LIVING ABROAD

Prepare Read about the culture of the people where you

will be living. (Lonely Planet) Talk to other people who have lived and taught where you will teaching. Get teaching experience. (Volunteer, Observe)

Collect teaching materials and ideas. Language teaching book Grammar resource book Writing textbook Speaking/listening activities Culture information about the United States Photos of you hometown, home, famil

STAGES OF CULTURE SHOCK(Each stage can last from 3 to 6 months.)

Stage 1 – Excitement: Honeymoon Period.  Feelings are very positive about the culture. .  Are overwhelmed with impressions.  Find the new culture exotic and are fascinated.  Are passive, meaning with little experience of the culture

Stage 2 – Withdrawal: Frustration Period.  Begin to dislike the culture and react negatively to the behavior .  Feel anxious.  Start to withdraw.  Begin to criticize, mock or show animosity to the people

Stage 3 – Adjustment: More settled and more confident Understand and accept the behavior of the people Feel less isolated Regain a sense of humor

Stage 4 –Enthusiasm: The individual now feels 'at home.• Enjoys being in the culture•  Functions well in the culture• Prefers certain cultural traits of the new culture rather than their

own • Adopts certain behaviors from the new culture

WHAT TO EXPECT1. Conditions that are not like home.2. Loneliness3. Frustration4. Different levels of efficiency5. Different levels of organization6. Different salary levels7. Different respect for teachers8. Different standard of living9. Different relationships with the people10. Different living conditions11. Different food12. Emotional drain

WHAT NOT TO DO

1. Complain2. Call home every minute3. Seclude yourself4. Act as though you know more than the

people where you are living.5. Be late, be unprepared, be temperamental6. Overwork7. Be ungrateful or impolite8. Make your country seem more important

than theirs

WHAT TO DO1. Be polite and accepting2. Be grateful3. Be punctual and prepared4. Accept advice from the people of the

culture you are living in5. Tour and appreciate the new environment6. Rest, refresh and exercise7. Read about the culture8. Learn the language where you are living9. Get involved in a recreation or hobby of

that culture

WEBSITES

http://teaching-abroad.suite101.com/article.cfm/advice_for_new_esl_teachers

http://www.esljobproject.com/esl_info/living-teaching-overseas.html

http://www.myseveralworlds.com/teach-and-travel/