Print Article for : Activities For Teaching English

Your Online Guide » Education and Teaching » Articles on Education

[A215]Activities For Teaching English

by Matthew Kepnes, Mat

People who are interesting in teaching English overseas come from many different professions and backgrounds. A lot of times they are unsure about how to go about becoming an English teacher overseas. Fortunately, the process to become an ESL teacher is pretty straightforward. You don't need to have a lot of skills or requirements to become an English teacher in another different country. Though rules and regulations vary from country to country in general, a potential English teacher will need to have the following credentials: They need to be a native English speaker, they must have a 4 year college degree, a TEFL certificate, and some working experience. However, in many countries, you don't need experience or a TEFL- you simply need a university degree. Some jobs (not countries) will ask that you have a TEFL if you don't have any experience. Furthermore, if you wish to teach at one of the many international schools, you will definitely need to be a certified teacher with experience teaching.

Those wishing to teach English in a different country should also have qualities such as patience and commitment. It doesn't matter what type of teacher you are, you need to communicate to your students in a friendly and approachable manner. A good student/teacher relationship is essential for a child to learn a new language, especially when you are in a foreign country and your students don't understand a lot of what you say and might not be that interested in learning English. If you are patient and creative and keep the class interesting, you will find your students will be much more motivated. If you are bilingual and can speak the native language then it'll be easy to make the subject interesting. ESL teachers need to have many different skills besides just the experience and degrees that schools and countries want. Teachers need people and professional skills in order to succeed at being an ESL educator.

Beyond these soft qualities, potential teachers need a number of other things. For starters, they have to be from a native speaking country. Employers won't hire you if you are not even if you are fluent in the language. Additionally, unless you are in countries where they desperately need teachers, you will also have to have a university degree. It doesn't matter what the degree is in so long as you have one. Moreover, in some countries, like Korea and Japan, you will need to have a TEFL degree. This is a teaching course that teaches you how to teach English. Most countries and schools don't require you to have experience. If you wish to teach to businesses or in international schools, you will need a master's degree and have previous teaching experience.

ESL teachers teach students a language that is spoken around the world and that helps them in all their endeavors. Teachers need to have many skills to be an English teacher if they want to succeed. Often people just go overseas with no skills or desire to teach English and end up quitting soon after because they are unprepared for the experience. Overall, it does not take a lot to become an ESL teacher and if you are looking to leave your country and work in a foreign land, it is one of the easiest jobs to get and one of the most abundant. However, know that while being a native speaker is sometimes all you need, teaching is a lot of work and if you are not prepared for the job, you will burn out quickly.

The first reason for teaching English is to improve morality. The connection to the term literacy is piety or devotion. If we create a truly moral learner, we have done our service to mankind. Moral learners create true champions of the best kind.

Second, English must prepare good workers. This is where functionality is the connection to literacy. Teaching English creates functional workers with potential to become leaders in society. Good workers are those who communicate positively with staff, the public, and superiors. They are trained to think positive and they don't do rumors and negative comments about their bosses around the water coolers. They have respect and they are looking for ways to be promoted on a monthly basis.

Thirdly, it must create an elite group of literate citizens. Many advanced placement high school courses tend to mirror college courses in methods and emphasis and frequently include lectures about literature. College-prep courses are an excellent example of creating literate citizens into future leaders. If you're a high schooler, and you have the opportunity to take a college prep course, I'd encourage you to take advantage of as many of those classes as you can.

Fourth, English must produce good citizens. Acquiring literacy skills needed for voting and becoming tax-paying wage earners is vital to all Americans. This is necessary for the vital existence of our corporate society. When we teach English so that you can vote and maintain excellent democracy, we have accomplished much indeed. When we teach students to write about the importance of voting, we have changed our country.

Fifth, it must foster personal growth. By keeping journals, and making connections to lives, the literary texts become more real to their readers Lastly. Excellent teachers at every level are wonderful at teaching their students a love for writing. Diaries and journals are one of the creative teachers' best and most endearing and lasting tools. Don't ever be tempted as a teacher to eliminate journaling as a tool to develop your students' writing skills.

Sixth, English must offset inequity leading students toward critical consciousness of power relationships. This is essential to their progress. This also helps them validate their own particular cultures. When I can write about my culture and what it means to me, I experience true success.

Literacy is the ability to read and write. What is so important about literacy is that it communicates the written word from one person to another in an intelligible manner. Without literacy, there is no progress in academics or any other field. Literacy is the key to the survival and the ultimate encouragement of every true learner.

Article Source : Pg. 25

About Author

Both Matthew Kepnes & Don Alexander are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.

Matthew Kepnes has sinced written about articles on various topics from Credit Cards, Education and Travel and Leisure. Matthew Kepnes has taught English in Asia for over two years. You can find out more about at his website and find out. Matthew Kepnes's top article generates over 8100 views. to your Favourites.

Don Alexander has sinced written about articles on various topics from Teachers, Parenting and Education. "Helping ALL to Succeed"Don Alexander, Author & Online Business Mentor. Don Alexander's top article generates over 18100 views. to your Favourites.