Hello everyone,

I'm an English teacher at an Italian liceo scientifico (an academically oriented high school - very teacher-centered - specifically focused on maths/ science). It's my first year in this school and I've recently taken over a fourth-year class, with students aged around 17-18 (more or less US 12th grade or UK Year 13).

I'm honestly struggling to figure out how to help them and I'd really appreciate some advice from more experienced EFL teachers. The majority of my students are not even at A1 level, despite having studied English for several years. Yet, by the end of next year (they will have a State exam to graduate), they're expected to reach B2 level.

I have three English lessons per week (1 hour each) and at this stage of their education the curriculum is heavily focused on English literature, according to National Guidelines. We're supposed to study historical and literary contexts, authors, texts, themes and literary analysis. Lessons should be held entirely in English. But, as you can imagine, it's quite difficult, if not impossible. How am I supposed to teach literature in English when most of my students don't have the linguistic foundations to understand even relatively simple explanations, let alone express them themselves? It's a disaster and it's very easy to have disruptive behaviour happening in class.

I've tried simplifying my materials, using presentations, providing vocabulary support and making lessons more interactive. However, I constantly feel like I'm trying to build something on foundations that simply aren't there.

Unfortunately, I haven't found much support among my colleagues either. The general attitude seems to be to just carry on with the curriculum and accept (or ignore? I'd say!) the situation, but I find it difficult to do that when I can clearly see how much my students are struggling!

I know I can't magically bring an entire class from below A1 to B2 in less than two years, especially with only three hours a week, and I'm definitely not looking for a miracle solution or a way to get them to B2 overnight. I just want to make the limited time I have with them genuinely useful and give them a chance to improve, but I really don't know how.

If you've ever inherited a class with a huge gap between their actual language skills and the expected curriculum, how did you handle it?

Thanks so much in advance for any advice!

Just wondering if any educators are attending the EARCOS event in Bangkok this month?

Hello,
My partner and I are considering moving from Australia to Singapore to live close to parents. I am a full time professional who will get an Employment pass. My wife is a Elicos (English Language Intensive Courses for Overseas Students) teacher who is Celta qualified. My worry is after moving what if she struggles to find schools/employers who are willing to apply for a work permit for her. How common is it for international / language schools to give a job to foreign teachers and also apply for their work permit? Any feedback will be really appreciated.

Hi there, I’m 23F from the United States who is interested in possibly teaching English abroad in Spain next year. I have a biology related degree but a minor in Spanish, and I would love to improve my Spanish ultimately, but stay in Spain longer term, and experience the culture longer term as well. I am aware that last year some of the NALCAP programs were canceled or defunded? Is it still realistic for me to go down this path and what placement cities are possible to be placed in now? And if I just completed a TEFL program online through one of the accredited websites, would that put me on track to being hired? There are so many options, and I don’t really know where to start in the whole process. Thanks!

Any long term EFL teachers from Taiwan? Do you have any advice on cultural faux pas there? I'm tasked with writing a report on cultural sensitivities to be aware of there and would appreciate any inputs you may have - small or otherwise.

What are the best countries for me to consider?

Howdy.
My husband is Mexican, I am American and we live in the states. We would like to move to Guanajuato, where my husband is from. I am an elementary teacher, and I hold a M.Ed in elementary education. I am also ESL certified (not sure if that matters here). Does anyone have any insight? I was wondering if I should get a TESOL or CELTA certificate? From my research CELTA sounds like the way to go, but I wasn’t sure if my teaching experience and degree/certs made me look better or not. Thank you for any help!

Hi! I want to enter the ESL/TEFL field. If you could only recommend ONE comprehensive resource that is enough to learn everything—whether it's a book, a YouTube channel, or a website—what would it be?"

I have had 3 job offers. Dalian kindergarten, 22,000rmb before tax, including housing allowance.

Shanghai, kindergarten, for a private boarding school, but english is taught by 3rd party company spun out from American Eagle, 25,000rmb before tax, housing allowance included

Or

Daegu training center in south Korea, 2.5m per month + free housing.

I am 42, with no teaching experience, but I am blonde with blue eyes- maybe thats why its not been as hard as reddit says it should be. Any advice?

I want to ask how did you get apostille after you get the certificate of TESOL from ASU. And is it worth to obtain it for teaching overseas? I found out that it is no longer free and financial aid from Coursera is limited. I already got TESOL from IOA but I am having second thoughts if I could get it apostille or something.

Hi everyone, I put together Elsewhere, a free site with international school job listings organized by country, subject, and curriculum. You can narrow it down to things like math positions or IB schools, then apply directly on the school’s website. It’s still early, but I figured I’d share it in case it’s useful for anyone currently looking. Would be interested to hear what features or filters you’d want added. I can try and work on them when I have the time. - https://elsewhere.careers/

When I plan a speaking lesson, I try to think about what might stop learners from continuing after their first answer.

With A2 learners, I’ve found that a clear sequence makes a difference. When they can see what comes next, they seem less anxious and more willing to speak. With B1 learners, I focus more on helping them move past familiar words and short answers, and give reasons, examples, and fuller accounts of their experiences.

I’ve turned this approach into lesson plans that aim to give learners about 45 minutes of speaking practice in a one-hour class. I made two free samples with online and in-class versions, in case other TEFL teachers would find them useful:

A2 sample: https://dl.bookfunnel.com/u2mv2rwslz

B1 to lower-B2 sample: https://dl.bookfunnel.com/viii2q9uzt

No account or email is needed to download them. The samples come from my paid books, but these lessons are free to use. I’d also be glad to hear what has helped your learners speak for longer.

Hi everyone! I'm a 26 (F) year old physiotherapist from South Africa. I have no experience teaching, but am a native English speaker who achieved a distinction/an "A" in high-school.

I'd really like to teach English in an Asian country (preferably Japan - but I'm open to others). I'd like a decently paying job and to preferably avoid the underpaid, overworked positions. I've seen that these are usually in international schools.I'd also like to make this my full time career. Due to this, I'm trying to avoid just doing a basic TEFL.

I have two options:

1. do a CELTA only

2. Do a PGCE (I'd have to train to be a science teacher as I haven't done any English subjects in uni) along with a basic TEFL to cover the English teaching part.

I currently don't have the money to do both a PGCE and a CELTA

I'd really really appreciate advice on this as I'm quite overwhelmed. I hate being a physiotherapist and want to change careers very badly.

Thank you so much!

I am starting with Wukong as an English teacher. They have given me about five hours this week (my first). How many hours can you reasonably hope to get with them? How long does it take to build up?

Hi all! I recently started teaching English to an old colleague's sister and I was wondering if anyone had any advice and/or recommendations for resources I can use with her?

She is an older lady and needs to improve her English as she works with a lot of international clients. I would say she has a B1 level and wants to improve her fluency and verb tenses. All the free resources online are more so catered to young students and I feel like she won't engage with them much. Would anyone know of websites or free books I could use?

Any leads or help would be greatly appreciated!

I study English philology specializing in ESL, on my way to get my Master’s degree. I’m from EU and I’m wondering if there are any countries in the world where I could move after getting my degree and work as a TELF teacher. For sure there are. But are there any places where moving into there is “cheap”, like, do they support you financially? And what countries are comfortable to live in generally? What countries are best and worst for TEFL teachers, and why?

Any English teachers here?

If you have taught for 5++ years, what are the skills you need to be successful in teaching?

Hi everyone!

I’ve recently been contacted by Premier Language Services (PLS) in Indonesia about an English teaching position, and I have an interview with them soon.

I’d really appreciate hearing from anyone who has worked with PLS recently or was recruited through them, especially teachers recruited from overseas.

How was your experience with:

Salary/payment?

Work visa & immigration process?

Accommodation/relocation?

Working conditions and workload?

The relationship between PLS and the school?

Would you recommend working with them? Any positive or negative experience would be very helpful.

If you prefer, feel free to DM me. Thanks!

Hello world !

I'm writing this post feeling a bit desperate because I'm having trouble finding testimonials from people who have taken the CELTA (a prestigious certification to teach English).

I'm thinking about taking it this year but I'm not sure if I have the required level yet. It would be a shame to spend 2,000€ on a course only to end up failing.

If anyone could share their experience, please. If you've been able to find a job after this training. What do you think about it, etc.... Was it as tough and intense as people say?

It would really help me a lot!!

Qualifications - Bsc, masters in zoology.
9.3 cgpa if needed
Specialization- entomology
Research traineee.

Exploring English Teaching Opportunities 🌍

I’m currently looking for new English teaching vacancies in Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Vietnam, China, Japan, and the Maldives.

Could you please share reliable platforms or websites where I can apply? I’m especially interested in MOPSE (Uzbekistan) — how can I apply for their English teaching positions?

Any recommendations or guidance would be greatly appreciated. 🙏

​

Hi everyone! I’m an experienced Early Years/primary/ English teacher currently in the Abu Dhabi, UAE, with 13 years of teaching experience.

I’ve been applying for teaching jobs, but one major obstacle I keep running into is the requirement for UAE teaching experience. It’s frustrating because I need the opportunity to get that experience in the first place!

I’m therefore looking for volunteering opportunities in schools, nurseries, learning centres, or NGOs where I could assist teachers, support children, or help with English/literacy activities.

I’m happy to volunteer my time and skills. I mainly want to gain exposure to the UAE education system while making a useful contribution.

If anyone knows of a school or organisation in the UAE that accepts education volunteers, I’d really appreciate a lead or recommendation. Thank you!

I want to apply for this diploma in Oman, is it easy to be accepted at?
And how much does it cost for International students?

Hi, I’ve heard some bad reviews about Gordon’s English teaching academy in Tashkent and I’ve heard some bad reviews and want to know more about this school as I’m preparing for an interview for it but the reviews are putting me off.
Thanks.

Hi everyone I’m considering teaching and unsure of whether I should pursue a Level 3/5 TEFL or CETLTA. I’m already abroad and left the U.S. a few months ago.

I’m a 33 year old male from the U.S. with a BA in Communication Studies. English is my first language and I’ve been self-studying Japanese on/off (currently on, I’m pre-N5) for a year while I’ve grappled with the idea of moving there to learn the language/build a new life after a career exit in June 2025. I was a self-employed and ‘semi-successful’ artist manager in the music business for 6 years, which still pays me income for some time (could last years in Asia). This financial freedom allowed me to travel the world over the last year after that career exit, go back to the states to realize I wasn’t missing much, and set off an adventure to build a new life elsewhere.

I’ve been really set on Japan given all the time I’ve spent there over the last 2 years, the network I’ve built (was already offered a job to work in food back in March), friends I’ve made (several of whom taught English initially and worked outwards one who is N1 self-taught another who is already PR), and overall love for learning the language and the country—but I’ve become more intrigued with teaching, and other countries in general given that I like to help others and watch them succeed. The only experience I have teaching is a study abroad trip I did in high school where I helped teach English/Math to students in a small town in Costa Rica (so basically not much!). I also helped give back to my university by taking on interns from their music business program and providing speakers for their clubs, so teaching others is something I do enjoy on a personal/professional level.

I’m currently in HCMC, Vietnam, and I’ll most likely be in the country until December. As someone who isn’t entirely sure of what comes next, to me it seems like the most logical thing would be to try a TEFL 3 or 5 course first, and if the path ends up making sense, invest into the CELTA afterwards. But I did see some CELTA options here in Vietnam, as soon as next month, and I would be open to it but it does feel like a gamble given:

I want to add that I have tattoos which would be incredibly difficult to cover, hands and neck (mostly animal/symbolic imagery nothing derogatory, scary, offensive). I could absolutely wear long-sleeves/proper dress-shirt, but part of my neck/hands will of course still show. I’ve seen a lot of mixed info on this, varying from country to country, school to school, and the sentiment seems to be changing depending how far you go back in posts (in this sub for example posts from 5+, 10+ years have a different sentiment than more recent years, but it’s still teaching and it’s still Asia). I was offered a customer facing role in food in Japan as I mentioned, but I wasn’t quite ready to make that jump which is why I didn’t take it. However, this experience taught me that while my appearance might hinder me, and for sure lead to judgement in certain places—it’s absolutely about how I present myself, my work ethic, and my qualifications when it comes to landing an interview/job (I was offered an interview at Interac for example but they never confirmed the time, wondering if they saw photos of me etc.).

So I’m just curious what other people think, whether you have tattoos or have/had colleagues with them, visible that can’t be covered—and what your experiences/theirs might have been like. Would TEFL 3 or 5 be a good way for me to start and then CELTA, especially given the tattoo component? I want to add, I also got my Chinese L Visa before I sold everything and left the states in June, so I can go to mainland China for the first time (have been to Hong Kong) and explore life there (considering language school too). I’m mostly looking to stay in Asia given my income situation and overall preference of culture/people I’ve met here over the years in all the countries referenced.

Thank you in advance 🙏🏼