Beyond the Blackboard: How Teaching English Took Me Around the World

I’m Henry Lilienfield—and I’ve taught English on dusty oilfields, in buzzing megacities, peaceful rural towns, and now, across digital borders. My TEFL journey has stretched from classroom walls to borderless online rooms, and it's brought me places I never imagined I'd go—geographically, professionally, and personally.

Let me take you back to where it all started.

🇬🇧🇮🇱1997–1998: My Gap Year in England and Israel

Like many twenty-somethings, I wasn’t quite ready to settle down. In England, I worked in hotels and began honing the soft skills I’d one day rely on as a teacher—patience, professionalism, people skills. Then, in Israel, I volunteered at kibbutz Kfar Blum, in the Upper Galilee. Living and working alongside people from all walks of life from many different countries taught me the value of cooperation and cultural humility. That early spark would become a flame.

🇸🇴 2002: Community Empowerment in Somaliland

In Hargeisa, I worked on a grassroots education and healthcare project for an American NGO called Hope Worldwide and partnered with UNICEF to help construct the country’s first educational playground for the Hargeisa Children's Home. It was here I realized that English teaching wasn’t just about language—it was about access, hope, and upward mobility.

🇹🇼 2003–2004: Taiwan – Where It All Began

My formal TEFL career kicked off in Taiwan, teaching children at a language center and tutoring adults. I also took part in a charity cycling tour, pedaling over 1,000 km around the island to raise money for families of incarcerated individuals. Days teaching, nights training—it was an unforgettable mix of hustle, heart, and purpose.

🇨🇳 2004–2006: China – Teaching in Motion

I taught EFL and Business English in Nanjing, Wuhu, Liuzhou, and Shanghai—every city its own classroom. One moment I was teaching Legal English to college students, the next I was helping a group of engineers learn how to communicate internationally. I even navigated Shanghai’s lively streets by bicycle—dodging traffic, exploring alleyways, and absorbing the pulse of one of the world’s great cities.

🇿🇦 2006–2014: South Africa – Coming Home with Purpose

Back in South Africa, I trained teachers in rural ICT and e-learning projects. Later, I lectured Academic and Business English at CTI and MGI (now Pearson). I piloted tech-based learning with tablets in the classroom and developed curriculum that bridged digital divides.

🇸🇩 2008: Sudan – ESP for Oil Industry Professionals

In Khartoum, I designed custom English for Specific Purposes (ESP) courses for oil and energy professionals. These weren’t “language people”—but they became them. I also took a ferry to Tuti Island, where life moved at the speed of the Nile. It was a quiet moment of connection between fast-paced classes.

🇴🇲 2008–2009 & 2011–2012: Oman – Purpose-Driven Teaching

Teaching English for Academic Purposes (EAP) to Omani college students, I helped many reach their IELTS goals and unlock future careers. I also hiked Wadi Dhum and Jebel Shems, rugged and beautiful wadis and mountains that reminded me to keep exploring—on foot and in life.

🇸🇦 2014–2015: Saudi Arabia – Building from the Ground Up

I helped pioneer a foundation English program in rural Al-Quwayiyah. Living in a conservative rural town with limited resources, I learned to lead, to adapt, and to build trust—across cultures, languages, and expectations.

🇮🇶 2018: Iraq – Language at the Oilfield

At the Halfaya Oilfield near Amarah, I trained 150 Iraqi engineers. It was a 7-day-a-week, high-pressure program—where English wasn’t just academic; it was about safety, precision, and livelihood.

🌍 The Shift to Online—and a New Chapter

Eventually, my journey shifted online. I’ve now delivered over 8,000 online lessons, coaching adult learners across Russia, Europe, the Middle East, and beyond. I also mentor teachers through Henry English Hub, helping them build careers they love.

🌅 Travel Highlights That Changed Me

Between classrooms and contracts, I made time to see the world:

• 🐪 Saw the Giza Pyramids in Egypt
• 🕍 Walked through Jerusalem's Old City
• 🐠 Snorkeled in Pulau Payar, Malaysia
• 🌴 Relaxed on Langkawi and Penang Islands
• 🌆 Explored Hong Kong, Bangkok, and Phuket
• 🌍 Soaked in the energy of Nairobi and Addis Ababa
• 🕌 Experienced contrast in Dubai, Ajman, and Fujairah
• 🌴 Slowed down in Bahrain and Mauritius

✨ Final Thoughts

From hotel worker to teacherpreneur, this journey has been more than a job. It’s been a lifestyle—one shaped by cultures, classrooms, and the incredible people I’ve met along the way.

Whether you're a learner dreaming of fluency or a teacher ready to break borders, I’ve been there—and I’m here to help.

📘 Want to Start Your Own TEFL Journey?
Buy and download my eBook “Teaching Without Borders” and explore what’s possible.
👉 Download it here

📅 Or book a free consultation to talk about your goals:
👉 Book a Lesson

© Henry English Hub | henryenglishhub.com

From oilfields to online classrooms—English opened the world to me.

Now I help others do the same.