Welcome Charles:<br><br>Your experience in Korea
must be really something. It's interesting how we are
drawn to a particular country. For me, Mexico was next
door to where I grew up in San Diego. I had planned it
to be the first step in a 'round the world tour,
teaching ESL all the way. Instead I stayed eight years,
then came back to the US.<br><br>I had met a couple;
she was of Chinese descent but born in Vietnam and he
was a Chinese communist born in Hong Kong--neither
found their home country very welcoming to them. They
paired up and taught ESL, eventually working their way
through Asia to Europe, across the Atlantic to Mexico and
then crossed into the US where I met them. I figured
if they could do it (with their less-than-perfect
English), then I could do it!<br><br>In the US I've taught
a couple of Korean groups, mostly young women, and
found them very studious and friendly. They were a lot
of fun to work with (especially since that project
had an adequate budget).<br><br>Thanks for telling us
about your websites. I'll be checking them out soon. As
far as experts, I think we are all a bit of an expert
on some aspect of ESL. I read a book by Chris
Roerden (spelling?) who taught ESL in Korea, also. Her
book is called The Open Gate. It was helpful to me
before I taught the Korean groups. They are very
different than Mexicans.<br><br>I look forward to hearing
more from you,<br><br>Elizabeth

I, for one, would love to hear more about your
teaching experiences. I taught in Korea for just over two
years and am still fairly involved i teaching English
to neighbors and friends now that I am back in the
U.S. I have many fond memories of Korea and am forever
tied to it, mainly because my wife is Korean and her
family is there, but also because I enjoyed learning the
language and culture and travelling all around the
peninsula. I have posted a few pictures from my time in the
ROK on my personal website and plan to add more when
I get time (so the story has been for the past
year). Check it out at
<a href=http://www.geocities.com/Athens/1561
target=new>http://www.geocities.com/Athens/1561</a> if you like. <br><br>BTW,
Gigi, I was in the Army
for six years, which is what put me in Korea the
first time, back in '89. Of course I wasn't very
serious about learning the local culture and customs back
then. My idea of Korea in 1989 had more to do with
clubs and shopping. I doubt very seriously that I would
have gone to Korea in '97 to teach had I not been
there with the military. Sometimes I can't help but
feel there is such a thing as fate. <br><br>I still
run the web page on the topic I began while teaching
in Korea, and somehow find time to maintain a
vertical portal site for foreign languages as well. I
would love for you, or anyone from this group, to join
me in molding my current websites into communities
where we can all share our experiences and ideas. I am
looking for authorities on foreign languages (any
languages) who are interested in contributing articles,
tutorial, or other content for One World Classroom, my main
site, or Absolute Authority on Foreign Languages, a
site full of foreign language links and
information.<br><br>Anyway, I didn't intend for this to be an advertisement,
just an offer to discuss my experiences with the
group. I enjoy browsing the messages in this group and
am thankful that there seem to be some intelligent
threads going here. Most of the other groups I subscribe
to contain very few messages, most of which are test
messages or the usual, "Hi!"<br><br>Happy New Year
everyone.<br><br>Charles<br><br>-- I despise SPAM as much as the next person and
don't want to bother those who are not interested, so
if you would like information on the pages I
mentioned I this post then click on the link to my profile
above and drop me an e-mail.

You are right--travel is an education in itself.
It is wonderful to see the world from a different
country. Many of the things we take for granted don't
exist (and the people don't even miss
them!).<br><br>Your observation about the demand for English is right
on the money. Look for a locale with a fair number
of English-speaking visitors, especially American
tourists (motto: the whole world should speak English;
it's good enough for us). Otherwise the demand for ESL
classes will be low: for academic purposes or as a
curiosity.

Uruguay sounds like a wonderful place, even with
the prudish behavior. The array of theatrical
presentations is mind-boggling.<br><br>For safety, it is like
Buenos Aires. I was assured that a woman was safe alone
on the streets at any hour. And I found it to be
true. There were hundreds of people on the promenade at
2:00 and 3:00 am! The last night I was there, I didn't
sleep at all--I figured I could do that on the plane,
and I wanted to see as much as
possible.<br><br>Thanks for your in-put. It sounds like you had a pretty
good time, in spite of ESL hassles.

That prudishness did depend in large part, I
think, on the age. Things were changing fast, as they
did in US during the 60's & 70's about tolerating
couples living together or single women entertaining men
friends.<br> I want to say, because people dont know a thing
about Uruguay, that it was a safe place to be, even
alone, downtown at night; that there were 25 different
theatrical performance to choose from on any given weekend
evening; in some years they have a higher literacy rating
than the U.S. Travel - it elicits the stereotypes from
your friends and family, and clears them up for you
while you're there.

I think it's good for anyone to live alone in a
foreign country once. You learn a lot. e.g. that in some
countries the mail is on strike for a year (Uruguay - and
how people get around this problem), the availability
of reasonable and full health coverage, and the
buses can be on strike when you arrive. But my high
school Spanish plus a noncredit refresher course was not
nearly adequate to conduct personal business or get a
real job. Also a learning experience: Uruguay doesnt
need English, apparently. They dont get many English
speaking visitors.

Yes, while Americans think of Mexico as a place
to let down their hair, and get most of their view
of the rest of Latin America from that, Latinos are
surprisingly prudish. If Americans knew how Mexicans viewed
their behavior they might change the way they act while
in other countries. I think Mexicans tolerate
American behavior mostly because Americans spend a fair
amount of money and tourism is big
business.<br><br>Uruguay is very European, but still very protective of
their women (I presume you are a woman). Young girls do
not go on dates alone, but accompanied by their
brother, sisters or a cousin or two. Too bad the family
cooled your entrepreneurial bent.<br><br>I looked for
various places to give classes in Mexico and was allowed
to use (at various times and for various periods):
the Casa de Cultura, the public library, a vacant
office (for several months until it was rented),
restaurant meeting rooms, the offices of my students (when
hired by a company to teach their executives).
<br><br>I also told students that I would go to their homes
and use their dining room (so they could write on the
table) or living room if they would get together a group
of at least 10 people to take the 6-10 week course.
This worked pretty well.

It had nothing to do with the government. I went
there on my own, met someone who worked for a bank
where cashed travellers checks, and his daughter in law
was a partner in a firm for teaching mainly business
people. My landlord (a family) wouldnt allow me to have
private male students in the house. They said the
neighbors would think there was hanky panky going on. I was
shocked. It was such an old fashioned attitude where I
didnt expect it, with Uruguay being so 'European'.

I'm sorry that the government takes that approach
to teaching. In fact, the latest research shows that
explaining why we say something in a particular way is not
as helpful to ESL students as the repeated practice
in listening and speaking that they need; therefore,
speaking Spanish isn't really necessary to be an effective
Spanish teacher. <br><br>In the US, ESL classes have
students with several languages learning English at the
same time from a teacher who speaks only English. This
is the preferred way--they will become fluent in
English sooner because they must understand the
explanations in English, along with visual clues, actions,
context, etc.<br><br>Perhaps you should have turned to
giving private classes. If the government had seen how
successful you were in teaching private classes, perhaps
they would have hired you in spite of their policy.

In Uruguay, my school told me because I wasnt
fluent in Spanish, I could teach only advanced
conversation. They said an adult wants and needs to be taught
by someone who speaks his or her language. So, I
wasnt able to get much work or earn enough to stay
there. My degree is in The Teaching of English.

If you log onto
<br><a href=http://homepages.msn.com/librarylawn/bueno-news/the-news.html
target=new>http://homepages.msn.com/librarylawn/bueno-news/the-news.html</a>
<br>you can preview a sample chapter from the
book Native Speaker: Teach English & See the World.
It's a long address, so copy and paste it into the
address on your browser.

I am a language teacher. I switch back and forth
between teaching Spanish in the US and ESL in Mexico or
other Latin American countries.<br><br>I taught in
Mexico for 8 years and loved it. When my mother needed
me near, I moved back to the US and now teach
Spanish here at a private school.<br><br>It is very
rewarding. In foreign countries teachers get a lot of
respect, and while the pay isn't high, the personal
rewards are.

Mexico is one of those countries which recognizes
the need for English to promote tourism, one of their
main industries. You can get jobs there just because
you are a native speaker of English, or you can get
jobs because you have the right paperwork.<br><br>It
sort of depends on how many hoops you want to jump
through before you start work. I taught in Mexico for 8
years with no special certificate in ESL (although I
did have a college degree).<br><br>The free book,
Native Speaker: Teach English & See the World covers a
lot of your questions. Get your free copy by logging
on to
<br><a href=http://homepages.msn.com/libraryLawn/bueno-news/the-news.html
target=new>http://homepages.msn.com/libraryLawn/bueno-news/the-news.html</a>
<br><br>It's a long address but you should be
able to click on it or copy and paste
it.<br><br>!Buena suerte!

Folks,<br><br>My wife and I are operating an
English School here in China and are looking for
pers[ective teachers to work for us for 1 to 2 years. If you,
or know of individuals interested please share the
below information.<br><br>Hope to share more later and
hear about nformation regardin
ESL.<br><br>Charlie<br><br>Hou Lei's English School of Kun Area, Bao
Tou<br>Inner Mongolia, People's Republic of
China<br><br>"Information Sheet"<br><br>The School: Hou Lei has been
teaching English to children since 1996. Recently she has
accomplished a life-long dream of getting a permit to operate
a school here in Bao Tou. This has been a dream,
following in her parents foot-steps who are retired from
the educational system as math teachers, and for a
short time her father served as a head-master
(Principal). From 6 students when she first started, to
currently over 400 students; with more classes being
offered to handle the increase in students wishing to
learn English as a second language.<br>Teaching
Philosophy: Students are being taught from beginning to
intermediate English from 6 to 35 years (+) age. English is
taught to train the beginner through the adult in all
four basic language skills: understanding, speaking,
reading and writing. Lessons are designed and followed to
promote correct use of grammer from the beginning using
different books and tools available. While physical tools
are used, teachers are encouraged to add personal
experiences to encourage student participation for the
correct use of vocabulary and speech patterns
learned.<br>Class size: Students will number from 20 to 40,
depending on the ages.<br>Expected from Teachers: Teachers
are expected to teach 1 to 2 years, 8 to 12 hours per
week, preparing and teaching lessons from pre-selected
books.<br>What is being Sought: Responsible adults, teachers and
retired individuals, looking to share the English
Language with students here in Bao Tou. You must be a
patient individual and have the ability to provide all
necessary paperwork (VISA, Passport, Identification, Proof
of Education and past career experiences), and
ability to provide transportation from, to, and return
from here when your term is completed. "Proof of
Education" - demonstrate that you have a High School diploma
or degree from a university.<br>Teacher's
Compensation: Teacher will be paid monthly 3,000 yuan (3,000
yuan = $350 US dollars); housing and it's utilities
will be provided. Opportunities will be attempted to
be made possible to insure the culture and history
of the Chinese people here in Bao Tou is shared with
the individual.<br>For more information: If this
sounds like something you maybe interested in Email us
for more information: Hollyhou@... Or, write: Hou
Lei's English School of Kun Area-Bao Tou, Training
Center of Iron and Steel Co., Iron and Steel Street #84,
Kun Area District - Bao Tou (014010), Inner Mongolia,
People's Republic of China.

Hello,<br>I just joined this club... I am
interested in finding out information about teaching English
in Mexico. My husband and I wish to move to Mexico
this summer. We both have BA's...(mine is in
Anthropolgy and my husband's degree is in
Speech/Communication)...but we have no special teaching certifications or ESL
certification.<br><br>I have looked up several things on line...but I'm
getting conflicting information. Some sites say that you
need to have certification and experience and other
sites say that anyone can do it...<br><br>My husband
speaks some Spanish and I am trying to learn some before
we make the leap...but neither of us has any fluency
in Spanish...<br><br>Any advice????<br><br>Jennifer

Hi Angelina I am an ESL instructor working for
the Department of Defense Language Institute. Our
students are students from all over the world. We are
based in San Antonio Tx at LAckland AFB. They also send
us abroad to teach English in about 76 countries.
Right now I am assigned to Puerto Rico. I have had
great experiences at this job. The ccomplishments you
reap are exhilarating. If you want to know more you
can contact me here or e-mail me to
omyved2@...<br><br>Omy (pronounced Omee)

Thank you for your suggestion. I will definetely
go ahead with it. Any other suggestions/ideas are
welcomed as well as appreciated. <br><br>Are you an ESL
teacher? What are your thoughts about it. Do you enjoy it?
Where do you teach and what type of student population
are you involved with? I will love to hear from you.
You can e-mail me directly at exotica_51@... if
you prefer.<br><br>Again, Thank you for your
suggestion.<br><br>Angelina

Send your snail mail address & request "Free
Native." You'll receive a 96-page book via US mail. Send
to e-reid@... or FAX your request to
979-567-9467. Helpful hints for new teachers & suggestions to
enliven classes taught by more experienced teachers.

Hi, <br>I hold a BA in Linguistics with a
concentration in ESL. It's been a few years since my graduation
and have been involved in a totally different field.
Lately, I've been wandering about the possibility of
getting back to something I enjoyed. I'm wandering how to
go about it if I wanted to teach either in the US or
abroad. Will I be required to further my education?
<br><br>I'm new at this and need some help in navigating this
maze. Anyone willing to offer some help? I will truly
appreciate it.<br><br>Thank you.

OK Give me sometime so i can get info and items
that might be of some use. Unfortunaly grammar is
grammar and most of the time is boring. Classes here are
almost at end and i can recopilate info for you. So on
the mean time hold on I will try to help you. T
taught different ages as little as 5 years old. If you
want I can mail you some great books use for that
prticular age and for students who their first language is
not English. To teach little kids is not an easy task
but they are like sponges!!! So hold on amigo. Try
not to get to discourage.<br><br>Take care!!!!
<br>Gigi

Thank you for your help, but here in Spain and
even more in my little city, there aren't any places
to go where English is spoken, I don't even have a
TV in my clasroom. <br>And all your advices don't
help me with my younger students. they are 8 and 9,
and their level of English is 0. They know things
like the verb tobe an d to have,andd they are learning
some other verbs. and this is the worst part, while we
play they are happy but when it cames to grammar
lessons, translations, and thing like that they get bored,
I need games to help them to learn grammar and
verbs without knowing it. <br>tu tendras los mismos
problemas con tus alumnos si son pequeños, no?<br>Bueno
gracias por todo PEPE

Are perhaps a little bit frustrated? It happens
to all of us. To keep studets ethusiastic about a
class is not an easy job. It depends of the level and
age of the students. We can teach using different
approaches. It not only has to be a grammar or literature
book. You can use Newspapers or magazines. Use current
and interesting events as a medium for teaching.
Organize outings!!! Perhaps you can go to a museum or
varied points of historic or tourist interest in which
the tours are given in English.<br>You can rent a
movie in English (no subtitles)and later discuss it.
You can use what ever you see at the movies,
newspapers, magazines, tours and etc to teach. Describe a
painting or a sculpture (nouns and adjectives) Discuss
newspapers and magazines articles (reading comprehension
and/or identifying anything that construes the parts of
speech). You can ask simple to complex questions
(depending of your students English proficiency)so the
students develop speaking skills, and you can use this
tool also to esure comprehension!!!!<br>There is
something which my students enjoy a lot (my students are
between the ages of 17 and 30)<br>I tell them to write
about their favorite dish. Not only to describe it but
also to give us the recipe. The students turns in the
description of their favorite dish (why they like it etc.,
etc.) also explains us how to confection the dish and
then the student has to bring the dish (prepared) and
give an oral presentation about their favorite dish!!!
You can have a food fair that day!! It will be a
celebration everybody will eat delicious treats, all you can
have a lot of fun... and you know what???? They have
worked with grammar, written, and speaking skills. I
ahve more ideas but I need more feedback from you.
Like age and English proficiency level!!!<br>I hope
this has help you some how. Contact me whenever you
can!! You can e-mail me also at omyved2@....
Good luck!!!!!<br>Gigi<br><br>PS By the way I am
temporarily teaching in Puerto Rico. I am from Minnesota but
I do know Spanish.

Hi Gigi, thank you for offering help, my great problem is to enthus my students.
and sometimes to enthus myself. If you can help me i'll be forever grateful.
Thanks PEPE Where are you from?

Hi Pepe. Tell me what you need and I'll try to
help you. My e-mail address is
omyved2@...<br>Tell me in which areas you need help on, if it is
techniques to enthus your students let me know I have plnty
of ideas. Don't get frustrated it is part of the
job. It happens to all of us. So keep on
teaching!!!!<br>Gigi

I'n sorry I was traveling due to my job. Thank
You for answering my message. I cannot sen you my fax
number since our fax died.(LOL) I can sen you my e-mail
omyved2@.... If that way cannot be done then let's wait it out
until they get a new fax here (to receive government
funds takes 4ever!!!) Thank You :-)

Hi there, I'm a new member. I need some help, I'm
Spanish, teaching English in Spain, and lately I'm losing
faith and strentgh. i don't know what to do with my
pupils. Please I'll be very grateful. Yours PEPE

Does anyone know of short-term programs in Mexico
geared to helping you acheive fluency in order to pass
the BCLAD? There is a great program that San Diego
State offers. It is a year-long program where you
student teach in Mexico. HOwever, I'm almost done with my
teaching credential (CLAD)so I'm looking for some kind of
supplemental program. If anyone has any info. please let me
know. Thanks!

I will send you a free copy of my book, Native
Speaker: Teach English & See the World, if you will fax me
your snail mail address (fax 512-244-7623). It
contains teaching tips, experiences of several teachers
from various parts of the world, etc. This offer is
valid for any member of this listserv.

I'm teaching English in Puerto Rico to US ARMY soldiers. I would like to
exchange teaching experiences and techniques!!!

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