11 Sep
Thinking of teaching English abroad or starting an ESL/EFL career? It’s not quite like the English classes you remember from school.
When I first started teaching at Creverse, I pictured essay writing, spelling tests, and maybe the occasional Shakespeare monologue. Instead, I walked into a fast-paced, conversation-driven environment focused on fluency, confidence, and cultural exchange.
Here’s how teaching ESL or EFL really differs from traditional English classes – and a few things I wish I’d known when I started.
🗣️ 1. Communication Comes First, Not Perfection
In traditional English classes, grammar and essay structure take center stage. But in ESL/EFL classrooms, the primary goal is functional communication. Students want to talk, express ideas, and understand each other – even if their grammar isn’t perfect.
💡 ESL Teaching Tip: Encourage students to speak freely. Celebrate effort, not just accuracy. Mistakes are part of the learning process.
🌍 2. Cultural Awareness Is Part of the Job
Pop culture references, idioms, and humor don’t always translate. I learned this the hard way when jokes about Jimmy Neutron fell flat. Understanding my students’ culture (in this case, Korean) helped me connect better and design more relevant lessons.
💡 ESL Teaching Tip: Use real-world examples from your students’ lives. Adapt your material to their culture – not just yours.
🎓 3. The Teacher Becomes a Facilitator, Not a Lecturer
Forget the “sage on the stage” approach. ESL teaching is all about creating opportunities for active learning. I often find myself acting more like a coach—guiding, encouraging, and stepping back so students can take the lead.
💡 ESL Teaching Tip: Set up pair work, games, and role-plays that get students using English. Your job is to guide, not control.
Teaching ESL/EFL Is a Unique Adventure
Teaching ESL is not just “English class abroad.” It’s about helping students build confidence, understand a new culture, and make real progress through real conversation.
The best moments? When students laugh, mess up, try again – and suddenly, it clicks. If you’re heading into ESL teaching, go in with curiosity and flexibility. You’ll likely learn just as much from your students as they will from you.
Michelle Duquette, Marketing Assistant
Michelle Duquette is from Toronto, Canada and moved to South Korea in 2015. She has a Bachelors in English literature and a Masters in ESL Education. Michelle has taught at Creverse campuses in Gangneung, Songpa, and Mokdong and currently works as a CDI and April Trainer. Michelle never set out to be a teacher but fell in love with Korean culture and the excitement of being in the classroom. Michelle lives in Seoul with her partner and two cats, Cherry and Frost.
