Comments on: My teaching A-HA! moment http://matadornetwork.com/abroad/reflections-of-an-esl-teacher-my-teaching-a-ha-moment/ travel culture worldwide Sun, 12 Feb 2012 03:35:00 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Paul http://matadornetwork.com/abroad/reflections-of-an-esl-teacher-my-teaching-a-ha-moment/#comment-39498 Paul Fri, 17 Sep 2010 01:18:57 +0000 http://matadorabroad.com/?p=4688#comment-39498 Great article. I am about five months into my first year teaching ESL in Trang, in southern Thailand. I'm teaching Mathayom 1, and depending on the day and the group, it can be rewarding or it can be frustrating (45+ 12- and 13-year olds per group). I, too, took the job initially thinking that it would be a good way to make some money, travel, and to allow me time for my writing. But I've come to really enjoy it as well. I'm on a one-year contract, but am planning to either extend it or go elsewhere in Thailand, if I can find somewhere with smaller class sizes. Just want to say it is encouraging there are others out there who have been down this road, and have made it work. I certainly know the feeling of the "rut" and of doubting everything about what you're doing. Where did you teach in Thailand? Great article. I am about five months into my first year teaching ESL in Trang, in southern Thailand. I’m teaching Mathayom 1, and depending on the day and the group, it can be rewarding or it can be frustrating (45+ 12- and 13-year olds per group). I, too, took the job initially thinking that it would be a good way to make some money, travel, and to allow me time for my writing. But I’ve come to really enjoy it as well. I’m on a one-year contract, but am planning to either extend it or go elsewhere in Thailand, if I can find somewhere with smaller class sizes.

Just want to say it is encouraging there are others out there who have been down this road, and have made it work. I certainly know the feeling of the “rut” and of doubting everything about what you’re doing. Where did you teach in Thailand?

]]> By: Anna http://matadornetwork.com/abroad/reflections-of-an-esl-teacher-my-teaching-a-ha-moment/#comment-39261 Anna Tue, 03 Aug 2010 01:17:57 +0000 http://matadorabroad.com/?p=4688#comment-39261 Reading about your progression reminded me of the past year I spent teaching in Japan. I got my master's and teaching license and all that, but after poking around for a couple years, life seemed pretty lackluster. Returning to Japan to teach English was lovely, extremely difficult (all alone out in the country!), and therefore so much more rewarding. I was fortunate to have so much creative autonomy in designing lessons... I am just getting started on my teach-and-travel life, and I am always amazed at how many people have managed to do it successfully. At the moment, just trying to decide where to go next. Reading about your progression reminded me of the past year I spent teaching in Japan. I got my master’s and teaching license and all that, but after poking around for a couple years, life seemed pretty lackluster.
Returning to Japan to teach English was lovely, extremely difficult (all alone out in the country!), and therefore so much more rewarding. I was fortunate to have so much creative autonomy in designing lessons…
I am just getting started on my teach-and-travel life, and I am always amazed at how many people have managed to do it successfully. At the moment, just trying to decide where to go next.

]]> By: Stephen http://matadornetwork.com/abroad/reflections-of-an-esl-teacher-my-teaching-a-ha-moment/#comment-38943 Stephen Mon, 12 Jul 2010 20:32:50 +0000 http://matadorabroad.com/?p=4688#comment-38943 Just a few days away from my telephone interview that will hopfully land me in Korea for my first ESL teaching gig and I stumble upon this Article. I absolutely love this site, it has helped me answer so many of my lingering questions with great articles such as this one. Teaching ESL was something that was mentioned to me by a friend as I became concerned with finding a job after graduating college but I put it on the backburner and pursued something within my field of study. After working my dead end job now approaching 4 years, I want out. Traveling the last 2 years has opened my eyes so much and this is my escape. Great article, I hope to have the same experience as you all seem to share. Just a few days away from my telephone interview that will hopfully land me in Korea for my first ESL teaching gig and I stumble upon this Article. I absolutely love this site, it has helped me answer so many of my lingering questions with great articles such as this one. Teaching ESL was something that was mentioned to me by a friend as I became concerned with finding a job after graduating college but I put it on the backburner and pursued something within my field of study. After working my dead end job now approaching 4 years, I want out. Traveling the last 2 years has opened my eyes so much and this is my escape. Great article, I hope to have the same experience as you all seem to share.

]]> By: Mich http://matadornetwork.com/abroad/reflections-of-an-esl-teacher-my-teaching-a-ha-moment/#comment-38895 Mich Sat, 26 Jun 2010 01:15:07 +0000 http://matadorabroad.com/?p=4688#comment-38895 hello! I really enjoyed this piece, and can relate. I, too, grew to love teaching, quite gradually. I didn't teach ESL overseas, or use it as a means to travel; i actually taught English to adults in my own home country (Singapore). But the joys and struggles are the same. I do not teach at present, but i am sure that i'll go back to it one day. There are too many fond memories i have from my time as a teacher, and many more to still be made. hello! I really enjoyed this piece, and can relate. I, too, grew to love teaching, quite gradually.

I didn’t teach ESL overseas, or use it as a means to travel; i actually taught English to adults in my own home country (Singapore). But the joys and struggles are the same.

I do not teach at present, but i am sure that i’ll go back to it one day. There are too many fond memories i have from my time as a teacher, and many more to still be made.

]]> By: Anne M http://matadornetwork.com/abroad/reflections-of-an-esl-teacher-my-teaching-a-ha-moment/#comment-38449 Anne M Sun, 20 Jun 2010 16:44:02 +0000 http://matadorabroad.com/?p=4688#comment-38449 If a Korean child approached me with a water balloon and a smile, I would worry. Sounds like you're getting through the rut, Amanda. Good luck in South Korea! If a Korean child approached me with a water balloon and a smile, I would worry.
Sounds like you’re getting through the rut, Amanda. Good luck in South Korea!

]]> By: Amanda http://matadornetwork.com/abroad/reflections-of-an-esl-teacher-my-teaching-a-ha-moment/#comment-38448 Amanda Sat, 19 Jun 2010 06:27:20 +0000 http://matadorabroad.com/?p=4688#comment-38448 Great article -- really hit home with me. I also started teaching ESL as a way to travel... only to realize that I really love teaching ESL and one of its benefits is travel. All my previous contracts have been short enough that I never really hit the "rut." However, I am currently working in Korea on a year contract, just passing the 4 month mark, and have definitely hit that rut. And just when I think it can only get worse, one of my students will come to me with a water balloon and a big smile, and I'm reminded that it's all worth it =) Great article — really hit home with me.
I also started teaching ESL as a way to travel… only to realize that I really love teaching ESL and one of its benefits is travel.
All my previous contracts have been short enough that I never really hit the “rut.” However, I am currently working in Korea on a year contract, just passing the 4 month mark, and have definitely hit that rut.
And just when I think it can only get worse, one of my students will come to me with a water balloon and a big smile, and I’m reminded that it’s all worth it =)

]]> By: Hal Amen http://matadornetwork.com/abroad/reflections-of-an-esl-teacher-my-teaching-a-ha-moment/#comment-38811 Hal Amen Sat, 19 Jun 2010 03:46:44 +0000 http://matadorabroad.com/?p=4688#comment-38811 Hey, good luck in Korea, Turner! That's exciting news. Hey, good luck in Korea, Turner! That’s exciting news.

]]> By: Kate http://matadornetwork.com/abroad/reflections-of-an-esl-teacher-my-teaching-a-ha-moment/#comment-38814 Kate Fri, 18 Jun 2010 20:49:27 +0000 http://matadorabroad.com/?p=4688#comment-38814 I love this piece. I have mostly taught adults. but I find it so rewarding in so many ways. Watching people open up to a new idea is a mutual pleasure, satisfying and exciting. And it does get easier! I love this piece. I have mostly taught adults. but I find it so rewarding in so many ways. Watching people open up to a new idea is a mutual pleasure, satisfying and exciting. And it does get easier!

]]> By: Turner http://matadornetwork.com/abroad/reflections-of-an-esl-teacher-my-teaching-a-ha-moment/#comment-38810 Turner Fri, 18 Jun 2010 15:10:14 +0000 http://matadorabroad.com/?p=4688#comment-38810 Good timing on this one: I'm headed to Korea in a few months to go back to the regular one-year contract teaching ESL, having completed my honeymoon period in Japan. I don't know if I could do it long term... I just spoke with a former AEON teacher in Manhattan who started her own tutoring company after finishing her year... maybe I'll end up doing the same. Good timing on this one: I’m headed to Korea in a few months to go back to the regular one-year contract teaching ESL, having completed my honeymoon period in Japan. I don’t know if I could do it long term… I just spoke with a former AEON teacher in Manhattan who started her own tutoring company after finishing her year… maybe I’ll end up doing the same.

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