If you find yourself asking whether or not to pack up your bags and leave your homeland to teach English as a second language, here are a few ideas regarding the pros and cons of that choice.
Do I need experience to teach English?
No, no, and no again. Even in the modern and westernized cities like Hong Kong and Singapore, if you are a native English speaker, there is a job waiting for you whether or not you’ve ever done it before. Granted, that job is probably in a nursery or kindergarten, but once you put in a year at the lower levels, then you can climb your way to older audiences. In countries that are not so modernized, your options are much more open.
Do I need a university degree to teach English?
Yes, yes, and yes again. Without a four-year degree, most companies won’t look twice at you. In fact, some countries are instituting tighter requirements. For example, by 2012 Hong Kong will require teachers have appropriate certification, which equates to 2 years of part time schooling. The down side is that this Hong Kong certification isn’t valid in any other city.
Will I make a lot of money teaching English?
A lot of people head to foreign lands in the hopes of paying back school loans or putting money away for future plans. If you are single, there is some money to be saved, but not much. ESL teachers generally make more than the local teachers, but it’s not anything to write home about.
Is teaching English easy?
Whoever claims that teaching (any kind of teaching) is easy must have some supernatural talent. Teaching, in general, requires good management skills, excellent inter-personal skills, creativity, an endless supply of patience, solid planning, and a lot of time. So take that a step further and teach children/adults who generally don’t understand most of what you’re saying. It’s more than hard work. Expect to be physically and mentally exhausted at the end of your days, especially at the beginning.
Is teaching English fun?
If you are a fun person, then teaching will be fun. You are in charge of your lessons, so you set the tone, pace, and often make up most of the materials. When I walk into my schools, the children cheer and call to me like I’m a rock star. Why? I’m a good storyteller, and I leave all the discipline to the regular classroom teachers. Why be the bad guy when that ugly job can easily be outsourced?
Can I teach English to learn the local language?
Native English speakers are hired to teach and speak English, not to learn the language of the country they’re in. When at work, ESL teachers have rigorous teaching hours – an average of five per day. Other time is spent preparing, typing lessons plans, and eating lunch. It is even appropriate in Asian cultures to take a short nap after lunch with your head on the desk. I’m often guilty of that simply because teaching English is exhausting. So throughout the workday, there is little time to focus on learning the local language. That said, there might be opportunities to find co-workers or other acquaintances to participate in language exchange after work. I’ve seen only a very few ESL job advertisements that offer free language lessons as a perk. In short, it takes a lot of discipline and hard work to learn the local language as an ESL teacher. It doesn’t happen naturally.
Can teaching English help me learn the culture?
There is no way you’ll escape the culture! Throughout the year, ESL teachers witness whatever holidays the schools are celebrating. If you are teaching adults, this may not apply to you. Constantly being surrounded by foreigners, you’ll pick up everyday nuances, like how to properly greet, give and accept gifts, show respect, etc. There are also extra activities, like teacher’s luncheons, where great insight into the culture can be learned.
Will I make lots of friends teaching English?
This depends on what country you’re in. Personally, I found it near impossible to make friends with my Hong Kong co-workers. This is despite my extremely friendly and outgoing personality. I know ESL teachers in other countries who’ve had pleasant experiences with co-workers. But I must say that where ever you are, there’s a pretty good chance you’ll make other western friends. I have loads of ex-pat friends because it’s easy to connect with someone in the same boat. But you may not find such luck with the locals.
Is landing an ESL job easy?
If you have a four year degree and English is your mother tongue, then getting a job is easy. Asia in particular is dying for English teachers. Most companies will pay for your airfare there and back again. Most places will help you find an apartment once you arrive. Sometimes living accommodations are included in the salary package. But be wary of this, as some foreign accommodations are not up to snuff with western standards. Also, if you’re Caucasian, the chances of landing a job just went up. If you have blue eyes and especially blond hair, you better be asking for a higher salary. Believe it or not, those features mean a lot, particularly in Asia.
Edit: fixed some typos
