I just moved to Taiwan and I want to become an english teacher but i have no experience and basicly have no idea how to teach. I am almost embarrassed to look for a teaching job because i know when they want me to demonstrate i won’t know what to do. I do come from a english speaking country and i really want to learn how to teach english well. Does anybody have any suggestions on how I can learn how to teach?
A good introductory book is Teaching English as a Second or Foreign Language, 3rd edition by Marianne Celce-Murgia. I think you can get it at Caves. If not the one by Dianne Larson-Freeman. Also, go through some textbooks and read the teachers guides to give you an idea what to do.
Basically though you need to find a school that will hire newbies (which is almost all of them) and that have some kind of training program (not all of them). This should at least involve some training classes and observation time. No one should ask you to do a demonstration without some training. If they do, don’t work for that school. They obviously care only about having your white face in the classroom.
Be upfront about your lack of experience but eagerness to learn. Believe me, inexperience is not a handicap. Almost all of us here (me included) started out without a lick of teaching experience. Your embarrassment is refreshing and a very positive sign that you will take your job seriously.
The main thing you should concentrate on now is finding a school you like and think you can work with and that will train you. As for qualifications: you’re a native speaker who’s eager to teach and learn. That’s all you need.
Just look in the newspaper. There are jobs for english teacher everywhere. A motorscooter would make it handier to find a job.
Start out with a chain with an established program and clientele, like Jordan, Joy, Sesame Street, etc. Start out at more than one, so that you can get different looks at the teaching ballgame. Read the advice pages in the sticky at the top. Buy a couple of books of ESL games.
You have the most important thing needed to become a good teacher…a good attitude. My hat’s off to you. 
Find a school with a good training program and you will do just fine.
As posters above have said, finding a school which gives you training and observation time, and which has a good curriculum, is very important. Such training courses are practical and will get you started quickly.
I agree with the other posters that your eagerness to learn is a very good quality and means that you have the potential to become a much better teacher than those who think that just because they are native speakers they are already great teachers.
I would also add another book: either “The Practice of English Language Teaching”
amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/ … 08-9152932
or
“How to Teach English”
amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/ … 08-9152932
both by Jeremy Harmer.
Of course you cannot learn teaching from a book but the ideas therein can help you reflect on your experience and practice in the classroom, as well as giving you an idea of the wider context of ELT, not just in Taiwan.
And don’t be nervous;the first interview I ever did, I thought I made an ass out of myself. I was pretty surprised when the manager said: “The students like you. When can you start?” Just be polite, attentive and enthusiastic; any school worth working for won’t be upset about having to teach you the rest.
Good luck,
CK
I’ve failed interviews and got the job anyway, and I’ve failed interviews and landed other jobs. I wouldn’t worry about it too much.
“always do what you are afraid of.”
or
“it isn’t failure, it is development.”
Bookman, across from NTU, has a nice selection of Linguistics and EFL books.
Also, you might want to head over to National Taiwan Normal University and check out the EFL/Linguistics journal library.
TJ (TESOL Journal) is a good little publication that has teaching tips in every issue (I’m not talking about TESOL Quarterly).
ELT Journal is also something you might want to flip through for some teaching ideas and what to expect as an EFL teacher teaching in Asia.
On a similar note (and sorry for the potential threadjack!), I’m considering doing a few private tutorial type lessons as an income supplement, but to be honest, I’ve no idea what would be involved or expected… Anyone?
The way I see teaching in Taiwan is as follows.
Love your students,smile and play with them alot.
If the student goes home and tell mommy and daddy he loves his foreign teacher,they will be happy.
If they are happy,they will pay lots of money.
If all the students in your class pays,the school owner will be happy.
If the school owner are happy,he will pay you.
So,if youre friendly and smiling,you are a good teacher,in taiwan anyway,lol.
Many people told me that me accent suck(South African),but Im smiling,so Im a good teacher,hahaha
Don’t show fear, kids can smell it and will be all over you.
Be confident warm and cheerful. Good luck.
[quote=“Back Packer”]
TJ (TESOL Journal) is a good little publication that has teaching tips in every issue (I’m not talking about TESOL Quarterly). [/quote]
I think TESOL Journal ceased publication last fall.