Fear 5 is a big myth- not only does TEFL give you all sorts of great skills, it also gives you LOADS of really interesting stuff to talk about in interviews!

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i chose my school will treat me like dirt, but then again not really because i wouldn't allow it, plus i'm pretty head strong and patient. I don't expect too much about the places we might teach in. If we don't have high expectations then we won't be too dissapointed...plus we're looking at the experience and the limits we can push ourselves. but i guess i do wonder how we would be treated if it'll be negative or positive...either way it wouldn't really dither us.

I've had a lot of fears about going BUT as you've put, if you believe everything on the net then you wont do anything. I also took the logic that if i dont go/try/do then I will probably regret it later in life. Also, if it was so bad then way would people still be there or others going year after year.

Just like with everything in life you will have bad times/experiences and things will go wrong from time to time BUT along with these things you will have awesome experiences (things that will make your friends and family jealous), you will achieve so much, make so many friends and open so many other doors.

Also don't forget, even if you go to a country, sign a contract, start teaching etc you can always go back home. Give it at least 6months to get over the initial shock, home sickness etc and then see how things are. Yes if you leave mid contract schools wont be happy but at the same time they wont really want someone who is only half heartedly doing a lesson. If you do return home, you are not a failure because you tried it, that more then what others have done.

A lot of the time to over come fears is to confront them, ask people what there jobs were like (ask about good and bad things), read books, forums, internet. If possible talk to schools and companies because they might be able to put your mind at ease. Most of the time the fear is not knowing but sometimes you wont know until you get there.

My fear is the language barrier, not being able to have a proper full conversation in my native tongue...think of the frustration BUT thats where the net comes in, keep in touch with friends and family, use skype.

Good luck and go for it!!!

definately man eating pupils! i've seen supply teachers leave classes and refuse to go back in, teachers being locked in cupboards, teachers sitting in cupboards in tears and had a table and 2 chairs thrown at me and much much more and thats just in England. The table was pretty impressive i have to admit but im petrified about the types of kids i'll be teaching. 

I've thought about it and I think in the end I'm more scared of other people who I'm not teaching than the students! I think I'm most worried by the idea that I find myself totally alone, miles away from any one with no support if things start to go bad. Good advice though!

Best piece of advice I got on my first day as a teacher (way back in '97) was "show no fear!"  To be honest, I've only had to put it into practice twice in my career but on both occasions it was an invaluable approach and stopped problems escalating.  Teaching is the most fantastic job in the world.  Mind you, I may say something different when I actually start teaching children rather than adults ;o)

My vote is for the students. Teaching is something I've never done before and the other 3 can be dealt with by an personal attitude change ;)

Interesting that the vote results are 50/50 for "my students will eat me alive" and "my school will treat me like dirt". So nobody is afraid of loneliness and bad food. Shows that most of us are positive enough :-)

Thanks for the encouraging.

Very good advice Honor! I always tell people who are having second thoughts to just do it! Any experience good or bad can be rewarding just depends on how you view the proverbial glass...half full or half empty???