On Exotic Location

English language teaching and international education has been my career since 1962. Having lectured or taught in 82 countries has given and continues to give me (I now live in Mexico) a variety of cultural experiences. Too often others view the English language teacher abroad as a person on extended vacation. Sometimes this is true but it doesn't take long to realize that a classroom is a classroom no matter where in the world it is located. While for me this is been a life career, for others it is a temporary situation, which provides the adventure of travel and a steady income. I often call EFL teaching the "portable profession" because we simply can go anywhere and into a variety of situations. Not everyone makes teaching aboard a lifetime career. These persons should not be discouraged from the EFL profession as long as they are willing to invest in some credible teaching training. The rewards of teaching English are:
  • Teaching English changes lives.
  • It gives teachers phenomenal confidence. It is immensely gratifying and mutually rewarding.
  • Teaching English is an art. It requires thorough training. It is not true that any English speaker can teach English. You must have a better answer for students than, "I don't know, we just say it like that."
  • Teaching English requires you to bring your own experience to the classroom. If you experiment, be creative, and expres- sive, you will never be boring. As was once said, "The best teachers communi- cate their own enthusiasm for the subject."
  • Teaching English opens up a whole new channel of learning. You'll be proud to discover how much you already know, and will soon discover what you don't know...yet.
  • Teaching English overseas gives you many intangible benefits including the time and opportunity to know yourself. You'll meet won derful people, make life-long friendships, and treasure your experiences forever.

    Teaching aboard is inarguably an exciting prospect. Even for the sedentary, it excites some emotion: fear, mystery, envy, incredulity__or perhaps a greater appreciation for the securities of home. For others, it excites romantic images about sipping espresso between classes in Rome, spending a weekend snorkeling off the coast of Colombia or elephant trekking in the jungles of northern Thailand. But the truth is that such tourist dreams most often become TEFL nightmares. Under the most idyllic circumstances working aboard requires major life adjustments. Even well prepared, compassionate people are challenged by changes in living standards, language and culture. As you start researching and planning to live abroad, ask yourself these questions:

  • Are you resourceful?
  • Can you live without television and movies?
  • Can you be apart from your family and old friends?
  • Do you enjoy meeting new people?
  • Is your palate adaptable?
  • Can you adjust to change
    without surrendering the stability of you own identity?
  • Are you in good health?
  • Do you have a good sense of humor?

    As a TEFL teacher, do you realize you are entering an industry that, in effect, sells English lessons? If so, do you release you will be evaluated on how well you deliver that industry's product, i.e., English language communication skills? If the answer is yes to all of the above, then is time to explore teaching possibilities.

    Dr. Tom Kane is Education Director at Worldwide Teachers in Guadalajara, Mexico. His book Teach American English Around the World (Abbot Press, 1999), contains information about intensive teach- ing programs as well as the global job market. There is a worldwide demand for teachers of the English language. Last year over 10 billion US dollars were spent buying lessons and materials.