The TEFL News Network

There has been talk for the past several months, since the John Karr affair, that foreign teachers in Thailand would have to submit background checks in order to get a visa and/or work permit. Fair deal, Thailand has a right to do any kind of check they wish to on people wanting to spend time in their country. Likewise, teachers, businessmen, and even tourists have a right to choose where they want to work or vacation. The big talk among foreign teachers in Thailand has been how or if it would be implemented. It seems like we finally have some solid answers.
Read the rest of this entry »

How many times have you had a 1 on 1 class where the student tells you. “I just want to learn conversation.” It can frustrating experience for teacher and student alike. In that first class, you need to find their level, their objectives, and even a little about their personality. Never fear, this activity helps you get all three.

When I run into these 1 on 1 nightmares, I pull into my reserve. I have made up a set of special 5 x8 inch laminated cards, but you can use anything from index cards up to A4 Letter size sheets laminated, it is up to you. You need conversation ideas to get your student speaking and interacting so on these cards, you need to have images. You can animal images, celebrity images, sports images, travel images, basically anything that might interest your target student age group. I keep about 20 to 30 cards on hand.
Read the rest of this entry »

Mexico can be an awesome place to teach English, there are a lot of opportunities for teaching English and if you have a mind to, you can make your own opportunities in Mexico. Guy Courchense’s Mexico Blog is highlighting opportunities for teaching English in Mexico found on various internet forum. For this edition of Destination TEFL, I would like to encourage you to check out his article to find out more about teaching in Mexico.

The internet is a treasure trove for finding information, ideas and tutorials on improving your career prospects in both the TEFL profession and in the post-TEFL world. I am happy to give you a great article from Larry M. Lynch entitled Teach English and Learn Spanish: An Interesting and Profitable Combination. Here it is:
Read the rest of this entry »

The TEFL Industry can be wrought with danger, but word up, we have a guy in our corner. Guy Courchesne works at Teachers Latin America. He is workin to improve the TEFL industry. If you check out ESL Cafe, you know him. He gives straight shootin’ advice and doesn’t try to overplay the marketing card. Let’s not waste time. Here it is, introducing our first biweekly TEFL News Mover and Shaker interview with Guy Courchesne of Teachers Latin America.
Read the rest of this entry »