Top tips for teaching English successfully.
1. TEFL Certification
A TEFL (teaching English as a foreign language) certificate is essential to have. These can come in the form of CELTA; DELTA; TEFL just to name a few. If you are an English speaker but want to know how to teach English effectively, then this is a perfect way for you to gain that knowledge. If you haven’t got this certificate there are always TEFL coursesgoing on, you just need to do a search! TESOL is also accepted as well as Business English qualifications. Working in Germany as non – EU citizens will require you to get a work visa. Visa requirements vary depending on the country; just make sure to check beforehand! But if you are currently an EU Citizen, you won’t have a problem!
2. Don’t just sit in the classroom
Students learn better when they are interacting with each other. Maybe try doing some cooking or baking making sure that the students are speaking English at all times! The English language is very difficult to learn, but the more they practice, the more understanding they will have! Even watching a film or documentary and discussing it afterwards is good. Why not ask them to listen to a Radio Programme and then debate it afterwards. It allows you to find out how much they can understand in English.
3. Be a Freelance teacher
Be in charge of your own schedule. You can decide what works best for you. Being freelance, you can choose which company you work for, or have the option to only do home teaching rather than classroom teaching. This also gives you the opportunity to work full time or part time. It’s a great way to work around your lifestyle.
4. Don’t be shy
Interact with other teachers via social media or go to events. Make yourself known and get ideas and tips for your teaching. Someone may have a really good lesson plan you want to take ideas from. This can be done before your trip or whilst you are aboard. This is also a good way of getting to know people in the surrounding areas. It’s good to share!
5. Managing your time correctly with resources
Make sure you are prepared and have lesson plans for the time you are teaching. Find different ways to get your points across, use YouTube for more visual effects, use Flipcharts and get the student involved in writing – I have found that using different colours gets the students more involved, black and white is boring, maybe use red or purple! Play games related to the tasks, or play music. Students love music! Just make sure that you know your student is keeping an interest in what you are teaching and make sure you are interested in what you are teaching, this makes for a great lesson all round!
6. Learn the language
Learning a foreign language can be hard but, it can be easy if you find the right way to do it – YouTube has endless videos on learning new languages, try an online course or download an app for your phone. We know that you won’t be teaching German but you will need to know the basics as a teacher. Whatever you do, there are endless possibilities to get you prepared to become a teacher in Germany.
7. Setting up
Going to a foreign country is always scary, but try thinking of it as a positive experience. You will be paid in their currency, so you will need to set up an account relevant to the country you are in! Finding accommodation – you have to make sure that you have a suitable place to stay. If you are doing home teaching and hosting it also has to be suitable for another body to be there!
8. Tax
As a freelance teacher you have to do your own taxes…FUN! Take note of the 19% VAT too. German taxes are complicated and I would recommend finding an English speaking consultant (if you are not competent with the language) to help you!
9.Travel
If you are doing 1-2-1s you will want to take the students around the area and show them the place they are in, but make sure you keep time to yourself. You are in a new, beautiful country, so take the time to explore and get to know the area. This is as exciting for you as it is for the students who will be learning with you. Once you know the area, you can exchange that knowledge and the places you have found with your students.