Professional Development for English as a Second Language Teachers
You can become a better teacher by reading a few good books on how to Teach ESl
ESL Teaching is an easy thing to do poorly if you are inexperienced, and lack knowledge about what you're doing as a teacher. But to do it well, so that your students are actually learning English and hopefully enjoying themselves while they do it is not so simple. It takes practice, patience, and a working knowledge of the basic theories in the field, as well as a toolbox of games and activities that you can use to help your students. A little passion for teaching is also an invaluable thing. Here are my recommendations for some TEFL / TESOL training books you can read to help you become a better English Teacher. Find what you like and challenge yourself to incorporate some of the ideas into your English as a Second Language classroom.
"How to Teach English" by Jeremy Harmer
How to Get a University Job in South Korea
Who should read these ESL Teaching books?
Maybe you just finished university and plan to head overseas to teach English. The only problem is that you've never set foot inside a classroom as the teacher. That was my experience the first year that I came to South Korea to teach in a private institute. Back then, I didn't even really consider what I would or should be doing in classes and just did anything to fill the time. However, I truly wish that I had read a few books about teaching ESL before I came to Korea so that my first couple years teaching could have been much more effective. So, if you're heading overseas to teach ESL for the first time, read a few of the books so you have some idea of what you're doing. Bring them along with you to refer to when you run into problems.
I obviously read these books later on in my teaching career and they benefited my enormously. I saw the why behind the how. It was very enlightening. So, even if you're an experienced teacher, a bit of reading could help you enormously.
"How to Teach Writing" by Jeremy Harmer
What do your ESL Students struggle most with?
"Principles of Language Learning and Teaching" by Douglas Brown
"Approaches and Methods in Language Teaching" by Jack Richards
What age group do you teach?
"How to Teach Grammar" by Scott Thornbury
Are you interested in Teaching ESL in South Korea?
- ESL Publications-Logic Puzzles and Triva
Once you get that teaching job in South Korea, be sure to make your classes interesting and fun with these logic puzzles and trivia, which are specially designed for ESL students. Money-back guarantee! - My Life! Teaching in a Korean University
Check out this blog about a Canadian expat teaching English in a South Korean university.