The Southeast nation of Cambodia is a developing country and bicycles are as common on the road as multipurpose trucks. There are some wealthy people with good jobs, but many people still live a traditional lifestyle. This creates both opportunity and challenges for an aspiring ESL teacher. It is possible to make an impact on young lives. Teaching English in Cambodia can be rewarding for those who take time to prepare.
There are three major challenges for foreign English teachers in this country. The first is pay. People do not come to Cambodia to earn fortunes teaching. In fact, ESL certification does not always need a four year diploma. While there are quite a few positions, most English teachers do not pay more than $11 an hour. Still, a thousand dollars a month is serious cash for local schools.
The second problem is the inefficiency of the school system. Cambodia is a Buddhist country and does not prioritize worldly gain as severely as developed nations. There is less imperative to push English learning. Students might not be motivated because many will not use English. A teacher must learn to improvise and hold attention. In some ways it is like running a business. It takes innovation and drive to succeed.
The final problem is general corruption within the Cambodian government. Students from well-off families gain positions in private schools because of money more than academic performance. Bribes are a big deal, and they are so institutional that it is risky to talk about it. Corruption also plays into lax educational standards, and individual teachers must take it upon themselves to offer a good program.
In spite of the low pay and social challenges, teaching in Cambodia can be thrilling. The tropical climate gives itself to beautiful countryside that would be expensive to experience as a tourist at a resort. A teacher in the countryside can explore individually. Free time can be ample because new teachers might not even teach 30 hours a week. Foreigners are strangers but often have free reign of a village.
There is a learning curve, as it is not possible to correct Cambodian children in their own language unless the teacher takes the time to pick it up. Children might not respect a foreigner, so it is important to project an attitude of authority and seriousness. Programs might not always be rigid, so ESL teachers must sometimes create their own programs. Some other teachers know enough English to lend a helping hand as necessary, but an ESL teacher must be capable and adaptive to succeed.
