As one of the smaller and less travelled countries in Southeast Asia, Laos is a great choice of destination for anyone who is looking for adventure away from the mass tourism that is found in some other countries in the region.
Those who do visit Laos will find a warm and friendly country that has a huge amount to offer in terms of culture, cuisine, exotic wildlife and stunning natural scenery.
Although the country is relatively poor in relation to some of its neighbors and well paid teaching jobs are not wide spread, you will still find plenty of opportunities to gain valuable classroom experience.
Travel Tips for Laos
Laos is without doubt one of the most up-and-coming destinations within the Southeast Asian region, with visitor numbers rising year-on-year.
You will also find valuable information on suggested vaccinations to have before you leave home and guidance on how to eat like a local so you can fit into your new surroundings as soon as possible.
This introductory guide to the country offers a range of advice on things to do, local foods to try, cultural etiquette, and a few words and phrases of the local language to get you started.
Once on the ground you can enjoy a range of great activities, such as rafting on the Mekong River, trekking through exotic jungles and exploring ancient monasteries.
SOURCE: foursquare . com/v/luang-prabang-city/4cb7e3eb43ec6dcb9f299131
Hmong Language
Although the official language of Laos is Lao, only around half of the population can actually speak it.
The average tourist will have little need to be aware of the language, but if you plan to live and work as an English language teacher in Laos you are very likely to find yourself teaching native Hmong speakers at some stage.
The remainder of the people, particularly those outside of the main cities, speaks an ethic language such as Hmong.
This guide to basic Hmong might be a useful tool to have in your bag if you want to practice some simple words and phrases before or during your stay in Laos.
SOURCE: create . piktochart . com/output/6651983-hmong-language
