Comments on: 4 Reasons Why Travelers Make Great English Teachers (and Vice Versa) http://www.vagabondish.com/4-reasons-travelers-make-good-english-teachers/ Dubious tips & essential ephemera for today's curious traveler Fri, 10 Feb 2012 20:37:09 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3 By: Patrick http://www.vagabondish.com/4-reasons-travelers-make-good-english-teachers/comment-page-1/#comment-25771 Patrick Mon, 19 Sep 2011 12:49:09 +0000 http://www.vagabondish.com/?p=2200#comment-25771 I'm considering whether to possibly do teaching in Japan during my gap year. Luckily I ticked all the points you mentioned. I do agree with breaking the ice by making yourself look like a bit of an idiot, I do it all the time anyway. Really like the ideas you came up with in this article. I’m considering whether to possibly do teaching in Japan during my gap year. Luckily I ticked all the points you mentioned.
I do agree with breaking the ice by making yourself look like a bit of an idiot, I do it all the time anyway.
Really like the ideas you came up with in this article.

]]> By: Matt http://www.vagabondish.com/4-reasons-travelers-make-good-english-teachers/comment-page-1/#comment-25476 Matt Wed, 14 Sep 2011 01:23:30 +0000 http://www.vagabondish.com/?p=2200#comment-25476 Interesting points, but also worth mentioning that not all people are wired the same way. I have met several English teachers here in the Philippines who generally teach in China and other countries (mainly because salaries are better than the Philippines as well as the Philippines having English as a second language). But many of the people I come across just wouldn't be suited to the environment of even the word "work". Travelling comes first and generally they hussle a lifestyle that keeps them afloat. Not the best way of life but seems to suit a lot of people who may struggle with classrooms of kids. Interesting points, but also worth mentioning that not all people are wired the same way. I have met several English teachers here in the Philippines who generally teach in China and other countries (mainly because salaries are better than the Philippines as well as the Philippines having English as a second language). But many of the people I come across just wouldn’t be suited to the environment of even the word “work”. Travelling comes first and generally they hussle a lifestyle that keeps them afloat. Not the best way of life but seems to suit a lot of people who may struggle with classrooms of kids.

]]> By: Patrick http://www.vagabondish.com/4-reasons-travelers-make-good-english-teachers/comment-page-1/#comment-25311 Patrick Mon, 12 Sep 2011 13:55:29 +0000 http://www.vagabondish.com/?p=2200#comment-25311 I myself have had experience teaching English as a second language in Rural China this past July. Everything you mentioned here, especially the awkward moments, I have experienced haha! I can totally agree with you when you say "Learn the local language". Not only will it help you while out and about, but the locals will look even more highly of you if you can speak their language. One example of this is when I was at a fruit stall in rural China. I just put the produce on the counter and the shopkeeper got the hint that I couldn't say much. She rang me up and I handed her the money. Once she handed me my purchases I told here "Thank you" (Xiexie) in Mandarin and the smile on her face was something I will not forget. She was so enthused that I could speak some of her language that she told me "you're welcome" (Bui buche) in Mandarin. I bet I made her day. My point is, if you learn even a small amount of the local language, the locals will be very impressed and will be even more warm hearted towards you than they already are. I myself have had experience teaching English as a second language in Rural China this past July. Everything you mentioned here, especially the awkward moments, I have experienced haha! I can totally agree with you when you say “Learn the local language”. Not only will it help you while out and about, but the locals will look even more highly of you if you can speak their language.

One example of this is when I was at a fruit stall in rural China. I just put the produce on the counter and the shopkeeper got the hint that I couldn’t say much. She rang me up and I handed her the money. Once she handed me my purchases I told here “Thank you” (Xiexie) in Mandarin and the smile on her face was something I will not forget. She was so enthused that I could speak some of her language that she told me “you’re welcome” (Bui buche) in Mandarin. I bet I made her day. My point is, if you learn even a small amount of the local language, the locals will be very impressed and will be even more warm hearted towards you than they already are.

]]> By: Abigail Stuart http://www.vagabondish.com/4-reasons-travelers-make-good-english-teachers/comment-page-1/#comment-25310 Abigail Stuart Mon, 12 Sep 2011 13:04:51 +0000 http://www.vagabondish.com/?p=2200#comment-25310 I love the part about awkward situations! Yes, we can all relate to those times travelling when we run into the most awkward situations. It's funny to look back on them but not necessarily great at the time. I love your article, you are a skilled blog poster and I look forward to keeping up to date with your posts. I love the part about awkward situations! Yes, we can all relate to those times travelling when we run into the most awkward situations. It’s funny to look back on them but not necessarily great at the time. I love your article, you are a skilled blog poster and I look forward to keeping up to date with your posts.

]]> By: Chiew @aClilToClimb http://www.vagabondish.com/4-reasons-travelers-make-good-english-teachers/comment-page-1/#comment-24626 Chiew @aClilToClimb Thu, 08 Sep 2011 19:13:51 +0000 http://www.vagabondish.com/?p=2200#comment-24626 I totally agree, Amanda. However, rather unfortunately, there are those who use TEFL as a means to satisfy their travelling dreams, and not taking the profession seriously enough, helping fuel its backpacking image, especially in foreign lands. So, although I agree with your four points, not everyone is cut out to be a teacher, be it English or otherwise. Those who are not prepared to devote twice as much time in preparation as the class itself would be well advised to think twice before jumping into the pool. I totally agree, Amanda. However, rather unfortunately, there are those who use TEFL as a means to satisfy their travelling dreams, and not taking the profession seriously enough, helping fuel its backpacking image, especially in foreign lands. So, although I agree with your four points, not everyone is cut out to be a teacher, be it English or otherwise. Those who are not prepared to devote twice as much time in preparation as the class itself would be well advised to think twice before jumping into the pool.

]]> By: napoletanadicore http://www.vagabondish.com/4-reasons-travelers-make-good-english-teachers/comment-page-1/#comment-10454 napoletanadicore Sun, 20 Sep 2009 09:47:52 +0000 http://www.vagabondish.com/?p=2200#comment-10454 Great article! I especially appreciate numbers 3 and 4, sometimes you really have to make a complete fool out of yourself! Great article! I especially appreciate numbers 3 and 4, sometimes you really have to make a complete fool out of yourself!

]]> By: Amanda http://www.vagabondish.com/4-reasons-travelers-make-good-english-teachers/comment-page-1/#comment-7913 Amanda Tue, 30 Sep 2008 01:00:51 +0000 http://www.vagabondish.com/?p=2200#comment-7913 @Jody, thanks for the kind words. Hope you get some volunteers over there in Ecuador ... if only my bank would allow me to pay my mortgage in good deeds instead of dollars I'd be on the next plane myself :-) @Jody, thanks for the kind words. Hope you get some volunteers over there in Ecuador … if only my bank would allow me to pay my mortgage in good deeds instead of dollars I’d be on the next plane myself :-)

]]> By: Jody Broyles http://www.vagabondish.com/4-reasons-travelers-make-good-english-teachers/comment-page-1/#comment-7880 Jody Broyles Fri, 26 Sep 2008 12:58:12 +0000 http://www.vagabondish.com/?p=2200#comment-7880 Hola Amanda, I have always enjoyed your articles, but this one in particular. I am an English teacher for a non–profit Arts, Education, Language and Literature Project Fundacion Arte del Mundo in Banos, Tungurahua, Ecuador. We recently opened a Children Interactive Library in order to promote literacy and a love of books. We are seeking volunteers (and slightly paid … enough to survive on) English teachers, librarians, etc. No ESL certification is necessary. Experience is welcome! Email us: artedelmundo21@gmail.com for more info [Edited] Hola Amanda,

I have always enjoyed your articles, but this one in particular. I am an English teacher for a non–profit Arts, Education, Language and Literature Project Fundacion Arte del Mundo in Banos, Tungurahua, Ecuador. We recently opened a Children Interactive Library in order to promote literacy and a love of books. We are seeking volunteers (and slightly paid … enough to survive on) English teachers, librarians, etc. No ESL certification is necessary. Experience is welcome!

Email us: artedelmundo21@gmail.com for more info

[Edited]

]]> By: Amanda Kendle http://www.vagabondish.com/4-reasons-travelers-make-good-english-teachers/comment-page-1/#comment-7859 Amanda Kendle Tue, 23 Sep 2008 06:39:47 +0000 http://www.vagabondish.com/?p=2200#comment-7859 Thanks for the comments, Kelly. Actually, I probably should admit that I really *did* become an ESL teacher just so I could travel. I wanted to live abroad and that was the easiest way! Worse than that, I didn't even particularly mind where I lived, as long as it wasn't my home country, and Japan was the easiest place for me to get a job without any experience, at the time. By chance (or not?) it turned out that I loved both Japan and teaching, so I continued and ended up teaching in other countries. So I'm one of those who randomly picked up the job to survive abroad ... sorry! However, I definitely agree that being an ESL teacher is not an economically wise choice :-) Thanks for the comments, Kelly. Actually, I probably should admit that I really *did* become an ESL teacher just so I could travel. I wanted to live abroad and that was the easiest way! Worse than that, I didn’t even particularly mind where I lived, as long as it wasn’t my home country, and Japan was the easiest place for me to get a job without any experience, at the time. By chance (or not?) it turned out that I loved both Japan and teaching, so I continued and ended up teaching in other countries. So I’m one of those who randomly picked up the job to survive abroad … sorry!

However, I definitely agree that being an ESL teacher is not an economically wise choice :-)

]]> By: Kelly Xu http://www.vagabondish.com/4-reasons-travelers-make-good-english-teachers/comment-page-1/#comment-7851 Kelly Xu Mon, 22 Sep 2008 17:33:31 +0000 http://www.vagabondish.com/?p=2200#comment-7851 I can see the points that Ms. Kendle is trying to make here, and I also respect her experience as a good English teacher when traveling in different countries. However, in my opinion, it is not a rule that applies to everybody. To afford travel should not ever be the reason for anybody to become an ESL teacher. That is also what makes Ms. Kendle successful in handling both of them. Ms. Kendle is an English teacher at first and then she finds the way to be immersed into different cultures by practicing her professional. If someone just wants to make a living by teaching when traveling around, it would be a disaster to the ESL industry as its reputation would be destroyed by those who randomly pick up the job to survive abroad. Economically, it is not a wise choice as well. People devotes considerable time to acquire the ESL certificates. Out of the same amount of time, they could make more money from their original jobs which are most relevant and helpful to their personal careers as a whole. Even after they obtain the necessary certificates, it may not be that easy to land a job in the destination country, especially if they are not there already. Lastly, fun and leisure are the essence of travel to me. I really don’t want to bear any responsibilities of a serious job after I finally manage to flee away from my own for a while. I can see the points that Ms. Kendle is trying to make here, and I also respect her experience as a good English teacher when traveling in different countries. However, in my opinion, it is not a rule that applies to everybody.

To afford travel should not ever be the reason for anybody to become an ESL teacher. That is also what makes Ms. Kendle successful in handling both of them. Ms. Kendle is an English teacher at first and then she finds the way to be immersed into different cultures by practicing her professional. If someone just wants to make a living by teaching when traveling around, it would be a disaster to the ESL industry as its reputation would be destroyed by those who randomly pick up the job to survive abroad.

Economically, it is not a wise choice as well. People devotes considerable time to acquire the ESL certificates. Out of the same amount of time, they could make more money from their original jobs which are most relevant and helpful to their personal careers as a whole. Even after they obtain the necessary certificates, it may not be that easy to land a job in the destination country, especially if they are not there already.

Lastly, fun and leisure are the essence of travel to me. I really don’t want to bear any responsibilities of a serious job after I finally manage to flee away from my own for a while.

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