i-to-i TEFL 
TEFL Guru Blog
All about TEFL Guru
Born: Yes
Experience: I’ve spent 14 years in the TEFL game, with jobs in Greece, France and the UK. I’ve taught young learners, Business English, one-to-one, alcoholic taxi-drivers and have traded English lessons for Bouzouki lessons. I’ve also been a tutor on the i-to-i Online courses and weekend courses and still do the odd course now again.
Reason for teaching:
Simple, have you ever worked in a tax office? After finishing my highly practical philosophy degree, I found there had been a downturn in the demand for professional philosophers. So, I decided that the only way of paying off my student debts was a job I didn’t want to do or bank robbery. Not known for my stealth, I opted for the former. Six months later I was on the plane to Greece, having decided there is a third way: pay off my student debts doing a job I DID want to do.
How did you find teaching when you first started?
The thought of it was a lot scarier than doing it. Apart from my very first lesson, I had a lot of fun teaching. Most of the first year of teaching was speaking and listening lessons, just giving the Greek kids English fluency. I got a lot of guidance as a new teacher and as my confidence grew, the more ambitious lessons were and the more fun we all had.
Favourite lesson:
Every time I hear REM’s Losing My Religion, I am transported back to my Pre-intermediate class in hot September classroom, the whole class singing away to it. It was a great lesson, at least I thought so, not sure the other teachers in the school appreciated the noise though.
Most embarrassing moment:
Being flung in front of my first class, without any training, any preparation or a clue what to do. I shudder when I think of this. Probably not the most inspiring thing to share, but the lesson here is to get some training to avoid things like this!!
Best teaching moment:
I had a few students who were more interested in basketball than learning in English and I really had to jump through hoops to motivate them (sorry!). There was a particular group of three 15-year old Greek lads that were more basketball-focussed than the others and finding out that they had passed their proficiency exams was a real boost to my ego. I told them the news with a huge smile on my face and all they did was shrug, say thanks and off they walked to play basketball. One the three’s Dad bought me a drink later that day though, in fact he wouldn’t let me leave the bar. Wish I could say it was memorable, but ouzo can have that effect on you.
Is your real name TEFL Guru?
Yes, I recently had it changed from Joe Hallwood.
