Teaching Abroad On Your Gap Year: An Introduction

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So you have decided that you want to give back during your gap year and volunteer.

Unless you have a particular skill, many volunteer schemes involve teaching English. Some programs have volunteers work in schools alongside local teachers while others coach adult learners or out-of-school youth.

At first consideration, teaching abroad may seem like a misguided way to give back to a local community. After all, most cultures have their own language that they communicate in every day. The reality is, however, that more and more countries are adopting English as their main language for business, tourism and education. Many schools require proficiency in English for students to pass into upper grades. Learning English has become a path toward upward mobility in many parts of the world. Therefore, gap year students have a valuable skill that they can share with students across the globe.

Don’t Be Intimidated

The idea of teaching abroad can be intimidating, but with confidence and a sense of humor, it can be a fantastically rewarding experience.  And you don’t have to want to be a teacher to benefit from this type of volunteer work. You will gain many other skills like public speaking, time management, collaboration and fluency in the native language.  Not to mention your students will adore you!

If you are working with a reputable organization, they should provide you with an orientation that helps you learn how to teach and plan your lessons.

Even with those resources to guide you, here are some other tips to keep in mind:

• Know what type of teaching style is expected of you. Some programs will want you to create formal lessons, while some will want their students to practice conversation in a casual setting.
• Look like a teacher. Teachers are well respected members of any community. Pack work-appropriate clothing (Regionally variable but commonly button downs and khakis for the boys, long skirts or dresses for ladies)
• Encourage creative thinking. Rote memorization is often the teaching style in the developing world. Incorporate activities that offer opportunities for critical thinking and creativity. It will benefit them in and outside the classroom.
• Keep it fun. Fun and school do not go hand in hand in most places, so using games, props, role-playing and pictures is a great way to engage the students and make learning a pleasure rather than a chore.
• Don’t assume you’re understood. Students will always say they understand a concept or your wording even if they have no clue. It’s better to test understanding individually through games or asking open-ended questions.
• Seek online resources. Dave’s ESL Café and Peace Corps have loads of ideas, lesson plans and tips for English teachers abroad.
• Consider taking a TEFL course. Becoming TEFL certified can open doors to paid teaching programs but will also give you the skill set to become a very effective teacher. Classes are available across the country and online.
• Manage your expectations. Relax, have a good time and savor the small victories in your classroom. Celebrate when a student sounds out a word on his own or when you get a surprisingly funny story from a young writer. Remember that the time you give is helping you as much as helping these kids make a brighter future for themselves.

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