Teaching English for Special Purposes in the EFL
Classroom
Basic Concepts:
Many people,
when transitioning to a career in TEFL, forget that they
have lots of experience, and sometimes education, in a
specialized area. Rather than starting at the bottom
rung in TEFL consider finding your own special niche
where you can probably make more money, do a better job
- and enjoy yourself more.
Many people from Information Technology (IT) careers
come to TEFL, for example. Their best job strategy
would be to seek an English teaching position at a
college or university that has an IT specialty. Many
occupational specialties in foreign countries need
English training. The need it either for university
study and papers, research (most international research
is published in English), or to run a business.
If
you have a background in a special area, it is in your
best interest to use it. One, you will know the
specialized vocabulary of the business, you will know
how the business works - and you will even have a
curiosity about the business that other teachers won't
have. This makes you ideal to teach in that special
niche.
Consider nursing, aviation training, business and
marketing, chemicals, general medicine, engineering,
hospitality (restaurant, hotel, and tourism industry),
IT, law, construction technology, and every other
possible major at a university or college. If you have
such a skill/knowledge it would be well worth your time
to seek employment in that area. DON'T go to the
English department of a college or university - go to
the department of your specialty and have them recommend
you to the English department. You WILL be in demand.
Expanded
Concepts:
Read the
following links to get a better understanding of
teaching ESP.
Teaching English for Specific Purposes (ESP)
Notice the link for teaching Hotel/Hospitality English
near the bottom of this page. It is an excellent
example of the type of niche employment available.
Teach a few reception desk staff in an air conditioned
classroom at a 5-star resort on a tropical island - or
50 screaming kids in a hot classroom? Up to you .
. .
