Teaching English as a Second Language?

Question

This is the career that i have, tentatively, chosen for myself. Is it better to teach it to foreigners in American, or in a foreign country? Is it easy to get a job like this? How easy?

Answer 1

I can't help you with specific advice about teaching English as a Second Language in America. But I've been teaching English in Japan for a while, and I learned a few things about teaching in Korea and Taiwan when researching for my current job.

The definitive source for information and forums related to teaching ESL is Dave's ESL Cafe (http://www.eslcafe.com/).

Teaching in Japan and Korea is extremely easy to get into. There are plenty of jobs around, and very few of them are competitive to obtain. The pay is pretty good for the amount of work you have to do. However, in Japan, the salaries for English teachers are pretty much the same, and they never go up. This means it's not really a good life-long career (teaching in Japan specifically, I mean). But it's a great opportunity to get some teaching experience that will pay off if you want to teach ESL in America later.

Anyways, check out the forums under "For Teachers" on Dave's ESL Cafe. You'll find all the info you need for teaching anywhere.

Answer 2

It is very variable. I've worked as an ESL teacher abroad (in Korea) and at home (in Canada). While I certainly learned a lot while I was in Korea, I still prefer teaching here at home.

Other teachers I know have had marvelous experiences abroad but I also know some that have had miserable experiences. Its a big crap shoot.

You can protect yourself a little by trying to find out as much as you can about the school ahead of time. If possible try to talk to another teacher who has worked there.

Its much easier to get a teaching job overseas though and that may be a way to get some much needed experience to make you more employable at home.

Check out the website: Dave's ESL Cafe

Good Luck

Answer 3

I man at my old school could hardly speak english...barely anyone could understand him...and he was teachering ESL...o.o
so I assume it's easy to get that job lol