1. Why You Should Start Teaching ESL
Many bloggers teach English as a foreign language for a year and use that year to build the foundations of their blog - i.e. start a social media following, learn SEO, buy a domain name and more; meanwhile they can work and save (don't forget lots of teachers get accommodation included). By the end of the year, their blog is good to go, they've saved up money and boom they can finally start travelling and earning at the same time. And that year teaching ESL is filled with fun, laughter and unforgettable experiences. Ostensibly, this all sounds great, but like most things in life, you don't know what it's like until you've actually done in, so here are some things we wished we'd known before:
#1. It Can Be Lonely Work
That doesn't necessarily mean that you should take a buddy with you - we have a couple of friends who set off on their teaching adventure together, and by the end of it never spoke to each other again. They only knew each other, and it put a lot of strain on their relationship, they didn't have too much in common, other than only knowing each other, and were unhappy trying out each other's hobbies.
But that doesn't mean you definitely shouldn't go with a friend. We also have friends that went together who are now closer than ever! The secret? Knowing yourself, and more importantly your friend. Don't go with a casual acquaintance, go with someone you know really well - preferably someone you've worked with or even lived with. Someone you've already been through highs and lows with and come out the other end smiling.
#2. No One Knows You're Nervous
Now back to you, whose actually speaking in front of the class - trust me, no one knows that you're nervous! No really! Maybe you're a shaker like me when you're nervous. I have two bits of (contradicting) advice for you: number 1) try walking around at the front of the class, this should expel some of that pent-up adrenaline which should get rid of the shaking. At the very least it will give off an air of confidence, (body language - a good stride implies power, don't overthink it too much but it should be more of a boss-walk than a trapped tiger). If this hasn't worked try number 2) sitting down with your hands behind the desk, and if it's really bad sit on your hands. But trust me no one has noticed!
#3. You're Going to Love It
Wrap Up: Things To Know Before Teaching ESL
ABOUTME
Travelling through the kyriarchy and weaselling our way out of the rat race - a female travel blogger writing about socially and politically conscious travelling.
Disqus Comment
Facebook Comment