10 Tips for Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) Abroad
Solo Travel, Working Abroad — By Mary on July 21, 2011 at 9:00 amBy Sarah Fudin
Special to Lost Girls World
The rise of English as a global language has created an ever-growing, worldwide demand for TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages) instructors. Imagine living in another part of world, exploring far-away countries and immersing yourself in different cultures. This is the life of a TESOL teacher. TESOL is a rapidly expanding field of education that offers unique rewards and challenges.
Here are ten tips for becoming a TESOL instructor:
1. Learn the lingo.
TEFL and TESL are acronyms that are also associated with teaching English. TEFL (Teaching English as a Foreign Language) refers to teaching the language in countries where English is not the primary language. TESL (Teaching English as a Second Language) refers to teaching non-English speakers within English-speaking countries. TESOL encompasses both TEFL and TESL.
2. Do your homework.
Research the field of TESOL to find out more about career opportunities. Investigate degree and certificate programs. Find out about the cost of living in countries you’re interested in. Network with TESOL instructors and ask them about their experiences.
3. Get U.S. Government support.
The U.S. Department of State’s Office of English Language Programs offers a variety of TESOL resources, including fellowship programs, scholarships, teaching resources and materials. Visit the Office of English Language Programs website for more information.
4. Take a test drive.
Before you make a commitment to TESOL, gain some experience by volunteering as an ESL tutor. Contact community service organizations in your area to find out about volunteer opportunities.
5. Become qualified.
There is no single degree that qualifies someone as a TESOL teacher. Requirements for teaching English vary from country to country and job to job. In general, a bachelor’s or master’s degree in education or a related field as well as some type of TESOL certificate is required. If you have a specific country in mind where you’d like to teach, contact the Department of Education for information about teaching requirements.
6. Look into international schools.
Many TESOL instructors consider international schools to be the best places to teach. International schools promote an international curriculum, or follow a national curriculum that is different from the host company. Both foreign and local children attend international schools. Wikipedia’s page on International Schools is a good place to find links to international school websites.
7. Decide where you want to teach.
Institutions that provide TESOL certification can offer advice for locating teaching positions. TESOL jobs can be found in the public and private sectors in both urban and rural settings around the world. Consider the culture and geography of countries where you would like to teach.
8. Use technology when it makes sense.
Many TESOL instructors are using technology to help students speak, read and write the English language. Stay current with technology and use it when it’s available and makes sense.
9. Avoid culture shock.
Before you travel to your teaching destination, avoid culture shock by learning about the customs and culture of your host country. After you arrive, familiarize yourself with your neighborhood, including grocery shops and restaurants that serve the type of food you like. Spend weekends exploring the surrounding area.
10. Avoid isolation.
In your host country, keep yourself from becoming isolated by making an effort to meet people and form a social network. Sign up for a gym, club or class. And remember to approach new experiences with an open mind and a good sense of humor.
***
The University of Southern California’s Rossier School of Education offers an online Master of Arts in Teaching that includes TESOL training. Known as MAT@USC TESOL, this innovative teaching degree program combines an interactive online learning environment with intensive classroom-based fieldwork. Find out more about MAT@USC TESOL on the University of Southern California website.
The website of the TESOL organization is another good resource for information about careers and opportunities teaching English to speakers of other languages.
***
This post was submitted by Sarah Fudin who currently works in community relations for the University of Southern California’s Masters in Teaching program, which provides the opportunity to earn an MA in TESOL online. Outside of work Sarah enjoys running, reading and Pinkberry frozen yogurt.
Tags: esl volunteer, tesol certificate courses, tesol certification online, usc rossier school of education
23 Comments
Yes, learn the language indeed. However, never let the kids in on it. If they here you speaking the lingo this’ll make them too lazy to communicate in the target language being taught.
Thank you for any other informative website. Where else may I get that kind of
info written in such a perfect method? I’ve a venture that I’m
simply now working on, and I’ve been at the glance out for such info.
my web site; camping reservations carpinteria state beach
Thanks for the auspicious writeup. It in reality was once
a amusement account it. Look complex to more brought agreeable from you!
However, how could we keep in touch?
Feel free to visit my homepage – hiking colorado springs Waldo canyon
Hi there colleagues, nice article and nice arguments commented at
this place, I am actually enjoying by these.
Here is my weblog: garmin gps handheld marine
Hi there would you mind sharing which blog platform you’re working with? I’m planning to start my own blog soon but I’m having a difficult time selecting between BlogEngine/Wordpress/B2evolution and Drupal. The reason I ask is because your design seems different then most blogs and I’m looking
for something completely unique. P.
S Apologies for getting off-topic but I had to ask!
Also visit my web site … motorola walkie talkie set
Valuable information. Fortunate me I found your web site by accident, and I’m surprised why this coincidence didn’t came about in advance!
I bookmarked it.
my web-site: walkie talkie professional
It’s actually a great and useful piece of information. I am glad that you just shared this helpful info with us. Please keep us informed like this. Thank you for sharing.
My homepage – midland walkie talkie batteries
Hello to every , as I am truly keen of reading this
website’s post to be updated daily. It carries nice stuff.
Also visit my website – hiking tents kathmandu
Greetings from Los angeles! I’m bored to death at work so I decided to browse your blog on my iphone during lunch break. I really like the information you present here and can’t wait to take a look when I get home.
I’m amazed at how quick your blog loaded on my phone .. I’m not even using WIFI, just 3G
.. Anyways, excellent site!
Amazing things here. I’m very satisfied to peer your post. Thank you a lot and I’m looking forward to contact you.
Will you please drop me a mail?
Also visit my site; car battery quality
memory foam mattress pad memory foam mattress with pillow top memory foam mattress
johannesburg memory foam mattress for kids memory foam mattress explained memory
foam mattress topper reviews
Visit my web site … memory foam mattress novaform
Hi colleagues, good article and nice arguments commented at
this place, I am in fact enjoying by these.
My web site Hayday cheats
memory foam mattress in india memory foam mattress yahoo
answers memory foam mattress comparison
memory foam mattress knoxville tn memory foam mattress york memory foam mattress on floor
Feel free to visit my web page … memory foam mattress topper allergic reaction
Hello, its fastidious article regarding media print, we all know media is
a fantastic source of data.
Here is my blog post: memory foam topper vs memory foam mattress
I am truly thankful to the owner of this site who has shared this great article at here.
Here is my website: lose weight upper body
Does your website have a contact page? I’m having trouble locating it but, I’d like to send you an email.
I’ve got some suggestions for your blog you might be interested in hearing. Either way, great website and I look forward to seeing it develop over time.
Feel free to surf to my website tea party ideas food
Everyone loves it when individuals get together and share thoughts.
Great website, stick with it!
my web site … smoking grill [Nathaniel]
Nice blog here! Also your site loads up fast! What web host are you using?
Can I get your affiliate link to your host? I wish my website loaded up as quickly as yours lol
Also visit my web blog; boost memory kit
Hi there, the whole thing is going well here and ofcourse every one is
sharing information, that’s truly good, keep up writing.
Feel free to visit my web page proactive Results
I tend not to leave many responses, however i
did some searching and wound up here TESOL-Teaching English Abroad | The
Lost Girls. And I do have 2 questions for you if you do not mind.
Could it be only me or does it seem like some of the comments look like they are written by brain dead visitors?
😛 And, if you are posting at additional sites,
I would like to follow everything new you have to post.
Could you list of all of your community pages like
your twitter feed, Facebook page or linkedin profile?
Here is my blog; breville juicer reviews vegetables
Hey! This is my 1st comment here so I just wanted to give a quick shout out and say I really enjoy reading your blog posts.
Can you suggest any other blogs/websites/forums that deal with the same
topics? Thanks for your time!
my web blog – best manual coffee grinder for french press
Hello there! This post couldn’t be written any better! Reading through this post reminds me of my good old room mate! He always kept chatting about this. I will forward this post to him. Fairly certain he will have a good read. Many thanks for sharing!
My blog :: gas grill lid open or closed
Hello! Someone in my Myspace group shared this site with us
so I came to take a look. I’m definitely enjoying the information. I’m book-marking and
will be tweeting this to my followers! Superb blog
and amazing design.
Here is my web-site force factor body rush