Author: Stephanie Long

Being in front of a classroom of ESL students can be intimidating under any circumstances. But when it’s a large class, and yourself facing twenty or more students, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed.

Teaching abroad is a daunting and scary undertaking for anyone. But being a woman traveling alone can make you feel especially vulnerable. I certainly had my own fears and reservations before I moved overseas. A foreign country felt like a whole world of unknown.

Your time abroad isn’t all about teaching. You’ve got to get out and play, too. And if you’re anything like me, the lure of the mountains will have you out exploring and hiking in Taiwan as often as you possibly can. Whether you’re a seasoned hiker or completely new to it, and whether you’re looking for a quick half-day jaunt through dense, muggy jungles or a multi-day expedition up an epic snowy peak, Taiwan is truly a hiker’s paradise.

Teaching idioms might seem intimidating, especially if your students have never heard any of them before. Idioms are a common part of speech, though. Getting your students familiar with them early on can help them communicate more naturally and give them a deeper understanding of the English language.
It doesn’t have to be complicated or difficult to teach idioms. With these tips and resources, teaching idioms to your students will be a piece of cake.

Even the most experienced teachers once had that deer in the headlights moment the first time they were in front of a classroom. Looking back, we can all identify a list of mistakes we made and things we wish we had known before we ever set foot in a classroom. Here are 10 things I wish I’d known before starting ESL teaching.

For most ex-pats, there eventually comes a time when the call of home gets too loud to ignore. It might be family and friends that are pulling you back, or a job, or just a sense that it’s time to leave. Whatever the reason, moving home can be as challenging as moving abroad.

Mid-Autumn Festival is one of Taiwan’s most important holidays. It’s worth taking some time to look at the traditions and history of this festival.

Lack of professionalism, careless emails, or just general lapses in judgment are the quickest way to get your resume dumped in the trash, no matter how good your qualifications are. Here are 12 of the most common mistakes that people make when applying for jobs.