Hugs make it all worthwhile

As a teacher, we see many students. As they move on, we hope that while we were teaching them, they learned what they need to know to move successfully onto the next phase of their life. Most times, we never see them again but occasionally we are lucky enough to run into them.

One day, my wife and I were in the food court of a major shopping mall. I noticed one of my former students,  Cindy, with her dad. I had not seen her for a couple of years. She noticed me as well and came running over to say hello and give me a big hug. Nice to be remembered.

I had another student who had earned a scholarship to study in English in a Japanese university. She was s tutorial student and needed to learn essay writing. After our lessons were over, she renewed for another session. At the end of that she went to Japan to begin her tertiary studies. A few months later, she she was back on a school break, she made a point of coming to see me to thank me for instructing her.

It is gratifying to know that, as a teacher, you can make a difference in the lives of many children and adults.
I have had students who have gone on to become successful popstars.
I had a student who went on to win the title of Miss Tourism Thailand.
I mourned a student who, along with five friends, died in a car crash.

As a teacher, these are things that touch your heart.

A teacher affects eternity; he can never tell where his influence stops.

 

That quote from Henry Brooks Adams makes you think, doesn't it? Teach a student well and who knows where the future of that student may lead.  Good, enthusiastic, inspiring teachers are needed everywhere in the world. Click here to read more about teaching overseas.

Dr. Robert Taylor

421 New teachers needed!

The latest database of new ESL teachers needed, and remember, this is from one source only, shows 421 jobs available:

Current Database Status (country/jobs):
Austria[1], Bahrain[1], Bhutan[1], Cambodia[1], China[37], Czech Republic[1], France[1], Georgia[1], Germany[4], Greece[2], Hong Kong[2], Indonesia[4], Iraq[1], Ireland[1], Italy[17], Japan[1], Kazakhstan[2], Kuwait[1], Kyrgyzstan[1], Malaysia[2], Mexico[1], Oman[1], Poland[4], Portugal[3], Russian Federation[10], Saudi Arabia[14], Singapore[1], South Africa[1], South Korea[7], Spain[28], Taiwan[1], Tanzania[1], Thailand[3], Tunisia[1], Turkey[4], Ukraine[3], United Arab Emirates[2], United Kingdom[138], United States[1], Vietnam[5], Worldwide[15] 

Worried about applying to a country where you know nothing about the language? Not to worry. Once there, you will find that the management people you deal with will be able to speak English - perhaps not perfectly but enough to be understood. Within a short while, you will begin to pick up some of the language anyway. As you are teaching your students English, they will teach you some of their language. 

This will come in handy later when you can use that new knowledge to determine whether or not students are making mistakes because they are directly translating from their language into English. This does not work. Students have to be taught the need to think in English. It takes a while but once they know how to do that, learning English will come a lot quicker.

Consider teaching in Asia

You may have your sights set on teaching in Europe or South America, but I would like you to consider teaching in Asia for a year or two first. Why? Quite simply, as a prospective teacher with little or no experience, you need to go where the jobs are. China and Korea have the largest need for ESL teachers. Literally thousands of teachers are needed. They are not as concerned with experience though you do need a degree. It is not so much the schools but the immigration and education departments that will not grant a visa. There are exceptions but generally you need a degree and you should have one.

In South Korea, you have to be careful where you go and which school you choose. Before accepting a position at a school, try to speak to a foreigner who already works there or used to work there. You may be able to find them through teacher forums. Most schools are fine and you should have a great teaching experience but occasionally there is a bad one.

I haven't heard of anyone who has had a bad teaching experience in China. Huge numbers of English teachers are needed at any given time.

Thailand is another country that always needs ESL teachers and I highly recommend it. (Thailand is where I taught for many years and still consult there). You just have to avoid the four southern-most provinces. In the other 72 provinces, teaching is a delight, the food is delicious and the people are wonderful and friendly.

Japan also needs ESL teachers but it can be harder to get a position. Same with Hong Kong.

Malaysia and Indonesia are also good places to teach.

Asia has many cultures for you to explore. Once you are there, think of the vacation possibilites and remember that teachers usually get more holidays than anybody! Most people don't realize how vast Asia is. Do you know it is a six-hour flight from Tokyo to Bangkok? That's like going to Europe from North America!

You need a degree (any discipline is fine) in most Asian countries though many language schools will accept you without a degree as long as you have a TESOL certficate. You may not be able to get a one-year visa and may have to do a 'border-run' every three months or so but that's another experience for you.

Don't have a degree but really want to teach? Watch for my next post!

Robert

Latest Overseas Teaching Jobs

Here are the job postings for the week:

Current Database Status (country/jobs):
Austria[1], Bhutan[1], Cambodia[1], China[33], Czech Republic[3], Estonia[1], France[1], Georgia[1], Germany[4], Greece[2], Hong Kong[3], Indonesia[3], Iraq[1], Italy[11], Japan[3], Kazakhstan[3], Kuwait[1], Kyrgyzstan[1], Mexico[1], Oman[2], Poland[2], Portugal[2], Russian Federation[11], Saudi Arabia[11], Singapore[1], Slovakia[1], South Korea[7], Spain[27], Taiwan[1], Thailand[3], Tunisia[1], Turkey[3], Ukraine[2], United Arab Emirates[2], United Kingdom[135], United States[1], Vietnam[5], Worldwide[16]
Remember, these are just a small sampling of the ESL teaching jobs that are available. At any one time there are literally thousands of jobs on the go. What a great way to gain some international experience in a new culture and do some travelling at the same time. All it takes is a degree and a TESOL Certificate. You could be on your way to a new country within weeks!

Teaching Positions this week

As always there are many good ESL teaching positions waiting for enthusiastic and adventurous people who want to experience a foreign culture - maybe even learn a new language. If there are two things that look good on a resume, they are - teaching experience and international experience. Most companies have international dealings these days and are always looking for good people to progress into well-paying management roles. Whether or not you choose to remain in the teaching field or try the corporate route, the experience of teaching in another country will give your resume (CV) a healthy boost for the future.

Here are the jobs this week. Remember, these are from one source of many:

Current Database Status (country/jobs):
Bhutan[1], Bulgaria[1], Cambodia[1], China[35], Czech Republic[3], Estonia[1], France[3], Georgia[1], Germany[4], Greece[3], Hong Kong[3], Indonesia[5], Iraq[1], Italy[6], Japan[4], Kazakhstan[2], Kuwait[1], Kyrgyzstan[1], Malaysia[2], Malta[1], Mexico[1], Oman[4], Poland[2], Portugal[1], Russian Federation[8], Saudi Arabia[9], Singapore[1], Slovakia[1], South Korea[9], Spain[33], Taiwan[1], Thailand[4], Turkey[4], Ukraine[2], United Arab Emirates[1], United Kingdom[144], United States[2], Vietnam[7], Worldwide[11]

All you need  to apply in most non-English speaking countries is a degree (in any discipline), a TESOL Certificate and a willingness to learn and sometimes accept other cultures as they are.

Robert