8 Potential Challenges of Teaching English Abroad That Few Talk About

What are the major challenges for ESL teachers? ☆ Your plane dips below the clouds, as a fiery red ball of sun extinguishes into the Yellow Sea. The next day at orientation, you take a seat in the cafeteria next to a group of strangers. A few exchange small talk. You and the rest attempt to decipher what’s mixed in with the powdery eggs, in silence. 

Over the course of the next nine days, you attend training from 8:30-5:00. You fill a few drawers in your dorm room. You explore the campus during down time. It all starts to feel routine. On your second to last night, you catch a blur out the window, as a bullet train zips toward an LED skyline up against a mountain range which you can barely make out in the last glow of twilight. Two days later, you repack your bags, and say goodbye to the people you’ve met.

Fresh off a bus trip, you’re herded into an auditorium. Along with a few familiar faces from orientation, you’re presented in a line on stage. In a foreign language, a stern looking man calls off names. One by one, you’re led away. Most have gone. Finally, you hear your name.

That afternoon, you’re ushered off to the classroom. Your life as a Foreign English Teacher has begun. And over the course of the next few months, all you can think is “Why did no one warn me about this before!?

Here are seven challenges of teaching english abroad that no one ever talks about.

Unspoken challenges for ESL teachers abroad

1. It can be disorganized

Right in front of the Vice Principal, a feared tyrant, you’re given a workspace. Your main co-teacher greets you with a schedule. “You won’t be responsible for teaching this week” she tells you, “You’ll just observe.” The first two classes go okay. But class three is a different story.

The bell rang five minutes ago, but no one has said a thing. Your co-teacher for this class sits comfortably at the back. “Excuse me, I was told I’d be observing this week.” You approach her nicely. She nods her head vigorously and points to the board. And just like that, without any materials or preparation, you’re leading your first lesson.

Although treated seriously, the education system in South Korea is notoriously disorganized—and I’m sure it’s not alone on this front, which can lead to loads of different types of classroom problems. Add in a harsh language barrier, and you never really know what to expect. *Gulp.* And this can be true for other popular destinations for teaching English abroad. As a foreign English teacher, you quickly learn to keep plans B and C at the ready. You’ll stockpile your memory with games that don’t require materials or difficult instructions because the only guarantee of teaching abroad is working on the fly.

And while these spontaneous changes can undoubtedly cause stress, often, they go the other way. Canceled classes, or last minute “test prep” may leave you with days on end of free time—during which you can get ahead on lesson plans, day dream your next weekend trip, or get caught up on your blog. One of the biggest ESL challenges for teachers abroad will be getting in the rhythm of a new time culture.

How to make it better: Some require a TEFL or CELTA certificate, and most others require a four year degree, but few if any teach abroad programs require actual classroom experience. “Don’t worry, you’ll have plenty of time to lesson plan and settle in.” you may read snippets of encouragement like this as before you go. And while this approach is common, it’s likely to leave you overwhelmed. Instead, begin your prep before you ever enter the classroom. For starters, choose a certificate program with in-class practicum. Or, if you want a cheaper option, look for a local language school that may allow you to exchange valuable volunteer hours. Any time practicing instruction will serve you well. 

With most programs, you likely won’t know about the specifics of your students until you arrive. This makes preemptive lesson planning beyond your first lesson impossible. But, no matter the age or skill level of your students, you can bet that your first lesson will be an introduction, so go ahead and start compiling those autobiography slides. Familiarizing yourself with online lesson planning resources is another way to be proactive. 

2. It’s hard work

We’ve all heard of some hippy who left his office job to go “teach English in Costa Rica” which really meant play hacky sack with some kids. And maybe those types of “jobs” do exist, but in some countries, education is taken very seriously.

So, you see yourself as more of a “cultural liaison,” eh? Maybe you plan to play your favorite movies and have “show and tell” once a week. These types of lesson plans are no-longer viewed as adequate. Many foreign English programs list foreigners as “assistants” but that doesn’t mean you’re free from responsibility. If going in blind, late night lesson planning sessions can quickly become a reality, but as you learn to teach, these should go away.

How to make it better: If you’re up for the challenge and want to defeat the challenges of teaching English abroad like these, there are plenty of resources out there. From online forums where teachers share materials, to lesson planning groups that often meet for other activities, support exists. Also, for those creative types, the freedom you’re often given with your lesson plans can be an excellent opportunity to make the whole process a work of art.

3. It can feel isolating

“Tyler teacher, are you okay?” My co-teacher asked me sometime around month three. “Yeah, sure I am, Dan.” I lied to him. “Why do you ask?” “Oh, because when I ask the last two English teachers how their year was, they both tell me the same thing.” “What did they say?” I inched closer in my seat. “They say they were very lonely.” His voice fell to a whisper as he told the truth.

When considering teaching abroad—and considering the potential ESL challenges for teachers—it can be easy to romanticize an immediate community. I mean, the whole thing begins with an orientation, right? And it’s true, whether you’re in a rural area, or a big city, expats and locals curious to interact will be present. But, ultimately, the quality of your social life as a foreign English teacher is a product of the work you put in. 

How to make it better: Using sites light Meetup or joining Facebook groups is an excellent way to find friends in foreign places. It might be tough at first, but friendship is contagious. It starts with those first few. Put yourself out there and remember, there is not such thing as a bad experience. 

4. The schedule can be strict

“I’m going to teach abroad, so that I can travel.” It’s a common misconception, and one that I shared. With the many notorious backpacker paradises, excellent transport options, and endless sights, teaching abroad may seem like an excellent way to explore. However, as a foreign English teacher in a rigid education system, you may find that your schedule is strict.

“Well what about all those vacation days?”. It’s true, most foreign English teachers can expect about a month of paid time off, which isn’t bad on paper. Especially for those of us used to the vacation deprivation of the States. But the reality is, those breaks are broken up into two main chunks of about two weeks, with a couple of holiday weekends in-between. 

For most of your time as a foreign English teacher you’ll likely be tied to your host country. But that isn’t necessarily a bad thing! In today’s world of convenience, all too often people race from place to place, just to say they’ve been, but without ever actually experiencing anything. 

How to make it better: Teaching in a country for a year is an excellent opportunity to experience life how the locals live it. Invest in your host country, and you’ll undoubtedly find authenticity.  

5. “Getting” by isn’t communicating

“So, are you learning Korean?” “No, I hear you can get by without it.” Perhaps you’ve read about how easy it is to “get by” without learning the language of the country your considering teaching English in. I mean, if worst comes to worst, you can always google everything, right? Wrong.

Instead of staring at a screen to find a Walmart, when living abroad as an English teacher, everything becomes an adventure that you get to explore with your own two feet. Need laundry detergent? No, that’s deodorant. Are you hungry? Follow the steam. In a way, living in a foreign land without knowing the language is like going back in time. You’re forced to pound the pavement and make your own discoveries. With that being said, you should definitely try to learn the language.

Let’s look at the facts. You’re being paid (often well) to teach English in a foreign country. You’ve been flown to this country free of charge. You’re given a place to live for free. Obviously, this country is attempting to teach its students English. If there was already widespread fluency, they would have no need for your wrinkled khakis. As for Google, many foreign countries use alternative search engines. And typing anything other than the native language into a search bar won’t produce a thing. This makes life difficult. Very difficult. But also, exciting… 

How to make it better: Learning a language is difficult. Which is why making the attempt as an English Teacher is so important. Seeing things from a learners perspective can help you be a more effective teacher. And practicing the local language is a way to invest in the experience. Many teaching programs offer local language courses for free. Take advantage of these. 

6. It can have negative health effects

*Warning: Avoid prolonged outdoor exposure and outdoor activities. Use air filters inside.* Ever heard of AQI? In South Korea, and many other parts of Asia, including the Middle East, it’s a measurement that’s checked as part of every morning routine. Ignore the risks, and you may feel cold like symptoms, or even worse, you could do long term damage to your health. These fine dust particles and pollutants are recognized by the World Health Organization as grade one carcinogens.

Industrial grade masks can limit your exposure. Although most people opt for the designer options, which don’t do a thing. Indoor activities are aplenty, and the number of days when the AQI reaches “extreme” are quite minimal. But, as a foreign English teacher in many parts of Asia, you’ll likely be exposed to the dangers of pollution. Rather than some future threat as it’s often viewed in The States, pollution issues are very real in many Asian cities, and seeing it offers a humbling perspective. Whether you choose to stay abroad indefinitely, or return after a year, as a foreign English teacher in Asia, you’ll learn to appreciate clean air. 

How to make it better: If your apartment doesn’t come equipped with one, purchasing an air purifier is a worthy investment when living in a polluted area. Often times, living accommodations abroad can be quite small, so a budget friendly option should do the trick. When outside on particularly high AQI days, wearing a mask can be effective, but only if it’s properly rated. Resist the urge to choose a trendy option, as these are often useless. Health is more important than a fashion trend.

7. Your students might think you’re boring

“Oh, your students will love you!”, they’ll boost your egos at orientation. And at first, it may seem true. “Teacher! Teacher!” they may yell in the hallways. But that excitement can quickly fade if you’re not talking about topics that interest them. 

Out around town, you’ll likely go relatively unnoticed. But did you really move all this way to be the most interesting thing?Living in a foreign country is about observing a culture and experiencing it in an authentic way. Sure, you may never accept the bars of soap in public bathrooms, but doing as the locals do is all part of the experience. Get over yourself and ride the wave.

How to make it better: This is your opportunity to research the local culture. Use your first lesson or two as an introduction. Share your interests and create a simple “interests” worksheet for your students to complete. This information will allow your to create engaging lessons throughout the year. 

8. A wide variety of proficiencies

You stress about your first lesson throughout orientation. You prepare an introduction presentation with lots of visuals. The first day of the new session arrives. You slide the paper screen door open, revealing a sea of youthful eyes. You set your yellow plastic basket of materials on the Teacher’s desk. You search for a writing utensil to write your name on the board. A helpful student steps in. “Here you go teacher” her says, while offering a chalk pen. Throughout your first lesson, and several thereafter, you notice a trend. Your new friend and a few others are the only ones that ever raise their hands. After class, these students often stay to chat. Around week three, you begin to realize. There’s a significant gap in English proficiency amongst this class and your others too. 

Although public school systems do attempt to place students in different levels of English classes based on proficiency, often times, the classes are still heavily mixed. As a Foreign English Teacher, I saw this as my biggest challenge. 

How to make it better: After weeks of teaching just one portion of the class at a time, I slowly began to find ways to engage the whole. With partner work I found some success, but often times the more proficient student would end up doing all the work. Survey exercises and team games proved to be far more effective. And learning to use my most proficient students as assistants, allowed for these activities to go smoothly. 

Is teaching English abroad worth it?

Maybe you’re a recent college graduate who’s not ready to jump into a career. Perhaps you’ve tried a normal route, and you’ve decided that it’s not for you. Teaching abroad is a job, it’s a lifestyle, a challenge, and an experience unlike any other. 

For those looking to save money, it can certainly be a means. For those looking to fulfill a curiosity, it will likely only produce more. And that’s a beautiful thing. Before teaching abroad, I had so many questions, and because of my exposure in Korea, I now have so many more. 

So is teaching English abroad worth it? Hell yes. The challenges are there—they can be formidable, and they can be a pain. But at the end of the day, they help you grow. You learn your new depths of self-resilience. You learn how to take deep breaths and face obstacles head on. You learn to take care of yourself and others. And you come back with some damn good stories to tell.

To conclude… 

These ESL challenges for teachers are worth thinking about before you take the leap to teach abroad yourself. Think about your motivations for teaching English. If you go for the experience, and with a genuine curiosity—you may never leave. With the rise of online communication, today, the foreign English market is a competitive one. If you’re successful in landing a job, you’d better be committed. Because the challenges of the classroom are just the beginning. Go for the wrong reasons, like saving money, or country hopping, and you’ll almost definitely fail, like me.

Learn from my mistakes!

During my time as a foreign English teacher, I faced many challenges, many of which were entirely unforeseen. Unlike others, who found communities and renewed their contracts, I went for the wrong reasons and left early. Yet, to my surprise, I often find myself longing for a similar experience. In fact, I’ve recently decided to take on the challenge of teaching in Spain. 

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