General Advice
By Flickr user: tboothhk [CC-BY-2.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0)], via Wikimedia Commons
If you live in the UK you might be wondering whether you should even bother bringing out your summer wardrobe, locating your flip-flops or wiping the dust off your sunglasses… it doesn’t look like summer is happening this year!
Hands up if you fancy moving to a tropical island to teach English instead? Read on for i-to-i’s top 5 island TEFL destinations!
Bali, Indonesia
Home to some of the most envious beaches on the planet, Bali is high up on many a beach lover’s travel-musts, how do you fancy teaching there?
Given the country’s popularity it’s no surprise that the competition for teaching positions in Bali is fierce. Most employers will ask for at least a year’s teaching experience alongside both a degree and a recognised TEFL certificate – but don’t let this put you off! Where tourism leads, English language schools tend to follow…
Plus, the cost of living in Indonesia is cheap, so while the pay-packet might not seem terribly appealing, your TEFL wage will allow you to live pretty comfortably! Hello platefuls of Nasi Goreng!
Continue reading »
By Cocu (Own work) [GFDL (http://www.gnu.org/copyleft/fdl.html) or CC-BY-SA-3.0-2.5-2.0-1.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0)], via Wikimedia Commons
What’s tempting about a low-paying TEFL destination? Well, if you’re after the big bucks… not much, but, if it’s the lifestyle, the experience, friends and the cultural experience you get at the end of it then low-paying TEFL destinations definitely shouldn’t be overlooked. It is important to bear in mind that there is a difference between countries with low-paying wages and countries with a low cost of living. Normally, the two run hand in hand – if a wage seems particularly low then, more often than not, this is because you simply don’t need to be paid much money to live comfortably.
*Top tip – If you’re looking to save money whilst teaching English abroad make sure to pick your destination appropriately, i.e. do the conversion, does what you’re earning in-country amount to much in your native country?
Continue reading »
By JzG (Own work) [GFDL 1.2 (http://www.gnu.org/licenses/old-licenses/fdl-1.2.html)], via Wikimedia Commons
It seems to me that many of the ‘forums’ attached to English as a Second Language (ESL) websites have become the playground for people who purport to be teachers, but exhibit behavior more in-line with what you’d expect from your average, ‘garden variety’, school-yard bully.
Visit almost any ESL ‘forum’ world-wide and you’ll see an array of vitriol from so-called teachers directed at ESL schools and people who work at ESL schools. Those who occupy the unenviable position of Director of Studies are common targets, although school owners – who are often named – cop a lot abuse. In stark contrast, I’ve been unable to locate a single post on an ESL ‘forum’ anywhere in the world, attacking an ESL teacher.
Continue reading »
There is nothing that can prepare you for the first time you live abroad. It will probably be the most daunting, exciting and brave decision you will ever make, even if you are well travelled.
As a traveller you will step off the plane with a clear idea of the things you want to see and do, before hopping onto the next plane, ferry or train and travelling onto your next destination. Whereas if you are planning to live there, stepping off the plane can feel a lot more uncertain.
Having both lived and travelled abroad, I know first-hand how different they can be.
Continue reading »
By Helen Hargreave
By yarra64 (a flickr user) (http://flickr.com/photos/yarra64/239092624/) [CC-BY-2.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0)], via Wikimedia Commons
TEFL teachers from all around the world consistently give great advice throughout the year. What better way to reflect on the successes of 2012 (and kick-start 2013!) than to take note of some of the best advice from teachers and people in the know from all over the world!
Enjoy!
If you haven’t taken the plunge yet:
Camilla in Vietnam
“I suppose you have to look at embarking on your TEFL adventure sort of like diving off the highest board at the swimming pool: it’s pretty terrifying at first, but you have to just take a deep breath and throw yourself into it. Fight through the fears and dive right in; you’ll never regret it.”
Jenn in South Korea
“You only get one chance to live your life! If you are in a job you hate, do something about it. Learn something new. Set yourself challenges. If you are bored of your surroundings, travel! If your friends are stressing you out, make new friends who bring out the best in you. Live your life without regrets, because no matter how much you might like to, no-one can turn back the clock! If you spend all your time looking back at the past, you miss what is right in front of you.”
Continue reading »
By Neil Root
Neil Root is a writer and London based English Language teacher with 10 years experience.
By anuarsalleh [CC-BY-SA-2.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0)], via Wikimedia Commons
As in life, the greatest tool when teaching abroad you have to overcome difficult situations is humour, whether in the classroom or in your free time in that country. There will be times – every teacher working in another country has experienced them – when you feel a little alienated. Laughing and making others laugh can break down barriers and help you integrate quickly. Being able to laugh at yourself is a great advantage.
Taking yourself too seriously as a person in another country, when you don’t have your family, friends and usual social network at hand, only makes your integration into the new culture more difficult. You need to take your teaching and administrative school duties seriously obviously, but you can do it with a smile. Try to remember that you are the visitor and at a social disadvantage – I can remember several instances when humour got me out of situations I didn’t feel comfortable in. In class, I had a hostile student who made cutting comments about western culture, and instead of getting defensive (my first mental reaction), I said, ‘But we gave you Mr Bean!’ The rest of the class laughed, one or two said ‘Mr Bean!’ The difficult student didn’t laugh, but he was then the odd one out, not me. He never troubled me again.
Continue reading »
By Neil Root
Neil Root is a writer and London based English Language teacher with 10 years experience.
By Gideon (Flickr: Cafe de Bellas Artes) [CC-BY-2.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0)], via Wikimedia Commons
When teaching in another country EFL teachers are the guest of that culture, and no matter where it is there will be different customs, beliefs and cultural expectations. This varies greatly – in most European countries the change won’t be so defined, but in the Middle East and Asia the differences are very striking. Part of your job is to meet that culture halfway and to adapt your sensibilities in line with that of your students. This is a lesson quickly learnt by many teachers working worldwide.
Continue reading »
By Neil Root
Neil Root is a writer and London based English Language teacher with 10 years experience.
By Gulustan (Own work) [CC-BY-SA-3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0) or GFDL (http://www.gnu.org/copyleft/fdl.html)], via Wikimedia Commons
EFL teachers are usually adventurous people, and one of the main reasons people do the job is to travel and broaden their experiences. It can be thrilling and massively rewarding, and develop your character greatly. But it is also important to remember that you are going to a country with an alien culture or language, unless you’re lucky enough to know the country and speak the language.
Continue reading »
by Clark Nielsen, author of Yes China!
After working at multiple schools in China, I’ve switched gears and am now teaching in Thailand, facing many of the same obstacles and noticing similarities on a regular basis. Namely, the school facilities are almost identical. I think a lot of us EFL teachers go with the naive assumption that our school abroad, wherever it may be, is going to be clean and modern and cozy. But we’re English teachers! We don’t always get the best. So here are five things you should be aware of, in case any of these are deal breakers:
Continue reading »
By Helen Hargreave
By D.Alyoshin (Own work) [GFDL (http://www.gnu.org/copyleft/fdl.html), CC-BY-SA-3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/) or CC-BY-SA-2.5-2.0-1.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.5-2.0-1.0)], via Wikimedia Commons
TEFL qualified? You’re set for life! Not only can you pick up teaching contracts at any point in your life (this summer, 2, 3, 6 years time!) but it also provides you with skills to last a lifetime.
A TEFL qualification is a great CV booster. Want to know what skills you can show off to a future employer/make you feel proud?!
Continue reading »
