I want to travel

[Just Visiting]

and honestly the only core skill I have is English. So my question to you is where
is a good place to start? I wish to travel for the reasons being:
To learn and experience new languages and cultures.
To travel.
To be able to find better job opportunities aboard.
To make friends abroad.

So my question to you is what nations are in actually and reall need for people to teach English and are somewhat stable?

I also have a mariner's permit, but no training. Where can I go with this?

[Bevdeforges]

In these days of war and all, it's not a popular notion, but have you thought of enlisting? Maybe in something like the Merchant Marines.

Teaching English abroad requires a TESOL or TEFL qualification (at least if you want to earn more than slave wages). In part, that's because you're competing with every other American, Brit, Aussie and other English-speakers outside their homeland.

The Guardian Weekly runs a special section each month on Teaching English, complete with job and training ads. If you can find a copy (possibly in a public library or at a newsstand with a good selection of international publications) you might get some ideas.

Another option is to look into a vacation camp like Club Med. They rotate their staff to different locations around the world and they should be interviewing/auditioning for the upcoming summer season about now.
Cheers,
Bev

[Just Visiting]

In all due respects, the Merchant Marines are not a military branch (many people I come across think its the US marines I am talking about.) but a branch of commercial sailors that deliver things over seas. I am not sure if you got this confused as well, but as I said, I mean no disrespect.

As of now, yes I have thought of doing so. Perhaps any one here working in the industry could give me advice. The only problem is job growth is expected to be slower then average and I as a person rather be in a job the has faster then average growth rate. Not to mention if I do go into a union to receive training, I would be unpaid for my whole training period and I do currently have bills to pay. The combination (unpaid for a year and bills) are not exactly a good one. Advice on this would be appreciated.

Cruise ships also are something I am willing to consider. Any one else has done this?

And as for enlisting, I have done my time in the US military. Enough is enough.
I could try enlisting in some other nation's military but that is considering if I wouldn't mind living in that nation after wards and enlisting in a foreign military is an automatic way to renounce US citizenship. As of now, that is something I do not want to do.

[Bevdeforges]

Sorry, Just Visiting, I only saw on your recent post that you've already done your time in the military. Merchant marines was another option, not part of the military idea.

Cruise ships might be a neat option. I'm sure if you check the websites for the big cruise lines, they must have a page of jobs they are trying to fill. Take a look at what sorts of people they are looking for.

Or just start scanning the job ads in British newspapers (online or in your local library). You might see something that strikes your fancy that you normally wouldn't think of. Your military experience ought to count for something.
Cheers,
Bev

[synthia]

It would help to know where you are from. Are you a native speaker of English?

[Just Visiting]

I am an American. Unlike the Brits who can drive to any where remotely foreign within hours, my problem is getting there alone.

Maybe I should try looking closer to home. The idea is I want to live in a foreign culture and learn new languages. Its easier when you HAVE to instead of just studying.

Perhaps Quebec or Mexico. However I would not want to visit Mexico for my 1st time trip. Maybe later when I know more on how the world works and a bit wiser but not when I'm still a naive American. No disrespect to no one, but Mexico is renown for its problems and corruption and being naive a sure way to get into trouble.

Or perhaps I should learn and enroll in the courses you suggested and work things that way.

There is the route of going illegal for 1st time, but I don't think thats the way to go and not exactly right in my view.

[Bevdeforges]

It wouldn't hurt to start by taking a foreign language class. If you don't do well in a classroom situation, try Berlitz or some other sort of "immersion" course. Or start with a tape or CD course - "listen and repeat." Some folks just don't learn languages if they are bogged down with grammar.

It really is much easier to meet the visa requirements (and get any sort of job) if you can claim at least a basic knowledge of the local language. Just look at the rhetoric in the US these days about immigrants who "refuse" to learn English. Nobody is refusing to learn English (IMO) - it's just not always that easy to learn it on the fly, especially if you're trying to work a job at the same time. (And believe me, in other countries people turn exactly the same rhetoric on English speakers in their midst.)

Try working for an international company and make sure your bosses know you are trying to learn a language and interested in living overseas. Make yourself available for showing foreign visitors around town. You never know what could develop. (That's sort of how I wound up overseas - though it took a long time.)
Cheers,
Bev

[Just Visiting]

I tried to come up with list of international companies through a google search. The best I can come up with is oil companies. I typed in international companies and also corporations. Yet that not what I wish to get into plus at my level the only jobs I can get is gas stations. Not exactly what I wish to do.

Do you have any idea how to refine my search so I can get exactly what I am looking for or any ideas for any companies that may be?
The only one I can think of as a possibility is Hilton hotels and after that I come to a blank. Any more ideas?

You mean there are actual classes that are immersion? How do these work, how much they usually cost and does it involve travel? What should I expect?

[Bevdeforges]

For immersion classes, start with Berlitz. I'm sure there are other companies that offer something similar, but Berlitz is the big one I'm familiar with. In some cities they have lunchtime classes. You basically go out for lunch with your instructor and have to speak the language you're learning. Or, for tape/cd language training, try a company called Assimil.

Spanish is a good language to start with, because you can use it in the US. There are several Spanish tv stations where you can practice your comprehension.

As for international companies - computer companies (IBM, HP, Microsoft), banks (Citibank, HSBC), airlines, shipping companies (what about that Dubai company that was going to buy several US ports a few years back?). Heck, even Starbucks is international these days. Same for McDonalds. Same for WalMart.
Cheers,
Bev

[synthia]

It's also much easier to get a job if you have a university degree or a skill that is in demand in your target country. For instance, people in the construction trades have been finding it easy to go to Australia, because they have a shortage of skilled workers there.