School’s Out – Summer Break Tips for ESL Teachers

The summer holidays are finally here in many parts of the world meaning that students now get to enjoy a well-deserved summer break. This gives English teachers a great opportunity to recharge their batteries and also use this time to enhance their teaching skills for the upcoming semester.

While it’s tempting for many teachers to completely disconnect and just relax over the summer break, it’s recommended that you also spend some time staying productive, as this is a great opportunity for you to boost your teaching career and explore other avenues in the ESL teaching industry.

In this article, we will go over a few different strategies and activities that you can engage in over the summer to ensure that you stay fresh, competitive, and ready to go once it’s time to head back to the classroom.

Language exchanges

One excellent way for English teachers to maintain their teaching skills over the summer is to join language exchange events. Not only is this a fun and social way to practice your teaching skills in a more relaxed and informal setting, but it also allows you to experiment and refine different teaching approaches and techniques.

Language exchanges also provide an opportunity for teachers to connect with speakers of other languages and learn about different cultures which can be beneficial in developing a better cultural awareness and understanding in the ESL classroom.

If you don’t have the opportunity to meet up with language exchange partners face to face, you can also explore websites and apps like Tandem, HelloTalk, and ConversationExchange, which allow users to find language partners and engage in conversations through text, audio, or video calls.

By engaging in regular conversations with non-native speaking language exchange partners, English teachers can help refine their understanding of ESL students’ learning needs while also learning more about cultural nuances.

Language-focused events and workshops

Throughout the summer, various language-focused events and workshops take place, providing English teachers with opportunities to continue their professional development while honing their language skills.

You can be on the lookout for in-person or online conferences, seminars, or workshops related to language education, linguistics, or teaching methodologies.

Attending these events allows teachers to stay updated with the latest educational trends, exchange ideas with fellow educators, and gain insights into innovative teaching practices that are being developed by educators around the world.

Additionally, language-specific cultural events or festivals can help expose teachers to the languages, traditions, and customs of different cultures. This is especially useful if you work in a multi-cultural classroom.

Specialist skills courses

Summer break is also an ideal time for English teachers to upskill and further develop their teaching repertoire.

Specialist skills courses are great for developing new teaching strategies and techniques on how to deliver effective instruction to different types of learner groups.

Courses such as the 60-hour TEYL (Teaching English to Young Learners), 70-hour TEAL (Teaching English to Adult Learners), or 80-hour TEOL (Teaching English to Online Learners) courses, can help teachers broaden their teaching skillset while also making themselves more competitive on the ESL job market.

If you are a non-native speaking English teacher, then it could also be good to consider pursuing an IETLS/TOEFL certificate, as this could help to further prove that you possess a native level of English.

Just as with any other job, the better your qualifications are, the more likely you are to find opportunities with better benefits.

Volunteer English teaching

If you wish to keep building up your teaching experience but in a slightly more formal setting than language exchange, then you can look into engaging in volunteer work as a language tutor.

Volunteer teaching not only allows English teachers to maintain their teaching skills over the summer, but it’s also a great way to further enhance one’s adaptability, creativity, and empathy when working with learners from diverse backgrounds.

Not only is this a fantastic opportunity for both new and experienced teachers to gain valuable real teaching experience, but they are also able to do so while giving back to the community and helping others in need improve their language proficiency.

To find these types of opportunities, a good start can be to explore the local organizations, community centers, or language institutes which often offer volunteer programs where you can tutor individuals or small groups in need of language support.

Online teaching resources

The internet offers a wealth of resources for English teachers to maintain their language skills and teaching proficiency.

Online platforms and apps such as Duolingo, Babbel, Memrise, etc. are fun and interactive tools that English teachers should familiarize themselves with, as their students can use them to complement their learning outside of the classroom.

They also allow you to experience various new languages and learn about different cultures, which can be beneficial in developing a better understanding of the fall pits speakers of other languages face during their journey to master the English language.

Additionally, websites like BBC Learning English and British Council offer a wide range of language-learning and teaching materials, including lessons, activities, videos, and podcasts, which teachers can use to enhance their teaching techniques and knowledge about the English language.

Platforms like TEDTalks, TED-Ed, YouTube, etc. can also be useful when searching for inspiration from fellow colleagues around the world.

Reflective practice and journaling

Summer break provides an ideal opportunity for English teachers to engage in reflective practice, and go over their teaching experiences from the previous academic year.

Journaling can be a powerful tool for this purpose, as it can allow teachers to gain valuable insights into their strengths, areas for improvement, and the overall effectiveness of their teaching approaches.

By documenting their thoughts, reflections, and ideas, teachers can identify reoccurring pitfalls, set new goals, and plan strategies for the upcoming academic semester. Reflective practice not only enhances self-awareness but also promotes continuous professional growth.

Conclusion

While summer brings a well-deserved break for many teachers, it’s still good that you also spend some time maintaining and developing your teaching skills if you wish to get a solid start to the new semester or explore new exciting opportunities.

By proactively investing in your professional development and teaching skills, you will be able to return to the classroom revitalized and better equipped to create engaging and effective learning experiences for your students.