Teaching English: How to Teach English as a Second Language

Teaching English

How to Teach English as a Second Language (ESL)

By Mark Beales

Published by MAGB Publishing

Copyright: 2012 Mark Beales

All Rights Reserved.

Credits: Image: Grant Cochrane / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Chapter One: Why teach?

So you think you can teach…

When it comes to picking your dream job, some options just leap out at you. Wine taster, travel writer, movie critic: who wouldn’t fancy any of those? Teaching, on the other hand, is a more maligned profession.

Days spent trying to control unruly pseudo-anarchists and nights spent marking their indecipherable work is the usual image. However, what if teaching involved getting to live abroad, experiencing new cultures and having ten weeks holiday a year to explore your new surroundings?

The idea of being able to teach by the beach is increasingly popular; to spread the delights of the English language to a few dozen students who eagerly lap up every clause and conjunction before you head off to your hammock to sip an icy beer as the sun dips under the horizon.

OK, so reality may not always be as idyllic but teaching English as a Second Language (ESL) can be an incredibly rewarding experience. Sorry about the acronym so early on but if you’re going to teach, you’ll have to get used to it.

This book is designed to offer practical insights into exactly what steps you need to take to land a teaching job. It will also tell you how to teach and reveal some of the secrets and tips to surviving in a country where the culture may be alien.

We won’t just show you the difference between an adverb and an adjective; you’ll also learn some essential practical advice, such as why you should never teach the word ‘judo’ to Thai teenage boys.

My experience of teaching includes basic government establishments, private colleges and international schools. I’ve taught students who could barely write their name in English through to those who study Shakespeare and Chaucer. When dealing with office politics I’ve learned to bite my tongue so hard there’s now an indelible impression inside my mouth, but on the other hand I’ve had a letter from the Queen of England (well, her hand maiden) praising my students. Teaching ESL is many things, but it’s never dull.

Every day is different and brings its own challenges and rewards. Sometimes it’s the little things that stay with you. One of my favourite moments came during an examination. As I walked around to check on students, a boy put his hand up. I walked over and the boy declared: Sir, I no cheat.

A little confused as the exam had only started, I said: Congratulations, son.

He frowned, and then repeated: No, no, Mr Mark, I don’t cheat.

Yes, that’s right. ‘I don’t cheat’, is better than ‘I no cheat’. I understand, well done.

Exasperated at my lack of comprehension, he finally grabbed his friend’s question paper and yelled: No, I no have sheet, I need a sheet.

Why learn English?

English isn’t the most widely-spoken language on the planet. That honour goes to Chinese. However, while knowing Chinese is advantageous if you’re in China, it’s of limited use anywhere else.

English is simply the global language. It’s the language of aviation, shipping, international business and, largely, the internet. It also happens to be a language that befuddles, bemuses and bamboozles even native speakers with its complexities and nuances. It’s a language that is so varied that while someone from Australia may have a vastly different vocabulary and accent from someone in California or Barbados, they can still all get along.

The reasons for its complexities can be found in the history books (invading Danes, Romans and French all left parts of their languages in Britain). The reasons for its global influence begin with the slave trade. When the British began using slaves from Africa, they separated them from those with whom they shared a mother tongue to ensure the only common language was English. Britain’s colonial empire also ensured the language spread to Australia, India and the Caribbean.

More recently, America’s economic dominance has ensured that English has flourished: Is there anywhere left in the world where a ‘Big Mac’ is unknown? It may be a hugely useful language to have, but not everyone is impressed by its seeming ability to conquer all. The French get very uptight about English, so much so that in 1996 erstwhile President Jacques Chirac stormed out of an EU meeting in a row over the lingua franca. Mr Chirac was annoyed by his countryman Ernest-Antoine Seilliere, who changed to English during his speech, as he called it ‘the language of business’.

In Africa, many authors write in English in order to reach a wider audience. Chinua Achebe is perhaps the best-known African writer thanks to ‘Things Fall Apart’, but many of his contemporaries criticised him for writing in the tongue of the coloniser and oppressor. Achebe argued that the only way to change ill-conceived notions over pre-colonial history was to write in English.

Clearly, teachers should not promote the idea that English is somehow 'better' than their students' native tongues; however in most countries it usually gives you an edge, and that is why so many want to learn it. Demand for learning English has never been as high (there are now more Chinese learning English than there are native English speakers) so if you do choose to teach, you’ll never have to look too hard for work. Many who planned to teach only for a year or two during a career gap find that teaching soon becomes their new career – and a gateway to living and working in many parts of the world.

Chapter 2: What does it take?

What do I need?

Having decided that you want to teach, the next step is to see whether schools may actually want you. Most countries have set rules about who they want teaching their students. Typically, if you have a degree in any subject and of any grade, then you’re half way there. If you happen to have a degree in education, congratulations, you’ve just hit the jackpot.

Assuming you do have a degree, the next step is to get a TEFL (Teaching English as a Foreign Language) Certificate. These come in all shapes, sizes and colours. Your average school isn’t going to fret over what kind you have, but it is worth investing in a reputable course as the knowledge gained will be invaluable once you enter the classroom.

It is possible to do courses in your home country or abroad. Courses in the country you’re planning to make your base is a good choice as you can start to understand the culture while getting qualified, and have free time to explore your new surroundings. Most courses run for 3-4 weeks and give you a certificate at the end with the door-opening acronym TEFL emblazoned on it.

Most courses are reputable, but be wary of those who pledge to find you a job placement as soon as the course is over, then only hand over the certificate once you’ve completed several months with your new employer. Chances are the agency has a deal with the school that gives them a cut of your salary. After four months you may well be out of work as the next new teacher is being lined up to take your place. The school may not be getting seasoned teachers, but then it isn’t having to spend time recruiting either.

Most agencies are, however, reputable and many will help you find work without any catches, but it’s wise to be wary and ask questions first. Course costs are broadly similar and will set you back around $500-$600. At the top end the Certificate in English Language Teaching to Adults (CELTA) is the Manchester United of TEFL certificates, while distance learning ones are considered to be the Doncaster Rovers. Distance learning courses offer a good insight into teaching theory and how to prepare lessons, but you don’t get to actually teach in front of anyone. The CELTA costs around $1500 and while, as its name suggests, it is geared towards teaching adults, most schools will gladly accept that you know what you’re doing if you wave one under their noses.

Having a degree is a legal requirement to teach in schools, but if you don’t have one there is still good money to be made teaching Business English to adults. Some folk actually prefer this, as there is far less paperwork and the students are generally more motivated (they’re probably paying to see you, after all).

If you didn’t go to university, don’t pretend that you did. You may be able to bluff your way through an interview and produce a certificate upon which the ink has just dried; you may also be able to work as a teacher as many places don’t bother to check qualifications or references. However all it takes is one phone call to immigration and you won’t just lose your job, you could lose your freedom. Several teachers have been jailed for falsely claiming to have degrees. As yet, no-one has ever been jailed for saying they don’t have one.

It’s not worth trying to bypass the rules and regulations. The same goes for so-called ‘Life Degrees’ that you can pick up online. They are utterly worthless and if a school falls for it then you should question whether you want to work for a place that gives so little thought about who they want to teach their students. One slight addendum: rules often change and so it’s worth looking at online forums for the latest requirements, but if you have a TEFL certificate, you’ll be in prime position.

Visas and Work Permits

Living in a country, as opposed to holidaying in one, means you may need to think about visas and work permits. For teachers this should be relatively simple, as schools tend to sort out such things.

Visas are straightforward as long as you read the small print and provide what officers are looking for, even if it is occasionally a little ‘extra’ to make things go smoothly.

While the visa allows you to remain in a country beyond the normal tourist limits, you may also need a work permit to actually work. Some schools overlook the work permit as they consider their job done once the visa arrives however it is worth pushing for the permit as well.

What will my school be like?

Class sizes can range from six to 60. Accordingly, so do standards.

In many countries, there are three strata of schools. At the bottom of the rung are government schools. These typically only employ a handful of foreigners (as you’re an expensive luxury). Class sizes in government schools can be enormous; 50 in a class is not exceptional. Fees are relatively cheap, and so this is where most students are sent. A foreign teacher here would tend to get a salary that is equivalent to, or better than, the average wage, plus a good amount of holiday. Make sure it's paid holiday before you sign up.

The second tier is private colleges, where class sizes could be between 25 and 40 students. Middle classes tend to choose these colleges as much for networking reasons as academic ones. It’s never a bad thing when your classmate’s father builds houses for a living and you happen to supply imported furniture that would look splendid inside such homes.

Many of these mid-tier schools run English Programmes, where for an extra fee your child will meet foreign teachers on a regular basis. Private schools employ more foreign teachers so you can expect more folk to hang out with. Perks may include free health insurance, an end-of-contract bonus and, if you’re fortunate, a flight bonus.

At the highest echelon are the international schools. There are