The first step to successful ESL teaching abroad is to learn the local language
As someone who’s navigated the exciting yet challenging journey of teaching abroad, I’ve got a crucial tip to share about teaching abroad. Not just South Korea, but advice for any destination travel to teach!
If you take your mental health serious, this one’s for you!
For one thing, I know there are many things to prepare for, but before you leave, let me tell you the most crucial step that would have saved me from turning into an anxious monster. Learning a new language is where it all starts.
People might say you don’t need to learn the local language right away, plus private schools in South Korea encourage you ONLY to speak English. But that’s a mistake – a big one, trust me!
When I started teaching in South Korea, I thought I could manage with basic Korean language skills. But soon, I realized that I needed more advanced language skills to feel comfortable in social situations. If only I had better language skills, I could have avoided feeling anxious.
Remembering the day I stepped off the plane in South Korea. The excitement was palpable, but so was the nervousness. I had heard that language wouldn’t be a barrier in teaching English, that most people spoke it, and that I would be fine.
But here’s what I learned all too quickly – that’s not entirely true. Yes, many people speak English, but not knowing the local language can create a barrier beyond communication. It can impact your mental health, cultural connection, and teaching effectiveness. My hope is that cultural, social, or linguistic differences won’t drain you or force you to leave early during your teaching abroad experience.
“I’m already an English teacher, so this was a perfect situation for me! I’ll pick up the language when I get there!”
“During my time teaching abroad, I witnessed many teachers going back to the U.S without finishing their contracts and one reason is that they just felt too different”
Getting a phone plan at KT store made me anxious. The man assisting us had a nervous breakdown when he saw us. He panicked and paced around the room screaming, “Ahhhh,” asking his coworkers if anyone knew English. It made us uncomfortable, but I felt worse for him. I did get my phone plan eventually, but when you go and if you’re still not comfortable, make sure to stop into a store in hot tourist areas like Gangnam, Hongdae, or Itaewon, where a lot of staff members speak English.
Here’s another story for you. I used to use KakaoTaxi, a local app similar to Uber. One day, I mistakenly placed the locator pin on the wrong building. The taxi driver called me, and as soon as he spoke Korean, I realized I was in trouble. Explaining in broken Korean, I gave the wrong location, making things worse. He sounded like he was yelling, which was a cultural difference that I was still getting used to. Feeling hot, red, and flustered, I desperately looked for someone who might speak English. Fortunately, a kind young woman came to my rescue, helped me with the call, and directed me to the taxi.
The driver was visibly upset, and I couldn’t help but cry on the way to my destination. Seeing this, he softened and tried to comfort me in English, saying, ‘Have a wonderful night, thank you, thank you.’ It was a moment of kindness that touched me, but it also emphasized how crucial language skills were in navigating daily life in a new country. I was so scared to take another taxi because I didn’t want to relive that scene.
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Now, you might be thinking, ‘Why not just learn the language in the country? Immersion is the best teacher, right?’ Well, yes and no. While immersion is effective, it’s also overwhelming, especially when adjusting to a new job in a new country. Teaching abroad may seem simple, but it can be challenging to balance multiple responsibilities. If you don’t drive in the country, relying on public transportation can be time-consuming (depending).
For me, the language institute was a commute away (20-minute bus ride, 45-minute metro ride, ten-minute walk, and the same to get back), and with my teaching schedule, it became a challenge to attend classes regularly. I was exhausted, rushing to get to work on time after my language classes. Taking a KakaoTaxi a few times to avoid being late cost me money and I was so anxious taking them after the fiasco from the last time. Some friends lived in different regions, and they commuted to that same institute, which took them twice as long! The best bet is to get the language part up to speed before getting there.
That’s when I fully embraced Preply as an online alternative, allowing me to learn at my own pace and on my own time.
These gut-wrenching, anxiety-driven experiences pushed me to embrace Preply more seriously for learning Korean. Online language learning platforms like Preply and Italki are invaluable tools. While Preply offers a more personalized, one-on-one learning experience, Italki provides a broader range of options. Both are excellent, depending on your learning style and needs. More information on Italki is coming soon!
Don’t Worry – I want to clarify that I prepared before my trip. I attempted to learn from a workbook, but I struggle with self-learning from a textbook, particularly in language learning. It’s ironic because I am a language teacher myself. However, if you can learn this way, I will provide specific details below on the books I used for South Korea. Use the button below or jump here!
Using an affordable Online Tutoring service saved my sanity!
Initially, I was skeptical about doing online language learning. Can an online platform help me learn a language effectively? But I was pleasantly surprised. I found a tutor who not only taught me the language but also gave me insights into Korean culture, etiquette, and the nuances that textbooks don’t always teach you.
Apart from navigating the language barrier, I had to deal with cultural nuances. The work environment in South Korea follows a strict hierarchy, so understanding this dynamic was crucial for my professional interactions.
Learning more than just basic Korean with Preply helped me appreciate and respect these cultural differences, making my experience in the country more prosperous and fulfilling.
My tutor not only assisted me with learning the language but also provided me with valuable insights into the cultural differences, which proved to be very helpful.
Nevertheless, it wasn’t just about getting better at my job. Speaking Korean just a little better allowed me to connect with people on a deeper level, discover cool places that weren’t on the tourist map, and really dive into the Korean culture. Plus, interacting with my co-teachers was a lot more fun! It made me more than just a teacher – it made me a student of a whole new world.
Take Advantage of this Promotion!
Learning the language of the country you’re heading to is not just a step; it’s a leap in preparing to teach abroad. It’s more than practical communication; it’s about equipping yourself mentally for the immersive experience of living in a new culture.
And here’s a special offer for you –
Here’s how to make the most of it this special offer!
- Click on the link right above or here
- Click on the ‘Find Tutors’ tab
- You can select the language you’re interested in learning
- Set your budget per lesson
- You can choose anywhere between $1 – $40 an hour!
- I recommend anywhere from $8 – $20 for good lessons!
- You can choose anywhere between $1 – $40 an hour!
- Choose your availability
What’s neat is that you can watch introduction videos from the tutors themselves, making it easier to find the perfect match for your learning style and needs.
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As An Amazon Associate, I Earn From Qualifying Purchases.
Trust me, it’s an investment in your future as a global educator.
Today, I use Preply as a side gig to teach English to make a little extra cash on the side and to learn Italian. I rely on the platform’s flexibility and high-quality tutors for language learning. And it’s not just about Korean or Italian; Preply offers a vast array of languages –
Spanish, French, German, Japanese, Arabic, Chinese, Portuguese, Russian, Polish, Turkish, Ukrainian, Dutch, Hebrew, Finnish, Hungarian, Hindi, Swedish, Czech, Norwegian, Georgian, Armenian, Greek, Thai, Punjabi, Bengali, Tamil, Vietnamese, and more. So, no matter where your teaching journey takes you, there’s a language course for you.
Using Language Workbooks to prepare for teaching english abroad
As I mentioned earlier, I did in fact try to do language learning with a workbook and the one I used was called, Talk To Me in Korean Level 1. This book, based on the popular podcast lessons from TalkToMeInKorean.com, is tailor-made for absolute beginners like I was and it has audio files included! It’s a paperback guide that eases you into the fundamentals of Korean, covering basics such as greetings, gratitude expressions, and crucial grammar points. The approach is designed for those learning Korean independently, offering a range of review questions, exercises, and even sample dialogues to cement your understanding.
Talk To Me In Korean Level 1" is a beginner-friendly paperback designed for self-study in Korean. It covers basic phrases, greetings, and essential grammar, focusing on conversational Korean over literary style with downloadable audio files.
Don't need the textbook or want to use TalkToMeInKorean.com? Perfect. Use this Workbook Level 1 to help you with your Korean Language Skills! This workbook is designed to be used in conjunction with the Talk To Me In Korean Level 1 lessons, which are available for free at the official free website.
What’s great about the workbook and the textbook is its focus on conversational Korean rather than literary or academic styles. It’s structured to get you to make sentences and engage in basic conversations quickly, which is incredibly useful for real-life interactions in South Korea. These books also provide cultural insights, adding context to language learning.
If you’re thinking of becoming an ESL teacher and teaching abroad is on your list of expat adventures, here’s my advice: start learning the language before you go. It’ll make things easier for you, but it’s also good for preparing yourself for the adventure ahead. A great way to learn is to use language workbooks along with a platform like Preply, which can give you the tools you need to handle whatever comes your way when you’re living and working in a new culture.
Finally, I will delve deeper into the physical preparations for teaching abroad and share my experience of teaching English on Preply as a side gig in my upcoming posts. But for now, keep in mind that learning a language is the first step towards a successful and enriching teaching journey abroad. You need to not only speak the language but also build bridges with people from different cultures.
Until next time, happy learning and safe travels!
More Languages equals more books!
Check out these top-rated language books! Plus, they’re highly recommended and guaranteed to exceed your expectations. Start your language-learning journey today!
This book guides beginners to quickly learn Korean with a three-step method: mastering essential grammar and sentence structures, learning common phrases and vocabulary, and practicing for improved comprehension. Designed for effective and confident communication in Korean, it offers a clear path to language fluency.
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$17.13Buy NowUpon completing this book and engaging in practice, learners will gain the ability to read simple Japanese texts and write effectively using hiragana, katakana, and kanji characters. They will also acquire the skill to understand and use basic vocabulary in speech, equipping them to handle everyday communication in Japanese with greater confidence and ease.
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10/09/2024 06:37 am GMT -
$21.00Buy Now
This book guides beginners to quickly learn Korean with a three-step method: mastering essential grammar and sentence structures, learning common phrases and vocabulary, and practicing for improved comprehension. Designed for effective and confident communication in Korean, it offers a clear path to language fluency.
As An Amazon Associate, I Earn From Qualifying Purchases. Which Simply Means That If You Make A Purchase After clicking on a Link, I Earn A Small Commission at no extra cost to you.
10/09/2024 04:42 am GMT -
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