THE JOURNAL OF A SENSEI

Teaching in International Schools – Frequently Asked Questions

Ever since I wrote my book The Complete Guide to Securing a Job at an International School I’ve been inundated with questions about teaching overseas. I’ve selected the most frequently asked ones to answer for you here…

Where can I teach in an international school? How can I find out?
There are over 4000 international schools of varying sizes worldwide and all of them need teachers. So the answer to the first question is… just about anywhere!

One way you can find out whether there’s an international school where you’d like to work is to ‘Google it’. I simply typed in ‘international school Bangkok” and up popped a whole page of listings.

Of course this isn’t the way to go about landing your new teaching job abroad, but you can certainly check out how many schools are available in the destinations you’re interested in.

I’ve got kids, will an international school employ me?
Yes they will! You may have some trouble if you’ve got 7 kids and you’re a single parent, or something similar, simply because the recruiters know you probably won’t be able to manage on a single teacher’s salary and allowances.

Contracts for overseas hired teachers often include such perks as free tuition for your children (often limited to two, but not always), so you’ll get a private education for your children too.

Do I need a TEFL certificate to get a job teaching abroad?
This all depends on what kind of credentials and experience you already have.

If you don’t have a teaching qualification, then you probably don’t have any other option. With a TEFL certificate you can teach the English as a Second Language classes that are offered at most international schools.

Based on my experience doing both, teaching EFL or ESL at an international school is preferable to teaching at a private language school. So plan your job-hunt accordingly.

Also, if your experience is all in mono-lingual and mono-cultural situations, then getting a TEFL qualification to add to your current credentials will only improve your chances. It will show recruiters that you are prepared for the issues you’ll encounter in your multi-cultural classes abroad.

Will I make enough money?
Exactly how much is enough? This is a hard one to answer because we all have different opinions on how much is enough, don’t we?

However, my answer is this… do your homework! It is possible to make loads and loads and put your investment portfolio on the map (or cover the map with your travels! Or both?), but it really depends where you go. Western Europe doesn’t have the same potential for earning that the Middle East or South East Asia has, but you’ll still make enough to live reasonably. Even in Western Europe, some schools pay better than others, and Eastern Europe is different again because of the low cost of living.

Teaching Abroad – the best decision you’ll ever make
Teaching overseas is an opportunity to put your qualifications to good use. You’ll be able to support yourself, and often have more left over at the end of the month than you would at home, and travel extensively to exotic destinations you’ve only ever dreamed about.

And guess what? Internationals school principals have been discussing the looming shortage of international teachers!

That’s right, with the sudden explosion in the number of schools opening for business in the last couple of years there’s been an equal explosion in the number of positions recruiters need to fill… but as yet there hasn’t been the required increase in teachers applying.

You do the math on that one and it all comes out to be a positive move in your favour.

Are you Prepared for Esl Teaching Jobs?

In this article you can find valuable information about ESL teaching jobs. For the beginning the term ESL means: English as a second language. Actually everybody who is looking for ESL teaching jobs wants to be a teacher in English. Because this is second language to the kids all over the world, this job requires traveling to the different parts of the world and teaching small kids faster to meet the basics of the English language.

Every newbie in this sphere has a lot of question about how they will live there. For the beginning, you should know that this is very organized job. A lot of people are standing behind you, so your job is to go on your new job location and perform your job with success. The parents of the kids are very satisfied from what are you doing and the teacher will not require too much time to suit to the newly created circumstances into the new country for them.

ESL teaching jobs are very well paid jobs, so if some teacher is qualified for performing this kind of jobs is advised not to wait for the job in their local area but to be decisive and accept the job overseas. But, some of the teachers who are traveling abroad to teach the children does not have diploma for performing this kind of job. The diploma is not required for taking ESL teaching jobs. Everything that is needed is to know to speak English very well and you are qualified for taking this kind of job.

When you will go in some other country you can be assigned to perform the teaching job on various locations: from teaching the small kids in primary school to teaching people in some language schools. In eastern Asian countries there is high demand for ESL teachers. But, not every job should be accepted immediately. If you are browsing the internet and find ESL teaching job opportunity you should take a closer look of the organization who is hiring teachers. Before applying for the job you should be assured that this organization is serious enough and can offer you the right job and will pay you for this job. So you are advised to check the background of the organization, previous ESL teaching jobs that this organization has offered to teachers and some testimonials from the ESL teachers who accepted the jobs through this organization.

After accepting ESL teaching job you will be given some advice regarding where you will stay in the new country, activities that are expected to do in this country, monthly salary, working time and all other essential element you need for performing your job successfully. The monthly salary that you can expect for performing ESL job varies from the responsibilities that you are in charge. But this is very rewarding job and you can expect more than $1000 monthly for working five days a week. The salary depends also from the job position you are assigned to and from your qualifications as a teacher.

Bahrain and English Teaching Jobs

Bahrain is a small island country in Gulf that offers excellent job opportunities especially in the field of teaching. English teachers are high in demand here as English language has become the most preferred means of communication between locals and immigrants. Its role is also important in hospitality industries like hotels, airports as well as in other businesses involving services. And since the natives of Bahrain are not well versed in the language, they need higher number of people to teach English. In Bahrain, it is mandatory to include English as a second language in the national curriculum in schools.

But due to the inadequate number of native English speakers, these institutions are compelled to employ outsiders as English teachers. This is why teaching jobs are advertised hugely on bigger platforms like newspapers, websites, etc. and in various countries. The population of expatriates in the region is so high that there are many English medium schools being set up for their children. Private schools in Bahrain are plentiful and growing, thus, raising the number of jobs in teaching. Also, in the schools with different mediums of teaching like French schools, English is taught as a language subject ultimately adding to the demand of English tutors.

There are many state schools in Bahrain for local dwellers that are controlled by the Ministry of Education. They serve Bahrainis who wish to learn English as a second language to broaden their employment avenues as well as to cope up with the modern society. They also extend service to the non-English speaking expatriate community which leads to the higher demand for English experts. As it majorly functions for the working population who can take classes only in evening, the working hours in these schools maybe longer and may require working even in night. Sometimes, there are training courses to be attended by the teachers in order to learn the training methods that schools adhere to. It involves both gaining and imparting the learning. The opportunities for English language experts are not limited to this yet, they have further more options.

In the free hours, they can give tuitions and make a few extra bucks. It has become a significant means of employment in many Gulf States with the growing realization of the importance of English. The requirement for tutors is seen especially in the times of examination. Generally, newspapers carry advertisements for such openings. The centres of British Council in Bahrain also employ English teachers for which one requires a recognized qualification such as an RSA diploma or PGCE in Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL). Another requisite is a minimum of two years teaching experience. English teachers can also provide services as translators and interpreters. Translators are absorbed mainly in translating legal and contractual documentation and technical papers and interpreters are required mostly at seminars and on management training courses. These types of jobs are generally part-time or on a short-term basis. Before one decides to take up a job in Bahrain, he/she needs to attain some information on the culture and lifestyle of the country to be able to adjust easily into it. Bahrain is a conservative Arabic country.

The laws of the country are stringent and the lifestyle conventional. The country does not permit homosexuality or live-in relationships. One should be careful in dealing with women as their culture does not encourage mingling between men and women. Though it offers good money and lifestyle, the laws regarding work permit are strict and one needs a local sponsor to get the permission to work. It is generally either the employer or the agent who gets all the formalities completed but it is advisable to go through a reliable sponsor to avoid any problems later on.

One must consult the foreign office before accepting jobs in Bahrain as it doesn’t allow expatriates to become permanent residents. It wants to be a self sufficient country but is in the developmental stage currently thus welcoming the services of expatriates to meet the internal needs. Foreigners are generally treated well and paid handsomely and are also rewarded for their services.

ESL Teaching Resume ? How to Compose a Quality Document

Teaching English as a second language or ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages) are segments of education that are continually growing in demand.  Teachers wishing to acquire a job in education may be more likely to do so if they look for a job in a content area such as ESL or ESOL.  The competition for ESL jobs is not as stiff as competition for teaching jobs in other disciplines.  Also, teaching ESL can be a great way to transition into the school of your dreams, provided you have the knowledge and credentials to do the job.  If you answer the schools call when they are seeking an ESL teacher, they will most likely repay the favor at a later date and transfer you to another position in the school, if desired.

Individuals who wish to teach ESL will find a myriad of opportunities both internationally and abroad.  In order to seize these opportunities, you will need a quality resume that highlights you ESL related skills.  When composing your ESL teaching resume, be sure to include the following things:

List Relevant Work Experience

Schools looking to hire ESL teachers will want to see some previous experience related to the education field.  Make sure to highlight any experience that is even remotely related to the job for which you are applying.  While you obviously don’t want to lie and invent experiences that you never had, there is no harm in pushing unrelated work experience to the background and bringing related work experience to the forefront. Make sure you include keywords, such as IEP development, formal assessments, classroom management, student motivation, differentiated instruction, and parental relations.

Mention Language Experience

Because it is so directly related to the job for which you are applying, be sure to mention any language skills you possess, regardless of how small they may seem.  You do not have to be fluent in a language for your experience with that language to be relevant.  If you can understand some basic conversational phrases, your skills will likely be helpful in your ESL teaching job.

Include International Travel

Many hiring committees are impressed by ESL teachers who have international travel experience.  Regardless of whether you are applying for an ESL position in your home country or abroad, having previous international travel experience can give you a leg up.  If you are applying for a domestic ESL job, it allows administration to see that you are worldly and experienced.  If you are applying for a job abroad, travel experience to other countries indicate that you are not scared to go out on a limb and take chances. Let them know that you are independent and love other cultures and are always open to change.

Present Skills Related to the Position

When creating a concise resume, you don’t have room to mention every skill that you posses.  Make sure that you only list skills that will be directly related to your position as an ESL teacher.  While knowing how to write web-content or being an avid fisherman are interesting skills to bring up at a dinner party, they do not belong on an ESL teacher resume.

Depending on the student population in the school district, some areas may have only one ESL teacher.  While ESL jobs are traditionally easier to find than jobs in other content areas, it is still important to present a well organized, professional document so that you are the person the school district wishes to charge with the implantation of the ESL program.  Teaching ESL is a large responsibility, and schools are not going to be eager to place that responsibility on your shoulders if you do not look like someone who can handle the position or to someone that is not passionate about teaching ESL.

Teaching Abroad: A Guide To The Fundamentals

Teaching English as foreign language (or second language) is an excellent option for visiting new parts of the world. Because English is commonly used for diplomacy, higher education, business and technology, English teachers and classes are in high demand around the worldwide.

Knowing how to teach English also provides you with an excellent skill to be used in volunteering. There are opportunities around the world where people would benefit from knowing English, yet they do not have the funds to enroll in classes, or perhaps they don’t have access to any classes at all.

If teaching English isn’t for you, international schools require native English speakers to teach other subjects as well, such as mathematics, science, history, and the arts.

What is TEFL, ESL, EFL, etc.?
There are lots of different abbreviations and acronyms to refer to teaching English. Here is a quick simplifier…

ELT:    English Language Teaching or English Language Training
EFL:    English as a Foreign Language
ESL:    English as a Second Language
ESOL: English for Speakers of Other Languages
EAL:    English as an Additional Language
TEFL: Teaching English as a Foreign Language
TESL: Teaching English as a Second Language
TEAL: Teaching English as an Additional Language
TESOL: Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages

All of the above abbreviations are used for essentially the same thing, however, you may notice that generally ESL is used for non-native speakers learning English in an English speaking country, and EFL is for non-native-speaks learning English in a non-English speaking environment, such as their own country. Moreover, Americans tend to use ESL more, and British teachers tend to use EFL. EAL is an attempt to bridge the gap between the two. Oftentimes people learn English not as their second language, but as their third, fourth or more. Also, EAL avoids using the word “foreign”, which is considered by the more politically correct to have an unpleasant inference.

Do I need a certificate to teach English?
There are many opportunities around the world to teach English without a certificate. However, certification does help, especially if there is an application process involved and positions are competitive.

Do I need to speak a foreign language to teach people English?
Theoretically, to teach English you should only need to speak one language. However, if you are teaching in a foreign country, there is no doubt that some knowledge of that country’s culture and language can make your job much easier, and probably allow you to make your lessons more relevant and interesting for your students. If your students are of mixed international backgrounds, then knowing one or two foreign languages may not be of assistance to the entirety of the group.

There is some benefit to your teaching if you do in fact know a foreign language or have learnt one. By having first hand experience of being a student, you are able to have a more complete perspective of the student/teacher relationship and the trials and tribulations of those you teach. Moreover, learning another language provides you with valuable insight about grammar, such as verb conjugations and tenses, which come naturally to a native speaker. Many other languages use similar grammatical formats as English, and by learning a foreign language you might be able to examine your native language more carefully.

Do I need to speak English as my native language to teach English?
You certainly don’t have to speak English as your native tongue; however you must have excellent fluency and writing skills to start a training course for certification. Oftentimes non-native speakers make the best teachers, however. If you’ve been through it yourself then you are able to relate to what your students will be dealing with.

How long will it take to become certified?
Certification is a pretty quick process, usually taking four weeks or considerably less. You can take the course full time, part time, or through distance learning. There are options to suit whichever method or time frame you prefer.

ESL Teaching – Is it For You?

Would you like to teach English to foreigners in your country or travel to another country to teach? Many young people consider such employment advertisements with great interest since the position offers them the opportunity to travel and often does not require any experience other than being a native English speaker.

Foreign countries looking for English teachers greatly desire the instructor to be a native English speaker. The course materials may be provided or you may be asked to show previous teaching experience or a TEFL or TESL certificate.

Common Terms:

Before you excitedly answer any employment ads you should learn the meaning of commonly used terms as well as recommendations for working locally or abroad.

TEFL: Teaching English Foreign Language; often refers to teaching English in a foreign country. Known to students as EFL classes.

TESL: Teaching English as a Second Language; usually refers to teaching English to foreigners in an English speaking country. Known to students as ESL classes.

Teaching Locally or Abroad?

For people who wish to travel TEFL can be a great opportunity to interact with new cultures and to finance traveling. It is important to investigate the country you will be traveling to as well as the employer offering the position to ensure you will be safe and have reliable work. You may decide to work with an agency based in your home country that will assist you with legal questions and assist you in making living arrangements.

While many foreign positions are available to individuals without experience or certification you will likely find the education and resources of a class to be valuable before taking an assignment. If you think you would like to try this career out you might offer your services locally, as a private tutor, or take an instruction class to familiarize yourself with the responsibilities and work required to teach a language.

If you choose to work in your own country there will be various guidelines for certification, experience and materials as determined by the employers. If you consider private tutoring you can research recommended course materials and methods online or at a book store or library. You can then advertise your services in a local paper or on college and university billboards.

Teaching English can be very rewarding. However, English is a language that is full of rule breaking nuances. Trying to explain these to a student can be difficult and a person needs to have patience and good personal skills to become an effective teacher.

If you would like to review what types of positions are available you can check them out online through employment and ESL teaching sites.

A Brief Presentation of Teaching in Asia

Teaching English in Asia has become very popular among native English speakers from the United States and Canada. These are in fact the residents generally preferred by Asian employers in their numerous job offerings for teachers of English as a second language. Employment anywhere abroad is not guaranteed with just a strong knowledge of English, despite the fact that this language has become international over the past years. However, teaching is Asia is possible with nothing but the solid knowledge that most native English speakers possess. The only prerequisite is a university degree in any subject, but there are times when a lot of enthusiasm will do.

Teaching in Asia is possible both in public and in private language institutions, as well as self employed. The problem with the privately-run institutions is that their main focus is maximization of profits, which makes educational standards rather low. This makes work as a private tutor more lucrative. However, this type of employment requires considerable market experiences, as well as suitable premises for your work.

Teaching in Asia comes with many advantages, and many of those who apply for an ESL job in Korea, China, Japan, Thailand, Vietnam, etc. mostly appreciate salaries and the possibility of increasing their income through private tutoring. The change of scenery is also regarded as interesting, though there are times when the resistance to innovation makes local people have a rather racist attitude. But new arrivals are likely to face problems anywhere around the world, and teaching in Asia is no exception. However, these obstacles can be overcome with tact and perseverance.

Those with no experience whatsoever are most likely to find that teaching in Asia comes with a big challenge, which is getting shy students to speak in class. But this is again an obstacle that can be overcome, because teachers all over the world are faced with this problem, and the most efficient solution seems to be making your classes fun and encouraging students the vocabulary the already possess, however limited.

Teaching in Asia has experienced a remarkable explosion in the past few years, with China demanding a constant flow of native speakers from Western countries. China is the hungriest Asian nation as far as the English language is concerned. There are many ESL job postings for China on the Internet, because the demand for English instructors is a huge one, with more and more people wishing to provide their children with a good education and send them for private tuition.

Requirements for teaching in Asia are not very stringent. A university degree often suffices and teaching experience is seldom required, as this counts for higher training levels. Each of the Asian countries eager to bring in native speakers of English as instructors has its own advantages. For instance, in Japan considerable financial rewards can come with this type of employment, but the competition is fierce. In Indonesia, foreign teachers who are willing to sign a contract and have experience in teaching English as a second language can get up to ten times the local salary. In Korea, the competition for ESL jobs is not as acute as in Japan, and with the demand outstripping the supply by far, getting a job as a teacher in this country is quite easy.

Regardless of the difficulties that may occur, which are not specific of these nations but of working and living in a foreign country, teaching in Asia can turn out to be a pleasant and unforgettable experience if you make an educated choice.

If you are looking for more information about ESL jobs or to learn about teaching in Asia please visit http://esljobspot.com

In Japan Teaching Is Profession Is Pleasurable

In Japan, necessitate for English-speaking citizens has in recent times risen to marathon magnitude. With this increase in claim, finding a job teaching English in Israel is easier than ever for foreigners who wish to head abroad. Are you considering teaching English in Israel? If so, there are a few key things you should know before you begin your job hunt. The information below is designed to make the process easier and ensure that you’re getting the best possible circumstances. Teaching English in Japan is a voyage

A high assessment is placed on native-speaking English teachers, and contrasting some other countries, where the red tape involved in getting a teaching job is almost too much to deal with, becoming a teacher in Japan is fairly straightforward and simple. All you really have to do is find a job and even that is far from easier said than done.

In order to be trained to teach English in Japan, you must be a native English speaker and hold certification in TEFL that states Teaching English as a Foreign Language. If you have those two requirements under your belt, and you are aware that you’ll be living in Japan for at least a year, you’re ready to begin your job search.

The English language has been influential just about the world for hundreds of existence, but the growth in the last 10 years thought to be mainly due to the Internet and the globalization of business activity has been spectacular. This has meant more and better opportunities for English language teaching in Japan and of course worldwide. At the same time it has also meant greater consideration to standards in language teaching, and the need for more formal processes for ensuring quality on behalf of students. The result of this has been greater than before popularity in qualifying for a TEFL official document plus an increase in the standard of the course and its recognition in the world of unfamiliar language guidance.

If you are interested in teaching abroad, one of the programs that you have to attend is TESL. TESL means Teaching English as a Second Language. This program teaches the English language to the immigrants of an English-speaking country. You will be teaching the people who do not speak the language with their native tongue.

Another one is the TEFL. TEFL, on the other hand, means Teaching English as a Foreign Language. This program teaches the language to people direct in their respective country of origin. So instead of the people immigrating to your land, the teacher will be teaching to them in their own country.

If you wanted to go abroad, try to specialize in TEF. This is a requirement from people who wanted to go out of the country and begin teaching abroad. Although TESL can also give you that opportunity, the TESL program is applied to countries that have English as a primary language only. So the countries you can go to is limited. Anyway to maximize your opportunities, enroll to both programs and you will be able to teach anywhere in the world.

ESL Teaching – Games for Successful Teachers

If you have ever experienced teaching English as a second language to children then you know how difficult it can be at times to hold their attention. A possible solution to the problem is to run a few games through your lessons to give a sense of fun and enjoyment.

This article gives a brief introduction to some games that are popular with ESL kids. The first game is X/O. Divide the class into two teams, one is X and the other O. Choose a topic, such as clothes, and draw nine squares on the board and number them one to nine. Write a random letter in each square and ask the students to choose one of the squares. The students have to give a word that begins with the letter in the square and is also a member of the chosen topic, such a hat for h, sock for s. As the topic example is clothes. If they give a correct word they get to mark the square with their teams letter, X or O. The first team to make a line of three in a row e.g. OOO is the winner.

Another good game that students enjoy is the 9 letters game. The teacher divides the class into teams. The teacher writes nine letters on the board, including the letters a, e, i, o, u. Students have to make words using the letters. They get a point for each letter in a word, so a word such as ‘beach’ would get their team five points. The team with the most points in an allotted time is the winner.

Lastly, their is the game known as Run/Stop. The teacher says a verb and the students mime the action. The teacher then shouts ’stop’ and the students have to freeze. Any students that do not remain still are out. The last student left is the winner. I hope these games are helpful and give you some support in what can sometimes be a difficult task.

Teaching Abroad: a Guide to the Basics

Teaching English as foreign language (or second language) is an excellent option for visiting new parts of the world. Because English is commonly used for diplomacy, higher education, business and technology, English teachers and classes are in high demand around the worldwide.

Knowing how to teach English also provides you with an excellent skill to be used in volunteering. There are opportunities around the world where people would benefit from knowing English, yet they do not have the funds to enroll in classes, or perhaps they don’t have access to any classes at all.

If teaching English isn’t for you, international schools require native English speakers to teach other subjects as well, such as mathematics, science, history, and the arts.

What is TEFL, ESL, EFL, etc.?

There are lots of different abbreviations and acronyms to refer to teaching English. Here is a quick simplifier…

ELT: English Language Teaching or English Language Training

EFL: English as a Foreign Language

ESL: English as a Second Language

ESOL: English for Speakers of Other Languages

EAL: English as an Additional Language

TEFL: Teaching English as a Foreign Language

TESL: Teaching English as a Second Language

TEAL: Teaching English as an Additional Language

TESOL: Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages

All of the above abbreviations are used for essentially the same thing, however, you may notice that generally ESL is used for non-native speakers learning English in an English speaking country, and EFL is for non-native-speaks learning English in a non-English speaking environment, such as their own country. Moreover, Americans tend to use ESL more, and British teachers tend to use EFL. EAL is an attempt to bridge the gap between the two. Oftentimes people learn English not as their second language, but as their third, fourth or more. Also, EAL avoids using the word “foreign”, which is considered by the more politically correct to have an unpleasant inference.

Do I need a certificate to teach English?

There are many opportunities around the world to teach English without a certificate. However, certification does help, especially if there is an application process involved and positions are competitive.

Do I need to speak a foreign language to teach people English?

Theoretically, to teach English you should only need to speak one language. However, if you are teaching in a foreign country, there is no doubt that some knowledge of that country’s culture and language can make your job much easier, and probably allow you to make your lessons more relevant and interesting for your students. If your students are of mixed international backgrounds, then knowing one or two foreign languages may not be of assistance to the entirety of the group.

There is some benefit to your teaching if you do in fact know a foreign language or have learnt one. By having first hand experience of being a student, you are able to have a more complete perspective of the student/teacher relationship and the trials and tribulations of those you teach. Moreover, learning another language provides you with valuable insight about grammar, such as verb conjugations and tenses, which come naturally to a native speaker. Many other languages use similar grammatical formats as English, and by learning a foreign language you might be able to examine your native language more carefully.

Do I need to speak English as my native language to teach English?

You certainly don’t have to speak English as your native tongue; however you must have excellent fluency and writing skills to start a training course for certification. Oftentimes non-native speakers make the best teachers, however. If you’ve been through it yourself then you are able to relate to what your students will be dealing with.

How long will it take to become certified?

Certification is a pretty quick process, usually taking four weeks or considerably less. You can take the course full time, part time, or through distance learning. There are options to suit whichever method or time frame you prefer.