Conquer the TEFL job search with social media

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By Monika Salita
@monikasalita

Conquer the TEFL job search with social media

By Derzsi Elekes Andor (Own work) [CC-BY-SA-3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0)], via Wikimedia Commons

With the aid of technology and innovation, teaching styles and language lessons are becoming more and more intriguing, involved and exciting.

New technology is giving us ever-evolving, creative ways to teach what we love. But, in order to be able to teach and inspire others, we’ve got to land a solid job first.

So, how do you find that hopefully-not-too-elusive teaching job? Use new technology to your advantage; specifically social media. Social media is a revolution and it is no longer a question of if one uses it, but rather, how well one uses it.

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The ELT Landscape in China

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by Stuart Allen @Stu_RAYEnglish
Ray English TEFL Recruitment, China

The ELT Landscape in China

By Mgmoscatello (Own work) [CC-BY-SA-3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0)], via Wikimedia Commons

Without question, the country with the most TEFL jobs in the world right now is China. Whereas most countries in the world are suffering economic hardship, China really is flying. Jobs here are plentiful, unemployment is almost non-existent, and the expanding Chinese ELT industry is worth millions of pounds each year. Why is this?

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Teaching in a metropolis? Relax and regroup by getting back to nature.

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By Monika Salita
@monikasalita

Teaching in a metropolis? Relax and regroup by getting back to nature.

By Bfoto.ru (Own work) [CC-BY-SA-3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0)], via Wikimedia Commons

Some teachers thrive in large urban metropolises, enveloped by a city that is constantly alive and buzzing. Other teachers relish living and teaching in the peace and serenity of a smaller, calmer town.

I personally, enjoy big-city living, energized by the lights and sounds and the hustle and bustle of society, partaking in everyday living. Sometimes though, even the most enthusiastic of city dwellers needs an urban escape to get away from the constant buzz of cars, trains and the dramatics of the city in order to experience the calm of nature in the form of birds chirping, insects buzzing and waters rushing by.

Even in a sprawling metropolis, there must be a slice of nature that a harried teacher can visit in order to relax, clear one’s head, straightened out thoughts, and return to city living refreshed.

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Teach English in Ecuador: Ideas for Teachers

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By Grace Chinn
Grace is an EFL Teacher with 2 years’ experience teaching in Peru, Australia and Scotland.
She is currently travelling and looking for teaching work in Latin America.

Teach English in Ecuador: Ideas for Teachers

By Patomena (Own work) [GFDL (http://www.gnu.org/copyleft/fdl.html) or CC-BY-3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0)], via Wikimedia Commons

Ecuador is one of the smallest countries in South America, but don’t let that fool you, it packs a mighty punch.  With the Amazonian jungle, volcanic peaks, colonial cities and pacific surf beaches all within manageable distance of one another it is an enticing option for adventurous EFL teachers.

Ecuadorians are friendly and open and make for great English students. And with more and more tourists hitting Ecuador every year, the demand for English teachers is up. Wages can be fairly low (as low as $5 an hour) but when a set menu lunch costs just $2 that doesn’t seem so bad. Food delicacies to be sampled in Ecuador include fresh ceviche (fish cooked in lime and chili) when on the coast, and the daily staple of yuca (cassava) whilst in the jungle. Empanadas de queso (deep-fried cheese pastries) and chifles (fried plantain) as well as an incredible array of fresh fruit and vegetables can be found nation wide.

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British English versus American English: It’s all the same, right?

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By Monika Salita
@monikasalita

British English versus American English: It’s all the same, right?

By M0tty (Own work) [GFDL (http://www.gnu.org/copyleft/fdl.html) or CC-BY-SA-3.0-2.5-2.0-1.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0)], via Wikimedia Commons

When you’re thinking that the inclusion (or lack thereof) of the letter U in words such as colour, flavour, neighbour is totally normal, depending on which side of The Pond (aka the Atlantic Ocean) you’re on, you know you’re debating over a British English spelling versus American English spelling. English is English, after all. Is it not? Even the quickest of online searches will yield thorough results detailing the history of French-derived versus Latin-derived spellings of British English and American English words and their ties to world history. Who would have guessed? Upon reading this history, it’s easy to see why so many European populations, such as the French, favor UK English over US English. Geographic proximity, business ties and history win out.

We know the differences will always be there, so now let’s get down to business and learn how to not make a grave faux pas.

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