.: Teaching English Overseas Top Related Articles
1). English Teachers And Culture Shock
I was talking recently to a young woman who had just returned from a teaching post in Korea. She said her first months in her job were a nightmare because of the unfamiliarity of everything. It made me wonder how teachers can prepare themselves to cope with culture shock.
Anyone who leaves their familiar environment for a prolonged spell is prone to the stress of culture shock. Although we know on a rational level that we are going to meet unfamiliar routines and customs, ...
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2). Native Speakers?
In a recent poll, I asked readers if they thought English language teachers should be native speakers. The result was interesting, as the vote from those with an opinion was close with 48% believing they should be native speakers and 41% saying no. I don’t know what you think about this but I’ve always had mixed feelings.
The first question I would raise with those who believe being a native speaker is an essential prerequisite for an English language teacher is, which nat...
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3). The Hallmarks Of A Professional Teacher
Have you ever wondered what the qualities of a really professional teacher are? I know that all teachers want their students to like them, but being liked isn't the be-all and end-all really, is it? I mean teachers have to make some unpopular decisions sometimes.
Teachers can be popular just because they are friendly and helpful, but to be truly professional and effective they need other qualities.
Article tags: teach english, teaching english, teaching english overseas, esl jobs, esl, tefl, tesol
4). Choosing A Timetabling Software
Recently, I was asked for information about timetabling software. I don't feel I can recommend a particular product as each school will have different requirements, but I thought it would be worth discussing some of the issues involved in choosing software appropriate to your needs.
I think the first consideration is ease of use for those who need to operate the system.
Article tags: teach english, teaching english, teaching english overseas, esl jobs, esl, tefl, tesol
5). An Acronym By Any Other Name
I don't know about you but I loathe acronyms. Yes, I know they have a convenience factor but they also seem to me to be potentially sinister, redolent of George Orwell's Newspeak. Our field has its fair share of them and woe betide anyone who uses one wrongly. Never, for example, say ESL or TESL when you mean ESOL or TESOL. Why? because you might unwittingly.
Article tags: teach english, teaching english, teaching english overseas, esl jobs, esl, tefl, tesol
6). Older Teachers
I met a retired engineer the other day and she told me she was half way through a TEFL training course. She wanted to know what I thought her chances were of finding a teaching job when she has completed the course. Well, I can't disguise the fact that there is a lot of age prejudice in the world of ELT. I think all sorts of reasons combine to make this a profession dominated by young teachers.
Article tags: teach english, teaching english, teaching english overseas, esl jobs, esl, tefl, tesol
7). Mixing Spaghetti And English: Teach English In Italy
For those who dream of teaching abroad, Italy is often the first country that comes to mind. Beautiful, historical, and surrounded by a sense of romance, Italy is a dream for most Westerners who plan on traveling for a career.
It should come as no surprise, then, that English teaching jobs in Italy are somewhat difficult to obtain. There's a lot of competition and a lot of applicants, and if you're hoping to secure a position you should be prepared to prove yourself.
Article tags: teach english, teaching english, teaching english overseas, esl jobs, esl, tefl, tesol
8). Is A Degree In ESL Worth It?
A recent poll asked whether English teachers should have a degree of some type. Approximately 64% of the respondents thought they should have a degree for teaching ESL: quite a high "yes" because, as always, there were some "don't know" meanings that makes the "no" camp very small.
I am generally in favor of teachers being first educated to degree level.
Article tags: teach english, teaching english, teaching english overseas, esl jobs, esl, tefl, tesol
9). Health Matters
I guess nobody likes thinking about what can go wrong with the recruitment process. We all like to think we are reasonable employers, offering a fair package in return for a professional job. Yet, we do operate in a market that is prone to certain complications. Think about it. We recruit mainly young teachers who travel a long way from their home and friends, perhaps to a country they don't know anything about.
Article tags: teach english, teaching english, teaching english overseas, esl jobs, esl, tefl, tesol
10). How Long Is An ESL Working Week?
It seems that some schools combine long hours with revolving days off so that teachers find it hard to recharge their batteries, let alone keep up the quality of their teaching.
As so often this comes back to cultural norms. Many teachers come from a background in which it is normal for the working week to run from Monday to Friday leaving Saturday and Sunday free.
Article tags: teach english, teaching english, teaching english overseas, esl jobs, esl, tefl, tesol
11). What's The Best Way To See The World? - Teaching English Abroad
Almost everyone dreams about traveling and seeing the world. What better way to do it than with a rewarding career? If you're considering teaching English abroad, chances are good you've got the wanderlust... and little fear of being gone for a good period of time.
If you've already weighed the pros and cons and decided that this is the career for you, chances are good you know what the requirements are.
Article tags: teach english, teaching english, teaching english overseas, esl jobs, tefl jobs, tesol jobs
12). Do You Know How Your Students Want To Learn?
Learner power is the topic of this article. I wonder how many school directors think about asking their students how they want to learn. The idea of conducting a needs analysis to find out what students want to learn is nothing new, but I’m not sure if we are quite so used to trying to find out their preferred learning styles. I mention this because it strikes me that so many teachers come from the same mould, having qualified through courses based very much on progressive western views of educational practice.
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13). Teaching English As A Foreign Language: A Life-Altering Challenge
If you're considering teaching English as a foreign language, congratulations. You've chosen a career that many people don't attempt. Although it's one of the most rewarding jobs imaginable, the truth is that it can be a massive commitment. Of course, if you have a passion for it, then the work involved will be a true pleasure.
There are two basic ways to teach English as a foreign language.
Article tags: teach english, teaching english, teaching english overseas, esl jobs, tefl jobs, tesol jobs
14). Language And Culture
The native/non-native-speaking-teacher issues open a whole can of worms of how standards are regulated. I still think the key point about teacher selection is to find the best person for the job. If the non-native speaker fits the bill, then surely that's all that matters. As for regulation, well I agree that students should be protected from sham schools that take their money but don't offer a professional service. Each country, it seems, has its own regulatory system, some ...
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15). Do Something Exotic With Your Degree And Teach English In China
The demand for English teachers all over the world is growing quickly. As more countries interact with each other through business and other types of communication, the need for English speakers in foreign lands is growing. And nowhere is this need greater than in China.
If you're considering teaching English in China, you've chosen a challenging and competitive field.
Article tags: teach english, teaching english, teaching english overseas, esl jobs, esl, tefl, tesol