So you're going to spend a year abroad teaching English? Full of enthusiasm, you pack your bags with tons of books, resources, teabags, so that by the time you've finished packing, you're three times over the maximum luggage weight allowance. Or perhaps you're a travelling teacher who has decided to backpack around the world, and you need a rucksack that you can carry. With limited space, do you actually need all of those heavy books to teach English? No, not really. In fact, the good news is that you need very little in the way of resources to teach fun-packed English lessons. The only really essential item is your imagination!

If you are lucky enough to teach in a state-of-the-art language school, where they have everything from satellite TV and video cameras to DVD players and an interactive whiteboard, then fantastic! But even if you are teaching in a small impoverished village, with little in the way of resources, don't panic. Here are a variety of suggestions of essential equipment to help you prepare for your time in the classroom.

Ideas, ideas, and more ideas (and preparation!)

Making your own lesson plans will not only build your confidence, but prepare you mentally for teaching English. Spend a little time thinking through lessons, and writing your ideas down. We guarantee that this is time better spent than searching for free lesson plans on the internet. These will often disappoint, and are rarely more than a grammar tables that suggest few, if any activities.

First, take a notebook and list a variety of games, songs and activities, and the age groups or levels you think they are suitable for. These will prove to be worth their weight in gold, and can be adapted and used as supplementary materials for every lesson. A few simple lesson plans and activities for beginners will give you space and time to organize yourself, and ensure you don't panic when you first start teaching English.

Teaching children?

Hand puppets are a small, light, and fun addition to the classroom! You can probably buy something from the local pound shop, or if you're a budding artist, they can easily be made! Make up stories, games, or simply start a simple conversation between the puppets. Also, make sure you always have a ball in your classroom, an indispensable item in numerous TEFL games.

No whiteboards?

Perhaps you have a fervent dislike of blackboards; maybe you're not sure of the facilities in your planned destination; or perhaps you're contemplating teaching privately in people's homes. Whatever the reason, it's always handy to have something to write on.

Now you can buy roll up whiteboards: plastic sheets that can be used exactly as a whiteboard, with all the added advantages of paper. Whether it's for brainstorming ideas, class presentations or creating role-plays, they can be passed round, written on and wiped clean ready for the next English lesson.

Blu-Tack?

Yes, Blu-Tack (or Poster Putty if you're from the USA)! Some of the cheapest objects aren't always easily found abroad. And it's incredibly useful material. Much-loved amongst teachers, it is recyclable, portable, and stickable to almost any material.

What about gadgets?

A year ago, we wouldn't have dreamed of suggesting, but the relentless march of technology has seen prices drop quicker than a stone thrown off the Empire State Building, so an MP3 player/recorder is definitely a worthwhile investment! Not only is it a brilliant piece of equipment, but an item you can stash in your inside pocket, and it won't add to that weight allowance. Record a scene from a soap opera, news items, a children's program, or a discussion on radio 4. You have dozens of options.

On one of these nifty gadgets, you'll also have songs for every age group to hand, and be able to record your students' role-plays. Cheap and portable, it's a really useful gadget, and a great way of bringing multimedia into any classroom to tap into your students' creativity.

Chris Soames - Online TEFL courses with over 20,000 course graduates each year, international accreditation and certification recognised by schools worldwide.

To Teach English abroad http://www.onlinetefl.com/ is the perfect opportunity for any English speaker to explore the world and immerse themselves in new cultures. Whether you're a trained teacher or a complete beginner, a TEFL qualification is your ticket for the journey of your life.

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