Video games and K-pop in the classroom!

I love to find new ways to make the class more enjoyable for the kids. Learning a language can be tedious work. I find that they really like it when I throw in a K-pop start name into a game. It doesn't seem like a big deal but the kids love the fact that you know about the video game "Mindcraft" or the Korean pop group A-Pink. So if your doing a game of hangman or making a worksheet, use one of these. They'll say something like, "Teacher, you know Mindcraft?!" This is just a little tid bit I through in once in awhile.

Teaching ESL in Thailand: What you'll love

Thailand is great for a few reason: 1.) The beaches: There are some awesome beaches in Thailand. Some don't have a lot of people, like Koh Chang Island. Just an awesome place to chill. Our hotel room was about 30 US dollars a night. It would have easily have costed 100-150 a night in the states. 2.) The food: Awesome food! I'm love fresh fruit which can be found on every corner. Chicken, fish, pork, spicy, not spicy, whatever you like. Nice variety. Of course pizza and burgers are in the big cities as well. 3.) Thai people are cool and more laid back than some other Asian countries. 4.) Sight seeing: I'm a fan on buddhist temples and sculpture. They are everywhere. Night markets and other stuff as well. These are just a few.

TEACHING IN TAIWAN 101

TEACHING IN SAUDI ARABIA 101

Teaching ESL in Bangkok: Good, the bad and the Ugly

The year was 2011. I was in the middle of my 2nd year of teaching in Korea. Which was awesome. I had made new friends in Seoul and enjoyed my Hogwon teaching job. The city of Seoul was really growing on me. I'd spend the weekends hitting up Art museums and galleries, drinking way to much coffee and shopping. And then I gotta message from an old friend. "I'm getting my TESOL certification in Thailand!" To make a long story short, she wanted me to take the class with her. I'd be lying If I said Thailand wasn't already on my mind. But the her message gave the that last and final nudge I needed to make the commitment to move there. And really I did want to try another country. So I get my TESOL and after a month I start aggressively looking for a teaching job. After a few days I found a private school in Bang Na an area right outside the city. I started my job and taught a lot of kids and mean like the whole school. Pre-school through 6th grade. I really enjoyed teaching the kids. They greeted me with enthusiasm and seemed to want me there. That part of the job I loved. However the school really didn't give me the support I needed as a teacher. Like almost no support at all. I was the only English teacher there which made things that much more difficult. I should have realized something was up when my recruiter told me 3 people had broken their contracts before me. However after teaching up to 40 2nd graders at once I learned a lot about teaching. The up side was they really got into English games and things like that. They really enjoyed it when I gave them the challenge of an English game. It could be as simple as a guessing game or tornado game(more on that later). Things like not having air conditioning did play a role in me not wanting to renew my contract after the semester was over. Looking back I would have opted for an adult academy teaching job. They teaching weekends and have few vacations but from what I gathered most people that taught there enjoyed it. I did know people that taught at elementary schools that did enjoy their jobs. So not all schools were like mine. There is also the option of teaching at a University. Those jobs are harder to find, but it's still a viable option. Also there are international schools for those that hold a teaching certification. I would recommend Thailand to those who are not afraid of a little adventure.

Why I love Korea!

Teaching ESL Korea: A great place to start

Korea is a great place to get a start on an ESL Career in Asia. Fora many reasons: 1. You can save a bit of money. If you need a little extra money to pay off loans or just want to save a bit of money. Then Korea is a great place to start teaching. I had an alright job in America and still found it difficult to save a little something extra. 2. Your very close to other Asian countries: You can travel to other places on your time off and check out Japan, Thailand, China or where ever. Maybe you're thinking about teaching in China and you want to check it out first. Or maybe you've always wanted to go to Japan. For Travel Korea is great. 3. It's easy: If you get a job in Korea they have an apartment for you, so you don't have to go through the hassle of finding a place. Also they usually pick up from the airport which is kind of nice. 4. Very low crime: The crime rate in Korea is extremely low. The police don't carry guns here. 5. Tons of expats: If your in a city or even a small town their are always other teachers to hang with. 6. Lots to do: There's lots of stuff to do in Seoul and in other cities. Art museums, parks, restaurants, shopping malls. 7. Western food: A lot of people can't live without cheeseburgers and pizza. They have plenty of that here, but it'll cost a bit more than korean food.