What are some teaching abroad horror stories?
One horror story is getting stuck in a school with no proper teaching materials. I once taught in a remote place abroad where there were hardly any textbooks or educational resources. It was a nightmare trying to plan lessons without the basic tools. Another is dealing with extremely unruly students. I had a class where the students were constantly disrupting the class and there was little support from the school administration to discipline them.
A really bad experience could be getting sick in a foreign country while teaching and having no access to proper medical care. One of my friends who taught abroad got a serious illness, but the local medical facilities were not up to standard. Moreover, the language barrier made it difficult for her to communicate her symptoms accurately. And in some cases, teachers might encounter unfair treatment from colleagues. There could be jealousy or territorial issues among the local and foreign teachers, which made the working atmosphere very unpleasant.
Teaching English Abroad Horror Stories: What Are Some of the Most Common Ones?
One common horror story is getting placed in a school with no teaching resources. You might expect basic things like textbooks or a whiteboard, but end up with nothing. Another is having to deal with extremely unruly students who have no respect for the teacher. For example, students constantly talking over you or even throwing things in class. And then there's the issue of cultural misunderstandings. You could do something innocent, like pat a child on the head, which might be offensive in that culture.
Share some teaching English abroad stories.
When I was teaching English in Spain, I noticed a cultural difference in the learning style. Spanish students were very social in the classroom. They liked to have group discussions and debates in English. It was challenging at first to manage the noise level, but then I realized it was a great way for them to practice speaking and expressing their ideas. I also got to learn a lot about Spanish culture from my students during those discussions.
Can you share the worst teaching abroad horror stories you know?
Sure. One of the worst is being in a school with a very authoritarian principal. A teacher I know had no freedom to design her own curriculum. Everything was dictated by the principal, and any deviation was severely punished. It was like teaching in a prison.
What are the most memorable teaching English abroad stories?
In France, I had a student who was very shy at first. But as time went on, through various English - speaking activities like role - plays, she became more confident. By the end of the semester, she was able to give a presentation in front of the whole class in English without any hesitation. It was really inspiring to see her growth.
What are some travel abroad horror stories?
One horror story is getting seriously ill in a foreign country with no access to proper medical care. I knew a guy who got food poisoning in a remote area of Thailand. The local hospital was ill - equipped, and he had to wait for hours just to see a doctor. It was a nightmare as he didn't speak the local language well and had trouble communicating his symptoms.
Can you share some interesting teaching abroad stories?
Sure. One of my friends taught in Thailand. She was amazed by the warm hospitality of the local students. They would often bring her small gifts like local handicrafts. And the teaching style there was more relaxed compared to what she was used to in her home country. It was a great cultural exchange experience for her.
Teaching English Abroad Horror Stories: How Can Teachers Avoid These Bad Situations?
To avoid bad accommodation situations, do thorough research before going. Look at reviews of places where previous teachers have stayed. For the teaching environment, ask for a detailed schedule and contract before agreeing to work. Make sure it clearly states what resources will be available. As for cultural misunderstandings, read up on the local culture before arriving.
What are some substitute teaching horror stories?
One horror story could be when a substitute teacher walked into a classroom full of rowdy students who completely ignored all instructions. They were throwing things, shouting, and refused to sit down. The substitute had no support from the school staff and had to endure the chaos for the whole day.
What are some student teaching horror stories?
One horror story could be when a student teacher is completely ignored by the students. They talk over the teacher, refuse to follow instructions, and make it impossible to conduct a proper lesson. It's like the teacher is invisible and their efforts are in vain.
Teaching ESL in Korea Horror Stories: What are some common horror stories of teaching ESL in Korea?
Well, there are horror stories about cultural misunderstandings. For instance, the teaching style that might work well in Western countries could be completely misinterpreted in Korea. Teachers might be too direct or casual in their teaching approach according to the local standards, and this can lead to conflicts with students or parents. Also, some teachers have horror stories about the long working hours. They might be expected to work extra hours without proper compensation, like staying late to help students with exams or prepare teaching materials.