You’ve earned your certification to teach a second language and you’ve probably spent countless hours mulling over where you want to go and why. Do you want to immerse yourself in a new culture? Meet new people? Make money? Whatever the driving force, teaching a second language allows the freedom to explore another part of the world that may not have been possible otherwise.
As someone who lives in Canada, odds are you’ve mastered one of two languages, English or French. Either language will open up doors for you to teach across the globe. If you want to teach English in French-speaking country, it certainly helps to have a firm grasp on the French language to help you communicate with staff and students. Experiencing new cultures, discovering those hidden gems in a bustling metropolis or small rural town, comes with some responsibility. Wherever you plan on teaching it comes with its own set of social customs and etiquette that you will need to know. When a simple hand gesture can be a sign of thanks in one culture and a sign of disrespect in another, a couple of Google searches can save you a lot of embarrassment.
When you’re fresh off the plane and navigating your way to your new home away from home, you’ll undoubtedly feel that sense of “culture shock.” Getting used to your surroundings will be made that much easier if you’ve done your research and prepared yourself.
Before that 16-hour plane ride, follow these general guidelines to help smooth your transition and make for a more enjoyable experience:
Hit up the travel section of your local library or bookstore. While the internet is a wealth of knowledge, you can’t guarantee the source of information is truthful or accurate depending on the source. A good guidebook on your country can be a valuable investment.
It may not be a prerequisite to know your host country’s official language, but learning as much as you can and applying it to your daily life can help you cope with your new surroundings. As a foundation, learn the proper way to greet someone formally or informally, how to say “thank you” or “no thank you” and maybe some of those basic phrases like “where is the bathroom?” Make sure you keep expanding your vocabulary as you go to not only make your life easier but to get more out of your experience.
Take note of your verbal tics and physical gestures that you do most often. Now seek out a list of dos and don’ts for your host city and see how you measure up. While this is easier said than done, if you make a regular habit of the don’ts, begin phasing them out or find an alternative that won’t offend. You’re bound to trip up, but if you put in the effort it will be appreciated.
You’re going to need to eat to live. Start looking into local cuisine and eating as many different recipes as you can. Dine out and practice cooking meals at home with the supplies you can find in your host country so you get a varied experience. Knowing what you like and what you don’t can save you some embarrassment at your local restaurant or from going hungry.
If you’re young or young at heart and planning to tackle the local nightlife, it is important you look into what that entails. You may be familiar with North American customs and know what does and doesn’t offend, but there can be a whole different set of rules in your host city when approaching someone for a dance or buying someone a drink.
Consider some of these cultural dos and don’ts:
Country: China
Do: Wave someone over to you with your palm down. Don’t point or use your finger as this is commonly used for dogs and would be considered rude. Think about this when running your classroom.
Don’t: Write anything in red ink unless it’s when you are correcting a student’s work. Red ink is used for letters of protest.
Country: Brazil
Do: Make eye contact with those around you, even when you are walking through the streets or on public transit. It’s considered normal and polite.
Don’t: Get too drunk. Brazilians do not get drunk often and do not respect people who drink too much.
Country: Spain
Do: Appearance is very important. Be sure to dress well for any occasion. Avoid flashy colours and keep in mind the state of your shoes, it’s the most important element of an outfit.
Don’t: Waste your food. It is better to say no when offered food than to leave it on your plate.for more info, check out avant career
