I have been thinking a lot about doing the same thing. Of course it would be great to just have my job transfer me, but that is easier said than done. Last time my company looked into doing a similar thing, the cost came out to about $500k a year per employee! Also, I don't really like my job, so the thought of doing something new is nice.
So here is what I found from my reaserach...
If you are a professional with a good job, it is not necessarily the best way to save money. Salaries are enough to live on, but if you want to travel or explore, it will be gone quickly.
Teaching at an international school is difficult, unless you are already a teacher in the States. You need to have a teaching degree, the higher the better.
You don't have to teach English. I have several friends that "grade" the spoken portion of the TOFEL exam. You need few, if any qualifications.
You will probably have to work as much as in the US. The benefit is that on nights, weekends, and holidays, you can explore cheaply.
For me, I see teaching Engllish abroad as a way to travel and explore, without touching my stash. It will provide me several years of income, health insurance, and accomodations, while letting my money grow. For me that is enough.