a melody that you or someone else are singing, or more advanced players might incorporate chords with single notes for a more complex sound. Basically, chords are the building blocks you need to have in place in order to learn to play songs on the guitar. How to Read Guitar Chord Charts Guitar chords can be written in a couple of different ways, so don’t worry if you don’t yet know how to read guitar tabs or sheet music. Guitar chord charts, like the one on the left, are easy to read once you learn a few basics. Think of guitar chord charts as a graphic representation of the fingerboard of your guitar.  The horizontal line at the top of the guitar chord chart is the nut of your guitar, the piece at the top where the head meets the fingerboard. Below the nut, each horizontal line represents another fret, which are the wire dividers on the fretboard. The six vertical lines each represent a string, from left to right EADGBE. If you are holding your guitar like you are ready to play, the thickest string, low E, is the string that is closest to the top. As you strum downward, you will hit the A, D, G, B, and last the high E. On this diagram, the three black dots indicate that you will need to press down three strings â€" the D, G, and B strings â€" on the second fret. The numbers at the bottom of the chart tell you which fingers on your left hand you should use to hold down the strings. Your left hand fingers are numbered one through four, starting with your index finger. So lets break down exactly how this chart is showing you to play the A chord. Put your middle finger on the second fret of the D string, your ring finger on the second fret of the G string, and your pinkie on the second fret of the B string. Be mindful to press with just the tips of your fingers so you do not muffle or mute any strings. Strum slowly from the A string down one note at a time to make sure you are fretting each note cleanly and clearly. Congratulations, you just played an A chord! Here are a few more guitar chord charts for you to practice reading: Feeling pretty good about reading guitar chord charts? Awesome! Lets take a look at another way to read guitar chords: guitar tabs. What are Guitar Tabs? Guitar tabs have six horizontal lines, one for each of the six strings of your guitar. The top line always corresponds with your high E (or first) string and the bottom line always corresponds to your low E (or sixth) string. The layout of tablature can be a little tricky at first, since its basically upside down when compared to the actual neck of your guitar. However, this arrangement actually mimics sheet music by representing higher notes higher on the staff than low notes, so if you plan to go on to read sheet music, its helpful to get used to seeing the higher notes higher. Numbers will be written on the strings to let you know which fret to play. For example, if a song calls for you to play the 5th fret on the A string, you will see a number 5 on the second line up from the bottom. If you see a zero, play the string “open,” without holding down a fret. When reading guitar tabs, do so from left to right, like you would read a book. Its important to note that guitar tabs indicate the sequence of the notes but dont indicate the rhythm. Listen to the song youre learning as you look at the tab to get a feel for the rhythm. Unlike guitar chord charts, the numbers on tablature have nothing to do with the number of the finger on your left hand that you should use to hold down the fret. The numbers only refer to the fret where the string should be held down. If you’re getting stuck on fingering for a particular guitar tab, you might want to consult with a  guitar teacher  for help. Now that you know the basics of how to read guitar tabs, let’s look at reading chords. How to Read Guitar Chords in Tabs Chords in guitar tabs are shown as in the diagram at the left, with all the notes stacked on top of one another. Remember, guitar tabs read from left to right, and the note spacing indicates sequence. Stacking the notes means they are played at the same time, and as you know, notes that are played together to produce a harmony make a chord. Based on the guitar chord charts you practiced earlier, can you name the chord shown in the diagram? If you said “C”, you are correct! Now that you know how to read guitar chords in charts and tablature, start practicing your chords and learning songs! There are many songs that can be played using simple, common guitar chord progressions. Once  youve mastered these chord progressions, youll find that your musical repertoire will grow exponentially! For more help learning how to play guitar, taking private lessons from a guitar teacher is a great way to get personal attention. A great teacher will be able to spot your mistakes and show you how to improve. Find your perfect guitar teacher today! Interested in Private Lessons? Search thousands of teachers for local and live, online lessons. Sign up for convenient, affordable private lessons today! Search for Your Teacher

Video Understanding Guitar Power Chords

Video Understanding Guitar Power Chords Suzy S. Power chords are easy, fun to play and popular additions to many styles of rock music. But what exactly are they, and how do you use them? Check out this video tutorial from Austin teacher Josh G., and learn a few guitar exercises to incorporate them into your playing! Interested in Private Lessons? Search thousands of teachers for local and live, online lessons. Sign up for convenient, affordable private lessons today! Search for Your Teacher Josh G. teaches music theory and guitar lessons in Austin, TX. Josh earned his music degree with a focus on blues, jazz and classical guitar, and also specializes in rock, folk and pop styles. He joined the TakeLessons team in August 2012. Learn more about Josh, or visit TakeLessons to search for guitar lessons near you!

New Common App Essay Prompts For 2015-2016

New Common App Essay Prompts For 2015-2016 For those juniors out there whore ready to get started on college applications (or at least thinking about them!), the Common App organization recently released their essay prompts for the 2015-2016 application year.   While some of the prompts are the same as last years, others have been changed to reflect feedback from students, college counselors, and admissions committees at colleges.Without further adothe new Common App personal essay prompts!1. Some students have a background, identity, interest, or talent that is so meaningful they believe their application would be incomplete without it.   If this sounds like you, then please share your story.2. The lessons we take from failure can be fundamental to later success.   Recount an incident or time when you experienced failure.   How did it affect you, and what did you learn from the experience?3. Reflect on a time when you challenged a belief or idea.   What prompted you to act?   Would you make the same decision again?4. Describ e a problem youve solved or a problem youd like to solve.   It can be an intellectual challenge, a research query, an ethical dilemma-anything that is of personal importance, no matter the scale.   Explain its significance to you and what steps you took or could be taken to identify a solution.5. Discuss an accomplishment or event, formal or informal, that marked your transition from childhood to adulthood within your culture, community, or family.Check out the Common Apps blog for more information about changes to the Common App essay-writing process.   One highlight: Common App colleges can now choose whether or not to require the Common App personal essay.We work with many juniors and seniors to get them ready for the SAT, ACT, and SAT subject tests, so we know how busy this time of year is.   If youre a current junior, your focus should be on finishing spring semester strong make sure youre doing a great job with your classes, AP exams, and SATs and ACTs.   After schools out in June, take a break for a few weeks to decompress.   Once youve sufficiently recovered from the school year, take some of that free time to start brainstorming and drafting your college application essays.   If you can draft a few college essays over the summer, youll take some of the pressure off in fall semester, when youll be busy focusing on filling out applications, academic coursework, and a possible retake of the SAT or ACT.   Your future self will thank you!And as always, if you need help preparing for the SAT, ACT, or SAT subject tests, reach out to AJ Tutoring anytime.   We cant write your college essays for you (been there, done that, wrote our own essays a long time ago!), but we can help you get your best score on your college admissions tests.

Instructivist vs Constructivist Instructional Design

Instructivist vs Constructivist Instructional Design Who would you hire? In this serious game, imagine you were asked to hire an instructional designer for your college or company. Who would you hire? Use the audio players below to hear the candidates talk about their views on instructional design. At the end of the first part of the interview, the candidates will ask you if you have any questions. Think of a question, ask it, and click play on the second part interview. Who would you hire? Barbara Bill Press the play button to hear this candidate talk about her approach to instructional design. Your browser does not support this audio Press the play button to hear this candidate talk about his approach to instructional design ??Your browser does not support this audio Ask this candidate a question and then hit the play button to hear this candidate talk some more. Your browser does not support this audio Ask this candidate a question and then hit the play button to hear this candidate talk some more. Your browser does not support this audio Actively Engaged at College and Actively Engaged on the Job  from Bokomaru Publications were carefully designed using a combination of instructivist design and constructivist design principles. Every week, learners are provided with a series of sequenced ESL activities to prepare them for constructivist learning tasks.  In this way, learners benefit from both types of learning activities, satisfying a range of learning preferences. They finish the course with a body of knowledge about linguistic forms and communicative functions, and they are more patient problem-solvers, too. About the task I created these Who would you hire? candidates for a Learning Theories class. We were using Driscolls book and had just finished talking about Gagné. The lesson was on Constructivism, but I didnt want to use an instructivist lesson to teach constructivist principles. I devised this little task instead. (The voices, by the way, are both me, but I used Audacity to raise and lower the pitch of the recordings to make them sound different.) In groups of 3, students were first asked to imagine a context where training is needed, to set a budget and delivery date, and then convene a hiring committee. The first audio was played for each candidate. They were then told to ask each candidate a question, and I played the second audio. While they were deliberating in groups, I gave each group one of these messages from Head Office at random to complicate matters: 1) The boss has decided to increase spending on training. Your training budget just got bigger. 2) The boss has decided to reduce spending on training. Your training budget just got smaller. 3) The boss has decided to give you one more month to develop your project. 4) The boss has decided to move the deadline up by a month. You have to work faster. Depending on the task, budget, learner population and timeline, groups chose the candidate that they like best and justified their answer. Please follow and like us:

5 Reasons to Have a Job on Campus - by TutorNerds

5 Reasons to Have a Job on Campus - by TutorNerds 5 Reasons to Have a Job on Campus Almost all students have to work at least part-time during college, students who are lucky enough to be one of the few that dont are advised to focus 100% on their studies and feel very fortunate. However, the rest of us have some important decisions to make about balancing income and academics. Most professors will advocate strictly for academics, and they should because it’s their job to advocate for education after all. However, if a student can’t pay their tuition, this advice is not entirely helpful. So how can a college student find that delicate harmony between work and study? One of the best ways to achieve this is to find a job on campus. 1. Save valuable time Students who live on campus without personal transportation often find it difficult to get to and from an off-campus job. The 45 minutes or so one-way waiting for the bus or riding a bike is time that could be better spent studying for exams. However, students who work on campus can simply walk a few blocks and be at work. Any time that isn’t spent commuting is time a student can use to either study or work more and earn more. 2. Be a part of the community Students who work on campus will remain a part of the larger campus community. Nearly all of their coworkers will also be students, and they will have the opportunity to meet student colleagues from nearly every discipline and field of study. Students who work on campus can use work as a way to participate in student networking as well as making new friends. 3. Working around a student schedule Students who have an off-campus job often find that they have to make some very tough decisions when finals week comes around. While some part-time employers are kind enough to recognize that their collegiate employees will need time off during finals week, many are not. Countless students have had to choose between either quitting their jobs for risking failing final exams. This is not a decision student workers should have to make. On-campus employers know that all of their employees will be unavailable during certain weeks of the term. They tend to be a lot more flexible and willing to work around a student’s academic schedule (READ: The Dos and Donts of Dropping a College Course). 4.  Income for international students Although students on F1 student visas are generally not allowed to earn money while in the United States, theres often an exception to work on campus. This gives international students the opportunity to earn some pocket money to help subsidize the cost of international tuition. It also allows international students to immerse themselves in US culture and get to know a mixture of local people and make some potential job connections for the future. 5. Keep on top of academics Being on campus reminds students that their primary reason for being there is to study. If a student is starting to fall behind with their educational obligations, being surrounded by fellow students and professors on a daily basis is a good reminder of the ultimate prize. Although being able to pay the bills and tuition is extremely important, students who work off-campus can easily get distracted and veer away from their ultimate goal of obtaining a bachelors degree. In short? Most American students will need to earn pocket change, at a minimum, while in college; there are many different places students can work and many different ways to earn money. On-campus student jobs are some of the best options for students who would like to maintain that delicate all-important balance between work and study. Still in the application phase? Our Orange County college admissions consultants are here to help (READ: 8 Reasons Applicants Fail to Get Into the College of Their Choice). All blog entries, with the exception of guest bloggers, are written by Tutor Nerds. Are you an education professional? If so, email us at pr@tutornerds.com for guest blogging and collaborations. We want to make this the best free education resource in SoCal, so feel free to suggest what you would like to see us post about â€" our Orange County private academic tutors are happy to help. 5 Reasons to Have a Job on Campus - by TutorNerds 5 Reasons to Have a Job on Campus Almost all students have to work at least part-time during college, students who are lucky enough to be one of the few that dont are advised to focus 100% on their studies and feel very fortunate. However, the rest of us have some important decisions to make about balancing income and academics. Most professors will advocate strictly for academics, and they should because it’s their job to advocate for education after all. However, if a student can’t pay their tuition, this advice is not entirely helpful. So how can a college student find that delicate harmony between work and study? One of the best ways to achieve this is to find a job on campus. 1. Save valuable time Students who live on campus without personal transportation often find it difficult to get to and from an off-campus job. The 45 minutes or so one-way waiting for the bus or riding a bike is time that could be better spent studying for exams. However, students who work on campus can simply walk a few blocks and be at work. Any time that isn’t spent commuting is time a student can use to either study or work more and earn more. 2. Be a part of the community Students who work on campus will remain a part of the larger campus community. Nearly all of their coworkers will also be students, and they will have the opportunity to meet student colleagues from nearly every discipline and field of study. Students who work on campus can use work as a way to participate in student networking as well as making new friends. 3. Working around a student schedule Students who have an off-campus job often find that they have to make some very tough decisions when finals week comes around. While some part-time employers are kind enough to recognize that their collegiate employees will need time off during finals week, many are not. Countless students have had to choose between either quitting their jobs for risking failing final exams. This is not a decision student workers should have to make. On-campus employers know that all of their employees will be unavailable during certain weeks of the term. They tend to be a lot more flexible and willing to work around a student’s academic schedule (READ: The Dos and Donts of Dropping a College Course). 4.  Income for international students Although students on F1 student visas are generally not allowed to earn money while in the United States, theres often an exception to work on campus. This gives international students the opportunity to earn some pocket money to help subsidize the cost of international tuition. It also allows international students to immerse themselves in US culture and get to know a mixture of local people and make some potential job connections for the future. 5. Keep on top of academics Being on campus reminds students that their primary reason for being there is to study. If a student is starting to fall behind with their educational obligations, being surrounded by fellow students and professors on a daily basis is a good reminder of the ultimate prize. Although being able to pay the bills and tuition is extremely important, students who work off-campus can easily get distracted and veer away from their ultimate goal of obtaining a bachelors degree. In short? Most American students will need to earn pocket change, at a minimum, while in college; there are many different places students can work and many different ways to earn money. On-campus student jobs are some of the best options for students who would like to maintain that delicate all-important balance between work and study. Still in the application phase? Our Orange County college admissions consultants are here to help (READ: 8 Reasons Applicants Fail to Get Into the College of Their Choice). All blog entries, with the exception of guest bloggers, are written by Tutor Nerds. Are you an education professional? If so, email us at pr@tutornerds.com for guest blogging and collaborations. We want to make this the best free education resource in SoCal, so feel free to suggest what you would like to see us post about â€" our Orange County private academic tutors are happy to help.

Dreaming of teaching abroad Here are the 5 best programs hiring right now!

Dreaming of teaching abroad Here are the 5 best programs hiring right now! So, you’ve just finished college and you’re thinking about teaching English abroad when a thought strikes you: You could go anywhere in the world. In a few months, you could find yourself in a place you’ve never imagined. With people you don’t even know exist right now. Teaching abroad opens up a world of opportunity that’s as exciting as it is terrifying. I mean, it’s a big world out there - where to begin? Well, a great place to start out is through a paid teach abroad program. Finding the best teaching English abroad program for you means getting the international adventure you’re looking for, safe in the knowledge you’ll have a paycheck at the end of every month and support on hand to help you navigate setting up your new life in a new land. While the best teach abroad programs may provide a smoother transition than just turning up in your country of choice and hoping for the best, they also require a little bit of admin on your part before you pack a bag and indulge your wanderlust. Narrowing down a program that ticks all the right boxes for you and maximizing your chances of getting accepted before you apply can set you on track for an unforgettable adventure. Getting accepted into a teach abroad program First things first, before you apply for a teach abroad program you’ll want to check that you fulfill some basic entrance criteria. Not all programs are the same, but there are three things that most programs ask of their future English teachers: 1. A bachelor’s degree International schools may look for licensed teachers to teach specialist subjects, but the most common general request for English language teachers is for a bachelor’s degree in any field. 2. A TEFL qualification Many teach abroad programs ask for TEFL qualifications, and doing one is also a great way to gain confidence in your teaching skills, boost your CV and let future employers know that you’re ready to share your knowledge with the world! A good TEFL course should give you the teaching tips and techniques you’ll need to organize your classroom and get the best out of your students as an English teacher. There are thousands of TEFL courses out there to choose from, including intensive and part-time options, as well as face-to-face learning or gaining TEFL certification online. As a general guideline, it’s best to pick a TEFL qualification that’s at least 100 hours long, offered by an institution that’s internationally recognized and within your budget - like Teach Away’s very own TEFL course, offered in conjunction with the University of Toronto. 3. Great English language skills! If you’re a native speaker you don’t have to worry about proving your skills in this area, but non-native speakers shouldn’t be put off either! Different countries and programs have different requirements. If you’re a non-native speaker, doing a TEFL course can help show that, not only do you have top-notch teaching skills, but you’re also fully at ease with teaching the English language. Recommended reading: What qualifications do I need to teach English abroad? Now you’ve got the admin out of the way, it’s time to sign up for your perfect teach abroad program! Except, umm… Which is the best teach abroad program for me? The answer to this question really depends on what you want to get out of your experience, professionally and personally. Are you looking for a change in lifestyle, a cultural immersion, or an international adventure? Here are a few questions to help you narrow down what your perfect overseas teaching job might look like, starting with the biggest question of all… Where’s the best place to teach English abroad for me? When you picture yourself living overseas what comes to mind? Are you strolling down cobbled streets in Europe, powering through an Asian megacity or basking in the Middle Eastern sun? Perhaps you’ve always wanted to improve your Spanish or try to get to grips with Mandarin? Do you love Vietnamese food, Spanish guitar music or Korean movies? These might sound like small things to base a big decision on but when stepping out into the great unknown, following your heart a little means you’re sure to enjoy the adventure. Besides the country that you’ll be living in, think about opportunities in the surrounding areas too. Teaching in Germany, for example, would put you in the perfect position to take weekend train trips all over Europe. Sign up to Teach Away today for access to the latest teaching jobs around the world. What kind of lifestyle do I want while I’m teaching abroad? Beyond your teach abroad fantasy lifestyle, there are a few practical ways to make your decision, too. Thinking about small things like what kind of weather you prefer, whether you’re better suited to working 9-5 than evenings and weekends and whether there are any favorite hobbies you’d like to keep up while you’re away will make a big difference to your lifestyle once you arrive. If your favorite way to unwind after work is going for a run in the fresh air, then maybe living in a rural setting rather than a super crowded high-rise city would be better for you! You might not have a detailed idea of the lifestyle you want, but narrowing down a few preferences will help you pick out a program that truly suits you. What kind of English teaching do I want to do? Don’t forget a lot of your time abroad is going to be spent teaching English! Committing to a teach abroad program often means signing up for at least one school year so make sure you take some time to think about what will make you happiest in your professional life while you’re away. For example, do you think you’d prefer the structure of working in the state school system or the flexibility of working for a private school? Can you see yourself teaching kids, teens, adults or a mix of all three? Make sure you read up on the types of teaching different programs offer to find one that will make your time as an English teacher as fulfilling as possible. What kind of salary could I make teaching abroad? If you’re looking for the highest salaries for English teachers, countries in Asia and the Middle East, like China, the UAE, South Korea, Japan and Vietnam are at the top of the scale. English teachers in these destinations often earn enough to enjoy their time abroad and save money too. While other destinations may pay less, one of the benefits of teaching English abroad through a program over going freelance is that you are guaranteed to make the same amount every month, making it easier to work out a budget and make sure you don’t miss out on any once in a lifetime opportunities. An added plus is that most programs also offer other perks like language lessons, free housing or even flights to and from the country you travel to! When looking at potential salaries don’t forget to check out living expenses in your country of choice. Recommended reading: Top countries to make the most money teaching abroad in 2018 Where is the highest demand for English teachers? There is high demand for teachers in China, Japan, South Korea, Vietnam and The United Arab Emirates, to name a just a few countries. These are some of the best countries to teach English and save. But don’t worry if the destination you want to go to isn’t on this list; there are great teaching programs running in countries all over the world! The good news is whatever kind of teach abroad program you’re looking for, there’s one to suit just about everyone! Here are some of our favorites: 1. Teach Away’s Explore Program - China An ancient culture steaming into the future without losing its rich artistic, culinary and national traditions. If you can picture yourself spending a year in China then the Teach Away’s Explore program might be for you. There are positions available all over the country and beyond world-famous Beijing and Shanghai, it’s worth checking out lesser-known destinations for a unique cultural experience. Eastern city Suzhou, for example, is known as the Venice of China because of the pretty waterways that fill the city and southern Shenzhen is close to beautiful beaches and the bright lights of Hong Kong. Depending on the program you choose, benefits on the Teach Away Explore program include health insurance, housing, return airfare and Mandarin lessons. 2. The Jet Program - Japan Japan’s government-funded JET program has been running for decades - a testament to how much demand there is among foreigners to experience this fascinating country like a local. And who can blame them?! From Buddhist temples to manga, via ramen and cat cafes, Japan’s unique culture is as intriguing as its people are infamously polite. Multiple positions available in public schools all over the country mean diverse experiences on offer. A position in the countryside might mean a cultural and linguistic immersion, whereas urban positions could place you in one of Japan’s world-class, 24-hour cities. Benefits for JET program teachers include affordable accommodation, 5-6 weeks of holiday plus national holidays, round-trip flights and Japanese lessons. 3. UAE Government Schools - United Arab Emirates Whether you head for world-famous Abu Dhabi or one of the lesser-known Emirates, working in the UAE will make you part of a large international community where you can meet people from all over the world. UAE Government Schools is also a great teaching program for couples, with or without kids. Working within the national education system also means you’ll get a local perspective on the futuristic cities, old-world culture and stunning natural beauty abundant in this sun-drenched corner of the world. Between exploring traditional souks, poolside brunching in luxury hotels and trekking through the desert, there will be plenty to keep you entertained outside of work hours too. English teachers on the UAE Government Schools program are required to have a teaching license or CELTA and two years teaching experience. Benefits for teachers normally include a tax-free salary, round-trip flights, health insurance and housing. 4. EPIK - South Korea Whether it’s kimchi, k-pop or cutting-edge cosmetics that piqued your interest, South Korea has all that and so much more to offer. Rural and urban positions are available throughout the country, and wherever you work South Korea’s compact size means that a mountain ski trip, the dizzying lights of a vast metropolis or serene rice fields are never more than a train ride away. Nestled between China and Japan, South Korea is also the perfect jumping-off point for exploring other destinations in Asia. Benefits for EPIK English teachers include a settlement allowance, housing, subsidized health insurance and completion bonuses. 5. CIEE - All around the CIEE is one of the most flexible programs out there in that it offers teaching positions in almost every corner of the globe! If you still haven’t settled on a specific destination for your English teaching adventure then how about narrowing it down to Chile, China, Czech Republic, Dominican Republic, Morocco, Portugal, South Korea, Spain, Thailand or Vietnam?! CIEE is also one of the most supportive programs â€" wherever in the world you go you’ll have 24/7 emergency assistance, iNext international insurance, pre-departure support and an in-country orientation when you arrive. Depending on the CIEE program you choose, language classes may also be available. So, which program are you signing up for? If you’re torn between two (or three!) why not try starting the online application process and see where it takes you? The process will encourage you to think more deeply about your motivation for signing up and what each experience might have to offer you. And if none of these options seem like the right fit, don’t lose hope just yet! Try searching online by location or program type and see which other programs might match your interests. You never know, your perfect teach abroad program might be just a few clicks away!