Teaching English in Phnom Penh

[bealem]

I'm an engineer currently working in Canada. I've been at it for 25 years now and would really like to try something different. I've never taught English in my life but I'd really like to give it a go for a year or so.
Do I need any special credentials to teach English in PP?

Does anyone know of any teaching opportunities in PP?

Thanks

[BillyB]

I'm an engineer currently working in Canada. I've been at it for 25 years now and would really like to try something different.
Thanks

Have you tried Scuba Diving?

You might find that closer to your workplace, and you could do it at weekends.

[eight]

I'm an engineer currently working in Canada. I've been at it for 25 years now and would really like to try something different.
Thanks

Have you tried Scuba Diving?

You might find that closer to your workplace, and you could do it at weekends.

BB, what a stupid answer. He said he was an Engineer. Surely bungee jumping would be more in his line.

But on the serious side, Cambodia needs engineers, accountants etc. and I am sure that there would be many university students that would like to be taught engineering by a genuine engineer with your experience. If you really want a new challenge why not open your own school [ with a Cambodian partner ] to teach welding

[andyinasia]

I'm an English teacher. I know nothing about Engineering but I'd like to give it a go. Do you think I could take your job in Canada?


Seriously, what right do you think you have taking money from Cambodians to do a job you have no qualification to do?

[bealem]

Ok ok maybe a stupid question. However, a retired engineer from canada that I know did go to vietnam to teach english a few years ago. No kidding.

You are right! I would not take money for this. Was actually thinking along the lines of VOLUNTEERING. Any one remember that word...?

[LaudJohn]

Get yourself a CELTA.

It takes about a month full time.

It will prepare you for the job and armed with a degree and a CELTA you will be more qualified than many of the ELT teachers in Cambodia .. and when you step into a classroom at least you will have a clue as to what you are doing.

[andyinasia]

Ok ok maybe a stupid question. However, a retired engineer from canada that I know did go to vietnam to teach english a few years ago. No kidding.

You are right! I would not take money for this. Was actually thinking along the lines of VOLUNTEERING. Any one remember that word...?

Ah, well that does of course make a difference. In the past, many completely unqualified people have come to Cambodia and taught English - paid employment. But that doesn't make it right, and as a professional I find it objectionable. Nowadays it is much harder to do that because plenty qualified teachers are here.

For volunteering, it is still preferable to be a qualified teacher and many volunteers are. However, there are NGOs, including orphanages that welcome voluntary help. Some are used to accepting volunteer tourists who drop in for a few days or a week then leave - I don't think that actually helps the children at all, so if you are willing to stay in one place for a few months and develop a relationship with a class, that would be far more helpful.

I'm out of touch with the voluntary sector these days - hopefully others will be able to give contacts. I do recommend that you read a bit to mug up on teaching methodology and in particular the methodology of teaching English since knowing English and teaching it are quite different beasts.

[bealem]

Thanks alot. I appreciate your sensitivity and would certainly feel the same wrt to an unqualified person wanting to teach engineering.
Good we got back on track there.
I have a freind that does quite a bit of work for NGOs. Perhaps I will talk to her about the possibilities there.

Thanks again.

[barforsalecambodia]

Sorry to say, but I find this qualified English teacher discussion to be totally out of place for Cambodia. I remember I walked right into a place, and since I was from and English-speaking country, they just gave me a job at $10/hour. All I had to do in class was play a tape and then go through some excercises out of a book that any 8th grader from the U.S. could do. Anyone from a Western country can do this. No qualifications necessary, IMO.

So feel free to quit your job and come on down is my advice. The weather is fine

[connecticuter]

I am ambivalent on this whole certification subject.

1st, Back in college the students with the least respect were the education majors (behind those studying gym). Sure, they knew how to write a lesson plan, syllabi, and grade papers. However, they rarely had critical thinking skills. They struggled with analyzing a text or argument and generally had no idea how to create their own argument on a given matter. Which is why I so often found myself tutoring such students. More often than not, their whole philosophy of education was based on what Paolo Freire
called the banking style of education.

2nd, I agree that certification can provide useful skills and knowledge. Yet, I think much of it can be replicated by a teacher that is aware of the students needs and abilities. I will give 2 examples having to do with voice/accent training with Indian and Japanese students.

The former had trouble with the V and W distinction, whereas the latter had trouble with their R's. Yes, a thorough knowledge of phonetics would have been helpful. I helped the former by merely attending to what I did with my mouth when I make v and w sounds and then explaining to them how to manipulate their mouths to produce the same result. With the latter I realized they could say "motherfucker" properly, but could not say words like "round" or "ruin". I had then do exercises in which they say motherfucker in between various r words: it worked like a charm.

As far as I am concerned a person that is intent on meeting the needs of students and is aware of their abilities and challenges can make great headway without a certification. I would like to add that not every theory of education is going to be a good fit for every student. The goal of education should be the emancipation of the student from authority: the authority of the teacher, society, etc. We want to aid others in building skills that allow them to excel at independent study. Teaching methodologies come and go, the need for dedicated teachers does not.

Finally,people have been teaching and learning languages long before there was a certification process. Having failed to learn Italian, Spanish, German, and Hindi (and currently struggling with Khmer), I am less than impressed with what is considered the state of the art in language instruction.

[vladimir]

But on the serious side, Cambodia needs accountants

Yes, but will they be allowed to do their work?

[Visser]

I'm an English teacher. I know nothing about Engineering but I'd like to give it a go. Do you think I could take your job in Canada?

If your native language was engineering then yes, you could teach basic engineering without much trouble.

Teaching the basics of ones own native language is not rocket science.

[gavinmac]

Cambodia could use more Canadian teachers. I got a weird thing for bargirls who say "aboot."

[violet]

Cambodia could use more Canadian teachers. I got a weird thing for bargirls who say "aboot."

I think that's the most endearing comment you ever made.

[gavinmac]

I think that's the most endearing comment you ever made.

Thanks. Stole it from "Chasing Amy."

BANKY
(not looking up)
This is one of the best street lights
you've ever drawn.

HOLDEN
It's the one across from the post
office.

BANKY
Looks just like it.

HOLDEN
Thanks.
(beat)
What do you wanna do tonight!

BANKY
Get a pizza. Watch 'Degrassi Junior
High'.

HOLDEN
(erases)
You got a weird thing for Canadian
melodrama.

BANKY
I've got a weird thing for girls who
say 'aboot'.