Teaching English abroad is an incredibly rewarding experience that allows you to immerse yourself in new cultures, make a meaningful impact, and grow personally and professionally. However, like any adventure, it comes with its own set of challenges. Being aware of these challenges and knowing how to navigate them can make your teaching journey smoother and more fulfilling.
Here are some common challenges you might face while teaching English abroad and tips on how to overcome them:
1. Language Barrier
One of the most immediate challenges you’ll encounter is the language barrier. Even if you’re teaching in a country where English is commonly spoken, many of your students may have limited English proficiency, making communication difficult.
How to Overcome It: Before you go, learn some basic phrases in the local language to help you navigate daily life and classroom interactions. Use visual aids, gestures, and simple language in your teaching to bridge the gap. Patience and creativity are key to ensuring your students understand you. Additionally, you can use translation apps or bilingual teaching materials to support your lessons.
2. Cultural Differences
Cultural differences can affect everything from teaching styles and classroom management to social interactions outside of the classroom. What’s considered normal or respectful in one culture might be different in another.
How to Overcome It: Take time to research the culture of the country where you’ll be teaching. Understanding cultural norms, values, and expectations will help you adjust your teaching methods and avoid misunderstandings. Be open-minded, respectful, and willing to adapt your approach. Engage with your local colleagues and community to learn more about the culture and ask for advice when needed.
3. Homesickness and Loneliness
Living abroad can be isolating, especially when you’re far from family and friends. The excitement of being in a new place can sometimes be overshadowed by feelings of homesickness and loneliness.
How to Overcome It: Stay connected with loved ones through regular calls, messages, or video chats. Building a support network in your new location is equally important—make an effort to meet other expatriates, join local groups, or participate in community activities. Engaging with your surroundings and forming new friendships can help ease feelings of loneliness.
4. Classroom Management
Managing a classroom in a foreign country can be challenging, especially if the educational system and student behavior norms differ from what you’re used to.
How to Overcome It: Start by setting clear expectations and rules from the beginning. Consistency is crucial in maintaining discipline and order. Observe how local teachers manage their classrooms and adopt strategies that work within that context. Flexibility and adaptability are essential as you might need to modify your approach depending on the age group, cultural norms, and individual student needs.
5. Adapting to Different Educational Standards
The educational standards and curriculum expectations in other countries can differ significantly from those in your home country. This can be a challenge when trying to meet the expectations of both the school and the students.
How to Overcome It: Familiarize yourself with the local curriculum and educational standards before you start teaching. This might involve attending training sessions, reading local teaching guides, or collaborating with local teachers. Be open to adapting your teaching methods and materials to align with the local standards while still providing quality education.
6. Financial Instability
Teaching abroad might not always provide a high salary, and adjusting to a new cost of living can be difficult. Financial instability can add stress to an already challenging experience.
How to Overcome It: Research the cost of living in your destination country and budget accordingly. Consider supplementing your income through private tutoring or online teaching if your visa permits. Look into organizations that offer competitive salaries, benefits, and accommodation as part of their teaching packages to help alleviate financial stress.
7. Lack of Professional Support
In some teaching positions abroad, especially in rural or remote areas, you may find yourself lacking professional support or resources.
How to Overcome It: Seek out organizations that offer strong support networks for their teachers, including ongoing training, mentorship, and accessible teaching resources. It’s crucial to choose a reputable program or school that values teacher development and provides the necessary tools for success. Additionally, building connections with other teachers, both locally and internationally, can provide a valuable support system.
Getting Started with the Right Organizations
A great way to start your journey in teaching English abroad is to get qualified and gain experience with the right organizations. Consider enrolling in a TEFL (Teaching English as a Foreign Language) certification program, which will equip you with the skills and knowledge needed to succeed.
The following organizations offer comprehensive training and placement services, ensuring you’re well-prepared and supported throughout your teaching experience.
Most Popular Guidebooks
Maximo Nivel
Maximo Nivel offers a comprehensive TEFL Certification Program, which is essential for those interested in teaching English as a second language. Maximo Nivel is an established ESL institute since 2003, teaching more than 3,200 English learners every month in Costa Rica, Guatemala, Peru, and online.
For those who want to dive into teaching, Maximo Nivel has comprehensive Volunteer and Internship programs that can help you get hands-on experience and gain practical teaching experience under your belt.
Maximo Nivel offers several TEFL Certification options, including a 4-week onsite program, a hybrid program (a combination of online and onsite), and a fully online program. This flexibility allows candidates to choose a program that best fits their schedule and learning style. Participants can also opt for Specialized Courses to boost their expertise. They also offer job placement assistance and lifetime job-finding support, which is a significant advantage for graduates looking to find teaching positions post-certification.
International TEFL Academy
Founded in 2010, the International TEFL Academy (ITA) is renowned for offering globally recognized TEFL certification courses in over 20 locations around the world. Renowned for its Level 5 Ofqual accreditation from TQUK, ITA has established a vast network of partner schools throughout Asia, Europe, and Latin America. ITA certifies about 6,000 individuals annually, with alumni teaching in over 80 countries. The academy provides a range of courses that meet international standards and include practical teaching experiences. Another notable offer is their guaranteed job placement program in Asia, where participants are matched to positions in approved schools that best meet their preferences with top salaries.
Here are a selection of their stellar programs for those wishing to teach abroad:
- Teaching English in China
- Get TEFL Certified to Teach English in South Korea
- Get TEFL Certified to Teach English in Japan
- Get TEFL Certified to Teach English in Costa Rica
- Get TEFL Certified to Teach English in Mexico
- Get TEFL Certified to Teach English in Vietnam
- Get TEFL Certified to Teach English in Spain
- Get TEFL Certified to Teach English in Italy
- Get TEFL Certified to Teach English in the Czech Republic
- Get TEFL Certified to Teach English in Thailand
International Volunteer HQ (IVHQ) and Intern Abroad HQ
IVHQ, established in 2007, is renowned for its global volunteer and internship opportunities, including teaching abroad programs. They offer affordable placements in over 30 destinations, suitable for qualified teachers or first-time volunteers.
- Teaching English Volunteer Program in Antigua – Guatemala: This program provides an immersive opportunity for fluent English speakers to teach in schools and community centers, aiding in local education and promoting cultural exchange. Volunteers can stay with local families or in volunteer houses, experiencing Guatemala’s rich history and culture.
- Teaching Volunteer Program in Lovina, Bali – Indonesia: A unique opportunity for volunteers to teach English to school children, enhancing their future career opportunities. This program allows volunteers to immerse themselves in Balinese culture, gain teaching experience, and contribute to improving local education access in Lovina, Bali. Participants will be based in local schools, engaging in creative after-school English classes, and will stay in a volunteer house equipped with a pool and tropical garden. This program caters to volunteers aged 16 and above, including families, and offers a culturally enriching and professionally rewarding experience.
- Teaching English Volunteer Project in San Jose, Costa Rica: This program offers a rewarding experience for volunteers to teach English to children and adults in low-income communities. This opportunity provides valuable teaching experience and enhances English language access in the region, contributing to better education and employment prospects for local residents. Volunteers can immerse themselves in the local culture and daily life of San José through homestay accommodations and explore the rich history of Costa Rica. Fluent English speakers, regardless of prior teaching experience, can contribute significantly to this program.
GoEco
GoEco offers a unique chance to teach English in various countries, providing valuable educational support in communities where English proficiency is key to future opportunities. GoEco volunteers play a crucial role in changing this by inspiring and encouraging their students to become confident and articulate in English.
The organization offers a range of destinations for volunteers interested in teaching English abroad, including:
Projects Abroad
Projects Abroad offers diverse teaching opportunities around the world, particularly in countries with limited resources. These programs are accessible as they don’t require TEFL or CELTA qualifications, previous teaching experience, or knowledge of the local language. Emphasizing personal and professional growth, they help volunteers develop skills like teamwork, communication, leadership, and resilience.
Here are some specific Projects Abroad teaching programs for those seeking experience teaching English abroad:
African Impact
African Impact’s Online TEFL Course and In-Person Teaching Internship is a unique TEFL Teaching Internship by African Impact that combines online coursework with a hands-on practicum in Zanzibar or Zambia. Tailored for those enrolled in African Impact’s TEFL course, this program requires a minimum of 28 hours of practical teaching over two weeks, which is a requirement for participants to graduate with their TEFL Certification. Interns teach in nursery schools and at an Education Centre, engaging with children, adults, and women’s groups.
African Impact also offers volunteer teaching programs in Africa, designed for individuals passionate about education, regardless of their teaching experience or degrees.
Country highlights include:
Involvement Volunteers International (IVI)
IVI offers a diverse range of teaching abroad programs in multiple countries, catering to volunteers of all backgrounds, regardless of their teaching experience.
Key Features of IVI’s Teaching Abroad Programs:
- Open to anyone with a good standard of spoken English, with no previous teaching experience required.
- Focus on English conversation and language teaching, with opportunities to teach other subjects like science, math, and sports.
- Various teaching settings, including government primary schools, community teaching, after-school clubs, and special needs teaching.
Some of the destinations where IVI offers teaching programs include tranquil Bali, vibrant Costa Rica, and picturesque Fiji just to name a few. The Pacific beauty of Samoa, the safari spirit of Tanzania, and Vietnam‘s dynamic history all make for unique and enriching English teaching settings with IVI, turning each location into an adventure of cultural exploration and impactful teaching.
Volunteering Solutions (VolSol)
The Online TEFL Course by Volunteering Solutions, in collaboration with TEFL UK, offers a flexible and comprehensive program for those eager to teach English globally. Volunteering Solutions also offers a diverse range of volunteer teaching programs ideal for those looking to contribute to children’s education without needing formal teaching qualifications.
Key Opportunities with Volunteering Solutions:
- Teach English to Spanish-speaking students in Peru, helping them enhance their language skills.
- In Madagascar, help shape the future of youth through the English Teaching Program in Nosy Komba Island.
- In Vietnam, experience rewarding challenges by teaching English in Hanoi.
- In Costa Rica, assist in teaching English to primary and middle school students in Santa Barbara De Heredia.
- In Zanzibar, teach English in different schools, from nursery to secondary levels, in a culturally rich environment.
From Language Barriers to Cultural Bridges
By anticipating these challenges and taking proactive steps to overcome them, you can make your teaching experience abroad both successful and enriching. Remember, every challenge is an opportunity for growth, and with the right preparation and mindset, you’ll be well on your way to making a positive impact on your students’ lives while enjoying a fulfilling adventure abroad.
Munira Maricar · Travel Writer
With an international living background spanning Singapore, Qatar, Japan, and Mexico, Munira enjoys sharing insights on immersive travel while emphasizing the vital role of cultural respect and ethical engagement. Her extensive experience offers a unique perspective that inspires others to explore the world through service, ensuring that every journey respects and contributes positively to local traditions and communities.