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Teaching English as a Second Language (ESL) Abroad: A How-To Guide for Finding Teaching Opportunities for ESL Programs. Positives and Negatives. It can be a wonderful experience BUT, not all programs are as legitimate or as good as others
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Teaching English as a Second Language (ESL) Abroad:A How-To Guide for Finding Teaching Opportunities for ESL Programs
Positives and Negatives • It can be a wonderful experience • BUT, not all programs are as legitimate or as good as others • Disclaimer: this research is my own and does not reflect certification by H-SC nor H-SC’s Study Abroad office
Part 1: Types of Programs • Too many programs out there to provide a list • My project is to arm you with the type of concerns you should research in your search to find ESL programs • Internet is the chief tool for research
Type-1a: Government Sponsorship • Government sponsorship gives program legitimacy • Integral to governments’ attempts to build international relations • Ex: Japan Exchange and Teaching Programme • H-SC alumni
Type-1b: US Government ESL Program Sponsorship • The Department of State provides a very helpful resource for teaching abroad • Ex. 1: The Fulbright Teaching Assistantship • Ex. 2: Peace Corps
Type-2: University or College Sponsored ESL Programs • Just as some colleges offer study abroad programs (University of Richmond), some offer teaching ESL abroad programs • Ex. 1: Sweetbriar Teaching Assistantship in Spain • Ex. 2: Marshall University’s Appalachians Abroad Teach In China Program • H-SC alums Matt Hubbard and Ben Shega
Type-3: Study Abroad / Teach Abroad Program Providers • Council for International Education Exchange (CIEE) • There is a natural progression for companies like CIEE from offering study abroad options to teaching abroad
Type-4: Individual Institutes • Hundreds upon hundreds
Part II: Vetting Programs and the ESL Abroad Rubric • Even more than the first 5 types of programs I introduced, when researching individual institutes, you need to know what kind of questions to ask.
Rubric 1: Sponsored by a greater entity? • Ex. 1: Youth Services International and my experience in Spain • Turned out to be very legitimate because YSI is a service branch of Opus Dei, the International Catholic Organization
Rubric 2: Let’s Talk Money • Paid? • Only compensated for living expenses or stipend • I have to pay you to work for you? • *Cultural Concern: Different values of currency
Rubric 3: Requirements • Language requirements • Teaching English as a Second Language (TESL) certification • American Teaching certification
Rubric 4: Culture Differences • Different contractual expectations • Ex. Chungdahm Institute in South Korea and perhaps the Greater Asian Region • Different currency values and contractual negotiations