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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

A teacher taught in Japan. She was impressed by the students' respect for teachers. They would bow and greet her very politely every day. Also, the school had a very strict schedule which she had to follow precisely. It was a unique experience for her to be in such an orderly educational environment.

One common difficulty is the language. If the student doesn't know the local language well, it can be hard to communicate instructions clearly. For example, in a classroom where the official language is not the student's native tongue, explaining complex concepts can be a struggle.

A student, Mark, taught in Japan. His subject was mathematics. He was amazed by the discipline and respect shown by the Japanese students in the classroom. But he also noticed that they were shy about asking questions. So, he tried to create a more relaxed atmosphere. He introduced group work and problem - solving activities. Through this, the students became more active in learning math. Mark also learned a lot about Japanese culture during his stay there, which influenced his teaching methods in a positive way.