Hey Douglas – check out

http://www.transitionsabroad.com/ and

http://www.eslcafe.com/

Soul-destroying is perhaps a bit harsh, but yeah it’s not great although probably some schools are better than others. But then why do you want to go? There seems to be 3 types who teach at the schools there, 1. people who go because they enjoy teaching or want to further their career in teaching 2. people who use teaching as a means to an end to experience life in a foreign country 3. people who have nothing else going for them in their home country so just teach for years in a foreign country and end up still teaching when they’re like 40. if you’re type 1. then forget it.. you will be crushed and disappointed by the system and you won’t really get any career-worthy experience. if you’re type 3. abandon hope if you’re type 2. go for it I had a great time teaching in japan, despite the teaching, that was just a means to an end. And it’s not so terrible if you’re only doing it for a year or whatever. Having said that i met some people from type 1 there who seemed to genuinely be enjoying the teaching …

I think one of the hardest thing about the English language is that we have so many words that sound the same but have different meanings; sea, see, there, their, pair, pear. Maybe try to use word games or stories to help people learn the differences.

choose which company you work for carefully. Find out if they are reputable and how many hours you have to work.

Sometimes the more popular schools arent the best.