The ELT Times The only online TEFL newspaper

An article on how to find a school that won’t let you down by Alexia Nestora

We’ve all heard the rumors. Schools that refuse to pay, schools that work you like a Trojan, even schools that expect you to pay them! There are a lot of crummy language schools out there and you’ll want to avoid them like the plague, here’s how to do it…

Subscribe to The ELT Times by Email

Turn the tables: A TEFL interview is as much about you finding out if the school is right for you as it is about the school finding out if you’re right for it. Prepare some questions before the interview and make sure you ask them. You can find out a lot about a schools approach to teachers by asking a couple of simple questions. For example…

Does the school only hire qualified TEFL teachers?

Does the school perform regular teacher assessments to ensure teaching quality?

Does the school follow a set syllabus?

Does the school encourage student feedback?

Does the school have regular tests to assess student progress?

This may seem irrelevant but if a school doesn’t value the people paying good money to go there then just imagine how it will treat the people who are being paid to work there! This is also a good time to negotiate your contract. Ask about rates of pay, sick pay, medical insurance, taxation, overtime, covering shifts and most importantly, find out whether the school adheres to the labor policy of the host country. Any reputable language school will have answers for these questions, but they’re rarely set in stone so don’t be afraid to haggle. In the TEFL world if you don’t ask you don’t get – so ask!

Work visas: If you’re going to be teaching abroad you’re going to need a work visa. You know that and so do the language schools you’re applying to. If they won’t support your application for a work visa then you need to find another school that will. Having the right visa is essential, without it you won’t be entitled to health insurance, legal protection or holiday pay and you’ll probably be paid significantly less than TEFL tutors who do have a work visa!

Qualifications: You should be wary of any school that doesn’t ask for some kind of formal qualification. Some schools ask for degrees, other just require a TEFL qualification, but they should require some proof that you are able to perform your duties as a TEFL teacher.

You might want to ask how the school will support your professional development. Will they allocate time for you to shadow experienced teachers? Will they help develop your understanding of teaching techniques while you’re working there?

Resources: It’s easy to say that any reputable language school will have a selection of teaching resources (like handouts, card games, lesson plans, dictionaries and grammar books) but this isn’t necessarily the case. These resources take time and money to acquire and if a language school has just started out then it won’t necessarily have them yet. If they don’t have such resources ask them why and question if they have any plans to build up a resources section in the future.

To help prepare you for the absence of resources in underprivileged schools you can take a Specialist Certificate in Teaching with Limited Resources, to learn more click here: http://www.i-to-i.com/tefl/specialist-certificates-limited-resources.html .

The contract: Needless to say, when you get your contract you need to read it carefully. Make sure everything you agreed on is included and check that they haven’t added any sneaky clauses. Don’t be afraid to ask for a translated copy of the contract. This is completely normal and should be expected.

Research: The internet is a great way to research your school to make sure it is completely reputable. Not only that but you can speak to people who have undertaken teaching placements in your chosen country and get a personal recommendation so that you know the school you’re applying for has made a real impression on past tutors.

If you follow this advice then the chances are you’ll have a problem-free overseas teaching experience that lives up to all your expectations!

For those looking for more resources and articles on TEFL courses visit: http://www.i-to-i.com/tefl-articles/ or call 800-985-4864 for more information.

About the author

Alexia Nestora is the founder and director of Lasso Communications, a marketing, public relations and strategic consulting firm. Specializing in volunteer and adventure travel, Lasso helps companies achieve their strategic goals by approaching issues from a unique and experienced perspective. For more information, please visit www.lassocommunications.com or email at alexia@lassocommunications.com.

By Anthony Gore, with a response from Diarmuid Fogarty

The difficulties of working in Spain’s private ELT market

I have been teaching English in southern Spain for almost two years. During that time I think that I have either experienced or have heard about all the possible pitfalls that can befall a teacher working in private academies. Spain has for a long time been a popular destination for native teachers of English and because of this native teachers are not exactly at a premium. There is work but not the kind of work where your ability to speak natural English means that the work will be well paid or your contribution appreciated. This may sound cynical but the truth ( at least about my area of Spain ) is that English is valued as a language, while teachers and to most extent students are seen as the unfortunate consequence of having an academy.

One is left in no doubt that the first aim of any academy is to make money, while the second aim is to save money with teaching students to read and write in English a poor third. I say read and write because many academies don’t bother to teach students to speak English and at least one that I know of tells teachers NOT to speak English in class ! It is easy to understand this emphasis on the written word. Spanish schools do not test their students orally at any time during their education ( until that is you take an English degree at university ). It is common to find students who are unable to speak any English despite finishing higher education and achieving good grades in English exams. These students are unable to make any connection between the written and spoken word and they often return to academies once they realise that they need to be able to speak English for their work.

As a teacher in a Spanish academy you will be faced with several likely situations with unmotivated students being your biggest class headache, I believe in a learner centred approach but students who refuse to be interested in anything, including music and popular culture, present a real problem when trying to prepare a class around their interests. Some of you will be saying that I must have chosen the wrong music or topics, you would be wrong; on one occasion I offered the class a blank cassette to take home and record the music they would like to work on in class, no one took up the offer. At other times I have offered them a choice of video to be viewed in class only to be told they didn’t care which they saw. These classes are frustrating the only advice I can give you is don’t get depressed, don’t drive yourself crazy trying to find the solution, but equally keep trying and if you find an answer email me !

Your employers are likely to cause you an equal amount of frustration; I have never experienced any form of formal teacher development or assessment while working here. I was once given a “school policy” which stated that teachers were “empowered to do their jobs”, this meant that you were left to sort things out on your own. In my experience employers will also change your hours without notice, refuse to tell you if you will be hired again the following year ( 99% of contracts are for nine months, it is unlikely that you can earn enough in that time to survive the three months of summer without work ) and if you are unfortunate enough to be a non-native teacher generally treat you without any consideration at all.

Perhaps all that has put you off, I hope not because I’m sure there are good schools in Spain and if you come you will find many students who have a genuine desire to improve their English; a population who are warm and forgiving even as you murder their language in an attempt to communicate; a climate that has three months of mild winter rather than two weeks of British summer; an unequalled selection of fattening foods and a culture styled on a passion for enjoying the worst as well as the best that life has to offer. The Spanish say “Work to live, not live to work” it’s a philosophy that worth remembering before you face that class of teenagers.

A response

What a bleak picture Anthony Gore paints of working in Spain, and one that rang few bells with me after having worked there for five years. I began teaching in the Basque Country in 1996 and encountered groups of students who covered the range of enthusiasm from poke-her-to-see-if-she’s-still-breathing to gag-him-and-tie-him-to-the-chair. From his description of activities offered to his students, I am assuming that most of them are teenagers.

It is true that teenagers are notoriously difficult to motivate, and so it seems unfair to suggest that this is a characteristic of the Iberian adolescents. Neither do I find it likely that they ‘refuse to be interested in anything’. It’s worth remembering that most students in the academies are not consulted about whether or not they wish to go there, nor are they given much time to get on with being adolescents. Parents thoughtfully package every minute of their offspring’s day into ‘meaningful learning experiences’ such as facing a tired, underpaid and increasingly cynical teacher in a language academy.

Whilst Anthony is to be commended for his attempts to make the language more meaningful by relating it to what he perceives as being of interest to his captive audience, he might find it more rewarding if he asks his students what it is that they would like to be discussing in English classes. It may well be that their real interests go a bit deeper than pop songs and videos. And he shouldn’t get too disheartened if his pleas for help are met with silence. Teenagers in most countries are not used to their views being solicited by figures of authority. It might be a case of softly, softly, catchee monkey.

I think that the Spanish education system also needs defending (loathe as I am to be the one to do it…). For two years I travelled around Spain working as a teacher trainer. My work brought me into contact with many colleagues who are working in very unfavourable conditions in the State system. Despite these conditions, there are a great many teachers who are trying out new and, dare I say it, revolutionary approaches to the teaching of English as a foreign language. It is no coincidence that some of the more refreshing voices in the world of EFL are to be found living and working in Spain.

Finally, I do share his opinions on the working conditions that teachers are forced to work under. Even the British Council is guilty of the exploitation of teachers by employing them repeatedly on short term contracts, which mean no summer pay and reduced social security contributions. However, once again, I think that this is a problem experienced by teachers on a global scale and it seems unfair to present it as a typically Spanish problem.

However, I can assure him that there are good employers to be found in Spain (including several in the south). Another alternative might be to join with some like-minded individuals and form a workers’ cooperative. After all, Spain has favourable laws for doing such things and the Mondragón cooperatives flourished (and continue to do so) in the north of the country.

In conclusion, I would like to encourage readers not to be too disheartened by Anthony’s description. Spain is a wonderful country to live in and work in. Of course, there are problems with greedy bosses and unresponsive students, but as the Spanish also say, No se puede nadar Y guardar la ropa – You can’t go swimming AND look after your clothes.

By Sharon K Couzens de Hinojosa of the TEFL Tips website

Choosing a country will depend on what you want to get out of teaching English. If you’re looking for money, you won’t go to the same country as those who are looking to surf or ski. Experience and education will also be a factor in your decision. Since money is often a factor, let’s address that issue first.

Top Countries for Earning Money

If you’re looking to save you should head towards Korea, Taiwan, Hong Kong, or the Middle East. Korea and Taiwan are also easy for newbies to get a good paying job with great benefits.

Hong Kong may be a more difficult market to get into. The NET (Native English Teacher) Scheme is the best, money-wise, but you will need experience and a background in teaching.

Lastly is the Middle East, where salaries can range from 30 to 60K USD a year. Saudi Arabia is at the top as far as money’s concerned. However, you will need experience and a MA degree just to get your foot in the door. Also, keep in mind that life in the Middle East may not be as foreign friendly as other countries. Some limitations that you might encounter are: needing special permission to leave the country, alcohol limitations, and little interaction with the locals.

Living in Paradise

If you’re looking for a laid-back atmosphere, try Thailand, Mexico, or Argentina. Although you will probably be paid less, sometimes a more relaxed atmosphere outweighs the pay.

Thailand is located in South East Asia, has great weather year round and lots of beaches. It’s also a top tourist destination, so you’ll find many of the amenities there that you will find at home.

Since Mexico is part of Latin America, you will be treated to two-hour lunch breaks and siestas. Argentina has more of a European feel to it than Mexico, but the Latin American mindset still goes strong.

What about Europe?

Many people want to go to Europe, but the truth to the matter is that visas may be hard to come by. Getting a visa in the new EU, Central and Eastern Europe, is much easier than trying to get one in the old EU, Western Europe. If you’re interested in teaching in Europe, do a little family background research as you may qualify for a passport from a European country. Italy is probably the easiest to get a passport from if you have family from there.

Europe may be perfect for as it’s exotic and has beautiful architecture and a fascinating history. Pay seems to hover around 700 to 1000 USD a month across Europe.

International Schools

If you have a background in teaching, experience and qualifications, money and visas won’t be an issue for you. You pretty much have the world at your feet. The majority of international schools will pay just about the same as schools in your home country, you’ll have benefits, including relocation allowances, and schools will get you a visa. Most places require a one or two year contract.

About the author

Sharon K Couzens de Hinojosa is the creator and writer for TEFL Tips, The LA Job List, and The Ultimate Peru List. She enjoys answering people’s questions about TEFLing and Peru.

By Vincent Van der Sluis

Switzerland has always been known to be a haven of peace and neutrality.

The population of Switzerland is approximately 7.000.000 inhabitants with the capital being Bern. Bern is the German word for “bear”. There is a bear pit not far from the heart of the city where you can see real bears and even feed the rascals - they seem to have taken a liking to it.

This is a small country with small cities but a very lively rural population. Most of the bigger towns and cities are easily accessible because of the proximity of the small villages, the world renowned train system and the world’s most dense motorway (highway) system.

Zurich is the biggest city in Switzerland and is the most expensive city in the world just after Tokyo. Geneva, the city of Calvin’s Protestant Reformation, is home to many NGO’s (Non Government Organizations) such as the United Nations of which Switzerland has become the latest member http://www.ngo.org/

The strength of Switzerland is the security, peace and discretion that can be found there. Vestiges of the past are the Vatican’s Swiss guard, a neutral international policy - strong currency and an army which requires every able man to be armed, AT HOME!

It is a wealthy country and salaries are relatively high. There are many foreign investors as Switzerland is a tax haven. The prestige of the secret Swiss bank account has driven many honest AND dishonest people to store their money there. At present, however, there is a considerable amount of pressure on Swiss banks on the part of the European Community to do away with the whole notion of secret bank accounts.

However, there are also negative aspects : recent scandals concerning frozen Jewish bank accounts after WWII, and more recently a scandal uncovering Swiss financing of the South African Apartheid regime has put a damper on what has often been considered as an innocent and pristine nation. On a more personal level, foreigners find it difficult to integrate into this society which tends to be quite affluent and self-sufficient.

Stereotypes abound when one thinks of Switzerland : the Alps, fondue, (Toblerone) chocolate, cheese, yodelers, alp horns, Heidi, cow bells, etc. These are all anchored in Swiss culture but this country has produced and still produces many quality products and innovative ideas in the fields of architecture (Le Corbusier), food and beverage (Nestlé), watches (Swatch, etc.), pharmaceuticals (Novartis and Roche), to mention but a few of the most popular successes.

The education system in Switzerland is excellent. Class sizes tend to be smaller than in other countries and seeing that village life is still a priority , it is not uncommon to find a school in a small village of under 500 inhabitants. In the inner cities and even in smaller towns, violence is becoming a significant issue.

Much pedagogical research has come out of Switzerland thanks to people like Pestalozzi, Piaget, etc.

It is difficult for foreign teachers to find employment in Switzerland because of:

-immigration restrictions, which are loosening up for Europeans
-protectionism
-the difficulties foreigners have in obtaining equivalencies for foreign diplomas/certificates.

Whereas public school teachers have comfortable salaries, most private school teachers have relatively low salaries and are often obliged to teach in several different schools in order to make ends meet. Usually this means a 30 hour working week.

The Cambridge examinations are quite popular among Adult students. Many take up English in order to obtain some type of certification. The diplomas that one obtains are very useful on CV’s.

Many foreigners come to study at top-notch International schools where English has a prominent place. You can consult some of the best at this site: http://www.global-education.ch/

In general, the Swiss have a knack for languages given that they have 4 official languages, Swiss German, French, Italian and Romansch and a very popular international working knowledge of English. This makes for excellent international communicators and very eager students of English.

One of my favourite experiences was a one-on-one assignment to a young adolescent. He was the son of a foreign ambassador’s bodyguard. I was supposed to teach him very basic English but when I first met him, it dawned upon me that he only spoke a North-African dialect of Arabic. Although being competent in several languages, I have no communicative knowledge of Arabic. That was a fun experience and one in which I was able to use innovative ideas to enhance the lessons.

By Kelly Blackwell

Where is the best place to teach overseas? It is hard to decide where to go when you look at the scope of unique and exciting experiences that are available in the different regions around the world. This article is designed to give you information regarding the way your decision about where to teach overseas can affect your lifestyle while you are teaching abroad.

Leisure Activities Choosing the best place to teach overseas may be tied up in the kinds of things you like to do outside of work. You can continue many of your favorite leisure activities while you teach overseas, or take up new ones. Many international teachers move to regions that allow them to indulge themselves in this way.

If you ski, then Europe and Korea are options you may consider. You can teach in Vienna for example and take a train to the slopes for the weekend.

Divers tend to look for international schools in Thailand or the Philippines. Thailand currently has many more international schools than the Philippines, so you are more likely to find a teaching job there.

Because most international schools are situated in urban or suburban areas, there is usually a wealth of activities you can take part in. While living in Bangkok I have attended Indian musical evenings organized by the Indian Embassy, attended numerous balls, learnt how to ride a horse and taken numerous dancing lessons in many different styles. My colleagues are more adventurous than I, they run in marathons, compete in triathlons, mountain bike, dive, play golf, and the list goes on.

Subscribe to The ELT Times by Email

To find out if you will be able to continue your hobbies in different countries you can search on the internet or check out the ‘activities’ section of the relevant Lonely Planet Guide.

Making Friends At home you probably have many friends outside of work, this can be difficult to achieve when working at an international school, especially if you frequently move around to different schools.

One key ingredient to making friends with local people can be how much effort you are willing to put into overcoming the language barrier. Learning the local language will also help smooth your life in your host country.

To avoid this issue you can choose to work at an international school in a country where the majority of the population speaks English! In many countries in Western Europe, for example, a large proportion of the population speaks English fluently, so the language barrier is practically nonexistent.

To make friends who are expatriates but not teachers you can join groups like the Hash House Harriers (who organize group runs) and national groups like the New Zealand Society.

Domestic Help Teachers with children that are looking to teach in a country with a lower cost of living than at home will discover that the lower cost of living also carries across into the cost of child care too, particularly in-home child care.

When you teach abroad you can choose to live and work in a country where you will be able to afford a nanny. Many international teachers with children employ nannies, especially in South East Asia where the cost of living is very low, and as a consequence, local salaries are low too.

Even teachers without children can enjoy the benefits of domestic help in countries where domestic helpers are relatively cheap to employ. Nearly all of my colleagues have maids or cleaners who come in and take care of everything from cleaning the apartment to doing the food shopping and collecting dry cleaning.

Finally There are many different factors to consider when you are deciding where the best place to teach overseas is for you. But the main thing to keep in mind is that while you may have a wish list of where you want to go and what you want to be able to do once you get there - it may not work out the way you planned.

For example, there may be no teaching vacancies in your specialty in the country of your choice in the year in which you are applying. Or, there may be schools very interested in employing you but not in the region you were hoping for.

The key to being happy and fulfilled when you are teaching abroad is flexibility and a commitment to making it work for you. It is not going to be just like home, you will face challenges, and that is the best part of teaching overseas, no matter where you decide to go!

About the Author

For more detailed information about Where is the Best Place to Teach Overseas get Kelly’s Complete Guide to Securing a Job at an International School - now completely revised for 2008!

“Escape the Rat Race - Teach Overseas” available FREE!