Tefl.NET Forums

I recommend using Graded Readers from Oxford. https://elt.oup.com/cat/subjects/graded_reading/all/?cc=global&selLanguage=en It's a great resource because you can choose books appropriate for your students' English level. On the website, you can choose student level, type of book, and other varia...

I actually taught in Hangzhou, so I thought I would reply. Yes, it's a very nice city. The area around West Lake is gorgeous and there's so much to do. Riding a bicycle is very safe and easy because most of the roads have designated bike lanes. I often went cycling in the mountains and visited tea f...

Hi Matt, If you are new to teaching in Japan, you might have to start with a job at a language school. These are not the best jobs and will probably not meet your criteria. You can find a typical schedule of 9-5 PM at schools or universities, but not at language schools. K-12 schools might not be wh...

Does anyone know what it's like savings wise in Bangkok? I can save about the same rate of 60% in Bangkok as Japan, but with some differences. Most employers in Thailand don't give a housing subsidy or a transportation allowance. However, overall cost of living is low (i.e., rent, cell phone, inter...

if anyone has any other incites on Japan, Korea, or Europe I'd love to know! In Japan, I usually have 60% of my wages left over for personal use after all bills. Most Japanese companies pay housing subsidies and transportation to/from work, so this really helps out. Even though everyone says Japan ...

A conversation group is usually pretty informal. The main goal is just to get the students to speak English. I like to put the responsibility on the students to come up with the topics for class. To do this, tell the students to research something in English and report about it in the next class. Th...

It sounds to me like you have the qualifications to teach abroad. With a Bachelor's degree and a TEFL certificate, you can work at most language schools and public/private schools. Decide on where you want to go, and then do some searches online for jobs.

Good luck!

As a warmer, you could put the students into groups and have them brainstorm countries where English is the official language. They might be surprised! For your own reference, you can get a list of countries from Wikipedia by searching, "List of countries where English is an official language.&...

Stand at the front, take a couple of deep breaths, smile, and say "hello". Students are usually forgiving of the teacher if they feel that you truly care.

On a side note, I think you should try another TEFL course. The courses offer a lot of advice for first-time teachers.

I agree with doing a needs analysis. Unlike teaching children, you can ask adults what they need to study. Prepare a list of questions in advance and give them plenty of time to think about their answers. It's best if they do it individually first, because they might just agree with whatever the fir...

Groups of 10 might be too large. It'll be easy for some students in the groups to not participate. You might want to try smaller groups, such as six. It is a good idea to assign a group leader, but equally important is to assign roles for the other students. That way everyone feels like they are con...

Students get bored when they are simply sitting and taking notes. Worksheets offer a bit more excitement, but fill-in-the-blank and cloze exercises don't allow for "real" communication. I suggest teaching the grammar and having some controlled practice, but then giving the students time to...

I have experience teaching in Thailand, and I found it to be a nice place. The climate is tropical and you can make more than $400 a month. The average salary is about $1000 a month. If you work near the beaches, the salary might be a bit lower than in Bangkok.

If you are a native speaker and have a BA, then you are qualified to teach EFL in most countries. Your concentration area in undergrad doesn't matter so much. A TEFL certificate will improve your chances of getting a higher-paying job or a job at a higher-quality school. I would definitely recommend...

University students in China can be quite demanding. They are interested in learning and like to be challenged. I recommend starting the term off by doing a thorough "Needs Analysis". Directly ask the class what they want to learn and how they want to do it. In general, the Chinese student...

With 20 years' experience, I would highly recommend starting your own business in the US or try freelance work through Craig's List. The ESL job market in the US is quite tough. It is necessary to have a minimum of a BS/BA. Other certifications will help, such as a TESOL certificate or a CELTA. Most...

A TEFL qualification is a must, especially if you want to teach in Japan. You can get away with not having one in China and possibly other places in Southeast Asia, but it is worth getting one to get a quality job (better hours, better pay, return airfare, etc.) and also to have an idea of what to d...

I completely agree with Susan. It's not only about having the qualification to get the job, but the skills you will learn and be able to use once you have the job. I've worked in Thailand at a few different places, and I've found that they are becoming a lot pickier about who they are hiring. I thin...

The minimum qualification to teach English in most countries, including Thailand and China, is a 4-year degree. It's not just the school that requires the degree. It's actually a requirement by the country. When the school applies for your work permit, they need to submit your original degree. They ...

I've got some speaking warmers at http://www.eflsensei.com/?category=20.

All the best!

Becki