Teaching English for Special Purposes

Teaching ESP Abroad

Many people, when transitioning to a career in TEFL, forget that they have lots of experience and sometimes education in a specialized area.

Rather than starting at the bottom rung in TEFL consider finding your own special niche where you can probably make more money, do a better job and even enjoy yourself more.

For example, many people from Information Technology (IT) careers come to TEFL. Their best job strategy would be to seek an English teaching position at a college or university that has an IT specialty.

Many occupational specialties in foreign countries need English training. The need it for university study and papers, research (most international research is published in English) and/or to run a business.

If you have a background in a special area, it is in your best interest to use it. You will already know the specialized vocabulary of the business, you will know how the business works and you will even have a curiosity about the business that other teachers won’t have. This makes you ideal to teach in that special niche. And it makes you a preferred hire over other teachers without your special skills.

Consider nursing, aviation training, business and marketing, chemicals, general medicine, engineering, hospitality (restaurant, hotel, and tourism industry), IT, law, construction technology, and every other possible major at a university or college.

If you have such a skill/knowledge it would be well worth your time to seek employment in that area. DON’T go to the English department of a college or university – go to the department of your specialty and have them recommend you to the English department. You WILL be in demand.

Read the following links to get a better understanding of teaching ESP.

Teaching English for Specific Purposes (ESP)

Two excellent examples of niche employment that the smart people look for are Hotel and Resort English and Business English. Teach a few reception desk staff in an air conditioned classroom at a 5-star resort on a tropical island – or 50 screaming kids in a hot classroom? Teach a small class of businesspeople at corporate headquarters – or back to the screaming kindergarteners . . . Up to you . . . ESP has its advantages!

TED’s Tips™ #1: Your BEST English Teaching Job – the one that you enjoy the most and that will likely pay you the best is usually related to your personal skills, experiences and education. If you don’t explore those options you are shortchanging yourself AND your new career.

TED’s Tips™ #2: There is no need to start on the bottom rung of the English teaching business. Go direct to the colleges, universities and businesses that need the skills you already have.

What’s up in China? Learn what kind of jobs are on offer if would like to Teach English in China

How to Teach English Overseas and Secrets to Success Abroad
TEFL eBooks is offering a free download of their new publication Seven Secrets of Success Abroad - and along with it comes a bi-weekly installment and revision of their eBook called How to Teach English Overseas.

Great reviews for the Secrets of Success eBook – in spite of the hokey name – and the How to Teach English eBook is being updated and rewritten and sent out in installments as it is ready.

Here they are – click on the eBooks to get your FREE copies! Great information and the price is right, from our friends at TEFLeBooks.

Please let me know what you think of the ebooks – use the comments section below.

I confess both eBooks are written by yours truly – hoping to inspire others to head overseas and live life BIG out in the real world. I would value your feedback!

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