If it’s your first time stepping into the world of teaching ESL overseas, especially at a training center, here’s some of my advice to kill it your first year teaching at an ESL training center!

1) Get on your scheduler’s good side

Training centers generally will have one person creating the schedules for the employees. Get on his good side! If you make his job easier and if you show him appreciation, it’ll be much easier for you to ask to rearrange your schedule, and you might end up with a better schedule. Don’t underestimate the scheduler’s subtle power over how your work days go.

2) Say “Yes” to new tasks

Especially during your first few weeks, say “Yes.” Looking like a team player is extremely important at a training center, especially in a country like China, that values collectivism. If you’re willing to join in, you’ll be accepted much faster.

Also, training centers can be big places, with a lot of moving pieces. Unless you’re involved in a project together, you might never get to know some of your co-workers. Getting involved early can help you meet and know your co-workers, as well as decide which ones you click with right off the bat.

3) Be careful about sick days

Make sure you know your company’s policy about sick days. Then take it a step further. Make sure you know about the country’s culture about sick days. For example, in China, sick days are not really taken. In America, if you call in sick, some bosses will insist you stay home. They don’t want to pay you for sub-standard work, and they don’t want the rest of the staff to get sick. In China, that’s not the case. Most companies expect you not to use your sick days. Just be careful before you call in with the sniffles.

4) Learn when to say no

On the other hand, learn when to say no. My first scheduler asked me several times a week to work overtime, and asked to change my schedule almost every week. I said yes at first, because I wanted to get on her good side, and because I saw everyone else working so hard. My weeks became a mess, and I quickly became tired and frustrated.

Also, my training center offered potential students a demo class. I would teach the class, and if the student signed with the company, I would get a small bonus. I thought these small bonuses would all add up, but I found that the students at my center almost never signed after a demo class, no matter who the teacher was. It was a chance that didn’t end up being worth my time.

5) Never say “No”

I know, I know. Sounds like a contraction. When I say, “Never say, ‘No,’” I just mean, be careful about your country’s culture. I’m from the north of America, and we tell it like it is. In China, it’s not really polite to say, “No.” Instead, you should say things like, “Let me think about it, and I’ll get back to you” or “Let me check my schedule, and I’ll tell you tomorrow.” Soften the blow if you have to turn someone down.

6) Be careful about legalities

Training centers have a reputation when it comes to illegal visas. Make sure to understand the basics of getting work visa in the country you’re working in. Try to double-check with any other friends or foreign workers you know about the proceedings, and don’t hesitate to ask your company point-blank, “Is this legal?” If there’s a problem with your visa, you ultimately are the one responsible, and you’re the one who’ll face the consequences. Don’t be shy about your legal standing in the country.

7) Take advice with a grain of salt

Teaching is a science . . . and an art. You may ask your co-workers for advice and tips, and find they just don’t work for you. That’s normal. You’ll have to find out what works for you and your teaching style.

Also, take what people say about other people with a grain of salt. Every person is going to have different interactions with others. Remember how fast rumors spread in high school? This is that. And if someone has a grudge against someone, try to keep an open mind. Often at training centers, you’ll have a small amount of encounters with someone. Don’t write someone off too quickly.

8) Don’t overreact to what’s said

If someone says or texts something that’s a little rude, aggressive, or strange, don’t overreact. Remember, your students, your co-workers, your boss—all of these will be speaking to you in English, and that’s probably not their first language. Even if they have a pretty good vocabulary, that doesn’t mean they have a handle on the complexities of intonation or connotation. Try to look at the facts rather than the delivery most of the time.

Whether it’s your first year teaching at an ESL training center or not, I hope these tips will help you!

8 Tips for Working in a Training Center