How to Deal with Students' Parents

Updated 18 February 2012

Here are 6 tips that will help you out when you're dealing with your students' parents. 

Hold a general meeting: Tell parents about the books that you use, the syllabus that you follow, and show them some of their child's work. If you don't speak the parent's native language make sure you have someone available who does.

Parent-teacher conferences: By meeting together, they can talk about the child's strengths, weaknesses, and goals to be achieved. Just as in the general meeting, make sure that you have the child's work, grades, and tests available for the parent to see.

Communicate regularly: With email communication is easy. If your email system allows it you can tag the emails and be notified when the parents read the email. Whether you're going to communicate once a week or once a month, be consistent. Avoid sending emails on Mondays and Fridays since these are usually the busiest days. Remember to summarise what has been done in class and what will be done in the future.

Be available: If parents have questions they should be able to reach you so give them your work phone number and work email.

Stay calm: Parents can get angry over just about anything: the way you teach, too much homework, too little homework, other children, etc. Remember to stay calm and don't become defensive.

Have a time limit: Some parents will wait for you outside class.  Be firm and tell them that you have another class / have to prepare class / have a meeting and that you would be glad to discuss the issue, but first they must set up a meeting. This way you aren't rushed and can go to the meeting prepared.

Get help: Sometimes things just get out of hand. If this is the case ask your principal or director for help. Here are some more ideas to help you deal with parents.

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How Boys and Girls Learn Differently and What to Do About It

Updated 18 February 2012

These tips come from a workshop given by Lucrecia Rodriguez in Lima, Peru in 2008. You can find more tips at teaching boys and girls.

Catering to Girls

• Give extra encouragement when they do spatial activities like computer design.
• Let girls manipulate objects, build, design, and calculate.
• Use water and sand tables in science.
• Use puzzles to help with visual perception.
• Set up spatial lessons in groups to encourage discussion.
• Form groups and teams to promote leadership roles and negotiation skills.
• Play physical games to help develop gross motor skills.
• Encourage the quieter girls.
• The work environment should be clean, tidy, and well-lit.
• Put up pictures and posters.
• Take photos of girls completing tasks successfully.

Catering to Boys

• Make lessons experiential and kinesthetic. Allow for movement and noise.
• Give them breaks to stand up, stretch, and walk around.
• Give boys chores, such as sharpening pencils, helping the teacher, handing out papers, etc.
• Allow them to play with clay, crayons, or doodle while listening.
• Use bead work, blocks, legos and other manipulatives to encourage fine motor skills.
• Keep verbal instructions short. Use pictures, graphs, and diagrams when explaining.
• Use male mentors and role models.
• Allow boys to be a bit disorganised. Arrange tables and chairs further apart so that they have their own space.
• Increase computer based education.
• Use intellectual competition, such as math, spelling, or geography contests.
• Read more non-fiction in class. Boys like facts and information.

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Visa Issues and Benefits to Consider When Moving Abroad

Updated 13 February 2012

While some countries give tourist visas upon arrival others may require you to get on beforehand. Some countries require round-trip tickets or proof-of-funds before they let you on the plane or into the country. Here are some things you should know before you go.

Getting a Teaching Job upon Arrival
Wear professional clothes (no shorts, jeans, tank tops, or sandals) and go to schools with your CV in hand. After interviewing you may have to do a short demo lesson, but don't worry, relax and smile.

Teaching on a Tourist Visa
In some countries it's not uncommon for people to work on tourist visas, however, in other countries you're risking being put in prison, being fined, or deported. If you are teaching on a tourist visa you may have to border hop every once in a while. In some countries you could just overstay your visa and pay the fine as you leave. This is often cheaper than border hopping.


Getting a Work Visa to Teach
Check with your employer about what you need to bring. Often you will need to get your original university degree and transcripts. Read your contract carefully. Typical contracts usually include the minimum number of guaranteed hours, amount and frequency of pay, length of service, hours the teachers must be available to teach, whether teachers can teach classes outside of the school, and how the contract can be broken.

Some places have "no compete" policies. This varies from school to school and can mean anything from not being able to teach at another school while you work for them, not being able to teach privates, or even not being able to teach in the same city for X months after you finish their contract.

Typical Teaching Benefits
Housing and flights are common benefits. Housing is often a big expense so if that's taken care of you'll have one less thing to worry about. Some places will provide housing or assistance in finding housing. If housing is provided be sure to ask for details such as is it furnished, shared, and if utilities are covered. If you have your own housing, find out about costs, such as utilities.

Other places such as the Middle East and Asia, as well as international schools may provide other benefits such as pension, a contract completion bonus, allowances for your children's education, shipping allowances, and more.

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How to Get a TEFL Job

Updated 5 September 2013

Basic Requirements to Teach English Abroad
While most institutes prefer native speakers there are still many opportunities available as long as you are fluent in English. Most schools prefer that you have a college degree. In addition, some countries require that you have a passport from an English speaking country. Lastly, some countries may require you to been educated in English for 10 years or so.

Qualifications Needed to Get a TEFL Job
A TEFL certificate is useful but a BA may be a requirement. TEFL certification classes will help you learn how to teach English as a Foreign Language. They will also give you practical teaching tips and you will practise teaching EFL students. If you want to learn more about getting a TEFL cert then read how to choose a TEFL course and doing a TEFL course at home vs. abroad. If you're not sure if you want to take a TEFL certification course read is a TEFL cert necessary?


While it's not mandatory for you to have a TEFL cert, knowing about the English language is. Whether you go to a library to do research, talk to teachers or enroll in a course, you need to be prepared. The articles learning about TEFL and teaching and general teaching tips have a lot of helpful tips.

If you have the right qualifications and experience you might be able to teach at a primary or secondary school. There are bilingual and international schools out there. International schools are more competitive and they usually QTS (Qualified Teaching Status / a teaching license) and two years teaching experience in a primary or secondary school. If this sounds like something you would enjoy doing take a look at how to teach in an international school.

Money Matters for TEFL Teachers
The cost of living in some countries is pretty low compared to others. However, you will still need to bring money with you to tide you over until you get paid. $1000-$2000 is usually enough though you might want to have access to a credit card just in case. You can usually live well and save a bit. To find out more about which countries have a good lifestyle and which are the best for saving check out the best countries for TEFLing.

If you take public transport and cook at home you'll be able to save more. This means that you can spend your money on studying a language or travelling. Creating a TEFL budget has more money info. Taxes depend on many things, however if you're an American you will still have to file. The tax guide for overseas Americans is a good place to start.


Getting a TEFL Job
Remember to be professional when looking for a  TEFL job. Make sure you have a professional email address and a professional photo. Read about how to write a TEFL CV and how to write a TEFL cover letter. Watch what you put on Facebook or Twitter as employers might google you. Set your privacy settings on high and consider putting a formal photo on Facebook. Don't say anything bad about your old employers either. Here are some guides to teaching English overseas.

Vary the methods you use to look for a TEFL job: answer adverts online, get a recruiter, use LinkedIn, post your CV online, contact family, friends, and past employers. If you are looking for a job and don't have one at the moment try to get relevant experience by volunteering, doing research, or studying. Make sure you have business cards. When you meet new people keep in touch with them. You should send them a quick email reminding them who you are and tell them that you enjoyed meeting them. If you speak a foreign language, put that on your CV as well.

Once you get a job make sure you find out about the visa requirements. Sometimes you may need a medical check up or a police background check. You should also ask who is going to cover the fees and how long it takes to get it.

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How to be a Respectful Traveller

Updated 20 February 2012

General Tips for Tourists
Dressing like a tourist can be disrespectful to the local culture, cause you to pay more, and it can also make you a target for pickpockets. Here are some tips for traveling abroad. You should also check out reddit and journey women's what to wear where.

How to Blend in Physically

• Clothing. Cargo pants, shorts, halter tops, and sleeveless shirts aren't the norm in many parts of the world. Women who show their legs might get whistles, stares and air kisses. When in doubt cover up.
• Shoes. Ditch the flip flops and Birkenstocks; they’re beachwear. Opt for comfortable dress shoes.
• Nix the guidebook and a camera. Copy the necessary pages of your guidebook and put your camera in a backpack or purse. As for money and ID just take what you need and leave the rest in a safe place. Your passport, valuables, plane tickets, the bulk of your credit cards, and money should be left in the hotel safe. Make a copy of your passport and carry that around with you.

How to Blend in Socially

• Personal space. The personal space bubble is often smaller.
• Greetings. Air kisses, shaking hands, and bowing are common ways to greet people. Learn which ones you should use.
• Time. It may be more flexible than what you're used to.
• History and culture. Make an effort to learn a bit about the country’s history and culture before you go.
• Language. Try to learn a few simple phrases before you go abroad. Most people have a decent grasp of English so there’s no need to shout. If all else fails, try writing things down. People are often very helpful to foreigners.
• Local delicacies. Snake, dog, and wiggly things all might find their way onto your plate. Try it. Don't make comments about how gross or weird it is since many people think eating beef is gross.
• Use public transport. It tends to be cheaper and safer than taxis.
• Cheap prices. Although things might be considerably cheaper than in your home country, keep in mind that salaries might be lower. Don’t say how cheap things are because for those earning money in the local currency they’re not really that cheap.
• Remember the Thumper Rule. Remember you’re a guest. There are going to be some good things and some bad things. No one wants to hear how horrible their country is. If you don't like it, go home.
• More tips. Here are some more tips for travelling abroad. 

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