What are the most effective ways to improve your work performance as a language teacher abroad?

Simple things like knowing names can create rapport but you also need to know their learning needs to enable quality first adaptive teaching.

Knowing your students helps in adjusting to their needs to ensure effective contributions and collaborations. Lesson plans can only be practical when a teacher knows who he or she is interacting with and thereby adjusts his or her approach to meet the needs of students.

Knowing your students is key to being an effective, successful teacher. You need to know their needs, cultural background and expectations

One thing I've found helpful is that the first entry into a classrom sets the tone for how your students are going to respond to you. An engaging personality, making eye contact, speaking clearly with low under tones reflects confidence in oneself and that of the learners who feel they can trust you on their learning journey. Knowing the culture, learner preferences, learner expectations all factor in but the way a teacher conducts herself is paramount in learner engagement.

Planning lessons are vital for teaching any subject but especially in a foreign language lesson, it can not only mean getting your point across but being understood on the most basic level. Planning lessons can allow you to reflect on the theme you will teach and the best way to deliver concepts. You can then tailor your lesson to your audience and what they actually want the language used for. Some might want it for business purposes and some might want it for travel, with this in mind you can create activities that can build on their prior knowledge and interests for an effective lesson. At the end of the day, each language teacher should want their students to be able to use the language efficiently and confidently.

A lesson plan is very important when it comes to teaching. Preparing ahead of a class helps the teacher stick to time and stay organized. Also, the teacher will be able to use diverse methods to help ensure that students are able to comprehend the idea being put across. It is often challenging when there is a language barrier between teacher and learner, and this is the reason why a lesson plan cannot be taken for granted. The teacher can practice ahead of class so as to come down to or above the students’ level. When this is done, mutual understanding would be achieved and students would be able to use the language to suit their purpose.

One thing I’ve felt helpful is to start with the assessment or the curriculum as a starting point and then work backwards. What skills or key knowledge do they need; what could be the big questions ( objectives) and how can this be scaffolded - going back to what you know about the students - to create success and prevent cognitive overload.

If you want to be an effective teacher, a Lesson plan should be prepared before stepping into the classroom. It’s been one of the vital criterion of being a skilled teacher. Teachers should know where they are heading to while teaching. After teaching for 12 years, nothing has been so much important as Lesson Plan.

Planning lessons is probably the most important aspect of teaching. It keeps you on track through the lesson and the students do not get bored. If teachers decides to teach in another country, they must learn the native language to explain what they are teaching, but only the explanations. I teach many medical students here in Japanese, so I have to make sure they understand how to use what was taught correctly.

In the digital age, the availability of an extensive array of materials is unprecedented, and the possibilities seem limitless. However, it's crucial to approach the use of digital tools with a discerning eye. While the sky may be the limit, we must be critical in selecting materials that not only align with our teaching objectives but also meet the criteria of accuracy, authenticity, and cultural sensitivity. Knowing our students well and keeping our desired outcomes in mind allows us to make informed choices in the vast landscape of available resources. Striking a balance between embracing technological advancements and maintaining a critical perspective is key to optimizing the benefits of diverse materials in language instruction

It is vital to use various resources during lessons and in this way diversify students' learning experience. Materials should also be selected based on students' specific interests and provide cultural content and background. They should be authentic and taken from reliable sources. It's also good to teach them about English speaking countries in more detail and recommend that they should watch films, series and listen to English podcasts in their free time, as not everything can be done during the lesson.

Materials are considered very crucial for learning process such as: Video projectors, smart boards, Pictures, Laptops and many other things that make Learning more productive to Students. Gadgets are strongly recommended to be taken into Learning process.

I always ask my students about their opinion on the topic we are covering, about examples from their personal lives and their culture. Also, sharing about bits and pieces from my personal life helps in connecting with students and it helps them understand that I am a person, just like them.😊

Utilising a variety of materials and resources in language teaching abroad is indeed a valuable approach. By incorporating relevant cultural content, teachers can not only engage students but also foster a deeper connection with the subject matter. This is particularly effective in capturing the interest of disengaged pupils, as it adds a meaningful context to the language learning experience. Utilising materials that resonate with the local culture, history, and values not only enriches the educational content but also promotes a more inclusive and immersive learning environment.

Improving work performance as a language teacher abroad involves a mix of honing teaching skills, cultural adaptation, and effective communication. Engaging students through active learning, interactive teaching, & other innovative methods like serious games & urban computing which involve use of remote teaching via technology is a great way to improve performance as a language teacher abroad. A teacher involved in language instruction abroad must engage in continuous professional development through workshops, blogs, podcasts & conferences. They must adapt their teaching methods to local cultural sensitivities. Obtaining dynamic feedback from, while providing constructive criticisms to students is needed to be a good language teacher.

Teaching in Korea, twice a year we had an open lesson, in which the other teachers, parents, and even the principal could observe and leave feedback. This added a level of pressure and nerves that wasn't usual for my classroom; even students act differently knowing that their parents are in the back of the room. However, it was great for reminding me the level of effort that my students deserve. Every lesson should have as much thought and energy as the lesson I prepared for display. I also appreciated the feedback, especially from fellow educators. By my third year, I did not feel as stressed when it came time for the open lesson. I could confidently say that every lesson I prepare is well-composed, and peer review is extremely helpful!

Reflections are integral to personal growth as an esl teacher but also benefits learners. At the end of the lesson, I always reflect on the lesson - noting both the positives and negatives and always asking myself, "could I have done/managed this better?" At the end of the week I ask the students to fill out feedback forms on which I reflect too. Of course the observations are super helpful in highlighting the finer details.

Peer observations have been instrumental in shaping and refining my classroom practices. Witnessing effective teaching techniques during observations has inspired positive changes in my own approach. Implementing methods observed from colleagues has not only diversified my teaching style but also enhanced overall engagement. Equally, having fellow teachers observe my lessons has proven invaluable. Their insights, advice, and constructive feedback have illuminated areas for improvement that I might have overlooked. This collaborative exchange of ideas has fostered continuous growth, creating a dynamic and supportive teaching environment where shared observations contribute significantly to professional development.

Reflecting on practice is useful but it should be evaluation based not marks / grades. Peer observation is also more helpful than your own self as students feel honored as well as confident

As language teachers, seeking feedback from colleagues is crucial for professional growth, providing diverse perspectives and insights. Equally essential is gathering opinions from our students, as their feedback serves as a direct reflection of our teaching impact. This dual approach, combining insights from peers and students, creates a comprehensive feedback loop that enhances our effectiveness and fosters a collaborative, student-centered learning environment.

To understand how much progress your students have made, is beneficial for both sides , teachers and students. Sts have the right to ensure that how well they could handle and deal with various skills and lessons whereas teachers make sure that they have taught related parts in accordance with the Lesson plan and amend their weaknesses in any part of teaching. Evaluating students could result in better performance for teachers and achieve a great deal of feedback from STS.

Feedback é ótimo! Temos que nos manter abertos para qualquer tipo de avaliação, afinal não somos perfeitos! todos temos muito a melhorar, e isso é um processo infinito!

One of the best ways to improve performance as an English teacher abroad is to focus on professional development. English teaching is often a job or career chosen so a person can travel. As a result, these teachers often lack training or true expertise. They may use English well, but they lack the knowledge of how to transfer that to others. Even if they have some kind of certification, teachers should consistently look for new information and ideas about language learning from high level professionals. Good sources include professional communities and peer-reviewed articles on language teaching.

According to my personal experience getting to know the students, personalising classes as much as possible are the keys to a successfull class. Planning lessons with these factors in mind is essential for a successful lesson. In addition, taking into account new technologies such as AI is fundamental for a dynamic and interactive class development. Leaving aside traditionalist methods that base teaching on a textbook is no longer the way to go. Nor are teacher-centred classes. Today's classes must be student-centred. They are the protagonists, we teachers are only facilitators of that knowledge, and that is what we must do: exercise our role as "facilitators".

I believe seeking for professional development is one of the key factors to highly perform and effectively fulfill your task as a teacher. when interacting with other professionals from various fields you pave the way to enrich and gain more knowledge, fuel your expertise and take your performance to a higher level .Workshops ,training and CPDs are crucial and fundamentals l to achieve success.

Continuing professional development is essential for teachers, particularly when working abroad. The field of education is ever-changing, and staying current with the latest research is crucial. Research informs us about best practices, and the ability to adapt based on new findings is paramount for effective teaching. Utilising research to inform practice not only keeps teaching methods relevant but also enhances classroom dynamics. Embracing new insights enables teachers to tailor their approach, fostering a more responsive and inclusive learning environment. In essence, ongoing professional development through research empowers educators to deliver the best possible education to their students.

Professional development abroad Is a wonderful occasion to understand different culture, improve, get deeper in methodology ready to be amazed. Curiosity is the Key for a real professional development

Any networking opportunity is helpful, even if it's not teacher-related. Joining a community group will help you meet new people (and potentially new clients/students). It'll also teach you more about the culture, customs, attitudes, and common knowledge-gaps in your new country.

Se former aux nouvelles façons d'apprendre en tentant aussi de créer des outils spécifiques pour ses élèves est une bonne manière de se développer soi-même.

When I trained to become a teacher in England (which is not my home country), I found observing other teachers teach to be extremely benefitial before venturing and teaching my own lessons. When observing other teachers, you get to learn how they use their voice, how they stand and walk around the classroom, how they address students, how they present information, how they monitor and assess pupils' progress, how they deliver explanations, how they address misbehaviour, and which kind of activities they use, among others. Then of course, practice makes perfect, so being able to teach my own lessons, having the time and space to reflect on my own practice and receiving regular feedback from my mentors were key during my teacher training.

As a foreigner, I would say cultural understanding plays a vital role in enhancing my performance as language teacher abroad. This is because it involves immersing yourself in the traditions, customs, and values of the local community where you are teaching. By doing so, you gain insights that help you connect more deeply with your students. Integrating cultural elements into your lessons could include using local examples, stories, or traditions to make the content more relatable and engaging for your students. This approach fosters a positive and comfortable atmosphere in the classroom, strengthening the teacher-student relationship and enhancing the overall effectiveness of your language teaching.

It makes learners: 1. Vulnerable to success. 2. Develop an understanding of their strengths an weaknesses by interacting with their portfolio during one-to-one teacher/learner engagement. 3. Challenge self and strive for new knowledge. 4. Enable learners to share in the teaching presence and create both whole group and cooperative learning. 5. Research and incopreate technlogy via online assessment tools. 6. Demonstrate creativity and interact with different cultures through field trips/projects. Curriculum Design Promotes Improvement and rebranding

As a foreigner, you have a worldview and a set of life experiences that are different from your students. Use that to your advantage. Create activities where the students teach you about their culture, interview you about yours, explain the differences between them, and guess your opinions about their country. Any activity that makes your students feel like "experts" in something will help encourage their participation.

It’s ok not to be attached with a book or methodology, each group or students have different needs, interests or expectations of a class. Try to figure out with a small test in which way they learn, this will help you to understand what they need and in which way you can facilitate the learning process.