Teach Conversational English 101 - How To Get Started

If you are hired to teach conversational English abroad, it’s pretty likely that you have no prior teaching experience or training. In fact, your school may just plop you into a classroom on the first day and say, “OK, go ahead and teach…”

While it’s not very professional for a school to skimp on teacher training, it happens, and you have to just make the best of it. Here are some basics for teaching conversational English that will help you get started.

Get Them Talking

Keep in mind that, with conversational English, the most important thing is to get your students using English. Keep this in mind while you’re planning your lessons. The more interaction the better.

At the beginning of your class, you might want to do some kind of icebreaker activity. You can make a simple interview and have the students interview and introduce each other. Make some questions easier and some questions harder, and this will give you a good idea of your students’ overall level.

You can also do an activity like “Find Someone Who..” Make a list of different things like “find someone who has a pet,” and have the students circulate around the class asking each other these questions.

One purpose of an icebreaker is to get the students acquainted with each other, but it can also give you a good idea of how much English they know.

Don’t Get Too Grammar Heavy

With conversational English, the emphasis is more on fluency than grammar. In many situations, your students may have already studied English grammar. They may have been beaten over the head with grammar since junior high school, and their grammar may be better than yours! So, the focus should be getting them to use what they know.

In the English teaching industry, these students are called “false beginners” because they already know lots of English but can’t use it in conversation. In your conversation lessons, focus on tasks to get them talking and using what they know, and teach them what they don’t.

Planning Your Lessons

As a general rule, lower level students should focus on tasks; higher level students should use topics and discussion. A task could be any kind of daily activity, like ordering food in a restaurant, giving directions, describing people or talking about food likes and dislikes. With higher level students you can work on current events, life experiences and deeper stuff.

You should tailor your lessons to your students interests and learning objectives. A business English class should focus on business vocabulary and situations. If your students are learning English as a hobby, you can teach them travel English, or English that pertains to their particular interests.

Whenever possible, use “real” English in the classroom. This means articles, actual conversations, movies and other things that aren’t textbook materials. When your students see real English in use, it will help motivate them and bring the English alive.

This is just the tip of the iceberg, but it is enough for you to get started as a teacher. Remember that nobody knows everything about teaching, and nobody expects you to know everything. There’s always some trial and error involved. Pay attention to your students and learn about what works and what doesn’t. Good luck!

So You Wanna Teach English Abroad - Here Are Some Things To Expect

What’s it like to teach English abroad? What can I expect? If you are thinking about teaching English abroad, you may be asking everybody you can these questions. You’ll get different answers from different people, but they’ll all agree that it’s a life-changing experience.

Every place is different, and no 2 people have the same experience, but there are some general things you can expect, no matter where you go.

Get Ready To Teach!

Depending on your situation, you may find that teaching is a lot more work than you expected. Some people will tell you that teaching English overseas is just a big vacation. In fact, some schools even advertise that way, “Spend a year teaching in Japan!”

But, the truth is, you will have to earn your keep. I don’t mean to make it sound like slavery; teaching abroad is a great way for people who are considering teaching as a career to get a taste of the classroom without making a major commitment.

Most people who teach English abroad have never taught before, and find teaching to be wonderful. It is also wonderful because while you teach your students, you also learn from them.

Culture Shock Ahead

Warning: You may experience culture shock. Most people do. Culture shock is a stressed out condition that stems from living in another culture. It tends to produce stress, anxiety, depression, negativity, homesickness and lots of other attitude problems.

Culture shock is a natural phase we all go through. Even English teachers who have “gone native” and chosen to stay in their new adopted homeland will tell you that it took a while to get adjusted. It’s all just part of the wild ride of teaching English overseas.

On the positive side, living in another culture gives you a unique perspective. It is a valuable learning experience. You will have new friends, new food, new places to go, new customs and new ideas that you couldn’t have even imagined before. It also allows you to look at your own culture from outside.

Coming Home

People who go overseas to teach end up in 1 of 2 situations: either they come home, or they stay indefinitely.

Yes, it’s entirely possible to love a country so much that you decide to stay permanently. Some people just find that the weather suits their clothes better, or that they love teaching and never want to go home and get on with their lives. You never know if you might be one of these people until you try!

But, most people who teach English abroad head home after a while. They come home not only with a whole world of cross-cultural experience, but also with a great resume item. Teaching English is a great career move, whether you plan to go to graduate school, or seek employment back home.

Everybody’s experience teaching abroad is different. Even if you try it for a while and find that it’s not for you, you’ve still gained a valuable experience most people never have. Teaching abroad is a great way for people to work their way around the world!

-An ESL Teacher’s Dream

Mexico has beautiful beaches, great food, great sightseeing and a nice, slow paced lifestyle. It’s a cheap and fun place to live, and that’s why so many ESL teachers choose to teach English in Mexico.

Mexico is a great destination for recent college grads who are looking for job experience. It’s also great for people who want to experience a unique indigenous culture and rich history. Many retirees choose to move to Mexico and become ex-pats because they enjoy the lifestyle and they can stretch out their pensions.

What You Need To Be A Teacher In Mexico

It all depends on the job. It is completely possible to wander down to Mexico and score a job just by being a fluent speaker of English. But, you can’t really count on that. If you just go down there without even a college degree, while you can find work, your options will be very limited.

Most people recommend having a 4-year bachelors’ degree and a TESOL certificate under your belt. This will make you competitive with other teachers and make lots more opportunities available for you. A one month TESOL certificate program, which you can take anywhere in the US, will be enough to get you a good job. Some positions, like universities, may require advanced teaching certifications or Masters degrees.

As far as documents go, ever place in Mexico is different. There isn’t any particular standard for what is required, so you should bring everything you might need with you. This would include your diploma and certificate, references, a good resume, birth certificate, passport and any other official documents you can think of. You will need to have these all translated to Spanish at some point. You can probably do this at home before you leave, but it has to be officially notarized. Your local Mexican Consulate would be a good place to go.

One more thing you don’t need, but it helps, is a little basic Spanish! If you took Spanish in high school, just brush up a little. Spanish is pretty easy to pick up once you’re there, but a little studying beforehand never hurts.

Where To Look For Jobs

There are ways to land a job teaching in Mexico before you leave, but your options will be pretty limited. Online, you can find companies that place you with jobs and accommodations, and will even help you with 24-hour assistance or loans once you get there. But, they charge a fee, sometimes take a cut of your pay, and may be a little dodgy. If you choose to go this route, thoroughly research the company you are thinking about and see what other people have to say about them.

By far, the best way to find a job in Mexico is to go down there yourself and beat the pavements. It’s best to meet your potential boss face to face, and also if you are in Mexico you will have a chance to meet and talk with other teachers living there. Most people who teach English in Mexico find jobs this way. You can make a little vacation out of it and get some sightseeing in around your interviews. Airfares and hotels are not too much in Mexico, and you can even get there by land if you live in the southwestern US.

It’s Not About The Money

One warning, though: Mexico is not where the big money for English teaching is. If you live in Mexico City or another major city, you will make a decent wage, but don’t expect to take a lot back with you. The Mexican peso just can’t compete with dollars, Euros and other major world currencies. But, you will definitely make enough to live well in Mexico.

Most people go to Mexico for the experience or the lifestyle instead of the money. Beware! If you got to Mexico to teach, you may find it hard to bring yourself back!

The 5 Most Popular Countries For English Teachers

There are so many opportunities to teach English in Asia, it is impossible to list them all here. The most popular destinations are Japan, Korea, China, Taiwan and Thailand. Here’s a brief description of each, to give the would-be Asia traveler some ideas.

Japan - Japan is still the number one destination for English teachers headed for Asia. Japan is safe, clean and friendly. You’ll be amazed by the food, service, comfort and convenience. Japan also has a rich history and lots of great sightseeing opportunities.

In Japan, it’s really easy to find western movies, music and culture. If you live in a major city, it’s pretty easy to sometimes forget that you’re living abroad! It’s also easy to make friends with people who have similar interests. Japan has a bit of everything.

Unfortunately, Japan is also expensive. In recent years, more and more English teachers have been heading to Korea and Taiwan as alternatives to Japan. In Japan, you can make a high salary, but living expenses are so high that most find it impossible to save money. The bubble years, where you could make $150 an hour teaching business classes, is long over.

Korea - Most English teachers will tell you that Korea is the best place in Asia to make good money. Korea has a growing economy, and the demand for English teachers is growing accordingly. There is so much demand for teachers in Korea that many people head there on tourist visas and get a job within days.

Koreans are friendly to foreigners, and you may find yourself getting “rock star treatment” from people who have never had a chance to meet a westerner before. In Seoul, there is lots of nightlife, and there are lots of out of the way places for cheap sightseeing.

One thing that mars the reputation of Korea for English teachers, however, are all the scams. It is estimated that 1 in 10 job offers (at the very least) are operating illegally. Horror stories abound about English teachers getting ripped off or unknowingly teaching under fake visas. Korea is a great place to teach, but check out the company you are considering carefully.

China - China has the fastest growing economy in the world, and they need English teachers like nobody else. China has the most opportunity for teachers in Asia. With only a bachelor’s degree, you can find yourself a job at a university teaching English.

China also has the richest history of Asia. It is a major tourist spot, and you can easily find jobs with enough vacation time to experience it. As everybody knows, the food is amazing. And, Chinese people are very friendly and welcoming to westerners.

But, China is not as developed as Korea or Japan. Many teachers find themselves overwhelmed by culture shock in China. The cities are polluted, some of the local customs are strange to foreigners, and you don’t have the same freedoms that you have back home. Still, China is an amazing place to experience one of the oldest countries in the world, and it’s a goldmine for English teachers.

Taiwan - Taiwan offers a good medium between Japan and China. Taiwanese society is very open to the west and friendly, and the pay you’ll get as a teacher is almost as good as in Korea. Unlike the other countries mentioned, Taiwan is a diverse society. It is easy to get western goods.

Taiwan probably has the highest expectations for its teachers. This can be a good thing or a bad thing, depending on how you look at it. In Taiwan, you will really be expected to teach, and Taiwanese people can tell if you’re doing a good job or not. For those who want to be “real” teachers, Taiwan is probably the overall best place.

Thailand - Thailand is a paradise with beautiful beaches, great sightseeing and delicious food. What more can you say? Everybody wants to go to Thailand. Unfortunately, there’s not much money to be made. You can teach English and live like a king in Thailand, but don’t expect to bring any savings home with you. Thailand’s currency is too devalued.

If you want to teach in Asia, there are many opportunities available. You can also teach in Vietnam, Laos, Indonesia, Malaysia and many other places. Just pick your favorite spot, and start looking!

If you want to teach English in Hong Kong, you can find yourself in one of the most culturally diverse and modern Asian countries. When you mention Hong Kong, most people picture a big, crazy city, but actually the country is full of nice places where you won’t feel too squeezed in. In Hong Kong, lots of people can speak English, but this doesn’t mean that the demand for English teachers is any lower.

Living In Hong Kong

In Hong Kong, you can make pretty good cash. You can easily make $30,000 a year at a full-time, entry level teaching job. And, unlike Japan, the cost of living is not so high that you end up spending it all to pay your bills.

Hong Kong is also an excellent location. If you live and teach in Hong Kong, you can easily get to other great sightseeing places in Asia, like Thailand, China and Japan. Plus, your salary in Hong Kong will be high enough that you can spend your vacation time hopping around the various countries of Asia.

Getting The Job

Unfortunately, you need more than English to get a job as an English teacher in Hong Kong. For pretty much any teaching job you will need something more than just a 4-year degree. An excellent thing to do before you start looking for a job is to get a TESOL certification. You can do this pretty cheaply and in a short period of time.

Most teachers end up working either at an international school, a government position or a commercial English school. The international schools are the best in terms of pay and workload. You also get great benefits. But as you might expect, the competition is pretty stiff for these jobs. The government jobs also have good benefits, but the pay is not as good.

Finally, the commercial English schools are pretty much the bottom of the heap, although they treat you much better than commercial English schools in countries such as Japan or Korea.

In Hong Kong, employers are stricter about passport and visa issues. This is a good thing because it means that you won’t get scammed or screwed around. On the other hand, you have to make sure that your paperwork is in order and everything is legit.

You can get a job in Hong Kong before you land there. Using the internet, you can find a good job and get set up with accommodation before you go. You can also take care of your visa paperwork online. It is best to have an employment visa before you go, and you can do this from home. It just involves a heap of paperwork.

One of the best advantages of Hong Kong, other than just the pay and lifestyle, is that there is a huge demand for teachers. There is actually a shortage of English teachers, so the demand far outweighs the supply. This means that, if you are qualified and motivated, you shouldn’t have any trouble finding a job.

Hong Kong has a unique cultural blend, and it is a modern country with all the conveniences and comforts. It is a great place for teachers abroad to live.

- A Dream Come True

How would you like to be sitting in a street-side cafe with a cup of delicious coffee in front of you watching the Parisians pass you by? It would be wonderful to teach English in France, wouldn’t it? But, chances are, most everyone in France can speak English already, so there’s no way it can be done!

This is not exactly true, actually. While more people in France than, say, Japan can speak English, there are still opportunities if you want to teach English there. The only problem is that the jobs are pretty hard to come by. As you can imagine, the competition is pretty stiff.

Be An Assistant Teacher!

France has a program where they hire Americans to be assistant conversational English teachers in their public schools. They give you a pretty light schedule of teaching, rarely more than 15 hours a week. The pay is generous and the life is good.

The only problem is that they choose less than 2,000 a year. The good news is that not many Americans know about this program, so there aren’t too many applicants each year.

Sign Me Up!

Probably the biggest challenge is sifting through all the paperwork. It can be pretty daunting, and much of it will be in French! It’s a lot of work, but it will pay off.

The best source for information is your local French cultural center. If you are a college student, talk to the school’s French department. Most applicants for this program are students of French, so they will be able to help you get the things you need together.

Private Lessons

Another option for teaching in France is to teach private lessons. For most teachers, private lessons offer a little extra income on the side. With private lessons alone, it’s tough to make a living.

There are companies that specialize in providing English lessons, but these are especially hard to get a job with. Your best bet would probably be to go over with an assistant teacher program and make connections while you are there.

A few things that will help you get a good job teaching English in France are:

- At least a little French under your belt. If you have some familiarity with French, this will help a lot. People who go to France to teach and don’t bother trying to learn the language don’t survive very well. Study a little before you go, and it will be a big help to you.

- Some teaching experience or credentials. Most people who teach English overseas are not originally English teachers. In fact, teaching overseas is a great way to get a taste of teaching and decide if you like it. You can always volunteer to teach a few English classes at your local library or community center. A little experience can go a long way, and you can always put it on your resume when you apply.

Teaching English in France is a dream, but it doesn’t have to be just a fantasy. Every year, Americans go to France to teach and soak up the culture, and you could be one of them!

…And Make A Difference

The good news if you want to teach English in Africa is that there is tons of demand for English teachers. Actually, many countries in Africa need all kinds of educators to teach a wide variety of subjects. As they are modernizing, English is essential for them to be competitive. Students are highly motivated.

The downside is that there is no money. Teaching English in Africa is done on a volunteer basis. So, why would anybody want to volunteer to teach English? Isn’t it all about the money? Well, not to some people. Some of the reasons why teachers choose Africa include:

- The desire to learn about a culture that is radically different than your own. Africa is nothing like anything you’ve experienced before. If you can’t live without your creature comforts, you probably wouldn’t choose Africa. But, in cultural terms, Africa is a mind blower. Few people get a chance to live and work in a totally different world than what they know.

- The desire to contribute. Are you looking to do something meaningful with your time? Most of us work to chase a paycheck, but imagine working to actually make a difference in a community. Volunteers help out communities all over the world, and you could be part of it.

- The teaching experience. Africa is a world apart from wealthy, industrialized countries where studying English is a hobby to pass the day. Your efforts as a teacher will not go unappreciated in Africa. As a teacher there, you really will make a difference in peoples’ lives. Your students will not be spoiled and indifferent. In Africa, people are eager to learn English.

- Your resume. The teaching experience also helps build up your resume. Volunteering is a great way for new, inexperienced teachers to learn the ropes. And, it looks great when you start applying for other jobs.

Volunteering means working without pay, but in most places in Africa, you will be given free accommodation and meals. Some programs will pay for your plane ticket, and some will offer free training. On the one hand you don’t get paid, but on the other hand, you get a lot out of the deal if you look at it as a valuable learning experience.

Many volunteer programs are short-term and can be as little as 2 months. For a program like this, you don’t need to worry about your visa. For most countries, you can stay and teach with a simple tourist visa. If you plan to stay for longer, you’ll need an official visa. The bureaucracies of most African countries are notoriously slow, so you may have to help remind them to take care of your visa.

Africa is truly a different world than North America or Europe. Teaching in Africa can be a life-changing experience. It can also be a stepping stone in your career in teaching.

Leaving Japan To Teach English In South Korea

Once you’ve gone as far as you can go teaching in Japan, and once you’ve gotten used to the culture shock and the routine, it might be tempting to try a teaching gig in another country. Because Korea is so close, this may lead you to decide to teach English in South Korea. From there, you may end up hopping all over the world, who knows?

South Korea is culturally quite similar to Japan, and teaching there isn’t much different at all, but there are some differences. Here’s a little of what you might expect if you go hopping across the Japan Sea!

How Is The Teaching Different?

Well, on this point, the experience may be virtually the same. You can teach in a conversation school (called “hogwons” instead of “eikaiwa”) which is quite similar to those in Japan. You can also teach at an international school, or work as an assistant language teacher in a public school, much like a Japanese ALT position.

Your students will be pretty much the same, although Koreans are known to be more vocal than Japanese, who are known for their shyness. Overall, your actual teaching will probably be about the same. There are no major surprises waiting for you there.

How Is The Pay?

By world standards, the Korean currency is not as strong as the Japanese yen. This means you’ll be getting paid less. But, you’ll be making lots more in terms of the local currency. In Japan, it’s virtually impossible to live in a large apartment on a teacher’s salary. In Korea, you can do quite well.

In Korea, you’ll also have lots more disposable income. If you save and live frugally, you can have some money left over to save or use traveling if you teach in Japan. In Korea, however, it’s a guarantee that you’ll have money left over. And, nightlife in Korea is much cheaper than in Japan. If you want to go out to clubs and hang out, you’re money will go much further in Korea than in Japan.

What About The Language?

Well, there’s no way around the difficulty of the language. Korean, like Japanese, is tough for westerners to learn. But, from people I’ve talked to, it seems somewhat easier to learn Korean. The writing system is definitely much easier to learn.

How Are Foreigners Treated In South Korea?

This, of course, depends entirely on who you ask. Some say that Koreans are warmer and friendlier to foreigners than the Japanese, who are often polite but distant. Others say that Koreans are often rude to foreigners and sometimes outright hostile.

The truth is that it probably depends on your personal situation. In Seoul there are quite a lot of foreigners, but when you get out into the sticks, you may meet people who have never seen a westerner in their entire lives.

As far as treatment of foreigners goes, the main difference is that Japanese people usually keep their feelings to themselves, whereas Koreans are much more open and direct. This may actually make making friends with Koreans easier than with Japanese, but it also could be unpleasant if you feel uncomfortable being an outsider.

If you plan to teach for the long term, trying out a few different countries is a great idea. It gives you some idea of what kinds of situations are out there. If you teach in Japan, South Korea is a logical choice for a next destination. You may find that the lifestyle suits you better!

- A Unique Cultural Experience

Nowadays, Viet Nam is a peaceful country where traditional lifestyles meet the modern world. The Vietnamese are eager for foreign teachers to teach English in Viet Nam. It is a friendly, vibrant country with lots of sightseeing and things to do.

Getting A Job

First of all, you need to have a 4-year Bachelors Degree. It used to be that practically anybody could head to Viet Nam and get a good job, but nowadays you need the degree. It’s the law, and it’s strictly enforced.

Aside from that, you don’t need any special experience or qualifications, but a TEFL certification will help. Any experience or special training that you have will make you a more desirable candidate for jobs.

Teaching

The best jobs in Viet Nam are in the universities. These jobs are a little tougher to get than others, but with nothing but a 4-year degree you can still get one. Just remember that they are the most sought after jobs, so you’ll be competing with lots of other applicants.

Most of the jobs are at universities. There are also private English conversation schools, but these usually hire teachers on a part-time basis. There isn’t as much demand for private English lessons. You can also make some money teaching private students.

In Viet Nam, the pay is pretty low for English teaching by world standards. This means that you won’t be able to save much or leave Viet Nam with a bundle, but if you want to live in Viet Nam and experience the culture, it’s more than enough to live well on. Of course, the pay is more in big cities.

Living

Viet Nam is a spectacular culture, and that is one of the main reasons why people like to teach there. Vietnamese culture is very traditional, and it’s worlds apart from more modern countries like Japan or Korea. Vietnamese culture is rooted in Buddhism and places a strong emphasis on family.

Vietnamese people are warm, friendly and generous people. They welcome foreigners, and everybody will want to practice whatever English they know with you.

In Viet Nam, the country and the city are very different. In the cities, there is much more opportunity for teachers, and the pay is better. But, some people prefer living in the countryside, where they can see Vietnamese culture up close.

The best opportunities are in Ho Chi Minh City, in the northern part of Viet Nam. It is a diverse city with lots of Chinese influence. The villages in the rural south have a wide variety of cultures as well.

Viet Nam is a great experience for English teachers. You may not make a stack of cash teaching there, but you’ll come away with an amazing experience.