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As a growing number of North American educators seek unique cultural and professional experiences by teaching abroad, they need a comprehensive resource that addresses the many questions educators face when pursuing such a path. This collection combines the personal experiences of teachers from varying backgrounds, placements, and teaching assignments, with practical resources such as listings of recruiting agencies, job fairs, country research tools, and salary guidelines.
Growing naturally from people's need to share their stories with those preparing to join the camaraderie of international teaching, this project resists the formalities of academic or purely informative reporting. There are many variables in overseas teaching-culture shock, housing and transportation, schools and classrooms, and securing resources in a foreign land-and important lessons can be learned from how others have dealt with them. The authentic immediacy of these personal narratives will provide answers to important questions, offer insights on a variety of global issues, and inspire and entertain the teacher-reader. Individual chapters discuss core curriculum and ESL instruction in a variety of contexts. Essays are written in a blend of narrative and expository writing styles, transporting the reader to exotic locations and giving a firsthand experience of the challenges and victories encountered by international teaching professionals.
List of contents
Introduction
The Middle East"Come with Me to the Casbah" Romance and Reality in Turkey by Jeri Hurd
Surviving the Soviet Legacy by Ken Lockette
From the Midwest to the Middle East: Iowa to Abu Dhabi by Mike Kielkopf
The Why of It--Lebanon and Egypt by Vernon Olson
AsiaEducation in Japan: Developing Citizenry, Celebrating Harmony by Trevor Dodman
China: Education, Culture, and Western Misconceptions by Michele E. Gordon
Latin AmericaFrom the Ground Up: Building a School with Cinder Blocks, Notebooks, and Friendships by John A. Hansen and Evan M. Smith
Teaching a Future President by Shirley Hooper
AfricaLetters from Home and a Man on the Moon: Lessons in Culture a Step at a Time by Liz Wigful
The West: Austria and AustraliaThe Kaiser's Mélange: A Year of Teaching in Vienna by Karen L. Newman
A Canuck Down Under: Reflections of a Canadian Teacher on Exchange in Western Australia by Ross Laing
VersatilityHaving It All: How to Teach Overseas and Keep Your Public School Job in the United States by Deborah M. Boucher
Globe Trotting: Teaching Around the World for Volunteer Organizations and Private Schools by Victoria Egan
International Teaching--A Welcome by David Reid
Appendix A: Risky Business: Extreme Educational Environments by Dan Davis
Appendix B: Faculty of Education Initiatives in International Teaching: Indiana University's Student Teaching Program and Queen's Univeristy's Recruitment Fair
Appendix C: Contributors' Review
Appendix D: The Guide to Finding A Job Abroad by Forrest A. Broman
Appendix E: The International Educator: Periodical and Web site
Appendix F: Recruitment Fairs and Search Agencies
Appendix G: T is for Typhoon: A Beginner's Guide to the JET Programme by Laura Mann
Appendix H: The Canadian Volunteer Service Organization by Liz Wigful
Appendix I: The Peace Corps by Greg Renda
Appendix J: What not to Forget
Appendix K: Research
About the author
JOHN A. HANSEN is a doctoral student in Curriculum and Instruction, Indiana University.
EVAN M. SMITH is a teacher in the English Department of Waterdown District High School, Waterdown, Ontario, Canada.
