Job Discussion Forums

mgkaelen · Joined: 29 Nov 2004 Posts: 2

i'd like to get into teaching english abroad, and i know i won't be picky about where i go. it seems that many teachers must not be very familiar with the language of the country they're going to. i read a previous newbie's post saying that he wanted to purchase audio tapes to learn some conversational stuff, just to get by. is this enough? i remember being taught spanish in elementary school and it was almost full immersion; the teacher spoke little to NO english (it made it REALLY hard to learn much). how much of the language am i expected to learn? does it depend where i go? i think i could pick up some stuff fast enough but i don't want to be completely lost.. i think it would make for a bad start. any experiences with this?

Glenski · Joined: 15 Jan 2003 Posts: 12844 Location: Hokkaido, JAPAN

A lot will depend on the country as well as what type of teaching you plan to do. In Japan, you are not expected to use Japanese in the classroom in most cases. However, if you have very low level students, it might be necessary from time to time. Also, if you work in a high school, you might need it for some disciplinary purposes and to understand what goes on in staff meetings and memos. Same for university work. Obviously, the more you know, the better off you will be in daily life situations. If your students know you understand the language fairly well, it might be a disadvantage to you, too. They may not try to use English as much.

denise · Joined: 23 Apr 2003 Posts: 3419 Location: finally home-ish

Even if you arrive with no language skills in the native language, you should be fine. You will pick things up over time, you can take language classes after you arrive (some schools offer language classes as part of your benefits package), and you will meet locals/other foreigners to help you. Of course, if you live in a big city and hang out with almost exclusively other foreigners, you probably won't need to learn much, but then you also miss a very large element of this lifestyle.

I went first to the Czech Republic and then to Japan with no skills in either language, and I am doing OK. I can't carry on much of a conversation, but I can cope and I know where to go to get help. (I must say, though, I am getting tired of not knowing what is going on around me--I'm off to South America next, where I will be able to comprehend things better!)

Good luck.

d

Phil_b · Joined: 14 Oct 2003 Posts: 239 Location: Back in London

It depends on other things.... You can teach English by only using english - from a classroom point of view the only language you really need is English. It can be useful knowing the other language though... because it can give you an idea where the learners are from... and sometimes you can use it in class (There are different opinions about this, but you should do it as little as possible)

At the moment I teach ESOL in London, which means I have mixed nationality classes - Needless to say I don't speak all their languages (trying to do a tutorial with a complete beginner is an 'interesting' experience - I need to work on my Urdu).

Outside of the classroom you have to think about how it will affect your everyday life - it's not so much of a problem here in London. That depends on the country that you're in... and the place in that country. In some places there are enough English speakers and expats to make life easy... in others you could struggle....

mgkaelen · Joined: 29 Nov 2004 Posts: 2

thank you guys so much for all your thorough responses!

Guy Courchesne · Joined: 10 Mar 2003 Posts: 9650 Location: Mexico City

You'll find that living in a foreign country helps you pick up the language quick. I didn't speak a word of Spanish before coming to Mexico, but I learned fast...just ordering food, talking to people, reading all you can. Chinese, Japanese may be a different story, but Spanish is fairly easy.

You'll not need to speak Spanish in a classroom, though I'll admit, it helps once you've gained teaching experience

Guest · Posted: Wed Dec 01, 2004 9:38 pm Post subject:

If you wind up in a large City, practically anywhere, you will find enough people around you who speak English. I have noticed that when I am in Shanghai - English is fairly widely spoken.

If you are out in the sticks, where I have been for 15 months, practically NOBODY speaks or understand English, but I have still managed to get by with hardly any Chinese. I am however very good at Charades now and I think I could win any competition. I have had a few laughs out of my attempts to get what I want by sign language, but all in all it has been fine.

I am currently learing a song in Chinese to surprise everyone with at Christmas time. I have employed a tutor for this purpose. I will have absolutely no idea what I am signing, but who cares?

Sekhmet · Joined: 05 Apr 2004 Posts: 329 Location: Alexandria, Egypt

When I first came out to Egypt, I knew nothing!!! I think I might have known such useful words as please and thankyou (but definitely not ones like hello!!). I've been here for nearly 10 months, and teaching for nearly 6, and I can now have a reasonably successful conversation with people in Arabic. Thats not because of intensive classes though - just picking it up as you go along!! You don't really have much option when you're in a staff room filled with Egyptians who speak little or no English...
I try and avoid using even my basic Arabic in the classroom though - it just confuses the students, and then they want to her the foreigner speaking their language more!!!
But from my experience, learning a language in this situation is considerably easier than anything in the classroom - trying to take a taxi on your own, or get directions, or even order food is impossible unless you learn!!!