Search

ELT Times Search
  • Learning And Communicative Strategies August 23, 2012
    Communicative strategies are systematic techniques employed by a speaker to express his meaning when faced with some difficulty and the difficulty here refers to the speaker’s inadequate command of the language used in the interaction (Faerch & Kasper, 1983:16). On the other hand, the term learning strategies has been defined as “the higher-order skills […]
  • Review: Teaching Unplugged by Luke Meddings and Scott Thornbury August 13, 2012
    by Hall Houston About 8 years ago, I read an article titled “Teaching Unplugged” by Scott Thornbury in It’s for Teachers magazine. The article described a new approach to teaching languages that de-emphasized coursebooks and other teaching materials, and stressed real communication between students. This approach was loosely based on a Danish film […]
  • Living and Working in Japan: A guide for US Citizens May 23, 2012
    Japan is a stable, highly developed parliamentary democracy with a modern economy. Tourist facilities are widely available, except in coastal areas of Northeast Japan still recovering from the aftermath of the March 11, 2011, earthquake and tsunami. Below is a comprehensive list of all the information you should read before visiting or relocating to […]
  • Experience a New Culture When you Teach English in China May 21, 2012
    The human desire to help others is an innate one. This is why, despite the negative aspects, people are still very attracted to the profession of teaching, notes Thomas Galvin. It has been regarded for centuries as a very noble job, and no doubt this will continue for centuries to come. Many teachers these […]
  • The Importance of Vocabulary Roots in AP English April 16, 2012
    The Advanced placement exams are very important for students, suggests Joseph Paul, as they look very good on the students’ report cards and also help them to get credit in certain universities which helps them to save a major portion of the tuition money demanded from students who have not cleared the exam. The […]
  • Business Translation: A Useful TEFL Sideline? April 8, 2012
    The use of translation in business is heavily underestimated and misunderstood. However translation has a big part to play in business and is rapidly becoming one of the most useful things an organisation can use to get ahead in the business world. Whether it be using in-house translators to transcribe documents, official papers […]
  • How to Judge the Quality of Language Learning Software March 21, 2012
    We all know that learning a language is a great way to enhance the look of your resume! Fortunately, there are lots of different options available to you to help you make that a reality. Out of the vast number of options available to you, the option that provides you with the most […]
  • The worst ELT interview questions… and how to answer them March 12, 2012
    Some friends of Naturegirl123 were talking about interview questions that they got. Here are some difficult ones to answer and suggested answers. What religion are you?/ Are you X religion? This could be a legit question if you’re applying to a religious school. If you have the same religion as the school, simply say […]
  • Invoice factoring as a way of financing your language school March 12, 2012
    You’re looking into alternative ways to keep the finances in order in your burgeoning language school. Why not consider invoice factoring? Please don’t think of invoice factoring as a loan because it’s actually something quite different to that: it is more correctly defined as the acquisition of a financial asset. What does that mean? […]
  • Language Classes… Heat Up Careers! March 9, 2012
    Whether you love the snow or can’t wait until the warmer days of spring, this is a time of year when we all start to get a little stir-crazy, suggests Charlotte Evans. Winter was fun back in December but now the cold temperatures and extra layers of clothing are starting to feel a bit […]

Tips about teaching English overseas

By Michiel Van Kets

If you’re thinking about a career in teaching English you are choosing a great profession. Not only do you give your valuable expertise to others but it is also possible to teach English in other countries not just at home. You can do this as a long term option or just take on some short term training for others when you are traveling in various countries for periods of time. Teaching overseas does require a little forward planning but if you have the qualifications you are pretty much able to find positions where ever you want to head.

There are places where the payments are much higher and you can obtain positions before you leave but there are many countries where you can look for work when you arrive. You need to make sure you have the finances to try this option but it is possible. Some teaching positions will include all expenses for you. Like accommodation and visa requirements etc but these are usually longer term positions so if you are interested in a longer term position you should check these options out before you leave home as you can find some jobs where all you have to do is get on the plane, arrive and teach.

Other positions that perhaps do not include the accommodation and visa or immigration expenses can prove to be a good way to make some money if you want to travel around so at least you need have an idea of what your rough plan might be. This way you are not restricted to set periods or contracts that keep you in one place for a year or more depending on what the other contract teaching positions will offer you.

It is not always simple and there are various countries where the rules and regulations make it more difficult but all you need to do is search for other teachers comments online about teaching and you will find there is a lot of information out there about what you can do and the better places to go. In various countries just having a teaching education in your own country is not enough and you may be required to obtain further certifications that are recognized in the other countries. The more common and internationally recognized courses are those such as the TEFL or TESOL courses.

There are some countries where it is a minimum requirement that you hold these specific certificates and you can also train for these specific certifications in those countries. However if you are not already a certified teacher who holds a degree then you may also find that the TEFL or TESOL courses are not enough to obtain the positions you want.

As a teacher you will also find that as some areas are better than others for teaching you need to make sure you do your home work before agreeing to any long term contracts. In many countries the schools are required to offer English as a language but there is not always the emphasis placed on ensuring that the students actually learn and while your education may have been a strict event in a controlled and regimented environment some other countries do not follow this format of teaching. From experience these are some of the Asian countries where English is taught but the whole schooling process is such a jump from what you are used to in your own country that the event can be a daunting one.

To get started on your overseas teaching experience make sure that you do all the homework you can regarding the locations you might consider and try to talk or communicate with other teachers who are teaching or have taught in those countries to get as much information as you can. You can of course always try the private teaching option and work in your own time and at your own rates however these jobs are a little harder to come by and while they may pay well they are again usually with the rich kids who may or may not show any respect for their teachers and then again you have a big change from what you expect and the reality of what it will be when you arrive. Whatever you decide make sure you keep funds in reserve for your ticket home just in case you really can’t deal with the differences that are out there.

About the Author

Michiel Van Kets submits articles for Abso-bloody-Lutely, a general web directory. The publications are about education and teaching.

VN:F [1.9.20_1166]
Rating: 0.0/10 (0 votes cast)
VN:F [1.9.20_1166]
Rating: 0 (from 0 votes)
Sphere: Related Content

Share

1 comment to Tips about teaching English overseas

Leave a Reply

  

  

  

You can use these HTML tags

<a href="" title=""> <abbr title=""> <acronym title=""> <b> <blockquote cite=""> <cite> <code> <del datetime=""> <em> <i> <q cite=""> <strike> <strong>