How to Organize Yourself When You Start Teaching English

[ateecher]

Hello MadridTeacher! I'm here in the USA, and I can tell you that our experiences are quite similar. You seem to have dropped the hint that summers and 'seasons' can be economically challenging?

Will the bureaucracy of the country you teach in allow teachers pay to be prorated, so that you can make it through the hard spots? Just a suggestion.

[MadridTeacher]

@ateecher Summers especially can be tough, even more so if you're freelance (autonomo) and not on a contract at a University, for example, where your pay might indeed be prorated. As an autonomo you can find your September classes cancelled at the last minute, which happened to me last year.

[mrdefkon1]

Your candidness I appreciated and it's your video, but it sounds like you need to quit teaching. When you said it's their problem if a student can't pick up the language because of what ever reason, then flip the script and imagine if you were having to learn a foreign language say in Germany, France or wherever so you could be employed over seas and make good money. I guarantee you would pick up on the teachers lack of empathy and the cold as ice mentality that you ALREADY possess.

[MadridTeacher]

@mrdefkon1 This post sounds "as cold as ice" as well so maybe you know where I'm coming from (it takes one to know one), and, ok, maybe you're right - maybe I do need to quit teaching students who won't study and learn (because they do have to do it and if not, they're wasting their time and money, and irritating the heck out of me in the process), but, as a matter of fact, I do love teaching students who take it seriously and these do learn, so I suppose I won't be quitting any time soon.

[mrdefkon1]

I am confused by your reply. In the first half you admitted that maybe I am right and you should quit teaching, so they don't have to irritate the heck out of you, then at the end you said you won't quit teaching. If you have lost the desire, or whatever, then do quit. It is that simple. They the ESL students are paying to learn an invaluable tool which in turn could help them contribute to us in the US because here in America we constantly outsource for foreign speakers as well.

[MadridTeacher]

@mrdefkon1 I haven't lost the desire to teach students who are serious about learning. Why are you confused? Is it because you're being a pain on purpose? There are all types of students (just like there are all types of humans) including those who love to irritate. By the way, not all students are paying to "learn" English. Some of them are paying just to pass and get a certificate, diploma, etc. And students don't just "study" English just to go to the U.S. They have all sorts of reasons.

[talons2112]

I started teaching IELTS a few months ago. They handed me 2 books and said go. Then the student complaints started because I have no idea what all is involved in teaching IELTS. In response the school staff and DOS just sit around and complain about me being a bad teacher and do nothing to help me adjust my teaching. What do I do?

[MadridTeacher]

@talons2112 "Welcome to teaching bub. You're on your own! Sorry" That's just the way it is half the time. I gather you're working in a small, inexperienced academy because it's like they handed you a hot potato and just laughed when you got burned. But, they knew it was hot, right? F@ck 'em! is what I would say. You're all in this together and I blame them for what has happened, not you. They're supposed to be experienced enough to know that they can't hand a job like that over to a new teacher.

[ds409]

I'm a university student in Saudi Arabia and I'm planning to teach English to elementary students in my free time. But I did not teach anything before so I would like to get some ideas about what teacher should do. I'll start this part time job on the 13th of September. If you can help I'll give you my email so we may talk about that on Yahoo or MSN. Thank you and have a nice day

[Rominala]

I taught English for 11 years. I'm 31 from Argentina. I taught all kinds of levels and I had lots of bad experiences. I've been living in New Zealand for 6 months and I had to work in hotels (housekeeping and waitress) I need to find out how to teach English in this country.I miss my country and I realized I miss and love teaching English.. I don't know where to go.. or what to do.. I have to translate my diploma and many other things..Is it the same in Europe?

[MadridTeacher]

@Rominala Spain is not being treated as an equal in Europe at the moment. It's been put in the corner as punishment, I'm afraid, and the economy isn't as good as it used to be a couple of years ago. There is still work, but there's not anywhere near as much demand as before. That means that you'll probably have to go through all the steps like getting your diploma "covalidated" (officially accepted), etc. That means that it takes a long time to get yourself started.

[khemis1]

Hey thanks for this, I was considering teaching english but I can sense the uncertainty here. I think you really have to have the right personality for this kinda thing. It must be hard as an english teacher, or teacher ANYWHERE.

You were brutally honest in this presentation and very helpful. All the best!

[f4567898]

hola ! como esta? I am a freshman in Taiwan. I am going to be an english teacher. be honest, I am a little bit nervioso! alright, in sum ,thank for sharing your experience of teaching eng ! do u have any recommend to me? (I living in Taiwan, and major in spanish)....

[Taiwandragon0828]

@f4567898 Hello, after working for a big company out of NYS, co-contracted through my little company; I was sent here to put together what parts I built for Corning Inc. Long story short. I decided to move here to be with my now wife. Low and behold, the only thing was to teach English. I'm a welder fabricator and went to a community college. I did know a thing, and some questions arised about my backround, 2 things. luckily, I worked with people im many areas. I research online, watch videos...

[Taiwandragon0828]

@f4567898 -continued. Basically whenever I needed to teach in certain areas of grammar, or whatever else. I look it up, refamiliarise myself with grammar usage. The thighere in Taiwan is try to lower your nervous level and look confident and relax. You're an actor in many ways. i been here 4 years, and I'm not a perfect( far from it. Remember, it's not the degree that makes the teacher, its the persons personality and confidence that does. Or everyone would need teaching degrees, right? Be you.

[HnoDeimos]

I teach English in a Catholic High School of a little town that is lost in the seventies in South America. People here don't realize the importance of ESL, they don't care about it and, my students take the English class as a joke. I'm really frustrated because no matter what I do, they refuse to learn. Would you help me? What should I do?

[MadridTeacher]

@HnoDeimos Are you kidding?! Run away!

No, seriously, High School kids are a handful anywhere and everywhere. Sometimes all you can do is survive. In the Madrid, Spain, there's a failure rate of 60% or more. I've worked in a high school and elementary school here and I can tell you that it's more or less the same. About the only thing you can do is get angry with them and give them a talking to, that sort of thing. I'd go out and try to find something better where you're appreciated better.

[IMAKESPOONS]

Thanks for the videos mate im going to madrid in a few weeks to teach english and youve helped a lot. How easy is it people to give private lessons to and how much should i charge do you think?

[MadridTeacher]

@IMAKESPOONS in May (of 2010) it's not quite as easy as in September/October. Everything "depends." The market's not too terribly hurt by the downturn. I would charge 25 euros an hour at least, and then try to be worth it.

[IMAKESPOONS]

@MadridTeacher kool thanks keep up the good work

[mirai23urushidani]

i've been teaching for about 6 years in japan...and i must say, you've got some GREAT advice here!! thanks! :)

[megadarkstar82]

@ fm47... mmmhahaha thanks for enlightened me..

by the way, when you see this video the first thing that came to your mind was...WOW!!! great accent for a Spanish speaker?? or maybe, WOW!! great english accent for a german guy...NOOOO!!! If you speak english you know right away he is a native Eng speaker. It doesn't matter how the guy looks, you can tell his accent..That's what I ment.

[jossx1987]

You speak very well to have been born in a spanish speaking country!!! Did you study abroad? I like your accent.

[MadridTeacher]

@jossx1987 I'm actually a native speaker from the U.S./U.K. with a U.S. accent.

[megadarkstar82]

hahaha you dumbass he is not Spanish speaker, can't you make the difference, he has native English accent.

[fm47]

@megadarkstar82 That's pretty silly to say. A lot of people cannot tell that I'm not a native English speaker, but in fact a native Mandarin Chinese and Taiwanese speaker.

As well, many Asian Americans who speak English as a native language have a distinct Asian American accent. So... think again before you go calling someone a dumb ass, yeah?

[megadarkstar82]

@ fm47... mmmhahaha thanks for enlightened me..

by the way, when you see this video the first thing that came to your mind was...WOW!!! great accent for a Spanish speaker?? or maybe, WOW!! great english accent for a german guy...NOOOO!!! If you speak english you know right away he is a native Eng speaker. It doesn't matter how the guy looks, you can tell his accent..That's what I ment. 1 second ago

[adatheraider]

CELTA course is just as good..

[enymey]

it helped me most of all to observe lessons of my colleagues when I stared teaching. I've been doing this job for 5 years now, but I still feel like a beginner :-)).

[Cosmored]

I found some good teaching material.

Google "Ferd'nand". These are comics without words. First I have he students describe what's happening and practice structures such as the subjunctive. Then I have them role play the situation. The result has been very good.

[SteveR88888888]

Wow! That was helpful, but I only wish I could have had the heart to heart sit down before I landed my ass in Asia and about to teach 20 kids of all levels for my very first class... lol... I'm very nervous, but I thank you for the insight. You have helped me to focus my thoughts better. Can't wait to see more from you.

[phantomwaltz]

my position exactly. no teaching experience but i'll be teaching in korea with absolutely no training. what's it like? how do you plan your curriculum?

[DIABETICLYSWEET]

I find you say "okay?" often... I imagine you picked it up when trying to reinforce your statements to the children, no?

[MadridTeacher]

Yea! Everybody does something repetitive I'm afraid. I know another teacher who was always being called "el brilliant" by his students. You can guess why. The "no?" question tag is kind of Spanglishy too, by the way. Are you an English teacher in a Spanish speaking country by any chance?

[MaestroSoap]

I picked up on that dangling "no?" pretty quickly myself. I'm not sure on it's origin but I suppose it's Spanish even though I've never really thought about that when I speak Spanish.

[DIABETICLYSWEET]

@MadridTeacher

Funny you should mention that! I am an English teacher in Canada. The "no" was something my friend would often say, and she is actually Syrian. I picked it up from her. I hope everything is well with you!!

[Stefan5444]

You are damn right and i agree with you on every word you've just said... i am an English teacher myself and watching your video made me think of setting a limit to my weekly hours... and stop pressure myself to work worrying about not making enough money in the summer or Christmas...

[sweetyukibo]

Thank you very much for posting this! I'm going to use your advice as I'm getting ready to teach English in Japan... Again, Thanks and you did a great job!

[abyroj]

do you know japanese or require to know it or what?

[sweetyukibo]

I have heard that it really helps....but some positions require no Japanese experience at all

some require a little, it depends on where you want to work.

[yetimach]

Everybody is making money in the business accept for the teachers. I'll second that one. I live on about $600 a month in Peru. Although I don't work all that much... I've been doing it for two years now and I have a desire to improve my skills.

[xian19sarah]

The results are important - do watch this if you cannot teach and need help- it will help those who had need this-

[johnestallo]

God bless you man and muchos gracias!

[jazminhada]

muy bien muy bien

[tushkantchic]

thanks a lot for summing up of what's teaching English philosophy is all about. I entirely agree with you and try to follow the same rules u mentioned.good luck to you.

[khabchi]

thank you so much for these inmportant information

[ireland70]

Opps, I am sorry. You are in Madrid. I was searching for "Teaching in Japan" and your video came up.

[ireland70]

Hi, I have a question. I have an English Teaching degree/licence in Colorado. Will I still need a CELTA or TEFOL course to teach in Japan? Or will my degree allow me to forgo CELTA? Thank you for your help

[Jdot519]

No you don't. I have an English language and literature degree, and I was hired to leave to teach in Korea without a CELTA TEFOL or TESL certificate. It is recommended that you take a course like that if your not particularly strong with the language's intricacies, but you should be fine.

[phantomwaltz]

What is it like?? I'm freaked out!! No experience and I'll be thrown into a classroom in Korea. How do I learn to teach??

[Bijoupenthouse]

I'm doing a CELTA course at the moment and found this video thought-provoking, especially the bit about competition. Several of my fellow trainees are high-achievers outside the course, and I tend to be more "laid back". I'm finding that I really need to concentrate and listen very hard to get the most out of it all. Thanks for posting this video. (BTW, will you do my four assignments for me? Ha ha, only kidding...)

[airbusmeister]

Thanks man, I appreciate your posting of this video.

[onedivine]

Thanks a lot for sharing your knowledge about this profession with us...I really enjoyed watching your clip...Best of luck!!

[aringkingking08]

hello i am an english teacher here in philippines...i would like to ask on what activities are best when it comes to their listening skill...i am teaching koreans and most of them have a little problem with their listening skills. please....thanks!

[paytyt]

dude, I have been teaching in Japan for 3 years now. The advice you gave in 8 minutes is far more than what Mr. Know-it-alls out here claim to pass on... rock on big guy!

[chacalita]

Very useful video thanks!

[decoralias]

I would surely learn English with you. Your face is very motivating. Besides it seems your lessons are very enterteining.

[1yesayah]

good info...thanks

[MaddskillzUSA002]

Whats the Requirements of English teach?.. lol

[marijumanji]

I taught English for a year and a half and China and I really liked this video. I wish I could have seen this video before I went. One thing I'll add is that with the boom in teaching overseas there are tons of TESOL and TEFL courses popping up with enticing advertisements talking up all the high points. The quality of these courses vary a lot and you should think carefully before you choose one. Is the week long course going to prepare you as well as the 3 month one? Think about it.

[Anguilla2001]

Wow you are such a good source of information on English teaching! Thank you so much!!! I plan on teaching English in Japan and you have helped me in planning to reach my goal.

[andybuonfrate]

I am from Argentina , I just started to Teach English and I came across with your video which was really useful, thanks

[ouchmycrank]

Very helpful, thank you. Best of luck to you.

[kornello85]

Just continue what you've strated. Cool, realistic comments. Try to incorporate more practical, particular tips for organising or batter managing classes and courses. Mixed ability and level is a great problem indeed.

[catwomansupergirl]

very useful!!! thanks from Chile!

[liziezinha]

Thank you for all these tips on the teaching business. I'm from Brazil, and I found your comments very useful!!! Excellent video!

[DEMINATY]

hey thanks that was really good for people who are just starting and all, i liked the reference about the books i'll look for them

[80slitenite]

thanks for sharing. i am at a crossroads if i should pursue this career. again thanks for your insights.

[vladking]

Thanks a LOT! I begin to download the books in ARES hahaha

[uranne]

Thanks a lot for graciously sharing your ideas. I've been teaching English since 1994 and I can relate to a lot of what you said. I did get a fresh perspective from this video, too. I'm looking forward to watching your other videos.

[noslen1968]

Thank you for your videos. I start my first ESL job at the end of this month, and your advice has been great!

[sergenm]

i want todownload. how can i?

[269426]

Tnks for the advice.Experience makes all of us go on.

[manu765]

Thanks a lot!!!!!!!! you´re huble as a human and rich as teacher!!! WOW!!! Keep it up!!! From Venezuela!

[naringapoqui]

you advice is very useful I would like to talk like you ...Im Chilean and I am working hard on Grammar in Use.

[invictus2]

Great video! Thank you for sharing your knowledge. :)

[TrevorHickman]

Thanks this is great! - really good advice. I've only just started teaching English, and it's good to hear some of the things you have to say

[ericsurf6]

I really like your videos. This one was particularly helpful!  Cheers..

[btstv]

Teaching English in Czech & Slovak republic for 2 years now....boy have I been niave! Nice to see others are out there having like thoughts and experiences.

[btstv]

Thanks tons for the input. I think it's really cool you took the time to give some of us out here struggling some advice, and the fact that others deal with these issues.