Tips to Teach English as a Second/ Foreign Language

By: Rida Afrilyasanti

teach english as a second language

Teaching English to the speakers other than English is somehow a heavy stuff as we not only have to deal with the students but we also have to deal with the cultures and new environment. Therefore, before you start your ESL/EFL teaching, make sure that you have these stuffs:

1. Command over the English language; especially grammar as you will teach people who do not have any basic of English.
2. Strong verbal and written communication skills.
3. Social skill. You have to deal with new people so that you have to have ability to interact with them well.
4. Ability to adapt to people of all ages and from varied backgrounds and cultures.
5. Ability to teach. This is commonly proven by certificate (ESL/EFL certificate or TEFL certificate).
6. Quality of being a god listener.
7. Ability to use valuable resources and ability to create stimulating teaching and learning process.

teaching english as a second language

Then, as you have those stuffs, the first thing you can do is recognizing your students’ grade and age in which you feel comfortable to work with. This is important to set your teaching goal. For the younger ESL students, you need to help them develop and master the basic communication skills. On the other hand, for the high scholar or university students, you need to help them developing their life-long command over the English language.

Now, as you are ready to start your class, make sure that you read these following tips:

1. Wear appropriate clothing. Make sure that you dress up right and properly. You will teach students from different cultural backgrounds, therefore, you have to be really careful in choosing the right cloth and color. For instance, you are allowed to wear jeans, sneakers, or other casual clothes to teach in the U.S. However, in Indonesia, you are not allowed to wear so, especially when you teach formal institutions. In Korea dark clothes lend an air of authority. Red is to be avoided at all costs. In Morocco female teachers don’t wear pants, sleeveless blouses, or short skirts.
2. Behave appropriately. You have to be informed and learnt the dos and don’ts of the behaviors and or habits of the countries in which you will work in. You do not want to make your students discomfort or losing prestige, don’t you?
3. Relax. On your first week of teaching your students may seem unresponsive, be relax and enjoy yourself. In some countries, the culture tends to make its students to be silent and good listeners. Engage your students with an active and fun activity such as games, dialogues, role-play or others and embrace them to change.
4. Choose the topic carefully. You have to know little bit about the countries histories, conflicts, and others. Don’t pick up a topic which can arouse your students’ bad memories. You also have to recognize certain taboo topics. Before you know and recognize your students well, it is better for you to just choose the general topics.
5. Watch out your instructions and saying. The core thing of being able to in and be accepted by your students is by knowing and learning their cultures and habits. Certain countries, for instance, China and Japan, the students will nod yes, even if they’re totally lost, in an attempt to save face for the teacher. Even in a country as far west as Turkey, yes often means no. Students in certain countries also prefer to work within groups to individual. Therefore, if you want to play a game, make the competition among groups rather than among individuals. Moreover, if you need to discipline a student, do so in private.
6. Carry out the rationale for the activities or materials you include. Students will obey the rules and pay attentions on what you do in class much more eagerly if they understand the benefits.
7. Expect the best of your students. Your expectations will affect your teaching. Many students will learn more if they are trusted that they can encounter their learning.