how do you teach english to those in a foreign country?

Question

I always see things to teach english abroad...i mean, wouldn't I have to be able to speak thier language first? I've heard people say not really....so how does it work?

Answer 1

Actually, when I taught English in El Salvador, it was, precisely, beCAUSE I couldn't speak Spanish that they wanted me. When you speak their language, you, and they, tend to lean too much on their mother tongue to get the point across. They remember, better, when they have to struggle for the meaning of the words through sign language, role-playing--anyway you can think of to get the meaning across.

Also, here, in China, they have to learn English in regular school; so, we're just supplement teaching them, basically. Foreign teachers are in great demand here. If English is your mother tongue, you're an English "expert".

I've been teaching in China for over a year and a half, now; and I LOVE my experience here. If you're interested in teaching here, email, our Foreign Teacher Coordinator, Venassa at: [e-mail] and
Venassa for information and a contract to look over. New Horizon Language School, where I work, is always looking for new teachers. There are billions of Chinese here who need to learn English--yesterday! Just tell her: "Sharyn sent me." She's a great gal. We call her our Foreign Teacher Babysitter.

Answer 2

This is my new career. It was not planned but I was recruited by a Director of a high school & adult language school. I am teaching conversational English. Being a native speaker, I am valuable to the school & students. I have plenty of private students too. I prefer the private setting.

I do not need to speak their language. It is better that I don't. However, I am also teaching at my village elementary school and it is more difficult. I use their language some but most importantly, I must have worksheets and a real plan for the day.

If you live abroad, you should study enough language to get around. This is my husband's country so I depend on him for much communication but I do not need him for my work.

I am really enjoying this. I am a natural teacher. Having lived with my husband with limited English for 11 yrs. probably has helped me be good at dealing with the foreign learners of Eng.

I do not have any higher ed. degree. I'm flying by the seat of my pants and I am darn good at it! The greatest thing is...I get to have English conversation in this remote country where few people speak my language.

By the way...you all might get a giggle, since I'm from Southern California, my students often ask if I have met any celebrities.

Answer 3

Your best plan is to do a degree in the subject or subjects that interest you - e.g. English and Spanish - then follow that with either a one-year postgraduate teaching certificate, or a TEFL qualification. Whatever your teacher meant by a 'teaching degree'- a 3 year degree in education ? that's usually for people planning to teach in primary schools and will not be valued as highly as a degree in English. If you are already in high school, you should be taking BOTH German and Spanish by now, if you are planning to do both A levels for university entrance.

Answer 4

There's something called a TEFL (Teaching English as a Foreign Language) qualification. Try finding out about that?

Answer 5

I would think it would help to know some of their language, but it would be like us learning Spanish or french or German in the schools here, a lot of the people that come to this country learn to speak our language by watching TV, Now that is a scary thought !

Answer 6

It is a two way street, as you teach them, you are also or should be ready to learn. This is the truth of teaching. The Student becomes the Teacher and the Teacher becomes the student, these roles often change to the open mind.

Answer 7

I guess you need to speak with their language and then having talked to them using their language convert it to English and have the discussion flow that way then maybe later you can have them construct a sentence using their language then sam sentence but in English.

Answer 8

so many counties speak diffrent languages. So while learning they learn to read n write first then to speak

Answer 9

IT WOULD DEFINITELY HELP IF THERE IS SOME WAY YOU COULD COMMUNICATE IN A COMMON LANGUAGE.
YOU DON'T NEED A COMMON LANGUAGE IF YOUR STUDENT UNDERSTANDS SPOKEN ENGLISH AND YOU UNDERSTAND THEIR LANGUAGE.