TEACHERS DISCUSSION FORUM
Return to Index › Avoid cultural pitfalls when teaching abroad
#1 Parent Yo Farang - 2008-08-17
Re: Some tips for newbies going overseas to teach ESL

Don't reveal too much personal information in your resume.

Do not give your passport to anyone to keep it for you and if you ever lose your passport or have it stolen, contact your Embassy/Consulate right away.

Try to put some money aside (in the bank) in case of emergencies.

#2 Parent rte33 - 2008-08-15
Re: Some tips for newbies going overseas to teach ESL

Saving money in China can amount to a lot over the long run, being frugal here is not about being cheap.
Agree, the cost of living in China-Asia is getting more expensive everyday.

#3 Parent phil - 2008-08-14
Re: Some tips for newbies going overseas to teach ESL

two cents into the conversation

Beijing and Shanghai have most of the things you need, country side: bring a little extra of everything.

#4 Parent checkered flag - 2008-08-12
Re: Avoid cultural pitfalls when teaching abroad

Dont forget you are an employee
Accept your employee's status
Be a professional team player

#5 Parent Laowai Chen - 2008-08-12
Re: Some tips for newbies going overseas to teach ESL

travel light

2 pair of shoes (1 pair of walking shoes)
5 shirts 3 dressing pants 2 belts
small toiletry bag
don't bring your old computer, unless you don't use internet cafes and school library computers. You can also buy a new computer at any retail store.
bring your alarm clock

#6 Parent Laowai Chen - 2008-08-12
Re: Avoid cultural pitfalls when teaching abroad

Tell your students to avoid asking anyone personal politics, religion, it does make people uncomfortable.

#7 Parent going places - 2008-08-12
Re: Some tips for newbies going overseas to teach ESL

live frugally, expect nothing, don't plan ahead too much (you're a foreigner), be ready to leave your school at any moment and be ready to find another school fast.

#8 Parent journeyman - 2008-08-12
Some tips for newbies going overseas to teach ESL

Everything that can go wrong could go wrong: lost luggage, lost passport, unknown/unexpected health condition, no furnished apartment and no apartment at all. Make sure to have enough money to return to your home country.

#9 Parent Shaanxi teacher - 2008-08-12
Re: Avoid cultural pitfalls when teaching abroad

If your students ask you if you have ever heard of Mao, you don't have to pretend you haven't heard of him or give a sarcastic response. Everybody knows Mao. I agree that you shouldn't put politics or religion into your lessons because you are there to teach them English. They are not so sensitive that you can't acknowledge their history.

#10 Parent Gandhi - 2008-08-12
Re: Avoid cultural pitfalls when teaching abroad

quit repeating that everything is better where you come from, if you do not like it here then leave asap.

#11 Parent afac - 2008-08-11
Re: Avoid cultural pitfalls when teaching abroad

dont pretend to be important and smarter than local men, just because you have attractive local woman you just met with you in bars, restaurants...you will only show you are a clown. Same woman are seen with new foreigners on town all the time.

Very important: don't pretend to be rich back home and you just here as a tourist.

#12 Parent Khan - 2008-08-11
Re: Avoid cultural pitfalls when teaching abroad

nice post Mr. Chao.

#13 Parent Khan - 2008-08-11
Re: Avoid cultural pitfalls when teaching abroad

agreed 100 percent. if any chinese ask you if you heard about mao, say that you don't know b/c you never met him.

#14 Parent young - 2008-08-11
Re: Avoid cultural pitfalls when teaching abroad

DON'T DISCUSS POLITICS.

young korean

#15 Parent tips - 2008-08-10
Re: Avoid cultural pitfalls when teaching abroad

never criticized any food and dont criticize what you cant understand.'nuff said

#16 Parent nix - 2008-08-10
Re: Avoid cultural pitfalls when teaching abroad

make the effort to interact with locals.

Chao - 2008-08-10
Avoid cultural pitfalls when teaching abroad

1- Always be on time
2- Dress properly
3- Be nice, always

Return to Index › Avoid cultural pitfalls when teaching abroad





Go to another board -