I have a class of 10/11 year olds at elementary level. I teach them twice a week for an hour at a time. I find the behaviour management by far the most difficult thing with this class. I have underlined the class rules any number of times but many of the students frequently disregard them, particularly in terms of talking and not listening to instructions. It can get very frustrating having to ask for quiet every 5 minutes, and having to repeat instructions to keep them on task. Their listening skills are pretty poor, and when I speak in English they often seem to switch off, although I do try and modify my language and speak simply and slowly. As a result I often give instructions in Spanish, which some teachers may disagree with as a policy, but actually it has brought some improvement in keeping them on task.

I asked my boss for advice, and she said that most likely the problem comes from boredom, and I think she’s right. I do try and plan a variety of tasks, not be too book based and include lots of visuals and games, although there are times when we have to concentrate on form, and use the exercises in the course book.

I used to start the classes with a game, but now I find it’s better to start with a task, and I can usually keep them occupied for 35-40 minutes, and then move on to a game for the last 20 minutes or so.
I will sometimes use a Simpsons DVD as a final exercise, with a worksheet to go with it, and I try and use this as a kind of carrot, to encourage good behaviour.

I have also changed the seating plan around a couple of times to manage their behaviour – however as your students are 18+ I think it would be difficult to manage their behaviour quite as overtly. But if you can use resources such as films, magazines and music which are of real interest to them as people this might help.

I’ve done a couple of reading classes where I brought in some comics and teen magazines, also some car and music magazines which held their interest fairly well.

I think we also have to note cultural differences. Spanish kids are naturally talkative, and seem to tolerate much higher levels of noise than children in Northern European countries. It has struck me that quite often, my kids don’t realise they’re being unruly. However, notas and test scores seem to be very important to them, so if I really want them to be quiet, then I can usually achieve this by giving them a test, as long as I make it obvious that I’m making a note of their results.

To be honest, with these strategies I would say have made only a marginal difference to their levels of attention… but there are still 2 terms to go Maybe it will get better…

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What shape are you in?

Teaching isn’t the only thing you can do, no matter how long you’ve been doing it. Nevertheless, after teaching for a few years, you can start to feel institutionalized. In such cases, it’s a good idea to take time to assess what skills you possess. Furthermore, start thinking about how you can apply those skills in other professions.

What skills do you have?

Even though you’ve spent a lot of time in the classroom, you’ve also been developing many other skills, even if you didn’t know it. Off the top of my head, I’m sure you are more than likely to have picked up some aptitude in the following areas:

• Flexibility – how many times have you had adapt according to a quickly changing situation?
• Independence and self-motivation – Hey, you upped and moved to a foreign country, not many people could do that.
• The ability to relate well with others – You’ve been in a position of some power, with many looking to you for the way forward. You have a skill that many fail to develop.
• The ability to plan – You have consistently had to plan, carry out your plan and work effectively within a team. Again, this is a skill that many fail to develop.
• Practical IT skills – You pretty good at churning out those worksheets and recording grades on excel.
• Communication skills – The old CV gem; you now know how to use English better than most native speakers and are able to communicate effectively within small and large groups.
• Market knowledge – Who has as much knowledge of the local market as you? You could be the only one who can speak that foreign language.

All of these are key skills in all manner of jobs; good communicators are always in demand. You could even consider using these skills to set up in business for yourself. Here are a few things that you could move into that would utilize your wide range of abilities:

• Teacher training
• Consultancy
• Resources and materials production
• Publishing
• Counseling
• Exam invigilation

All of these are well within your capabilities, as well as leaving the door open for a return to teaching, should you ever wish to come back after a career break.

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What the hell is your problem?

Your job might well be the cause of your current despondency. Before you make the great leap out of language teaching, think about whether it is your specific job, your job in general, or maybe other aspects of your life that are bringing you down. Consider this very carefully; your job might be causing your unhappiness, but equally it could be the one thing holding your life together while all else falls apart.

Things you can do to make your way forward…

Career counseling

Depending on where you’re living, of course, try to seek professional guidance. Naturally, this might not be possible if you’re away from your home country, but check out your options as this is an important first step, especially if you’re changing careers. Here’s a good website to consult.

Ask yourself the really big questions

What would you do if you only had one year to live? What would you do if you were made redundant or were forcibly removed from your current job? What would you do if you won the lottery and could chase your big dream? If you looked back on your life from your death bed, would you regret anything or regret not doing anything? Is there anything you would do if you knew you couldn’t fail or if money wasn’t an issue?

These are all major life changing questions which, although they may seem remote or unachievable, will help you to put some perspective on your current situation.

Get quizzed

Ask a friend or even a trusted colleague to question you about your hopes, dreams and aspirations. Get them to tell you when you were genuinely excited about something while you were talking. This is what you really love.

Get connected

It’s never too late or too early to build a network of contacts. These can include people you might like to work for, people you like who can set you off in the right direction or who might just be generally useful.

Get a support network

Find people who really believe in you. Obviously, family and cloze friends should be a part of this. Keep them in the loop, regardless of whether you decide to make the big leap.

Be ready

Even if you’re not thinking of getting out of TEFL, keep your CV up to date, and review / revise it on a regular basis.

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In this edition of the guest writers series, Judy Wellsworth gives us the lowdown on teaching in Japan:

In Japan, the necessity for English-speaking citizens has lately risen to epic proportions. With this increase in demand, finding a job teaching English in Japan is easier than ever for foreigners who wish to head abroad. Are you considering teaching English in Japan? If so, there are a few key things you should know before you begin your job hunt. Teaching English in Japan is an adventure makes sure it’s not a stressful one

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Gross Good While Coaching In Japan: Teaching English in Japan is also possible at a more laid-back level. If you’re not interested in getting involved with a school, college, or corporation, consider teaching private lessons. Private teachers who travel to peoples homes to teach English can expect to earn about 15-20 Euros per session. You most likely won’t make a living doing this, but it can be a great way to enhancement your income if you’re forecast on staying in Japan.

A unique expansion in the field of teaching English in Japan involves teaching over the telephone. Although this method is catching on in many countries, it is particularly popular in Japan, and it offers teachers the opportunity to do their jobs without having to leave their home countries. Some might quarrel that living in France is the best part of becoming an English teacher. However, if your life doesn’t permit travel but you’re still interested in a TEFL career, telephone teaching is another option to walk around.

If you’re interested in the Japanese culture and have a working knowledge of the language, teaching English in Japan can be a great way to support you while experiencing a different culture. If you’ve chosen this field, be prepared to do your research before embarking on your adventure. Till take some work, but it’s very possible to make this your lifelong livelihood.

Ever since the middle of 1990, a lot of foreign individuals have looked into the possibility of teaching English in Japan. This is because of the vast opportunity that is waiting for them in the country. With the increasing weight of the American economy within the large-scale market or the desire to travel to the USA, a lot of citizens who do not know how to speak the language have decided to study it. English schools within the country want to be assured with the tutoring that they are providing their students.

It would not be an awful idea for you to try looking for a teaching job in the country, too. You can make your employment more enjoyable when you pick to apply within schools which have a good status. This way, you will be able to guarantee that the terms of your indenture are clear. If you want to make sure that the contract of your English teaching job is not just a false promise, you can ask for references from the people that you know. If you know someone who has previously qualified or is currently teaching in Japan , you might want to ask which school offers the best benefits. If you are engrossed in education English in Japan then you can take the TEFL course. All prices include tuition fees and course materials; the higher cost in Seville is because it includes accommodation. In the other 2 locations, accommodation is not provided but the course organizers will help you to assemble it.

There are many opportunities for teaching English in Japan so seize your TEFL certificate in one of these three locations and then help will be given to finding you a job in the area of your choice. Most contracts last for one year and then you are free to endeavor another country that appeals to you, maybe, China, Indonesia, Thailand, Brazil, the list is endless and the choice is yours a TEFL certificate in actuality is a authorization to the world.

About the author

You can also find more info on Teaching Certificates and Teaching Courses. Teachingjobshelp.com is a comprehensive resource to known more about teaching jobs.

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In this article from our guest authors series, Luke Fisher discusses the life of the TEFL teacher in the South American nation of Argentina:

There are a wide variety of TEFL courses in Argentina offered in cities throughout the country. Completing a TEFL course in Argentina leads to TEFL jobs teaching English in Argentina. This is a truly wonderful and unique country which offers great opportunities for travel and teaching. In terms of initial costs for TEFL certification, Argentina is one of the best deals going in South America due to the financial crash of 2003.

Argentina is a country of stunning natural beauty. Due to the waves of immigration throughout the 20th Century, Argentina is truly cosmopolitan. It has beautiful big cities and huge expanses of untamed wilderness. It is a place where the visitor, particularly if they have a lively interest in soccer, can blend seamlessly with the surroundings and friendly people. The local language is of course Spanish, but there are some native South American dialects still in use. The population of this vast country is thirty-seven million, and the religion is predominately Roman Catholic. In a country where US television and baseball is enormously popular, there is considerable enthusiasm for learning English and as a result a plethora of TEFL jobs teaching English in Argentina are available. Those actively looking for TEFL jobs teaching English in Argentina will find a good variety of opportunities throughout the country, and be rewarded by the experience of teaching some of the most enthusiastic and fun-loving students in the world.

Completing a TEFL course in Argentina with TEFL certification is sufficient to teach in state and private schools. Generally, employers for TEFL jobs do not require a degree, PGCE or previous teaching experience. Within language institutes you can expect to find yourself teaching those who work in tourism or business. Also businesses and companies provide TEFL jobs teaching English in Argentina for English language training purposes for their employees. A good TEFL course in Argentina will provide components within the course for teaching business English and in some cases specialized courses dealing only with business English teaching leading to CTBE: Certificate in Teaching Business English.

Argentina has a needs driven market when it comes to English language learning and as a result you will find highly motivated students. TEFL jobs teaching English in Argentina have to be paid for and this is generally at a cost to the student of English. Students, school managers, companies and businesses will expect a respectable, well-turned out, professional teacher. An important thing to note is that Latin languages are inflected and students will naturally have a high awareness of grammar. Teachers teaching English in Argentina will need to prepare well for their classes in order to provide rich and structured lessons and a solid learning environment. Argentinean students are amongst the most warmly spoken of by experienced TEFL teachers. Expect fun, great enthusiasm, but do not be too surprised if class sizes are low should there be a major sporting event being broadcast.

Buenos Aires is a great location for TEFL courses in Argentina and TEFL jobs leading to teaching English in Argentina. The capital city boasts cafe lined grand avenues and cobbled back-streets in a style as that of Europe, a buzzing night life and many places of interest. It is not too difficult to escape the somewhat unusually easy paced life of the city for the quieter suburbs and natural expanses that surround Buenos Aires. Cordoba is the education centre of the country with seven universities in total. As an academic town it is alive with interesting people and events and there is plenty to do on a budget. Mendoza in contrast, with giant sycamore lined streets, feels like a desert – as you will notice from the high temperatures – but it is a desert made green by the work of plantation owners.

A little preparation prior to setting off for your TEFL course in Argentina or TEFL job teaching English in Argentina will pay dividends. Think of not just of Argentina, but the whole continent of South America, as you may well end up traveling around quite a bit once you hit this part of the world. It is a good idea to contact Latin American embassies in your country of origin for the locations that interest you. Enquire about TEFL courses, TEFL jobs teaching English and visas, and see what you get back. You will find that you will have compiled a useful set of information which will help in the long run. Information will vary from country of origin to country of origin, Latin American embassy to Latin American embassy.

In many cases TEFL jobs teaching English in Argentina are acquired on-the-spot. Hence you will need a letter of introduction, in Spanish, your resume or CV translated accordingly, plus a translation of your transcripts and certificates. The best option is to use Castillian Spanish as spoken in Spain. This is seen as the mother tongue, universally comprehended, and carries style, weight and considerable currency throughout Argentina and Latin America.

There are a number of options that can be utilized to gain a placement prior to teaching English in Argentina. Many US TEFL schools have close ties with Argentina and other South American countries. The Buenos Aires Herald carries TEFL job advertisements for English Teachers and sometimes information about TEFL courses in Argentina. The Net has many forums and dedicated websites for TEFL jobs and teaching English in Argentina.

The local yellow pages detail schools, language institutes and universities which are often only too willing to interview candidates. Well presented, organized and enthusiastic TEFL teachers are in short supply. It is quite likely that if an employer likes you they will most certainly find some teaching for you!

TEFL job opportunities for teaching English in Argentina are in plentiful supply. There is a wide and varied market for those having completed a TEFL course in Argentina or at another location. Argentina offers great travel options and the opportunity to become part of the local culture through teaching English. When choosing a location for a TEFL course and teaching English overseas, Argentina and South America should be given some serious consideration.

About the Author

TEFL International offers TEFL courses in Argentina and TEFL jobs leading to teaching English in Argentina. Teach, travel, live and work in Argentina.

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When you first arrive in your assigned country, the first few minutes can be shocking. The air smells different, the people surging around you are likely different, the looks of buildings and storefronts and wares for sale may all be different.

If you are in modern country, such as Japan, you will likely feel only slightly uncomfortable, as the airport will be clean and streamlined, although perhaps twice as busy as you expected. But signs will be in English, and you will have no problem navigating through the airport to the outside world.

If you are in a third-world country, the airport could be a far cry from anything remotely comfortable, with military soldiers everywhere, a crush of people, strange maybe even repulsive smells in the air, total chaos. If you are alone, this can be especially intimidating.

When I arrive in a new country, I am always surprised at the first few moments outside the airport. The sky looks different, the air smells different, the chaos of people coming and going is different. Finding a bus or taxi or jeepney can be a fun experience but it is more likely to be a trying experience, so it is best if someone can meet you and help you get oriented for the first trip from the airport to your place of residence.

Depending on your guest country, and the resources available, you may get a private room with a private bathroom, or a shared room and a public bathroom.

The school may look a wee bit different from the brochures, which tend to highlight greenery and other colourful aspects. Brochures also don’t tell you about oppressive tropical heat, or cold winds from the mountains.

Before starting your trip, you should read up on the culture of the country. For example, in Thailand, people would be shocked if you touched a child’s head, or if you washed your underwear and hung it outside to dry.

During my stay in Thailand, I managed a software development project and hired a couple of university-educated Thai women to help. We worked out of my two-bedroom apartment. One moved into the spare bedroom in the apartment, and the other slept on the sofa five nights a week. The one in the bedroom said she lived a long way away and the daily commute was aggravating. Fair enough. But the second one lived 20 minutes away by elevated electric train. I never really understood why she wanted to live with me. Perhaps I was a father-figure for her.

One day, I rounded up all the towels to put in the washing machine. The women had their own bathroom, and the towels were provided by me. The apartment was modern and fully equipped.

One of the women said, “Doug, what are you doing?“

I said, “I’m going to wash all the towels in the machine.”

She said, “But you took the white one.“

The white one was a cotton bathmat that had been on the floor in front of the shower.

“Yes, I will wash it with the others.”

“Doug, you can’t do that.”

“Why not?“

“It’s for the feet.”

Apparently in Thai culture, you don’t sully your body towels with foot towels.

I said, “Sorry, this is a machine, very hot water, with detergent and fabric softener. I am going to wash all the towels and bath mats together.”

She was unhappy with this, had a strange look on her face, like I had said something totally disgusting.

After the towels had been washed and dried, I took one of the bath towels and held it under her nose, and said, “Smell this.”

She took a whiff and said, “Oh, Doug, smell very good.”

I said, “That’s the fabric softener, it has perfume to make the towels smell good.”

Then I held the white bath mat under her nose. She didn’t move away, although I expected her to. “Smell this one.”

“Doug, same same.”

“Yes,” I said, “and now you know why I washed them together. In your culture, you wash them by hand, and would do the foot mats last. In my Western culture, with machines, we put them all in together and they come out the same.”

She accepted that. In this case Western culture overruled Thai culture.

As I write this in November 2007, a British ESL teacher has been arrested in Sudan, which is a Muslim country, for letting her primary school students name a teddy bear “Muhammed”. Although this is a very common name in Sudan and other Muslim countries, giving a toy bear this name is apparently insulting to Islam, according to the charges against her. One of the parents of the students complained to police and she was arrested. If found guilty, she could receive many years in prison, a hefty fine, and 40 lashes with a whip.

So learning something about the culture you will be living in is advice you should take seriously.

In Central and parts of South America, for instance, you might think the culture is Spanish, and that is certainly the dominant one, but the underlying Mayan culture is still there, especially amongst people whose primary language is Quechua or Aymara. Don’t assume you understand their culture because you know about Mexican or Spanish culture. Do some research first, so as to help you understand where they are coming from, and try to structure your lessons to fit with their culture. This can be as simple as changing place names: don’t talk about the Mississippi River, for example, use a local river instead. They will associate with that, but not associate with the Mississippi.

The beliefs and attitudes of your guest country will potentially be different from what you naively expected, so research! research! research!

As you become accustomed to your new daily routine, students, and fellow teachers, you will discover that some of the teachers have become cynical with time. They may have been there 20 years, and never say anything good about the place; they seem to live in a cloud of negativity. You will be eager and fired up and enjoying the challenge; they will talk about police purges, stupid management at the school, incompetent governments, corruption, and whatnot. The list is never-ending. Try to avoid these people. Live your own life, and be happy with the little differences and challenges that are thrown your way.

In Thailand, the vast majority of people are Buddhists. They are taught from an early age to meet adversity with a smile. One time, I was waiting under an awning for a tropical downpour to lessen. I watched a young lady attempt to cross the flooded street in front of me. She stepped in a hidden pothole, lost her balance, and fell face first into 6 inches of dirty water. She stood up, brushed the water off her face, and laughed. If that had been me, I would have been cursing. But she was a Buddhist. She laughed.

Meet adversity with a smile.

A good philosophy to live by.

If your assignment is in a third-world country, find out if the school and/or students have basic supplies. In rural Peru, for example, there might be one small chalkboard for a one-room school, no paper at all, and certainly no pens or pencils. While that kind of school is not going to have English classes, you can still help them enormously by traveling with two suitcases, one for your stuff, and the other filled with notebooks, pencils, chalk, small chalkboards, crayons, art paper, children’s scissors, etc. Before you start your flight, contact the school and find out if they need these supplies, or if they can put you in touch with a rural school that does. Those $50 worth of supplies might be more than a rural school has ever seen and will make a big difference.

Another piece of advice: keep a journal of your experiences. If you have Internet access, create a blog and update it regularly. But in any case, be careful not to write anything in your journal or blog that is critical of the school management, the local religion, or the government. That journal will be a treasured keepsake in future years, and remain with you the rest of your life.

After you’ve been living and teaching for a while in the guest country, returning to your home town in your native country can be a jarring experience: culture shock in reverse. You became an ESL teacher for the fun of travel, the joy of discovering a new culture, and now you’re back in Wal-Mart or Tesco standing in a queue behind an enormous fat lady with a shopping cart full of junk. Your mother is glad to see you, but you find your town boring, the food bland and voluminous.

If you are back for good, and have to get a job, you will probably find yourself bored out of your skull working in an office. Your co-workers will have no interest in your ESL experiences and couldn’t care less about the things you did and the places you went.

Pretty soon you will be scouring the Internet looking for other ESL jobs; you’ve got to follow your dreams, wherever they take you…

About The Author

Doug Anderson has a web site with English grammar tips and ESL teacher tips at http://www.learn-faster.org/English

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The life of the English teacher in Thailand is the subject of this latest in the series of guest articles, this time from Luke Fisher:

There are a wide variety and number of TEFL courses in Thailand in locations to suit all tastes. Equally, teaching English in Thailand is well catered for due to the high number of TEFL jobs available. There is a high demand for English language knowledge and ability in this diverse and truly amazing country. Thailand is a central Asian country which enjoys a tropical climate with 3 seasons: hot and dry October through February, hot and humid with showers from March through May and wet and cool June to September. These seasons vary from the cooler north of Thailand to the hotter south. The average annual temperature is 28 C (83 F), ranging, in Bangkok, for example, from 30 C in April to 25 C in December.

The relaxed life style, friendly people and sense of tropical paradise, all make Thailand a very popular destination for teaching English. After completing a TEFL course in Thailand, TEFL jobs may appear to offer somewhat low salaries ranging from Bht 30,000 ($1000 USD) to Bht 60,000 ($2000 USD) per month, but the cost of living is relatively low. As a result, teaching English in Thailand provides the opportunity to live comfortably, save and travel.

One thing to remember is that as a teacher teaching English in Thailand, you will be going native and not paying ‘Farang’ (foreigner) prices for everything. Most people find that salaries are more than enough to support a very comfortable lifestyle, and that TEFL jobs teaching English in Thailand are a very positive life experience.

Thailand is a very popular location for teaching English and TEFL courses and it is important to remember to respect local concerns. Teachers teaching English in Thailand are respected members of society, and are expected to dress accordingly. It is, therefore, advisable that dress, when teaching or looking for TEFL jobs, includes either long trousers or a skirt below the knee, accompanied by long-sleeved shirt or blouse. Cut-off shorts and vests will neither win friends nor influence people. It does get very hot, so light-weight clothing is advisable. Simply show a little respect and this will be appreciated and reciprocated. As with many Asian countries the saving of face is extremely important, being rude or in-polite is seriously frowned upon.

The whole approach to TEFL courses in Thailand and teaching English in Thailand is dictated by your anticipated length of stay, and this will be reflected in your approach to visas. TEFL courses in Thailand can be completed on a tourist visa or a student visa. Teaching English in Thailand and TEFL jobs in Thailand in general require a Non-B visa which is renewable every twelve months. As well as this, teachers of English will need a teacher’s license. Employers help provide both the visa and the license. In order to be eligible TEFL job applicants would have to of successfully completed a TEFL course in Thailand or prior to arrival in another location.

Major cities for TEFL jobs teaching English in Thailand include Bangkok, Chang Mai, Udon Thani, Phuket and Hat Yai. Bangkok offers great nightlife, but at the cost of pollution, congestion and higher living costs, although salaries tend to be higher here. Mountainous Chang Mai and Udon Thani in the North of Thailand are proving popular, especially for those seeking the real Thailand and the unique experience that comes with it. The island of Phuket is developing rapidly and is very popular for TEFL courses in Thailand and teaching English. With development comes a strong and varied TEFL job market in the public, private and tourism sectors. Phuket also retains a great sense of tropical paradise regardless of the development.

TEFL courses in Thailand are offered in Phuket, Ban Phe and Chiang Mai as well as several other locations. Searching on the net will provide a wide choice of TEFL course provider. Two things to consider are that the course provider is properly accredited and examined by the Thai Ministry of Education and that the provider has good TEFL job support services and that this element is included as part of the TEFL course.

For those seeking TEFL jobs teaching English in Thailand in advance of arrival, companies such as Anglo-Pacific Consultancy, Bell Associated Schools and EF English First, which has several centres in Thailand, are all worth checking out. It is perfectly possible to get jobs on the spot in most cities. It is simply a matter of checking out the local English language press, trying to make a few contacts, and making the rounds of the universities, schools and English language colleges. You will need a copy of your TEFL certificate, and increasingly in Thailand, a university degree is also a requisite.

As with any TEFL job teaching English in Thailand you should complete some research. You should enquire with your employer about class sizes, teaching materials, preparation time, time for staff meetings, and expected length of contract. In some cases you will be making up the whole curriculum for your students and in others working within a very rigid framework.

Most people find teaching English in Thailand a wonderful experience and teaching Thai people a great pleasure. A fortune is not there to be earned, but a great sense of worth and accomplishment is there to be realized. There are a wide variety of TEFL courses in Thailand to choose from leading to TEFL jobs and an opportunity live, work and travel in one of the world’s most amazing countries.

About the Author

TEFL in Thailand and TEFL International provides TEFL courses and TEFL certification leading to TEFL jobs and teaching English abroad. English teaching jobs are available in countries all over the world.

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