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Tag: ESL

  • ESL: An Introduction to an Adventurous Career Path

    ESL: An Introduction to an Adventurous Career Path

    If you had learned English as an adult, what would you have been struggling with the most? For non-native speakers, that question is a grammatical whirlwind: a third conditional using past perfect and perfect continuous clauses. Learning English as an adult is daunting, and that is why ESL is so important.

    ESL is the study of English as a Second Language. Most ESL classrooms typically have about four to twelve students. This creates a comfortable atmosphere for learners to not only befriend each other, but also the teacher. A single classroom often has students from several countries having come to learn and immerse themselves in English, so it always makes for an interesting group.

    This atmosphere is important for the type of work done in class. Instead of everyone keeping their heads down as they fill in the blanks of grammar sheet exercises, ESL classes focus on group projects and engaging activities. The teacher spends little to no time lecturing, but instead introduces a grammatical concept at the beginning of class. Through role-playing games and group activities, those grammar rules are mixed with practical and real life situations.

    These classes are found in private colleges and public schools around the world. Teaching ESL is a rewarding career that will allow you to meet wonderful people from all over the globe. If that is something you want to explore, start by finding English tutoring and teaching opportunities. These could be paid or volunteer work, as either way they will give you the valuable experience schools are looking for.

    You will also need ESL teaching credentials. It can be hard to choose a TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages) program, as there are a myriad of them. Most are short programs and of little value. Instead, choose one affiliated with TESL Canada. Certification requires the completion of an affiliated TESOL program and an undergraduate degree. You will be qualified to work in ESL colleges across the country. TESL Canada is also recognized worldwide, meaning you can even work in ESL schools abroad!

    Many teachers will use their credentials to find teaching opportunities in other countries. It is a great chance to explore the world while getting paid to do it. It also looks great on your resume for future opportunities. If you are inexperienced, South Korea is the place to go, as there are many reputable schools in the country regularly looking for instructors. You will likely sign a one-year contract, so if you are okay with leaving your life here behind for that long, a great adventure awaits.

    As English continues to be such a vital language in the modern world, the ESL industry remains full of opportunities. You are already on the right track by being in an undergraduate program. Seek out small teaching opportunities to build experience, and look for TESOL programs in your area, and you will be well on your way.

  • Teaching English as a Career

    Teaching English as a Career

    The English language has a lot of short, easy words. Just think of words like “run” — a short, three-letter word that is easy to spell and easy to learn. But are they really that easy? Think of how many meanings words like “run” have. You can run a race or get a home run in baseball. A newspaper has a run, and you can run out of time. How can non-English speakers ever learn such a complicated language? That’s where English as a Second Language (ESL) or English as a Foreign Language (EFL) teachers can help.

    Teaching the English language can be a good career option, especially for anyone who enjoys travel. Over 400 million people around the world use English as their first language, which is the main language that they are most comfortable using. However, over 700 million people use English as a second or third language, and the number is growing all the time.

    English is spoken all over the world and is the standard language used in many businesses, in technical and scientific studies, and for transportation on airplanes and ships. You might even hear a German-speaking airline pilot talking to a German-speaking airport employee, not in German, but in English. Most communication by computers and even traditional mail is in English, and use of the English language is still growing.

    As the need for English skills is increasing, the need for English teachers is growing as well. This kind of teaching goes by several different names which often reflect the needs of the students. Teaching English as a Second Language is often about teaching immigrants how to speak with their neighbours and co-workers. Practical vocabulary and grammar are important parts of each lesson.

    In other countries, English as a Foreign Language or English as an Additional Language (EAL) are often the terms people use. Without the chance to use English every day at home or at work, the students often have to work harder at getting a chance to practice their skills. The kind of help the students need is normally the focus of the classes. Lessons could focus on conversational skills or grammar or both.

    What does it take to work in TESOL (Teaching English as a Second or Other Language)? In North America and many other parts of the world, a Bachelor of Education with an emphasis on teaching language to non-English speakers is probably the best option. In some cases, a TESOL certificate or local training might be enough, especially if the school where you want to work has its own training program.

    Teaching English can be a good option if you love variety and adventure. You can teach in Japan, China, Mexico, or right in your own city. You can work with young children, university students, or retired people. You can teach in a classroom or tutor people at home. Wherever you go, teaching the English language can be a rewarding career for anyone.

  • Teaching English Abroad

    Teaching English Abroad

    Do you love adventure? Do you love teaching? Do you long to strike out on your own and see the world? And do you want to be paid while doing it? If so, teaching English abroad may be for you!

    What will I need?
    At the very least you will need a four year Bachelors Degree (BA). Your degree can be in anything from art history to zoology, but obviously a degree in English, education, or linguistics will provide you an edge.

    With just a BA you will have a handful of options available to you including, but not limited to, teaching in Japan, South Korea, China, and parts of Eastern Europe and South America. With additional courses and training, more options in more countries with better income, perks and stability become available. What is better is that many of these courses offer help finding positions, with some even guaranteeing to help you find one – or your money back!

    Aside from that you will need citizenship from an English-speaking country, a passport valid for at least one year, a clean bill of health, and no criminal background.

    Is teaching overseas for me?
    Teaching isn’t for everyone and teaching English in a foreign country is doubly so. Unless you have a Master of Arts in English Language Teaching, chances are you will not be prepared for what awaits you. However, you shouldn’t despair as no employer will be expecting an amazing performance from day one.

    The three most important qualities a teacher can possess are: strong communication skills, adaptability and patience. Communication skills may seem like a given, but you must keep in mind that your students, co-workers and boss will not speak English as their first language (and some not at all). This means that you can’t always depend on others simply understanding your words; sometimes it will be necessary to simplify your expressions or approach what you are trying to communicate from another direction. Sometimes it may require the use of body language or even drawing abilities!

    Adaptability is also crucial as you must adjust everything about what you expect. In most cases the people you will encounter overseas will not only speak a different language then yourself, they will also have a different culture, set of ethics, and expectations for you. You must be able to “go with the flow” and learn to understand and appreciate their differences, not judge them as being wrong or worse than what you might be used to.

    Finally, patience is important because, as mentioned above, you will be working with individuals who may speak little to no English. This means a lot of repeating yourself and a lot of asking them to repeat themselves, too. Remember that they are learningEnglish, meaning they will need to first translate what you say into their language, then translate what they need to say back into English. Take your time and never take out your frustration on your students; remember – they are there to learn and you are there to teach!

    Final Words
    It goes without saying that an aptitude for teaching is crucial! You can volunteer at any elementary school to see if teaching is for you and, if it is, the experience will look very good to prospective employers. Good luck and bon voyage!