Teaching Challenges in Growing Regions

Starting out as a teacher, I was incredibly excited to connect with students and share my knowledge. I knew it wouldn’t be without its challenges, and since I got an opportunity to teach abroad, I knew there’d be some issues I’d need to work through. The thing is, I wish I was better prepared and that I could find someone to let me know what to expect. Which is the reason for writing this article. 

Now, don’t get scared right away; it’s nothing you can’t handle and, as teachers, we’re always thinking on our feet, so we’re used to it. But if you’re teaching in a region that’s developing quickly, I have some tips to share that I think can make a world of difference for anyone getting into this for the first time.

So, let’s start!

Issues Teachers Face in Developing Regions

If you’re teaching in a region that’s growing rapidly, you’ll need more than just academic expertise to be successful. But to be honest, places like these are incredibly exciting to work at.

Let me get into some issues I’ve stumbled upon, so you can see what to expect.

1.   Limited Resources

Usually, when it comes to a rapidly growing area, their need for education rises fast and the infrastructure can’t keep up. For me, this meant working in classrooms that had too many students or in facilities that were temporary, and not really actual schools. Sometimes, the technology I used was a bit out of date and the textbooks were really basic.

I was worried that this would take the quality of my teaching way down, and it did at first, but you adapt over time. I’d create hands-on activities with the materials I had and it worked out.

2.   Cultural and Language Barriers

If a region is developing quickly, it makes sense that people start coming, and usually, it’s not just the locals. Personally, I love this because I love learning about different cultures and seeing how other people live. Of course, as far as my job went, I did have some issues.

I was not always familiar with the traditions of my students and that created misunderstandings here and there. Language was another problem until my students weren’t able to understand me better.

3.   Differences in Regulations

Another big challenge was finding my way around complex regulations that I wasn’t familiar with. Each country has their own licensing requirements, standards for curriculum, and administrative procedures. Plus, all of this can change in an instant.

Bureaucracy caused me a good deal of stress, so I’d advise you to get as familiar as possible with it before you start working in another country.

How to Handle Issues

In short, it’s all about learning and training. You don’t just stop learning when you graduate; you need to keep building your skills and renewing your licenses. Depending on what you teach or where you work, licensing courses from RocketCert can be a good start.

Let me get more in-depth with this.

1.   Why Licensing Is Important

Licensing makes sure that you meet global standards and that you’re fully prepared to handle everything teaching brings. You learn skills that help you adapt to all kinds of classrooms and find your way around different education systems.

I really can’t overestimate the importance of licensing because apart from skills, it gave me so much confidence, and I was a lot better at handling problems.

2.   Professional Development

I remember talking to a much, much more experienced colleague once and they told me that they’ve learned all they could and they thought they had teaching 100% down. But let me tell you, that’s never true.

Even teachers who have decades of experience need to keep developing professionally. Otherwise, they won’t be up to date on new teaching methods, technologies, or the specifics of the region they’re at. Workshops and online courses are a must as far as I’m concerned, no matter your age and experience.

3.   Building a Support Network

You’re not alone and if you don’t build a support network, you’ll be very unhappy with your life and job.

As far as your job goes, you can partner with organizations that can supply you with teaching materials or extra resources for your classroom. But what’s even more important is that you find people you can be friends with, especially if they’re also teachers. You can help each other out with advice, exchange ideas, etc.

Conclusion

If you’re thinking about teaching abroad but you’re scared to do it, I’d say to go for it. You’ll grow as a person and as a professional and even if you only do it for a short while, it will be an experience you’ll never forget. Plus, it will look good on your CV.

As nervous as I was before my first international job, I can proudly say I’d do it all again.