Stuart in Shanghai and Zaragoza

The life of a TEFL teacher is far from predictable. Opportunities are vast and can take you to places you never expected.

Two years ago I had an amazing experience in the metropolis of Shanghai. It was my first taste of teaching English as a foreign language and one that I will never forget. The classroom appeared a scary place at first but after the first few lessons you wondered what the slight anxiety was about. Students hung onto every anecdote, and their progression was a great sense of satisfaction and motivation.

Since then I have continued to travel and take my teaching to different places. Last July I spent my summer back in the UK teaching in an academy to students from a plethora of countries. These students arrived with different experiences and abilities, and it was a privilege to be a part of their excursion. Every morning they would learn English from other TEFL teachers before spending the rest of the day immersing themselves in different activities such as football, basketball, badminton and so on. I have been doing the same summer camp for three years and each time I go I always learn something new. first taste of teaching English as a foreign language and one that I will never forget. The classroom appeared a scary place at first but after the first few lessons you wondered what the slight anxiety was about. Students hung onto every anecdote, and their progression was a great sense of satisfaction and motivation.

I write to you now from my current location in Zaragoza, Spain, where we are currently celebrating la fiesta del Pilar, a week long celebration dedicated to their patron saint. I have been here for 8 months now and have worked in two different schools. My current school is an up and coming academy with big ambitions, and the increasing number of students is helping them to achieve their dream. It is a great job which allows me to teach both exam preparation and children's classes, and it's a job that I hope to remain in for years to come!!!