Comments on: 7 Truths You Won’t Hear About Teaching ESL Abroad

By: GetOut

GetOut — Wed, 02 Sep 2009 23:00:17 +0000

Emily, Thanks for the perspective. I’ved always been personally interested in teaching in Europe but it seems the center of the ESL universe is in Asia. It sounds that there are still some common threads regarding constitency, contractural things. Good advice, no matter where you end up, do your homework, have an open mind, and enjoy your little corner of the world as best you can.
- Jon Wick (author)

By: Emily Liedel

Emily Liedel — Wed, 02 Sep 2009 21:30:10 +0000

The experience of teaching English abroad can vary widely depending on where you are teaching, as well. For example, teaching in Spain, as I did, is most likely very different. For example, you are much less obviously foreign, and so it is possible to feel much more comfortable then would perhaps be possible in some Asian countries. Just as elsewhere, the contracts (when there is even a contract) can change or just be canceled, but you essentially have to view the experience as being self employed. In fact, most established English teachers in Madrid eventually would stop working for academies and contract with their students directly. If you are thinking about teaching English somewhere, the best advice I would have is to find someone to talk to who has taught in the same city or at least country.

By: LivvySchwartz

LivvySchwartz — Sat, 22 Aug 2009 05:16:36 +0000

This article was great! Rarely are you able to find someone willing (and able) to expound on the pro’s and con’s of such a huge (and seemingly wonderful) life changing experience. Kudos to you Jon and your fellow “partners in crime” for taking the time to examine your experiences and find an outlet to show them to the world! Most people who have traveled abroad to teach English usually only have glowing things to say and terabytes of pictures of all their travels. It seems many of them may be censoring themselves by not sharing the tribulations that come with such an amazing experience. Way to go!

By: GetOut

GetOut — Fri, 21 Aug 2009 23:44:23 +0000

I appreciate the comments. The article is one that highlights some of the things that could easily get overlooked in the ESL job search. Hideo, it sounds like you have a really good situation. Japan, I’ve heard is a much more established program, perhaps the most established around. I’m glad you found the piece interesting.

By: Hideo

Hideo — Thu, 20 Aug 2009 15:50:28 +0000

It should be noted though that many ESL teaching jobs are not in High Schools or Junior High Schools and therefore are not putting untrained teachers in front of 40 teenagers. I worked in Japan in one of the numerous English conversation schools, and my classes ranged between 1 and 4 people – rather less daunting I’m sure you’ll agree. Another advantage of that is that several of your colleagues are also English speaking natives, many of whom have plenty of experience which can help you out, and also lots of experience of the place you live in which is equally valuable. I’m definitely pleased that I worked in a languages school rather than a High School.

By: GoBackpacking

GoBackpacking — Thu, 20 Aug 2009 12:57:56 +0000

Great article. I learned earlier this year in Colombia when I gave it a try for the first time that teaching English is not something that motivates me to work hard, unlike blogging and trying to build an income online.