Teaching ESL: Problems of Teaching Abroad
teaching esl
Teaching English abroad can be a really worthy experience of your teaching career. it will not only be very run of experience but it will also let you understand and absorb other cultures and traditions. Those experiences are really priceless. However, of course, TESL (Teaching English as Second Language) abroad is really challenging; there will be many problems. Therefore, you have to be ready with any possible problems that may rise on your ESL/EFL teaching career; make sure that you know in advance those possibilities before you embark on this challenging path.
1. Language and Communication
English is not your students’ native language so that you cannot expect much that your students will speak English fluently and be able to use it anytime of speaking. It can be really challenging to keep your ESL/EFL students being engaged in communicating using English during the class. Besides, not all your English instruction always be understood by your students; therefore, sometimes you do need to clarify in their first language (L1).
Furthermore, the way your ESL/EFL students communicate may be different from what you do. Some cultures make them to talk around the bush before really telling you the core point of their messages. It can be different if your culture tends to allow you to speak straight forward. Sometimes you may also be really frustrated as your ESL/EFL students or the institution you work with change the teaching schedule, course work, or class time very immediately before the time you teach. That kind of communication can also happen in some countries.
In order to deal with that, first you have to learn and know little bit the language of the country in which you will teach in. Moreover, you have to be able to easily adapt with the communication style of the country where you teach. Just accept the way things work and keep focus on your students and your teaching.
2. Culture
I have already talked a little bit about culture on the previous explanation. Before you really go to the country in which you will teach in, you have to learn and understand the culture of that country. Every culture has a different standard of politeness and impoliteness, discipline and consequences for bad behavior.
3. Learning Styles
Your EFL students’ characteristics and learning habits may be really different from what you expect or students’ learning habits in your home country. Therefore, you have to be able to recognize it and match it with your teaching style. Make sure that your teaching style can accommodate your students learning style so that you can help them to strengthen their retention of the materials you teach.
4. Teaching Media
You should not expect too much for your teaching media before you really teach in and familiar with your new environment. Some underdeveloped and or developing countries probably still do not have complete and sophisticated teaching media as you have in your home country. This can make your teaching really challenging as you have to still be able to make learning fun for your students. Therefore, you have to be very creative in making up games, teaching aids, and classroom activities.
Although that challenges seem quite hard to deal with, that can be just a piece of cake depend on how you face it. You will even enjoy them as you already get a deeper understanding of life abroad and the lives of your students.
Check the related post on: TESOL, TESOL certification,
