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I´m looking for somebody with experience of teaching classes with many different mother tongues. How does it work compared to teaching monolingual groups? Does teaching vocab take over from the actual contect? Does it mean the academic standard slips significantly? Thanks.

I actually prefer teaching multi-lingual classes. Less chat in L1. Planning can be more intensive as you have a broader range of needs. What teaching situation are you thinking off? In a general Efl/Eal class I would say that academic standards don't slip. In a class with Eal students in it alongside mother tongue students, I would say it would be easier for standards to slip if the classes are not planned well. I have worked in both situations, so if you let me know what your classroom situation is, I can offer some more specific advice. HTH

Thanks Lucy, I´ll be teaching Geography to a groups of c 25, 14 - 16 years approx., minimum of 5 different language groups per class, and probably of varying language ability. There shouldn´t be any native English speakers in the groups..

Sounds like you will have your hands full. Levels of language ability will really have to be taken into account. Where are you and what access to materials do you have?

In Europe, middle of countryside, no access to bookshops, hopefully school will have good resources, will only see tomorrow and say if I want the job.. What sort of thing should I ask about/look out for?

i think you should look at whats on offer, materials wise. You should also look at what contract they are offering, some countries will offer a 10 month contract which restricts your legal rights. Is there a tie in, do you have to commit to 2 years for example? Have a look at www.tes.co.uk Have a look under staffroom and then teaching abroad forum and search your school. it may or may not be on there. look at what support is on offer to you, will you be teaching in English? Is there any language support? Are there are perks, e.g flights home etc? What is the staff retention rate? Is it an international school? WHat curriculum do they follow, Is there an established syllabus in place?

Sorry this is so jumbled, i'm typing off the top of my head. Good luck! I'll have a think and

This was really useful, especially the link, got some good pointers for the "interview"

Are you already in the area ? If so then you may not get expat terms such as flights back. Does the school have a website , that may give you an idea as to what curriculum they follow and if it is say the IB then you can have a look online at the general syllabus you may be teaching.

Have only had experience of mixed mother tongue classes from parent of primary aged child perspective and whilst it can be useful as a way of expanding their horizons we felt that overall it resulted in the dumbing down of expectations of the native English speakers, particularly when a new ESL child, with little or no English, joined part way through the year. I would think this is less likely to occur at secondary level though where some English may be an entry requirement and specifically taught as a subject.

Hope the interview went well, let us know how you got on. I can send you some more links for materials should you need them

So, start next week! Would love the links! Might only get to see the scheme of work Monday, so particularly worried about getting off to a good start...

Lucy5, do you have those links? Getting anxious re what I´ve let myself in for now. No resources in the school whatsoever in English, not even the set text for me! What type of activities do you typically use when teaching a subject like Geo to non native speakers? Initially, I will probably rely on activities I would have used in the tefl classroom ...