Pitfalls of teaching EFL

We've all heard the stories and read advertisements about going to another country for a wonderful English teaching opportunity abroad

. Most of the stories you read or hear about talk about the adventure of learning another culture, making new friends, and also learning about yourself in a foreign environment. However, that's just the good side to the expat EFL teacher. There is also that other side that can be avoided with a little common sense and also some advice from those in the know.

When looking into becoming that EFL professional, you have to be very careful of language school scams. These days there are hundreds if not thousands of language schools both public and private all over the world advertising for a native English speaker from America or Canada who can teach English in their school. If they are not legit after a little investigation, these types of schools can be dangerous to your physical and psychological well-being. Some language school scams will go so far as to hold the EFL worker hostage by making them work longer hours for less money, and even threaten to take their income or passport away if they are not living up to their standards. That's when it becomes a real mess and some governmental assistance might be necessary.

To even avoid this kind of situation in the first place, research a language school's hours, try to make connections with someone who can talk about the school, and also see if the school has been black-listed or grey-listed by any of the number of websites online that rate each language school, particularly if they have a bad reputation. In fact, it just might be better to find a well-known language school in the country you are planning to live and work in for a little while, because not only will you be offered some job security but they will make sure that everything you do upon entering the country is legal and following the laws and regulations of that particular domain.

Another pitfall that you can encounter when teaching English abroad is lacking knowledge about the country's customs or culture. This is where some self-study and lots of reading and studying about the country is important. If you know someone who has lived abroad in the particular country you plan to work in, ask them about their experiences and any advice they can give you. Perhaps they can give you a friend to contact who can help you make your transition a lot smoother and more enjoyable while you are abroad. Remember, you will be living abroad for a least a year, so its important to get whatever knowledge you can about the culture that will become a part of your own life for a while.

Coinciding with this, language is another element that can be a pitfall or a hindrance to living abroad. It's good to know a little bit of the language before you go so you can learn how to get around, go shopping, etc. Even while you are in the country, you will always learn what to say and how to say it correctly from your students, friends, the taxi driver, or even a stranger on the street that is looking to practice English with you because they spotted you in a crowd at a famous tourist attraction. Even if you can get around without knowing the language, or you are living in a country where knowing the language is not a requirement, it's still a good idea to learn it anyway. You will not only impress your hosts but your reputation will increase because you took the time to learn and communicate in the language.

If you encounter pitfalls like these or other experiences that are similar in nature, do not fret. It is all part of the adventure and learning experience of living abroad in another foreign land that is not your own backyard. It might take getting used to, and if you don't like the country you are living in, after your contract is up, you can always travel somewhere else.

Pitfalls of teaching EFL

By: CVCircular Recruitment

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