Argentina; Buenos Aires in particular is smack bang on the radar of our next guest blogger…and for good reason…he’s moving out there in under three weeks! Before you ask, he hasn’t yet got a job lined up, he is currently learning Spanish (and doing well, gracias!) and he doesn’t actually know a single person in Argentina!
No, this isn’t some kind of game show challenge, guest blogger Nick Petrou is making his own TEFL adventure in life! Is he scared? Possibly. Does he have any regrets? He doesn’t seem to! Read on for his questionnaire, and he’ll be back blogging about the kind of things he wanted to know before setting off on his TEFL journey…
Hello Nick!
Why did you decide to look at teaching English?
After graduating University in the summer of 2010 I have spent over a year experimenting with different work placements in an attempt to find my neesh! You’ll be pleased to know: I found it! Enrolling on a MA Magazine Journalism course this coming September, I had 10 months to twiddle thumbs and work at an uninspiring job before the course begins. I have intrinsically loved every minute of my past travelling experiences but monetary circumstances mean that I would otherwise be unable to facilitate any travelling before September. TEFL was recommended to me by a friend, and after 3-4 minutes of thinking time I had decided to teach English!
Will you do a TEFL course before you start teaching?
Yes, 140 hour i-to-i combined course
Where are you in the world right now?
London, England
Where are you going to TEFL?
Buenos Aires, Argentina – cultured!
What 3 items can you NOT leave behind?
Shorts, sun cream and a Jason Mraz CD. (Bye-bye winter blues!)
What attracted you to TEFL?
I love travelling and I’m not ready to reminisce about past travelling experiences just yet – I want to make new ones. TEFL offers an exciting new dimension to travelling. At the end of my 6 months I hope to have a job, friends and an apartment as aspects of an enjoyable living experience in a foreign land where I currently know nobody – I will consider it a proud accomplishment if I achieve it. It’s a little scary – ok, very scary – but it’s also ten times more exciting!
What age kids/adults would you like to teach? Why is this?
Now? Before I’ve arrived in Argentina? I’ll take whatever I can get – I’ll teach children, adults, dogs or even plastic pieces of fruit – as long as I get paid! I think I would prefer to teach children. I really want to make my lessons fun and enjoyable – not just for the students but rather selfishly, for me too – I think children will be more engaged and will enjoy fun learning activities and games.
What are you most looking forward to?
So much! I’m looking forward to enjoying and learning about a new culture. I’m looking forward to learning Spanish. I’m looking forward to meeting new people and I’m looking forward to watching the progress of my students over the 6 months. I am, albeit shamefully, also looking forward to using stereotypical teacher phrases: “The bell doesn’t dismiss you, I dismiss you!” It’s going to be fun!
What would be your advice for someone thinking of TEFL?
Take the plunge – purchasing a TEFL course can be a daunting decision but it is your first big step on this exciting journey, so make the transaction! Of course completing the course is the next (and rather important) step, so make sure you give yourself plenty of time to complete it before you go.
Random question time…
What’s under your bed?
My man draw!
What’s the last thing you think of before going to bed?
How many days, hours and minutes before South America
What’s your biggest dream?
To get cultured – and to get cultured you must own a Vespa. To sum up, I would like a Vespa.
What is your favourite type of cheese and why?
I don’t like cheese…this is awkward.
We’re really looking forward to Nick’s next blog on here…stay tuned! You should also check out Nick’s own opinion site called Organic Baked Beans. You can also chat with Nick directly here
