6 Things to Know Before You Teach English Abroad
So you’re thinking of teaching abroad, eh? Welcome to the world of nomadic work! I am sure you’ve been googling all you can about the topic before you buy your ticket to (insert dream destination).
It is possible to have an amazing time, I know I did when I taught in China. But here are some things that no one ever really talks about so by the time you get on the plane…
You’re really prepared.
- Getting A TESOL or TEFL Helps You Get a Job and Become a Better Teacher
The first way I heard that I could go teach English Abroad was actually throughEatYourKimchi on youtube — a couple that was teaching abroad in South Korea. The more I delved deeper into finding out how I could make that the more I kept hearing about teaching opportunities.
- An NPR piece came up on ways you can make a living abroad.
- Bumped into a digital nomad that was travel hacking and teaching English
- Stumbled across a book that shared job opportunities around the world — Teaching was #1
Well, universe, you have a funny way of making things known, don’t you? I found an online TESOL training program and signed up. I absolutely loved it — despite all of the grammar rules — the biggest takeaway was how to teach English to speakers of other languages and also create lesson plans.
Also many organizations that offer TESOL/TEFL certification will help you with job placement. I still go back to the ITTT TESOL site wen I’m rusty and am just casually searching for jobs. The support is great, despite it being an online course. If you can do an in person TESOL course, however, do it!
2. Bring Your Own Teaching Materials
Lucky for the school that I was teaching at in Southern China — we had textbooks that were relatively easy for the students to use with plenty of pictures, diagrams, and exercises for using in class.
However, if you’re doing more one on one tutoring, volunteering in smaller schools, or were not given notice about the teaching materials you will be using — make sure you bring your own. I went to the local bookstore and bought a few English workbooks and textbooks.
I really recommend:
Ask if you have access to a copy machine, a school library, or resource center for your students as well. This will make creating lessons much smoother and easier for you as well.
3. Check Out Reviews of Schools
Before you sign a contract or partner up with an organization, do a little bit of research before you sign the dotted line.
You would be surprised how many websites look professional but do not treat their employees fairly.
Check out Dave’s ESL Cafe for reviews and a quick google search of different companies and schools will give you reviews from former teachers or collaborators. One of the other things to check out will be the local listings of that country.
Each country has it’s own version of Craigslist or a community classifieds section. I would be on GoKunming.com while at the coffeeshops in China. There are many job listings and amazing cultural opportunities listed on those sites — as well as reviews. These are more local and actually many expats help to set up these websites.
A quick email asking a few questions never hurt — and hey you just made a connection before you go on your trip to teach English.
4. Classroom Dynamics Will Be Tougher Than Lessons
One of the most rewarding moments about teaching a class is the learning curves that you yourself will have with students. Learning which students are at what level, making sure everyone stays engaged, and inspiring the students about why they are learning what they are learning is a challenge in itself.
I remember one student that seemed to be a “troublemaker.” He would talk back and pretend to not be engaged. It was not until I brought him up to the class to act out a scene in English did he shine and started getting engaged.
And after my week teaching at that school, he was one of the students that I missed the most and a lot of hugs and tears were shared before I left.
5. Volunteering Can Lead to Opportunities
When I first went to China to teach English it was a volunteer opportunity that turned into something more — but yes get a work visa if you will be working, we keep things legal here!
Talking to other expats and teachers while I was in China a pattern emerged. They volunteered or worked at a summer English intensive camp, they talked to some of the organizers, and they had a blast.
The organizers would see your enthusiasm and hard work and may even refer you to a school or English training program. I spoke to one expat (he now has his own Montessori-style school) who after working at an English camp was offered a leadership role at a school just because he had a blast with the kids and brought a unique perspective of play to the teaching syllabus.
6. Don’t Use Teaching as an Excuse to Travel — You Gotta Love It
Now, as tempting as it is to just buy your ticket and go teach English is… if you hate school, group settings, or having to work your butt off to stay organized in your classroom — DO NOT TEACH ENGLISH ABROAD.
I repeat.
Do not teach English Abroad.
At first I was a little intimidated with lesson plans and class organization — but in the grand scheme of things I was really excited that I could contribute to the students in my class. There will be days when you might be teaching classes back to back to back, and your lesson plans won’t print.
There will be days when you will be spent and have no wifi and have to focus on just getting through a class.
And there will be days when if everything goes wrong — you teach your class the Macarena and have an epic dance battle between all the classes. Because as a teacher — you’re going to make this a memorable and fun experience for your class but also for you as well.
Oh, and my class totally won the Macarena dance battle.
