5 English-Speaking Jobs that Let You Travel the World

Alex Whitty

19 June, 2017

“The world is a book, and those who do not travel read only one page.” – St Augustine of Hippo

A quick poll of our students would probably reveal that many of you agree with that idea. In fact, travel could be your motivation for taking one of our English courses in the first place. But it may surprise you to learn that it was written over 1,500 years ago. Although people’s desire to explore the world hasn’t changed much over time, we now have opportunities to travel that would have seemed impossible even 50 years ago, let alone 1,500. Today, many people choose their career based on their ability to travel. And with your English skills, you can too. Here are 5 of the best jobs for seeing the world.

1. Au pair/Nanny

Being an au pair may not be as common as it once was, but it’s still a great way to experience life in a different country. Usually it’s unpaid, but you get accommodation and meals provided by the family you work for. Even better, you could find work as a nanny, which is also a great paid profession for anyone looking to live abroad. Those with excellent language skills and a good education can command 6-figure salaries working for the rich and famous, accompanying them all around the world. If you’re lucky, you could be travelling from LA to St Tropez!

travel job nanny — Working abroad as a nanny means you can live in a new country and even get to travel!

2. Teacher

As an English language student, you’re probably aware of how many options there are to study English. Almost every major city and most countries of the world have language schools offering classes. Demand is everywhere and it’s growing, which means there’s also an increasing demand for English language teachers. If you’re already proficient in English, you can complete a CELTA and qualify to teach English to non-native speakers in almost any country in the world. Not only is it a fantastic way to see the world, but you’ll also be continuing to practice and improve your own English skills.

travel job teacher — Knowing how to teach English is a valuable skill for anyone looking to live abroad

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3. Flight attendant

Live the jetsetter lifestyle and get paid to fly instead of paying to fly! Sounds like a pretty good deal, right? Of course, you’ll have to work hard and you don’t get to choose your destinations or how long you spend there, but becoming a flight attendant is still one of the most accessible and fun ways to see the world. You’ll need excellent customer service, and of course, fluent English skills, which often require a satisfactory IELTS score.

travel job flight attendant — Flight attendants get to go all over the world

4. Lawyer/Banker/Accountant

It’s a fact that English is the language of international business – and you don’t get more international than the world of law and finance. The big firms have offices all around the world, and they’re always looking to recruit people with language skills and a global mindset. Your time abroad at a Kaplan International English school could be the perfect experience to put on your CV or résumé to land yourself one of these top jobs. Plus, with our Business English courses, you’ll be better prepared for your career in international business.

travel job banker — Being good with numbers is a valuable skill in any country

5. Humanitarian worker

If you want to help people and you’re willing to go anywhere that your skills are needed, then humanitarian work could be for you. It might seem very different to the corporate world of banking and law, but in fact these jobs require a very similar skillset: the ability to be culturally aware, to know how to communicate with people in different languages, and being able to thrive in unfamiliar surroundings. Studying English abroad can help you develop these skills and increase your chances of getting into what is a very competitive sector.