What To Expect On Your First Day Teaching English Abroad

No matter how well you did on your TEFL course, your first day teaching English abroad in a new classroom is a daunting one. You are starting a new job but you need to act like you’re in charge. You have no idea where anything else, but you need to pretend you know what you’re doing. You’re a bundle of nerves, but you need to act like you’re confident.

Let’s face it, you have no idea what you’re doing!

Well, forewarned is forearmed. Here are a few things you can expect from your first day in a new classroom to help you fake it til you make it.

Your learners will be fascinated by you

If you’re teaching English abroad to Young Learners, teens, adults or businesspeople, your learners are going to be intrigued by their new teacher. That’s you!

They may be a bit shy at first but that’s normal.

Before you jump straight into your lesson, set aside a few minutes to let them get to know you. Let them ask questions freely or design an activity that will help them find out who their new teacher is. 

You will be overwhelmed by their names

When you teach English abroad, you’ll probably have a lot of students, which means a lot of names to remember. They’ll only have one – yours.

Don’t freak out when you can’t remember everybody’s (or anybody’s!) name, just try not to call them by the wrong name.

There is nothing wrong with asking your students to wear nametags or use name cards on their desks for the first few weeks until you get to know their names. Be sure to include activities in your first few lessons which will help you remember their names.

Your lesson won’t go according to plan

As it’s your first day, we expect that you’ll be super prepared! Right?! We hope so!

But don’t panic when your lessons don’t go exactly according to plan. It’s difficult to accurately plan a lesson when you’re not familiar with the learners, the space and the material.

Give yourself a few lessons to find your rhythm. In the meantime, focus on having fun and creating an enjoyable learning atmosphere.

Don’t be shy to ask questions

Forgotten where the bathroom is?

Not sure how to use the photocopier?

Need a password to log on to the IWB?

Ask! You’ll be forgiven for asking a million questions the first few days on your new job teaching English abroad, so ask away. If you’re too shy and find yourself asking your teaching assistant what her name is a month later it can get a bit awkward.

You will be exhausted

By the end of the first day of teaching English abroad, you’ll more exhausted than that time you did a 4-hour hike in 30 degree heat. Teaching is exhausting.

You’ll probably be on your feet most of the day and your nervous energy will have you bouncing off the walls. Be prepared to be tired, and just know that it’ll get easier with time – and you’ll get fitter!

Read more: 15 Genius Teaching Tips And Travel Hacks For TEFL Teachers

Being the new teacher can be frightening, but you’ll soon get the hang of your new surroundings and feel comfortable in your classroom. Expect that the first few days are going to be a bit of a rollercoaster and soon it’ll feel like you’ve been teaching there your whole life!