| Comments from English Teachers Living and Working | | | | ‘SOTP’ sign in Abu Dhabi (at which you are |
| Overseas | | | | expected to stop!). |
| “Sometimes I pinch myself. I can’t believe that | | | | You’ll become familiar with strange architecture |
| I’m here in Malaysia teaching English.” Tina, | | | | and learn about the history of the country you’re in. |
| Durban | | | | You’ll be amazed by the supportive nature of so |
| “Life as a TEFL teacher is fantastic. I was terrified | | | | many expat communities where your friends are like |
| of what it was going to be like, what the kids would be | | | | family; they’ll be there for life. You’ll smell new |
| like, the school, the food, everything. By the third day of | | | | smells, hear new sounds and see new sights. |
| my orientation, I felt ready to go!! … Before this, I was | | | | The Downside of Life as an English Teacher |
| working in an office, bored, sitting still all day, going | | | | Your job as a TEFL teacher can be exhausting and |
| crazy! NOW, I can never imagine going back to | | | | demanding. It’s an important job that requires |
| that!” Jenny, High Wycombe, England | | | | thought and preparation. You need to be at work each |
| “Teaching in Seoul was very daunting at first, but I | | | | day prepared and ready to teach. You need to |
| remembered what I had learned in my TEFL course | | | | consider how to best meet the demands of your |
| and after a few weeks it became so much fun that I | | | | students and keep track of those who are falling |
| hardly felt like I was working at all; I felt as though I | | | | behind or struggling as well as those who are racing |
| was getting paid to have a great time.” Daniel, | | | | ahead. There is always something to learn and a |
| Leicestershire | | | | different way to approach a problem and you may |
| “Abso-bloody-lutely (am I allowed to say that?) | | | | often wonder if a different approach could have |
| fantastic! I spent 4 months working in a school in South | | | | resulted in a better outcome, but keeping on the ball is |
| Africa. I’m home to finish my degree and then | | | | a good way of ensuring the quality of your teaching. |
| I’m going back.” Cass, Melbourne | | | | You might experience tension between staff and |
| Pluses of Life as an English Teacher | | | | sometimes between students. Like any other |
| Teaching English abroad is not all Champagne and | | | | workplace you may find a terrible boss or unpleasant |
| roses, but there can be a lot of good times. | | | | colleagues. There may be an undersupply of |
| Sometimes it’s magic. You’ll have opportunities | | | | resources or support. There may be too many |
| to travel, immerse yourself in different cultures and | | | | meetings or not enough. You may be expected to |
| learn other languages. You’ll see your own culture | | | | teach long hours with little time for lesson preparation. |
| in a new light, meet new friends and generally just | | | | Your working conditions may not be those you were |
| have an amazing time. | | | | led to expect. This can happen anywhere and it is up |
| The strangest events will open your eyes to things | | | | to you to make sure you check out your employer |
| you took for granted. I bet you thought that going into | | | | thoroughly before agreeing to a contract, and if it all |
| a supermarket to buy shampoo and conditioner would | | | | goes wrong, decide if you’ll make the best of it or if |
| be easy! Think again. It can be a real challenge in | | | | you’ll move on. |
| Hungary! Maybe you thought a speed limit of 120 | | | | As with any kind of travelling, you’ll bring yourself |
| meant you had to drive at or less than a 120 | | | | with you. If you’re usually grumpy and negative, |
| kilometres per hour, well, not so in the Arab Emirates | | | | you’ll probably continue to be like that unless you |
| where 120 means that the speed cameras are set to | | | | make a huge effort. Luckily, a new place with new |
| 160 and everyone knows this so that’s the general | | | | people gives you exactly that opportunity. You can |
| speed of the traffic. You may have seen traffic | | | | reinvent yourself! |
| hazards on the road, but head to Fujairah and you’ll | | | | A Final Word from English Teachers |
| find camels ambling across the roads causing untold | | | | “It’s like being retired, but with something to keep |
| havoc when cars are whizzing by at 160 plus | | | | me busy.” Jon, Hawaii |
| kilometres per hour. There is even the weird and | | | | “Thailand is the most interesting place I’ve |
| wonderful roadside signage you’ll discover like | | | | worked. Being a largely Buddhist country, the people |
| ‘Beware of Road Surprises’ in Oman or a | | | | have some interesting thoughts about life. |