Why is there a demand for English teachers? Nepali children must pass English exams in order to progress through the educational system in any subject, so the demand for effective tuition is strong.

How do I go about getting a job? There is a significant demand for teachers who have experience teaching younger learners, with numerous positions (many of them voluntary) in State and Private school sectors. Volunteer placement organisations such as the Peace Corps, the Fulbright Commission and the Voluntary Services Organization (VSO) are very active out here, and the British Council has a teaching operation in Kathmandu. Africa & Asia Venture Ltd places school leavers as assistant teachers in primary and secondary schools in Nepal and in the Indian Himalayas, normally for 3 months.  http://www.britishcouncil.org/nepal-english-teach-english.htm

Do I need to learn/speak the language? It is not essential to speak the language.

Where do EFL teachers live? Some schools provide accommodation with a host family, but living expenses are very low by Western standards so finding your own accommodation is not difficult.

What is the food like? Nepali food is more practical than gourmet fare but it's by no means boring. The national dish is daal bhaat, boiled rice (bhaat) with a thin lentil sauce (daal), accompanied by curried vegetables (tarkaari) and possibly a dab of pungent pickle (achaar). In rice-growing areas daal bhaat is eaten twice a day, the first meal at around 10:30 a.m. and the second shortly after sunset. Sweet, milky tea and snacks like beaten or popped rice, flat bread, or curried potatoes tide the hungry over until mealtime. Beyond this there isn't a tremendous variety of dishes. Ethnic groups have their own specialties, but basically it's all sustenance food. Nepalis know the value of food as fuel: trek for just a few days and you'll learn it too.

What will I do in the evenings, on days off or on my holidays? Nepal is a land of fun and adventure. To teach and live in this beautiful surrounding is a thrilling experience. In Nepal one can go for treks around Kathmandu valley and imbibe the culture and tradition of the land and the people.  Nepal’s calendar is packed with colourful festivals. Holi, in spring, sees people splattered with bright powdered paint, and a three-tier umbrella is erected in Kathmandu's Durbar Square.Autumn brings Indra Jatra, which includes an appearance by the Kumari Devi, Nepal's living goddess. Get close to Everest's peak without the leg work by taking a scenic flight. The tried and tested method of getting great views of Nepal’s wildlife is by elephant. Plod your way through national parks, such as the Royal Bardia National Park or the Royal Chitwan National Park, for the best possible chance of spotting rhinos, wild elephant and, if you’re very lucky, the orange streak of a Bengal tiger. Scout for Tibetan handicrafts and artefacts at the hugely impressive Bodnath Stupa, a centre of Tibetan exile culture, just a short ride from central Kathmandu. 

Safe? The times of the Maoist rebels making the country dangerous to visit are over, and Nepal is more stable than it once was. Kathmandu and the surrounding valley are deemed safe for short-term or casual English teachers from overseas. Violent crimes are very rare, and the only real concern to a traveller is petty theft. Generally, if you use basic common sense and take all the usual precautions, there is nothing to fear.

How much does it cost to travel from the UK?Flights from £319

When is the best time to travel for English teaching jobs? Anytime. Job opportunities in this region are almost always on a voluntary basis. There are various voluntary placement agencies who can arrange unpaid (or sometimes local salary) employment for qualified EFL teachers.