Teaching Abroad Longer

[Niko]

Teachers Spending More Time Abroad

Teaching abroad used to be a 12-month stint amongst the majority of teachers. Over the past 5 years though, we are noticing a change in this trend. Nowadays, more teachers are setting up shop abroad, and continue teaching English longer than 12 months.

Sarah from Australia says:

My first teaching stint was 6 months back in 1991. Second teaching stint was 18 months in 1997 and now I'm teaching the 3rd time round and it's going onto 3 years.

A Teacher in Shanghai, China says:

I'm very comfortable in my surrounds teaching English in China. Why go back home when I have my very own love nest away from the prying eyes of parents?

The comments coming from English teachers tend to support the fact that teachers are spending more time abroad teaching.

A recent survey amongst teachers at a local school highlights some reasons for this trend:

1. The Internet: We are no longer isolated from English information. In the past, living and teaching in a small country town meant that the only English news received would be via a newspaper subscription delivered once a day.
2. Cost of Phone Calls: We can now speak to our family back home at very low rates or for free using chat software.
3. Job Security: Teaching English will mean there is always a job around. Job security can no longer be taken for granted when back home.

The trend is showing no sign of slowing either. Each year, more and more schools are re-signing their teachers to continue onto a 2nd year. This was somewhat less common in the past.

Teaching English abroad is no longer seen as a short-term stint. It's now a more permanent progression in one's life.

I also see this trend continuing and strengthening as time goes on. I've been in Korea for 9 years now and am seeing more and more long termers here.

EFL Geek: ESL & EFL in Korea

I don't know why anyone would even want to go back to teaching in the US/UK/Aus. after a 12 month stint in any decent country for teachers...!

When I was in High School, kids were bold enough to throw a punch at female teachers, and that was years ago...

Jon
info@eslsociety.com
TEFL Certificate
ESL Society

[Tutor]

Yup, Teaching in countries where you get the appreciation can surely be motivating to continue for more time.

From teachers prespective,
1) Environment - Teaching for initial 6 to 12 month period gives them a chance to make new friends and roam around in new places. Going back and adjusting to the new environment can be one of the reason.

2) Security - Not Job Security but security as a teacher to continue in the same profession also plays a vital role.

Schools extending contracts

1) Any new teacher will take time to mix and adjust with the students.
2) Cost advantage of having the same person as overall the schools don't have to search for different teachers.

Emotions play a very big role for either side.