Do I Need to Speak Another Language to Teach Abroad?

The simple answer is no. You really don’t need to have a full grasp of the local lingo to be an English teacher overseas. In fact it’s kinda frowned upon for English teachers to speak the local language when they’re in the classroom. And because you’ll probably be working in a language school or institute, there will be lots of people around who speak English.

However, life doesn’t end at the school gates and being able to order a meal or book a train ticket in the local language will make your time overseas a helluva lot easier and a LOT more rewarding.

Learn the basics

So while you don’t need to know the language to be a teacher, you’ll get more out of the experience if you can master a few basics. There will be loads of language schools in the country you go to, so it might be an idea get there a few days early and book yourself in for a beginner’s course. Or you could get one of our TEFL jobs abroad, because the job placements in Japan, China and The Czech Republic all include FREE local language lessons to help you get by.

Useful terms to know:

If you want to get the most out of your time overseas, you should try to learn how to say the following bits and pieces:

 

Hello 
My name is…

Please
Thank You
Yes
No

What?
I don’t understand.

I am allergic to…
Is this water safe to drink?
I can’t/don’t consume/eat this…
Can I have a/some?
Do you have a vegetarian option?

I need help
Stop!
My blood type is.
I need to go to the hospital

How much does this cost?

That's too expensive

I’m lost.
Can you give me directions?

Where…?
…is the market?
…can I get something to eat?
…is the airport?
…is the train station?
…is the bus stop?
…is the telephone?
…can I access the internet?
…is the toilet?
…is the police station?
…can I get help?

You can look up these terms on the internet, take a little phrase book with you or take an introductory language course when you arrive. Knowing them will make a huge difference, but you really don’t need to be bilingual or incredibly knowledgeable in the local language to get by. And you’ll pick up a lot of the local language as you go along. But to ease into the transition of teaching English abroad, it is helpful to have a basic knowledge of the language when you get off the plane.

 

 

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