Posted this over on /int/ as well as I wasn't sure what the best place for it would be:

Anyone have any experience with teaching English overseas?

I haven't approached any institutions as of yet, but I'm giving serious consideration to finding a country and dedicating my time to learning the language and teaching English. Preferably some part of Asia (Taiwan, China, S.Korea, Japan, Vietnam).

I'm a 27 year old guy from Australia and currently don't have a degree, just a diploma. Plan on getting a degree (I've heard countries like Japan and South Korea won't even look at you unless you have some form of 4 year degree) and feel that I need to travel first before I commit to it, as I think I'm getting too old to leave it any longer. I don't want to work in a bar or waiting tables while I travel, so teaching English seems the way to go.

Just looking for a general idea of what it's like to live abroad as an English teacher. What kind of income I can expect, living conditions, the food, how other people perceived you (as a teacher) and whether you found it to ultimately be a rewarding experience, or a waste of time. Also what courses I should be looking at and the differences, for example TESOL or TEFL (I'll look more into them after I have a general idea from here of what to expect).

Thanks guys