Q&A with James Jenkin

For everyone who couldn’t make it to the Q&A with James Jenkin on Friday, you have really missed something...but we don’t want you to be missing out so especially for you, here are all the Q&A’s from last Friday!! (Also for the people who just want to read it of course!!)

Q: Andrea Bischop
James! How do I adjust to the culture shock in China? And what do I do when I miss my family and friends terribly?

A1: James Jenkin
Hi Andrea, important questions! It seems, with culture shock, the key things are first to develop some sort of routine - eg the time you go to work, when you prepare lessons - and second to make friendships with local people. It means life becomes normal, and you feel connected with the society. People who stay in an expat bubble seem to find it the hardest. Regarding family and friends - I don't think there's any one solution - does anyone have any suggestions?
Hmmm, if it was me, and it might sound mean, but I'd remember why you wanted to get away in the first place, they're still your friends and family and they'll still be there once you get back, but you have to have this experience and they'll understand this!

A2: i-to-i Katie
Catch up with them regularly on skype or other methods, and you might find you're not missing much (that was certainly the case with me when I went away) and your true friends won't make it an issue and will happily catch you up with anything you might be missing :) you'll be surrounded by people in the same boat for the first two weeks in Beijing, cementing friendships, building contacts etc.and the TTC guys over there will have more advice when you arrived don't worry, they're great :) Katie

Andrea
Great advice, thanks James and Katie. I love how you're so frank, Katie! I really do hope I won't be missing much, that'll make me feel better.
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Q: Simone Kynaston
I want to teach in Russia!! Can I do this if I complete a TEFL course?? Fingers and toes crossed!!!

A: James Jenkin
Hi Simone - absolutely! The transitions abroad site is a good source of information: http://www.transitionsabroad.com/publications/magazine/0601/work_in_russia_teaching_english.shtml Vsego nailuchshego!

Simone Kynaston
Thank you so much!!
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Q: Claire Baines
Got any funny teaching fails that u can share? =D x

A: James Jenkin
I was teaching a class of Vietnamese government officials, and got them to read a Time article that was vaguely critical of Vietnam - they threw it on the floor and stamped on it and were yelling 'THIS IS RUBBISH!'. Not the wisest choice of text ever!

Claire Baines
eeeep! oopsie! but on a positive note - well taught english! =) they had to understand it to object to it :)

James Jenkin
Haha thanks that's very glass half full!
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Q: Patrick Landis
Man I missed it. I'm on west coast time dang it. My biggest concern is monetary issues and how I can cover my expenses between flying there from Oregon and taking this class and whether I can make enough money while I'm teaching so that I'm not losing money from this trip.

Oops, going to Spain that is.

A: James Jenkin
Hi Patrick, yes, a teaching salary is certainly enough to live on in Spain! Just note at certain times of year it's easier and harder to find work: http://gospain.about.com/od/teachingenglish/f/teaching_pay.htm
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Q: Samantha Robinson
Hey James, what one piece of advice do you wish someone had told you when you first started doing TEFL? (thinking about going to Thailand next year!)

A: James Jenkin
The less time you're up the front talking the better! I felt I wasn't doing my job if I wasn't lecturing, but in fact students want to be doing things with each other. Then you can move around the class helping students individually.

Samantha Robinson
Thanks James!
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Q: John Groves
Hi James, Many of the countries people are teaching in are Asia but I don't hear much about Europe. If I go ahead and take the course and pass, I would like to teach in Europe, I speak French and German so if I was to move somewhere like that, establishing myself, getting around and getting comfortable wouldn't be too difficult. However, for those that do go out towards Asia, where do you start when it comes to finding food and shelter?

A: James Jenkin
Sounds great John - the only thing is, as you know, English levels are pretty high in some European countries (like Sweden), and places like Paris are glamour destinations, so choose a destination where English teachers are in demand! In Asia, some contracts include accommodation - otherwise you may have to find it yourself, but it's never too difficult. Just be aware, in some countries like Thailand foreigners are expected to pay a lot more than locals, so it's a good idea to have some insider help to avoid paying too much.
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Q: John Groves
Dear James, I am looking at starting the 140hr course next year (once Christmas) is out of the way. Once completed and passed, is it really as simple as applying for work abroad and waiting until you get a job? Once the job offer is in place you simply move and start teaching? Are there CRB checks, references etc that need to be done first? Cheers, John

A: James Jenkin
Hi John, as a rule, yes, it really is that simple! You may need police checks or references - it depends on the country and the school, but they'll tell you. It's a great idea to get into teacher networks - at home through Chalkboard or by arriving in a country and getting to know teachers - and find out the best teaching opportunities, rather than just looking at ads.

John Groves
I've already put in the pipeline doing some volunteer work with local schools here in England to see how classes are structured and given. I already work with children as a swimming instructor and have a pile of CRB checks but will these mean anything to foreign schools?
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Q: i-to-i Katie
Dear James, how permanent is a permanent marker?

A: James Jenkin
Permanent! My one piece of advice for new teachers - check your whiteboard markers are whiteboard markers! In my first week of teaching I filled the board with permanent pen TWICE. Luckily you can use spirit to remove it (and as an alternative you can draw over the permanent marker with a whiteboard marker and then it rubs off - magic!)

i-to-i Katie
Gulp... I did the same in my classroom a few years ago...I went to write on the board and the children were giggling to themselves and I think one of them tried to tell me before I started writing...luckily I was drawing a circle and it wasn't right in the middle of the board, so I believe I left a circle there after my placement...something to remember me by! Katie :)
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Q: Laurika Walters

Good day James, I would like to know what is the best question a teacher can ask a large class for discussion?

A: James Jenkin
Hi Laurika, it depends on the class! But as a rule consider a discussion question doesn't have to be a deep and meaningful 'issue' - it could be 'the best place to eat' or 'how to make money'. Also, students tend to need preparation before a whole-class discussion or possibly no-one will say anything. Perhaps have them read something to get them thinking, teach them some relevant vocab, have them discuss in small groups first.
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Q: Mélissa Yates
Hello, I've not done a TEFL course yet but am looking into doing one...what sort of visa would i need to get to australia if i got a job TEFLing? :)

A: James Jenkin
Hi Mélissa, you can teach in Australia on a working holiday visa. However most language schools in Australia would require a qualification with six hours of teaching practice.
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Q: Elle Amar
Hi James I have a Trinity certificate TESOL qualification obtained in 2004. I taught a few months in the UK straight after but haven't used it since. I would like to get further ESOL/EFL teaching practice before I look to move abroad. Can you advise if I would need to do the LEVEL 4 or equivalent to be able to teach here in the UK? Thanks

A: Hi Elle - sorry I missed your post on Friday. In fact Trinity and CELTA have been upgraded to Level 5 on the NQF, but teachers who received one when they were still Level 4 (like you) don't have to retrain. So you can apply for work now.
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Q: Cyndi Lai
could you recommend me any sites that is good for downloading worksheets, my friend has recently opened a learning centre in Macau and is lacking resources, with me being new i don't know where to start or what to do. I'm looking for worksheets for ages 3 to 8 year olds.

A: James Jenkin
Hi Cindy,  have you tried www.onestopenglish.com or http://bogglesworldesl.com/kids_worksheets/index.htm; also there's a great book 'Five-Minute Activities for Young Learners' from the excellent Camridge Handbooks for Language Teachers series

Cyndi Lai
thanks james, i will have a look in a min, as i mention my friend has just set up a learning center and at the moment its just chairs, table and a blackboard after xmas they will start advertising so in this time i just want to build up some worksheets and things to teach the children

James Jenkin
Hi Cyndi, As a principle I'd also suggest getting away from photocopies where you can. Handouts can create a barrier between the teacher and students. There's an i-to-i module Teaching with Limited Resources and I'd also highly recommend Lessons from Nothing by Bruce Marsland.

Cyndi Lai
i've done the limted resouces course already will look into the lesson by bruce marsland
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Q: Nayani Vivekaandamorthy
‎James Jenkin: If you throw a dice 6 times, what's the chance that you'd get a six on:
a: exactly one of the throws.
b: one or more of the throws.

Just kidding! Is there a TEFL destination you've always wanted to travel to & teach in that might be in the cards for the future? If yes, where & why!

A: James Jenkin
I can answer the first one if you want Nayani! ;) Yes I'd love to teach somewhere really challenging, like Afghanistan or North Korea, seriously! Just because teaching is one of the best opportunities to enter a different world. (The British Council actually sends teacher trainers to North Korea - maybe one day!)

Nayani Vivekaandamorthy
North Korea, ay? Awesome! :) Thanks Jamessssssssss
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Q: Rachel Watson
A question for James! What would be your top tip for someone on their first day teaching to get over the nerves and make a good impression on their class?

A: James Jenkin
Hi Rachel, great question! Basically, a good class is where students get to interact - so the less time you're out the front under the spotlight the better! Have student-student activities ready to go (find someone who, a questionnaire, games). At the start of the lesson just say 'Hi everyone, I'm Rachel') - and that's it - then go straight into the activities. You'll stand back and see this amazing buzz, with students running round talking, and you'll think, 'Wow, this isn't scary!'
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Q: Andrew Jack
Japan and Korea were major TEFL destinations in the 90's/early 2000's, and China seems to be the major recruiters for teachers at present. Where do you think the next hotspot will be, and why?

A: James Jenkin
Hi Andy, as your examples show, it's where economies are booming, isn't it - it's where people need to connect with the world economy using English. In my opinion China will remain THE hotspot - but (hit prediction!) Brazil and Russia will be huge TEFL destinations in the near future.
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Q: Phil Rigby
hi james, do i need a degree to get a visa to work in thailand, singapore, malaysia as a tefl teacher? im seriously considering doing a tefl coarse but only if i could get any kind of work in se asia. (i have no degree by the way lol)

A: James Jenkin
Hi Phil, great question! I know many teachers in Thailand and Malaysia without a degree. Employers may ask for a degree but it tends to be because they're not sure what to ask for. If you believe a certain job is for you, just go for it. This sums it up: http://www.ajarn.com/help-and-guides/work-permit-visa-faq/bachelors-degree/

Phil, I should point out having a degree is an official requirement for Thailand, although there are teachers who have obtained a licence/work permit/visa without one.
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Q: John Groves Hi James, can this be any type of degree though, it doesn't have to be an English degree?

A: James Jenkin
Hi John, it can be a bachelor degree in any subject, yes.
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Q: Natari Venning
Hello James, for someone who can't speak any other language than English, would you still reccommend TEFL?

A: James Jenkin
Absolutely! You don't need to use students' first language to teach English. In fact, it makes for a much more vivid and meaningful class if you bring in things from the real world, like pictures and real objects, instead of 'explaining'. (So if you're teaching the word 'CD', instead of saying 'It's a plastic circular medium for storing music files', just show the class a CD!) Also it's very unlikely you'll teach true beginners - most students will know enough basic words to help the class go smoothly.
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Q: Esther Laurence
Hi James, I am trying to decide whether to just do my online course over here in the Uk (and a weekend classroom session) and look for a job before I go (to thailand/ Vietnam), or to do an internship (although I don't have a great deal of money saved so the allowance may not be enough?) or do an intensive month training course in country? Is it difficult/ not a good ides to find a job before leaving the UK? Are internships seen as proper teaching experience on CV's? Are the online UK course seen as valid compared to a class room based course? Lots of questions! Thanks

A: James Jenkin
Hi Esther, all your options will work! You can certainly arrange work before you go (see the many positions on www.tefl.com or www.eslcafe.com). However, many jobs aren't advertised, and it's harder for you to know what the job will be like. Many teachers would recommend being on the ground, making contacts, and visiting schools in person. That way you get a true picture of the options so you can pick and choose. Therefore an internship is a good chance to be in the country and build local knowledge. Yes, an internship does look good on a CV, and you can sell that experience you gained putting your online course into practice. Good luck with your decision!

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