Teaching Across Borders

{ "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ [ {"@context": "https://schema.org","@type": "SiteNavigationElement","@id": "#nameh0","name": " How long can I stay in the Schengen Area?","url": "https://www.tesolcourse.com/tesol-faqs/tefl-tesol-visa-documents/what-is-the-schengen-area-in-europe-and-how-does-it-affect-tesol-teachers/#nameh0"},{"@context": "https://schema.org","@type": "SiteNavigationElement","@id": "#nameh1","name": " Once the 90 days are up, when can I re-enter the Schengen Zone?","url": "https://www.tesolcourse.com/tesol-faqs/tefl-tesol-visa-documents/what-is-the-schengen-area-in-europe-and-how-does-it-affect-tesol-teachers/#nameh1"} ] ] } The Schengen Area, a significant concept for TESOL teachers considering...  [Read more]

  California is one of the most famous and most visited states in the USA and it is not hard to see why. ‘The Golden State’ offers great weather year-round, splendid beaches and breathtaking natural scenery. California received its nickname from the boom period of the Gold Rush years when it saw major changes due to the millions of migrants flocking to the area in search of their fortune. Still today, California is the most populated and one of the most ethnically diverse states in the country. In the north you will find some of the best wine regions, as well as the famous city of San Francisco. Here you can rent a bike and ride across the famous Golden Gate Bridge, and then check out the galleries and museums at Golden Gate Park. Fisherman’s Wharf is a great place to try fresh...  [Read more]

  Ohio is a great destination if you are looking for nature, entertainment and history. Ohio borders the Great Lakes in the north and is a state blessed with natural beauty. This area was home to many innovative early humans who left their mark on the world by building extraordinary mounds and other earthworks to observe the sun and solstices. You can still see these mounds today, especially the Great Serpent Mound which is truly remarkable. Ohio also has a wide variety of wildlife that thrives in this beautiful part of the world. Four distinct seasons give visitors many opportunities for outdoor and indoor activities. Outdoor lovers can visit one or many of the 130 state nature preserves, and 74 state parks. In the Cuyahoga Valley National Park you can try zip-lining, mountain biking...  [Read more]

In a continent where baseball and US television is enormously popular, there is considerable enthusiasm for learning English. However, it is American English that has most currency and is most sought after, not British English. The distinction is noted by locals, bringing considerable advantage to Canadian and American candidates. Nevertheless, there are many opportunities and, as ever, persistence pays dividends. Those actively looking for work will find it, and be rewarded by the experience of teaching some of the most enthusiastic, fun-loving students on the planet. In addition to this, America is seen as corporate Big Brother. Its influence and presence is pervasive. Quite unlike Europe, for those wishing to teach in a state or private school, a TESOL qualification is more than...  [Read more]

  The Association of Language Testers in Europe is an association of organizations involved in the assessment and certification of language learners in a variety of languages across Europe. The main purpose of the association is to provide an effective framework that allows employers and employees to compare the levels of language qualifications awarded in different countries. The development of the association and its framework has been largely due to the increase in migration of workers between European countries brought about by the widespread easing of border controls within the region. The association continues to grow and currently represents 27 different languages from all over Europe. Are you ready to live and teach abroad? Click here and get started today:...  [Read more]

Our course in Arizona is based in the city of Phoenix, the modern and lively state capital. Its location within the boundaries of the Sonoran Desert means the city enjoys a warm and dry climate throughout the year, and it is also ideally situated for enjoying the many amazing national parks to be found in this part of the country. Whether you are a fan of the great outdoors, or prefer more laidback pursuits, you are sure to enjoy your time on our TEFL/TESOL course in Phoenix, Arizona. The modern history of Phoenix began with the founding of the city in the 1860s, and since that time it has grown into the most populous state capital in the whole country. The city continues to grow year on year as thousands of people move here from right across the country in search of a more comfortable way...  [Read more]

Thailand is a central Asian country enjoying a tropical climate with 3 distinct seasons - summer from March through May, rainy with plenty of sunshine from June to September and cool from October through February. The average annual temperature is 28 C (83 F), ranging, in Bangkok, for example, from 30 C in April to 25 C in December. The exchange rate for the Thai baht is around 30 to the US dollar. The night life, friendly people and the air of tropical paradise all make Thailand very popular amongst ‘traveller teachers’ and, hence, wages are quite low at around B25,000 to B40,000 for schools, but up to B60,000 working for private companies. Nevertheless, living expenses are extremely low, and it is important to recognize that as a teacher you will be going native and not paying...  [Read more]

Whilst Spanish is the official language, there are not less than sixty-five indigenous languages. The forty-three million people fit comfortably into a little over a million square miles. The principal religion is Roman Catholic with the remainder of the Episcopal and Jewish faith. In a continent where baseball and US television is enormously popular, there is considerable enthusiasm for learning English. However, it is ‘American’ English that has most currency and is most sought after, not ‘English’ English. The distinction is noted by locals, bringing considerable advantage to Canadian and North American candidates. Nevertheless, there are many opportunities and, as ever, persistence pays dividends. Those actively looking for work will find it, and be rewarded by the experience...  [Read more]

Setting aside Costa Rica and Mexico, which have separate entries of their own, central America offers a kaleidoscope of different climates, experiences, and peoples. Many of the countries in the region are now politically stable and are experiencing an upsurge in tourism. Belize, El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua, Panama, and Guatemala all have a very different feel within a relatively small geographic area. Belize is so laid back it is hard to imagine doing anything but being laid back. El Salvador’s bloody civil war is now set firmly in the past. Tourists flock to Guatemala on account of its active volcanoes and Mayan ruins. Honduras is the place to get off the beaten track and get back to nature. Nicaragua boasts natural beauty that few can rival. Finally, Panama offers some of the...  [Read more]

Approaching the conclusion of your TESOL certification course or being certified without having started teaching often brings up numerous questions about English language teaching positions. Our FAQs on this page delve into diverse topics: from identifying the top countries for teaching English overseas to strategies for securing a good quality job in your preferred location. Additionally, you will find valuable insights on job interviews, document preparation, and plenty of other essential employment details. What questions should I ask a TESOL employer?   During an interview it is vital that you get enough information so you can make an informed decision on whether it is the right job for you. Areas you should be clear on include your salary, number of working...  [Read more]

mexico: What a place. You could easily spend a year in a couple of hours in this hugely diverse and vast country. Whether you prefer snow-capped volcanoes, heavily populated beaches, deserted beaches, superb diving, the hum of the big cities, or the world-class archaeological sites, you would be hard pressed to find a place offering more to the traveller. On the back of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), governing free trade between Canada, the USA, and mexico, massive investment has poured into mexico, which in turn has created huge demand for English language skills. Be choosy. For the well-qualified TESOL teacher it is a sellers’ market, and you don’t have to dive in to the first opportunity that comes your way. Indeed, TESOL teacher poaching is a popular pastime...  [Read more]

Don’t be put off by the fact that bolivia is one of the poorest Latin American nations. The Andean and Amazonian landscapes offer a breath-taking experience in themselves. In addition to which, there is an interesting class system at play composed of the upper classes - those of Spanish decent; the middle classes - those of mixed race; and the native Bolivians. The interplay between culture and topography make for a fascinating travel and work experience. Spanish is the lingua franca; however, Aymara - a composite of Spanish and native dialects is also, intriguingly, an official language. The population is a shade under nine millions, and ninety-five percent of those profession religious faith are Roman Catholic, with a smattering of Evangelical Methodism. In a continent where baseball...  [Read more]

Times, and names, may change but this country remains all things to all people. If the hustle and bustle of beautiful and sophisticated Prague, wears you out a little, then not far away there are the mountains with their hot spas where you can relax a little. Peace and quite is also to be had in the little villages and hamlets. The population of ten millions has plenty of space in the landmass of thirty-thousand square miles. Of population twenty three percent profess the Roman Catholic faith, two percent Protestantism, with the rest unspecified. Since 1989 the transition to a market economy in what was the old Soviet Bloc has led to huge demand for English language skills. Everything from tourism to commerce, to membership of the EU depends heavily on English, and natives who want to...  [Read more]

The world's fifth largest country has a great deal to ignite the imagination of the traveller. Tropical rainforests, the Amazon basin, pristine beaches are just what comes with the territory. Once one adds in the people, who are often extremely friendly, and the buzz of the big cities, you can guarantee that you are entertaining the experience of a lifetime. The official language is Portuguese, and the population of one-hundred and seventy millions has plenty of space in the three-point three millions square miles of landmass. Seventy percent of the population is Roman Catholic. Of the remainder there is a significant proportion of evangelical Christians, but also, interestingly, of native animists - those that believe earthquakes, trees, mountains, etc. all have spirits associated with...  [Read more]

Mighty big place, Partner. As Ferdinand Braudel, the great French historian observed, ‘the land dictates the people’, and it is a good idea never to stray too far from this theme. If you want to know what ‘cold’ is then head up to Minneapolis, north of Toronto, in the mid winter. If you want to know what ‘hot and humid is’ then try Orlando in the height of the summer. If you transcribe a line from Los Angles to Miami and turn this into a road trip then the number of different peoples and environments you will encounter is immense. By all means there is a thin veneer of Americanism, and everywhere you will find both McDonalds, and the presence of the Federal Government; however, you shouldn’t let this take your eye off the ball of the fact that the people and environment of...  [Read more]

British english vs american English With English being recognised as the global language of choice, which one is considered the official language? So just how did American English diverge from British English in the first place? American English roots back to the early colonial days of the late 16th century, were a whole gamut of cultures converged into a single society. In some colonies English wasn’t even a spoken language and in those colonies that did speak English it was quite different from the English we know today. The Elizabethan English of the day consisted of many varieties of regional English dialects. All these different dialects, intermingled with a multitude of cultures formed one big boiling pot, of which over time, a new variant was produced – American English. And...  [Read more]

Problems for learners in a Country of your choice: Italy In this paper I will address the issues I face as a teacher from the context of living and working in Italy, as well as the common problems my students encounter while learning and speaking English. I also want to draw attention to the input culture and society has on language, and look at how these factors influence dynamics within the classroom. Of course, it is nearly impossible to view ones self outside your own given cultural perspective, so as a result of this I will also be discussing my own assumptions on how I "imagined" people might act, compared to the reality of the situation. Often I neglect to take into account these differences, simply because I was raised in America, where I am used to a different set of cultural...  [Read more]