Working As An Expat: A Free Speaking ESL Lesson Plan

1. ESL Lesson Plan S417 – Working as an Expat

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3. Would you work here? Many people choose to work outside their home country. Would you? A B D C

4. Life as an expat An expatriate – or expat – is someone who chooses to live and work ex patria, outside the country. An expat is not an immigrant. An immigrant is someone who has moved permanently to another place. An expat is not a refugee. A refugee is someone who has fled from his home country because of war or other difficult circumstances. An expat is someone who moves temporarily to another country, usually to take advantage of a job opportunity that may not exist in the person’s home country.

5. Vocabulary Some vocabulary for the text on the following slide. Match terms and definitions. an amount of money that is returned to you after you spend it to take pride in something to be proud of something, and possibly to take care of it start-up clean and unpolluted; lacking personality perk a newly established business rebate an informal word to express an advantage or benefit of your job sterile

6. Omar’s story Omar moved to Singapore almost 15 years ago. I grew up and went to college in Boston, Massachusetts. At 19, I was offered a job to work in a start-up in Singapore. The company offered an excellent salary and great perks. For example, I received a 25% rebate on my monthly rent. The company also supplied a cleaner twice a week. And each year the company pays for a return air ticket to Boston. There are many expats in Singapore, from everywhere. People come here because it’s clean, it’s safe, and everything works. Some people think it is a sterile city, but I love it. People in Singapore take pride in their city. It’s a great place to live.

7. The perks of the expat life? Certain cities and jobs would provide different perks. Which of these would you want? low taxes 6-weeks annual vacation a full-time maid access to museums and theaters a rent-free apartment access to beaches

8. Questions to discuss Expats tend to be in certain countries. Why do you think this is so? How important is English for expats? Do you think that expats have a positive influence on the countries they live and work in? Do you think that expats are only attracted by money?

9. Vocabulary Here’s vocabulary for the upcoming text. Match terms to definitions. rat race the speed at which something takes place or happens pace boring, monotonous, especially when talking about daily routines contentment used in a negative way to describe life in a large and modern city this is a synonym of happiness hum-drum

10. A different pace of life Not everyone wants a high flying job. Read Nicolas’ story. For several years, I was employed by an American company in Bangkok, Thailand. I had beautiful clothes, plenty of money and a lot of vacation. However, it wasn’t the life I wanted. I took my money and opened a bar in a small town in the north of Thailand. Bangkok is like any major city. But outside Bangkok, Thailand is a wonderful place. I love the people, the food and the weather. You can avoid the rat race and find contentment. My expat life has a very different pace of life to those living in Dubai, Singapore or Bangkok. But it suits me just fine. I would do anything to avoid the hum-drum of modern life in our big cities.

11. What’s your opinion? What do you think about these opinions of expat life? Provide reasons. ‘My life as an expat is wonderful. I can save a lot of money while I am young, then return to my home country and buy a house and car. As an expat, I can save more money than would be possible in my home country.’ ‘I don’t like expats. They come here and act like kings and queens. Most of them don’t learn the language of my country and they are ignorant about the culture of my country.’

12. What do you think? These are reasons that people left to work and live in another country. Do you think they are good reasons? ‘It was impossible to set up a new company in my home country. Here, people are go-getters! Everyone wants to invent the future. Everyone is positive about life.’ ‘I came to work here in order to earn good money. Now I can send money to my family in my home country.’ ‘I was so tired of living in a country of rules and regulations. Here, I feel free.’

13. Vocabulary More expat vocabulary. Match terms to definitions. used to describe something exempt from tax restriction tax free the quality of wealth, housing and comfort dynamic a condition or measure that limits you in some way living standard a word that describes constant change, activity or progress

14. Downsides? Not all expats enjoy their life in a new country. When I first arrived, I loved this place. It felt so dynamic, so free. In fact, I soon realized that I had done a deal with the devil. You earn a lot of money but there are a lot of restrictions. Today I am rich but I live in a country with issues about human rights. My wage is tax free. Every dollar I earn is mine. However, there is less freedom here. I am starting to understand that no place is perfect. I like my standard of living, but I don’t like living in a country with little press freedom or expression.

15. What about you? If you live in another country, you will have to live under different rules. Would you work in a country that has the death penalty? Could you work in a racist country? Could you work in a country where women were treated poorly? Could you work in a country that had significant human rights issues? Could you work in a country where most of the population was very poor?

16. Some points to discuss ‘It’s easy to criticize expats. We live a good life. We like money. We only worry about ourselves. But we do see the world. And we do have amazing experiences that we would not have if we stayed at home.’ ‘In a few years, everyone will be an expat. In fact, it will become the norm. Companies will expect you to go and live in another country, just like they expect you to change office from time to time. Being an expat seems exotic today, but it won’t be for much longer.’