teia-fled-blog

[teia-fled-blog]

How To Get Started Teaching Abroad

Analects abroad can be the start referring to an overcoming bet. There are a text of reasons pretext a by birth English full-fidelity speaker might break to implant English adit a extraterritorial country. He or she may remain looking for an exciting change far out life, a manners to be exposed to a different culture, a way so as to help people, or the means by which in contemplation of see the world beguile working and getting paid. There are a lot of benefits on route to moralization abroad, but the excrescency of finding work overseas can be confusing insofar as beginnings. This swing by stamp guide will give help yourselves figure surface the best way to proceed with your new mission. Size up 1: Subserve if teaching abroad is really what you absence There are a lot of materiel to deal with before i myself decide definitively whether other self wish to teach abroad. Teaching jobs often last a nutshell in connection with nine months, during which graveyard shift you may be hard-pressed to replenish the syncopation to return home and visit family and friends. Subliminal self may find yourself intercommunion with such issues as homesickness, culture trance, and core curriculum illnesses brought anent by a new environment. Grant hard about whether you kick upstairs really thrive regard such a conflicting environment formerly proceeding. Step 2: Get TEFL declared The towering majority touching teaching abroad jobs crave you to be certified to teach English as a foreign language. Getting a TEFL credential is often cleaned up finished special accreditation programs and whenever you wish requires about 120 hours regarding study. During the TEFL certification process you will learn classroom strategies, English grammar, and how to illumine your native language in a way that non-English speakers can easily understand. Particularly her have a TEFL certificate in imminent, a world of possibilities will open en route to. Step 3: Search appointment postings There are two ways you can go back searching for teaching in the open jobs. Register with an agency that places teachers, or search job postings online. But you surely cling to unaccented preferences about what area regarding the world you would like so teach in, it is a good idea until stay flexible, especially when you are starting wondrous strange. Staying open versus possibilities allows you to get to plow faster and start reaping the rewards of your new job. Step 4: Investigate your unexpended indexing Don EUR™t automatically jump on the first job time at bat you get. Whereas divers schools are reverend and treat their teachers all the way, some have a notoriety for underpaying their employees and providing few resources. Peruse online for reviews of the school that is box you a posting. If they seem like a good place to begin teaching all wrong, then feel free to go at. However, don EUR™t hesitate to keep going out to a better offer any.

[teia-fled-blog]

Nobody ever makes a guide about coming back

There is a lot online about “getting out”. How to apply for EPIK, JET, and all sorts of other schemes is clearly explained online. But what is there for those TEFL teachers who return or want to move on to a very different country? Not much. Maybe it’s reasonable that there is not much on the topic, since there is naturally no guide for how one should live life in one’s home country. Still, I’d like share a few things I learned in the process of resettling.

Going home starts abroad

Okay, that sounds weird, but make sure whatever you’re doing abroad will help you at home. I get that some people do TEFL as a way of taking an extended vacation, but it shouldn’t be just a vacation unless you are abroad for less than six months. Keep learning and get some new skills while you’re at it. The most productive people and best teachers I know abroad are people who are constantly reading, writing, making and learning.

Personally, I had to make some hard choices in this area. My first job abroad was working through EPIK in a Korean public school. While there are a lot of great things about EPIK, I figured out it was not for me pretty quickly. The job itself was just not interesting, and more importantly I wasn’t really building on the things I had studied in my MA program. It would not look good on my résumé and was not really contributing to my skillset in the way I had hoped. After my contract finished, I left my steady job, my adopted hometown, and my new friends and took a slight pay cut to come to the great unknown of China. Although I miss some things about Korea, I have to say I don’t regret leaving for a moment. The university job in China was basically what I wanted to do in the US and has really put me on the right track professionally.

Decide when and where you want to return

Make sure you are returning when you have a sufficient amount of money saved and have met the professional or personal goals you have set for yourself. Think about holidays and other important events you can’t miss at home or in your adopted country.

Decide where you want to be when you go back. Unless you work in a field that has serious shortages, it is unlikely that an employer will offer you a job before you have plans to return. In fact, if you do want to apply to jobs while abroad, I recommend “borrowing” a friend or relative’s address for your résumé, provided they live an area where you would like to work.  

Unless you have a very substantial amount of money saved or want to move somewhere very cheap, it is probably best to find someone to move in with, at least for the short-term, so you can get on your feet.

Personally, I moved back to New York City after my stint abroad, but this was only possible because my partner lives here, so I had cheap housing I could count on. Also, I used to live here so I am familiar with what is available in terms of job hunting. If this weren’t the case, I would absolutely not choose this city as my starting point because it is just so expensive.

Be prepared but don’t rush

It’s important to be prepared when you come back. For example, I printed out my résumé and a whole bunch of materials I’d used with my students before returning to the US. I ended up changing my résumé a bit, but in that pile of materials were some that got me second interviews and ultimately jobs. However, keep in mind that in the education world, hiring tends to happen pretty late (I work in adult ed but my K-12 buddies have had similar experiences). I am sure there are other organizations that hire late for all kinds of reasons, too.

My point is: it is unlikely you will get a job before coming back. People will say things like “you’re brave to go back without a job lined up” but the truth is that many of these people have been abroad a long time and just don’t realize how it works. In fact, if I were an employer, I would never hire someone living in China for obvious reasons!

Be ready with an updated resume, letters of reference, contact info for people who can provide good references in “good English”, a cover letter “template” you have created for yourself, and class materials/samples of student work if you are applying in the field of education. In my experience, the reference contact info is more important than the letters of reference.

Deal with your stuff

Before I moved back to the US, I dealt with my stuff by getting rid of most of it. I know that may not work well for everyone, but for the average young (or not so young) person working abroad for less than five years, I think it’s the best course of action. Shipping stuff is expensive, and you may not have much space where you’re going.

I pared it down to the clothes I would definitely need in my new life, a few souvenirs, my valuables, and some things that would be hard to find again back home. That was one big suitcase and two smaller ones. Honestly, I could have brought even less.

Happy returning!!

[teia-fled-blog]

FAQs about TEFL

Q: What does TEFL stand for?

A. TEFL stands for “Teaching English as a Foreign Language”.  It’s different from ESL (English as a Second Language) because a second language is a language one learns and has regular, daily access to.  A foreign language, however, is one that is slightly harder to immerse yourself in.  A newcomer to the U.S. will learn English as their second language, whereas a Chilean living in Santiago, Chile will learn English as a foreign language. 

Q. What are the typical TEFL requirements?

A. The requirements depend on the country and specific place you’re applying to teach in.  Typically, it’s necessary to have some type of TEFL or TESOL certificate, and many places also ask that you have completed some type of bachelor’s degree (in any area of study).  Some positions might require previous experience or specific certificates, but this is not applicable across the board.  It’s NOT common to be expected to speak your future students’ first language fluently. 

Q: How do I choose which country to go to?

A: I think there are a few big things to consider when carrying out your research:

Visa requirements: what documents will you need to get in order for your visa application, and will your potential job help with that process or not?

Safety: is the country safe, with a relatively stable economy? You can check for country-specific safety ratings at the U.S. State Department website, but I would take that info with a grain of salt and ask around on Reddit as well. 

Pay scale and cost of living:  What is the average salary of an English teacher, and what is the average cost of living in your destination? Are you comfortable with those figures? If you’re willing to be in a small town or the countryside, look at that information too, because often there’s a big difference in cost of living from big cities.  The salary might go down as well but in some cases it might free up more money for you!

Climate: Are you miserable in the cold? Then you need to find out how cold it gets in the winter, how long it lasts, what heating options there are, etc.  Is there a rainy season? Is the area prone to hurricanes? Earthquakes?  Are you cool with that? Things to know, man. 

Language: What is the main language spoken there? Do you speak it or have intentions to learn it? If not, will you be happy living there without speaking it?

Religion: Are you comfortable with the influence that a given religion might have on the culture of a country? Will you feel safe while openly practicing your religion, should you so choose?  Will you be willing to dress and act more conservatively if you go to a country in which that is the expectation? Are you comfortable in being limited to only teach students of your gender (and being categorized as a man or woman) in some cultures?

Health: Will you qualify for that country’s health insurance, or should you go with your own? Are you prepared to rely on walking or public transport and not having a car? Are you able to get the medications and treatments you’ll need while there? Is the area you want to teach in accessible for people like you?

Q. How much money can I make via TEFL?

A. It really depends on the country you want to go to, the specific school, university, or institute that you’ll be teaching in, and sometimes also your level of experience. Generally speaking, English teachers earn more money in Japan, South Korea, UAE, and Jordan than they might in Latin America, Africa, and other parts of Asia. Sometimes a job comes with other perks that offset what looks like a low salary, such as free rent, an airline ticket there and back, etc., although these aren’t common for every country. 

Q. Who is learning English around the world? Who might my students be if I teach EFL?

A. The short answer? Everyone!  Pre-school aged children, kids in their K-12 educations, university students, professionals– so many people all around the world are learning English, because it’s a common business and travel language.  There are so many people seeking help to learn English, you are bound to find a place that strikes your fancy, as long as you’re persistent in searching and keep an open mind! 

That’s all for now!  If you have any questions about TEFL, feel free to send me a message! 

[teia-fled-blog]

Lessons learned as a 1st semester TEFL teacher

1. Get to know your Chinese counterparts/colleagues. Building guangxi (relationships) is very important to becoming integrated into your community. By taking time out to learn about your Chinese counterparts, you can experience China through their eyes. They can help you with the language and learn about the community you live in. Also it’s a great opportunity to practice your language skills; even though you might not be good at it, they see your effort and appreciate you for trying. In China, relationships are a big deal here, so it’s key to learn the names of people who you work with and see on a daily basis, and even get to know them outside of school. If you ever need any help, they are more than willing to assist you.

2. It’s okay to say NO. Okay, so I know this seems like the total opposite of building relationships, because how can you connect with people if you’re always turning down their invitations. That’s not what I’m saying. I’m saying that you do not have to accept every offer from everyone because you are a foreigner and everybody wants to get to know you and your life story, especially when they find out that you’re American. You can pick and choose what you give your time to. By all means, if you have papers to grade and lesson planning to do, DO NOT, I repeat, DO NOT go out with colleagues or students. Take care of your priorities first. I know, especially here in China, it can be hard to get out of some situations, but remind them that your priority is to be a teacher and in order to be the best, you must handle your business, but that you would love rescheduling so that you will have time to spend together.

3. Be patient with yourself and students. Patience is a virtue and you will need a lot of it working with students and people who speak English as a second language. Sometimes it can be very frustrating living in a country where you can barely communicate in the language, and on top of that you teach a language that your students barely use to communicate outside of your classroom. I’ve learned to be patient. Learning a new language is like riding a bike: at first, it’s hard because you keep falling off and making mistakes, but you must get back on every time you fall off. Also, I think what’s helped me is empathizing with my students when they have trouble speaking English, because I am studying Chinese. I encourage them to try their best and give all they have.

See four more tips here.

[teia-fled-blog]

Very informational! Great post

How to Become an ALT in Japan

Basic Requirements

1. A university bachelors degree -Any degree is ok, Latin American Studies, German, Linguistics, Astro-Physics, Sociology, doesn’t matter as long as it’s at least a bachelors 

 2. A clean criminal background check -Have you been convicted of a murder? Are you a pedo? Do you have outstanding warrants in 3 states? Did you go to jail for a hit and run? Japan doesn’t want you. 

 3. Appropriately healthy and able bodied -If you have a something that will prevent you from doing your job well, you will most likely not be hired. For example; you can’t use stairs, you can’t stand for 45 minutes at a time, you have a severe speech impediment (I know people here with lisps), things like this prevent you from teaching at full capacity and most places don’t have the time or resources to make special accommodations for you. 

What other skills might recruiters be looking for?

1. Japanese language ability -NOT required for most positions, but helpful for communication both in and out of the workplace. Unless you live in a metropolitan area, the average Japanese person’s English is VERY limited. I know many people who came here with zero Japanese, but nowadays there are many with at least rudimentary Japanese. People rarely come here fluent, but many people study Japanese while living here to take the JLPT and their level improves by leaps and bounds. I am not one of those people, so don’t ask me for more details lol

 2. TESL/TEFL certification -NOT required for most positions, but some private companies are starting to lean more towards certified individuals. And honestly, those give you a lot of skills you will absolutely need when teaching English. 

3. Teaching degree  -NOPE, not required in 99.9% of the cases. I know a few people with them who are ALTs, I’ve heard mixed opinions on how well it helps them as an ALT. Some find it demeaning to work subordinate and be given limited control/responsibilities, other find it freeing because they can spend more time teaching and less time with test related paper pushing and discipline management.

4. Good attitude, flexibility, people skills -You need to be able to present yourself as someone trustworthy and amiable to recruiters. The environments ALTs work in are often high-paced, prone to sudden last second changes, and being able to make friends in the office and keep a happy face with students is incredibly important. 

5. Prior experience -Have you worked in a daycare before? Have you volunteered in tutoring centers? Have you led discussion groups as a major requirement?  Have you ever studied abroad? Have you ever volunteered in foreign classrooms? Have you taken charge of a club and organized events? Did you dorm with international students in university? Have you worked for an international program before? Have you given private language lessons before? These are the kinds of things that show you have experience in things that ALTs frequently encounter.

Can I mention my love of [INSERT JAPANESE CULTURE HERE]?

Yes, but keep is professional, relevant, and brief. 

“I became interested in Japan after watching Spirited Away, the cultural aspects of the movie fascinated me and made me want to learn more about Japan.” OK “I have a collection of anime pillow cases, my favorite is Miku Hatsune in this pose.” NO 

“I started listening to Japanese music in high school. I eventually started learning Japanese to better understand the lyrics.” OK  "When Pierrot broke up, I was shattered that the fanfic community would move on to other ships.“ NO 

“My school offered a short course on Japanese tea ceremony, and I thought the way that it formed historically was extremely interesting.” OK “I want to learn the way of the samurai.” NO 

“I’m very interested in Japanese video game production companies. I went to college and majored in game design and I want to further study it by living in Japan and experiencing the community in person.” OK “I want to play Resident Evil on fiber optic LAN with Japanese players so I can pwn more n00bs when I get back to America.” NO

What kind of ALT positions are available?

First and foremost: READ AND RESEARCH

If you do not do your own intensive research, you can get taken advantage of. You hear horror stories from people here all the time, and those mostly come from people didn’t research what they were getting themselves into. I cannot make a comprehensive guide to the THOUSANDS OF KINDS OF ALT positions across the country, this is only an overview. Look at that link, and always do extensive research of the companies/programs you’re interested in working for.

1. Government  AKA JET Program -The JET Program is the only government ALT program. It makes the Japanese government the middleman in your arrangements, which takes less money from your paycheck and gives you a more trustworthy means of income. It’s very competitive and the application process takes about 6 months. They only hire once a year. It’s arguably the best program, as it pays well, you have a lot of guaranteed vacation time, and they pay for your flights to and from the country. On the downside, you don’t really have a lot of say in where you are placed. Also, you cannot get a transfer unless VERY specific requirements are met. Also some prefectures/localities are nicer to their ALTs than others, but if they try to fuck you over you know you have the Japanese government backing you and they will keep you from being taken advantage of.

 2. Private Dispatch examples: Interac, AEON, Borderlink, JIEC and MANY others  -These are private companies that workplaces hire to provide them with ALTs. Workplaces do this because some of the intricacies in hiring an ALT and getting them a VISA and housing are really complicated, and they’d rather pay a middleman than deal with it. Upsides, you get a little more wiggle-room with being transferred. Downside by far is the pay. It depends on the company, but that middleman definitely takes a big chunk of your pay. If you work for a place like this, you need to VERY carefully read your contract. Research dispatch companies carefully, check their ratings online, see what former employees have to say about them. 

 3. Private Hire  AKA working directly under the local government office, a private company, or even one-on-one’s in wealthy households -These are places that will directly hire you without a middleman. Obviously, you need to look carefully at the details of your contract before working privately. Most local government places won’t hire you without prior ALT experience in Japan. Private English Conversation Schools (Eikaiwa) have non-9 to 5 working hours to provide for business workers and students. They sometimes require you to already have a VISA prior to being hired. Private Hire really is outside of my experience, but from what I understand they can pay as well as JET, but don’t usually have as many perks.

Where do I look for open positions?

GaijinPot is the website I’ve heard of the most. Check there and research research research. There are scammers, be careful. 

JET hires once a year starting around September or October. It’s available online on their official webpage.

There are a bajillion different dispatch companies. I couldn’t possibly name them all, I don’t really have a lot of experience with them, and don’t know which are particularly good or not. Check Google-sensei for their applications, websites, and reputations.

Other than that, please be wary of Craigslist. Although legit job openings do show up, there are scammers. If it’s someone looking for a “private female in-home English tutor from ages 19~25” or something like that, don’t be dumb. Many will require you to have a VISA with a minimum of 1 year on it already. Many will require you to already live in the area of the position. Research everything carefully.

Words of warning

If you think mental health issues are stigmatized in your home country, oh honey you ain’t seen nothin` yet.

If you have mental health issues, Japan may not be the place for you. You may think going to Japan, being surrounded by your hobbies and interests, and just “getting away” will make things better… IT WON’T.

Please be aware that you most likely will not be able to get your meds over the counter in Japan. And it’s not uncommon for your meds to be banned entirely even with a prescription. Bi-polar, anxiety, OCD, depression? Your meds might not be available here. Oh and having people send them over from home by mail can get you detained and deported if you’re caught.

You’ll also be leaving the support of friends and family by coming to Japan. The ALT community is pretty cool, but people come and go so quickly, it’s hard to find groups of people that will stick together through really tough spots.

Supervisors and coworkers aren’t much help either. In Japan, people don’t talk about mental health issues at all. If you take meds for anything other than a physical illness, you do it in private where people can’t see you. If you see a psychiatrist, you do it in a different prefecture, where no one can see you. It’s not uncommon for Japanese people to be asked to leave their jobs because their boss or coworkers have suspicions.

If you self medicate with something like marijuana, be aware that recreational drug use here is VERY VERY VERY illegal. Marijuana use is treated with the same seriousness as crack cocaine. You WILL be caught, you WILL be detained, you WILL be tried without a lawyer present, you WILL be held in solitary, you WILL be convicted of drug possession, and you WILL be deported.

Some ALTs will replace their marijuana use with alcohol. That goes about as well as it sounds :|

For LGBT, if you’re used to a very supportive queer community, it’s not the same here. Japanese people are extremely closeted and unless you live near a large metropolitan area, getting into the gay scene is nearly impossible. I’m fine because I was never in the gay scene back home, but for some people it’s very hard.

If you’re trans and want to come here to transition, please reconsider. I would suggest not coming to Japan as an ALT if you intend to transition in the immediate future. If your gender dysphoria is pretty bad, you’re gonna have a bad time. Gender segregation and enforcement of gender roles will probably seriously affect your mental health. The paperwork for transitioning is even harder from overseas and lot of things need to be done in person so you’ll have to fly back and forth from your home country a lot (which is damn expensive and needs vacation leave). Even if you do get everything done, there’s no telling how your work will respond. They won’t outright say they’re firing you for your gender identity, that’s illegal, they’ll come up with some other reason.

People who come here with a goal like paying off college loans or wanting to experience another culture usually have a better time that people who come here because OMG I JUST LOVE JAPAN. Please keep that in mind.

[teia-fled-blog]

Looking to teach in Japan! Check out the JET program: “Welcome to the Japan Exchange and Teaching (JET) Program. Founded in 1987, JET has sent more than 66,000 global participants (including nearly 34,000 Americans) to work in schools, boards of education, and government offices throughout Japan. What makes JET unique is that it is the only teaching exchange program managed by the government of Japan. With more than 40 countries around the world participating in JET, this program offers a unique cultural exchange opportunity to meet people from all around the world, living and working in Japan. Before departing for Japan and upon return, there are a number of JET alumni organizations that host social, volunteer and professional development activities to help individuals through the transition process. Becoming a JET puts you in an elite network of incredible individuals. Join us for the adventure of a lifetime!”

[teia-fled-blog]

Have you lived or are living in South Korea? Then you would love #grumpyalienskorea. They are “ cover all your foreigner struggles and your how when where whos with our fresh handcrafted content.” We highly suggest checking them out on their Facebook or Instagram page. They make us laugh all the time with their extremely relatable content about living in South Korea. 

[teia-fled-blog]

Want to teach English in Korea and don’t know where to start? Need some help? Look no further than Korvia! Korvia is a consulting company that works very closely with schools and private academies in South Korea and parts of China.  “Korvia Consulting is a recruiting company based in Seoul, South Korea that places native English speakers into Korean public and private schools as native English teachers. The company works with the Korean government, offices of education, commercial education franchises, as well as national public school teaching programs such as EPIK, GEPIK, and GOE.

Korvia screens and interviews interested applicants from South Korea and helps recommend them to various teaching programs and educational institutions around Korea. Since its inception in 2006, Korvia has recruited thousands of teachers as well as become official partners with various public school teaching programs around Korea. The company only recruits English teachers from United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Republic of Ireland, Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa in accordance with South Korean visa regulation laws.

Korvia’s company values are that by recruiting passionate and educated teachers for “Korea” can make the overall education and enrich the lives of the children that will eventually shape the country.

Korvia is the perfect choice for those who want to try and experience a new culture as well as prepare themselves to become the best educator they can be.” https://www.korvia.com/about-us/

[teia-fled-blog]

Interesting article by International TEFL Academy on the differences between teaching English in Asian and Latin America! 

[teia-fled-blog]

Heres a helpful article by Goabroad.com that talks about the top 10 best places to teach English in Asia! 

[teia-fled-blog]

Want to teach English in Korea? EPIK is one of the most common programs teachers go through to find a job in public schools all around Korea. Requirements (as found on Korvia): 

1. Be a Citizen of One of the 7 Native English Speaking Countries

The seven countries recognized by the South Korean government are the USA, Canada, UK, Republic of Ireland, South Africa, Australia, and New Zealand. *Canadian citizens from the Quebec province must have been taught at English spoken schools from junior high school forth to the university level to be eligible to teach English in Korea.

Ethnic Korean Applicants with Foreign Citizenship

Applicants who emigrated to one of the 7 countries

2. Hold a 3-4 Year Bachelor’s Degree in Any Field

Applicants must hold a 3-4 year BA or BS in any field in order to apply. Those that are currently enrolled in their final year at university may also apply to Korvia EPIK. However in addition to the regular Korvia-EPIK process you must submit a letter of expected graduation.

3. Be TEFL/TESOL/CELTA Certified

Applicants must have completed or currently be enrolled in a 100-hour or more TEFL/TESOL/CELTA certification program. Both online and offline certifications are accepted by EPIK and Korvia. If you hold a Bachelor’s or Master’s Degree in Education, you do NOT have to complete a TEFL/TESOL/CELTA course.

4. Have No Criminal Record (misdemeanors or felonies)

Applicants applying to EPIK cannot have any criminal record. Applicants will be required to obtain a National-Level Criminal Record Check (CRC). The record must be completely clear with no criminal record being stated. Those with any stated past criminal record cannot apply to EPIK. Both misdemeanors and felonies will disqualify you from applying to EPIK. Misdemeanors like public intoxication are also not accepted. Traffic violations generally do not appear on CRCs.

5. Be in Good Mental & Physical Health

Due to the nature of liability, EPIK only accepts applicants who are in good health and do not have major health problems. Applicants will be required to fill out a self-medical check survey as well as complete a physical when they arrive in Korea. Those that have a clinical medical condition will be required to submit a note from their doctor or physician stating that the condition will not affect their ability to teach in a foreign country.

6. Under the Age of 62

EPIK does not hire individuals over the age of 62 (Korean retirement age).

[teia-fled-blog]

So you want to teach English in Asia?

Hi! This tumblr was created for English teachers and people interested in living in Asia. Here you will find helpful tips, tricks, links and ideas on how to get your career teaching English in Asia started.