Guest post by: Marisa Brooks

As I prepared for my very first trip to Japan right after college, I tried to do as much research as I could. I learned about the food, a bit about the language, and some of the customs and culture of my host country. Mind you, this was before the internet
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The United States, as well as most western nations, have a slew of laws in place across the board to prevent employer discrimination.  However, if you are heading off to teach English overseas… fogetaboutit.  Foreign employers and even governments can and will discriminate as they see fit and unfortunately there is nothing you can do about
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As a CELTA trainer, I talk with people who are thinking about teaching English all over the world, even in their hometowns of Biloxi or Idaho Falls. Does it make sense to get CELTA or IDELT training if you plan to teach in the U.S.? Can you get a job with it locally?

There are some
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With 2011 just a couple of days away, it is hard to avoid the temptation to make (and break!) resolutions. From the staff at Bridge, here are the top 5 New Year’s resolutions to rock your TEFL world in 2011:

5. Shake it Up! Try New Things in the TEFL Classroom.

Sometimes we get stuck in the
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We have all heard the benefits of teaching English abroad. Among the most commonly quoted—teaching English in a foreign country allows you to understand another culture and language (crucial in an increasingly global world); it will give you a changed, broader perspective in life; it’s a great platform to make a positive international impact; it’s
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First day scenario: Walk in and 50 students are staring at me! OMG!

As many of you have experienced, the meaning of large varies around the globe and the reality is, English classes of 30-70 students is the norm in many parts of the world.

What is a large class and how best do you teach a class with 30+
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If you live in the United States, you should be fully aware that when you go to teach English abroad, you will be leaving behind a technological infrastructure for internet and cell phones that is a rare find in other parts of the world. In some cases, you might want to prepare to return to the
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Who doesn’t love a little friendly competition? A good game in the EFL classroom can get even the most inattentive, “I’m so over this” students engaged and enthused. And don’t write games off as just for kids! You’ll be shocked when your older students revert back to kinder-aged antics in order to compete. While this list is certainly
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 According to language experts, there are five distinct stages a language learner progresses through. We looked at stage names, the general description of each stage, what teachers should focus on, and how long teachers can expect a language learner to stay at each stage.

But our students want to know (almost immediately upon entering into a
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What are the Stages of Second Language Learning? Why is This Important?

Have you ever wondered why your learners show frustration at their own language proficiency? Do you find yourself frustrated with choosing the right materials for their levels? Do you wonder how to answer your learners when they ask why it’s taking so long to learn English?
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