Teach Away’s Post

ESL teaching scam continues in Taiwan What if you are Taiwanese with decent English skills but "unqualified" to be a so-called native-English-speaking ESL teacher who are generally paid NT$700 hourly or more in Taiwan, and are too proud to be a burger-flipper at minimum wage? This online-tutor wanted ad shown on a job site seen July 9, 2024 would be a more rewarding option than many other jobs as it claims to pay NT$350 hourly. But how much English can a kid learn when the lessons are taught in Chinese, fluency in which an applicant is required to wield? But hush. As long as the gullible parents and kiddies don't know any better, allow the scam to continue. #ESLTeachingScamContinuesInTaiwan

Hello fellow university ESL teachers, this one's for you! 🤩I'm excited to announce that the ink has just dried on my latest teaching resource, designed especially for university ESL teachers!   The idea for this course came to me as I was searching for a way to teach my students about English speaking cultures, without focusing on the big four ( US, UK, Canada & Australia). My goal was to give my students a glimpse of the full spectrum of dynamic English speaking cultures from Belize to Zimbabwe! To proof the course before making it available, I taught Destination the Anglosphere during first semester, and I was thrilled with the results! I would have to say that my favorite part was the deliverable, "Poster Fair for English Speaking Cultures." My students really went all out, preparing music and food for their stands! Destination the Anglosphere is a three part course containing 6-10 hours of class content on the theme of culture and travel. Throughout this course your students will practice their skills in public speaking, writing, and research while learning about the diverse and dynamic cultures of the English speaking world.    🔎Here's a quick look inside Destination the Anglosphere   🎯Target English Level : Great for B1-C1 📚Deliverables :   ◾10-20 minute group presentation on one Anglosphere culture ◾One page individual written report on one Anglosphere culture ◾Poster Fair of the English Speaking Cultures   Available for 10€ you'll get the full course in PDF format as well as detailed instructions and links to accompanying documents and videos, delivered straight to your inbox!   😀Interested in adding this resource to your teaching toolkit? Head to the link below to preview and purchase your copy. https://shorturl.at/puzR2

Throughout my extensive experience in teaching ESL, I have eagerly anticipated the day when "non-native English-speaking teachers" are recognized for their competencies rather than their nationality, skin color, or passport. Regrettably, the disparity between "native English-speaking teachers" and "non-native English-speaking teachers" persists, and I must underscore that this division remains pronounced. Job postings for ESL teaching positions frequently emphasize a preference for native English speakers, disregarding the fact that being a native speaker does not equate to a proficiency level. Similarly, advertisements from schools often feature white models, rendering non-native English speakers virtually invisible. Despite our diligent efforts to develop our teaching competencies, we are often made to feel inferior because English is not our first language. Numerous studies have already highlighted the significant contributions made by "non-native English-speaking teachers," yet we are routinely placed beneath our native-speaking counterparts. There are significantly fewer opportunities for us to engage with learners from Europe, the Middle East, or Latin America or receive equitable compensation. Nevertheless, we persist in our teaching endeavors and continue to challenge this unjust divide.

teach English in Korea.

Basic Vocabulary List for ESL Students [750 Essential Words]

It’s really disheartening to see so many highly qualified non-native English teachers being overlooked just because of their nationality. These educators often have exceptional proficiency and extensive teaching experience, yet they're frequently offered significantly lower salaries compared to native speakers. This bias not only undervalues their hard work and expertise but also robs students of diverse and enriching learning experiences. Non-native English teachers, having personally navigated the challenges of learning English as a second language, bring unique insights and empathy to their teaching. They truly understand the struggles of ESL students and can connect with them on a deeper level, making them especially effective educators. Being a "non-native" English speaker, I have experienced the ups and downs of the bias within the hiring process firsthand. It’s time for schools and institutions worldwide to adopt a more inclusive approach. Let's recognize that skilled and educated individuals, regardless of nationality, can teach English effectively and inspire students globally. Let’s champion a fairer hiring process that values qualifications and experience over native language status. By embracing diversity in teaching, we can create a richer, more dynamic educational environment for everyone. 🌍📚 #Education #DiversityInTeaching #NonNativeTeachers #EqualOpportunities

Language is more than just words; it's a reflection of culture. As an English learner, understanding the culture can significantly improve your fluency. For example, native speakers often use indirect language to be polite. Instead of saying ‘Give me the salt’, they might say, ‘Could you pass me the salt?’. The first is direct, and the second is indirect. This is something ESL learners can adopt to sound more natural. Pay close attention to this on TVs or YouTube, especially in formal settings and interviews. Notice how English speakers use indirect language to be polite. Practise using these nuances in your own speech. By observing and mimicking these cultural aspects, you can elevate your English speaking skills.

Teach English In Korea.

'How I found two excellent jobs in Thailand' is the title of Tiago Bueno's essay in More Than a Gap Year Adventure. It tells the story of a lawyer from Brazil who fell in love with teaching English, moved abroad in order to find better working conditions, and later became an EAL specialist. Tiago is a great role model for English teachers who wish to find something better than just poorly-paid language academy jobs. His text is full of valuable advice that can help teachers develop professionally. If you've read the full essay, what did you think of it? Do you agree with Tiago's opinion on entry-level TEFL roles? Is there anything else that can help teachers find a well-paid job?

Six hours weekly ESL lessons is the answer It's heartening to see Chen, whose English-tutor-wanted ad appears Jan. 3, 2024 on a popular tutor-student matching site in Taipei, being enthusiastic to want to improve his English speaking skills. Confessing to be able to write, read English adequately, he admits to being weak in speaking, which is unsurprising for he never gets the chance to polish such skill. The core problem is Chen believes the 30 tutors who are applying for the job are actually dedicated professionals when in fact they are likely hustlers. Chen also doesn't realize that said tutors can only "entertain" him to engage in grade 6 chat. That they likely don't know the proper word for the phenomenon where the muddy ground water spews in Japan after the 7.6-quake hit yesterday. Can said applicants help Chen to talk about the Israel-Palestine conflict? What about the upcoming elections in Taiwan? Does Chen know he needs to understand spoken English as heard on CNN, BBC, North American radiocasts to engage in real-world, adult-level conversation? Does he actually believe he would be exposed to such spoken English by paying said tutors, who he plans to meet 3 times weekly and 2 hours each session? This is what will happen. Chen will be spoon-fed by a tutor who will make him believe he is "learning" real-world English, by explaining difficulties in Chinese if necessary and to avoid drowning him in hopelessness. #SixHoursWeeklyESLLessonsIsTheAnswer