Customer Reviews

Teaching English in Asia: Finding a Job and Doing It Well

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This book is a good introduction to those who are considering going to Asia to teach English. There are relatively accurate background vignettes on the major Asian destinations for ESL teachers (Korea, Taiwan, Japan, PRC, Thailand) as well as fairly accurate (but not thorough) information on the red tape you'll have to plow through. There are a lot of (but by no means a definitive amount of) helpful word games, conversation topics, and general tips for teaching students of all levels of fluency.

Besides these tips, this book should be mandatory reading for those considering going to Asia to teach English for two other reasons. First is for his analysis of some of the different cultures that he's been to and how some other teachers are preoccupied with the more esoteric and exotic aspects of the country. He's remarkably open-minded and free from romantic notions of what the "exotic Orient" should be. Those of you who have spent any significant amount of time in Asia have probably seen gaijin or laowai who are just a tad too obsessed with studying calligraphy, martial arts, etc. and have these preconceived notions that Asians are more spiritual or ritualistic than Westerners. There are several funny anecdotes about how these orientalists (98% of whom are white males) have confused, befuddled and otherwise made a fool of themselves but whipping out the I Ching or trying to get their students to do some Buddhist meditation. This book would be the perfect antidote for them.

Another point that the author brings up and cannot be overemphasized is: IF YOU'RE GOING TO TEACH ENGLISH, BE COMMITTED TO DOING IT RIGHT. This should be the golden rule of all ESL teachers. Having taught in the PRC for a year myself, I cannot overly stress how frustrating it is those casual teachers are for those who are more committed to the job. East Asia and Southeast Asia are filled with so many unwashed hippies trying to extend their vacation, wandering weekly from job to job, that many teaching centers have to institute unpopular policies like withholding pay for the first month. Besides that, there's the ethical issue of ripping off people who are in most cases significantly poorer than yourself. (Admittedly, irresponsible foreigners aren't the only ones to blame. Oftentimes, the teaching centers themselves are to fault.)

Overall, this is a valuable book for those looking to spend a couple years off from the daily grind and to have a unique, fulflling experience abroad.

Forget Asia! This is a great book for all English teacher wanna-bees! It is especially helpful for those wanting to teach cross-culturally either at home or abroad. Mr. Valle's style is appealing. His warnings and advice seem quite practical. And his suggested classroom activities seem appropriate and fun to use. My only complaint is that he has not written a sequel or issued a new edition!