7. Develop Great Friendships with Students
As a TESOL teacher working abroad, you will be helping students learn English as a second or foreign language; you will also be able to form lasting friendships with your students, sharing experiences and learning about each other’s culture and interests.
8. One word – FOOD!
Anyone who appreciates a good meal will learn to appreciate the advantage of tasting the flavors of another country. Whether it’s fine dining, or sampling street food, every country has its own signature flavors that make it a unique place to live and work in. Ask anyone what they enjoy most about living overseas, and they’ll tell you the opportunity to try new foods.
9. Appreciate being the Foreigner
When you see a foreigner in your home country, do you truly appreciate the challenges they face when visiting or living in your country? Teaching English overseas will give you that unique chance to see the world through their eyes, and learn how to adapt to your new environment.
10. Make the World a Smaller Place
English currently has the largest number of speakers, and most of them are speaking English as a second or foreign language. This not only shows that there is a high demand for effective TESOL teachers, but also no matter where you go, everyone will be speaking the same language.
11. Become Involved in Local Concerns
One of the benefits of teaching English in a different country is that it exposes you to opportunities to do good in the region you’re working. Why not volunteer an hour or two a week to teach someone how to read and write? Or devote some time some humanitarian effort?
12. You Will Never Be the Same Again
As a TESOL teacher working overseas, you will often have once-in-a-lifetime experiences that will enrichen your time living and working abroad. You will meet unforgettable people, experience unforgettable things, and come away from the experience a better person, both personally and professionally.
Michael Bunyak
English Teacher at Canadian Education College, Singapore