Chalkboard is i-to-i's TEFL community.
It is currently still in testing phase which could mean you find the odd bug!
Q: What is i-to-i Chalkboard? A: It's the online community of TEFL specialists
Use the tabs below to learn more about our TEFL courses
View Bazteach’s:
About Me
The last time I counted, which was early November 2011, I'd taught more than 2300 students in my eight years as a TEFL teacher. That's a lot of lost looking faces, funny English accents, and spur of the moment questions that I've had to answer. I'm not saying I'm the most intelligent TEFL teacher, only last week I really grasped the difference between subject and object questions, but I can offer some advice to those willing to learn. Check out my blog http://teachingenglishinaforeignland.blogspot.com/
After doing a TEFL course in London with St Giles College in 2003, I bought a one way ticket to Australia with a stop off in South America. I left alone and without any job prospects but I was pumping with adrenaline; my new life living abroad was about to start.
My first job was in Quito, Ecuador, where I got paid $2 an hour for teaching feisty Ecuadorian teenagers. I wasn't interested in the money, teaching was fun and I got a buzz from helping them. It was so much better than the pressurized sales jobs that I'd escaped from. After three months teaching in Quito I was hooked.
I travelled overland to Salvador (getting robbed in Rio on the way) and was lucky enough to get more work just before the carnival. I stayed for four months and really fell in love with teaching, and Brazil.
My time in Sydney wasn't such an adventure, but I learnt a lot teaching vigorous Chinese students. I saved up enough (the pay was pretty good) for an amazing three week trip up the east coast, and shot off to Bangkok where I'd lined up a job.
I was met by a strict Catholic nun, my new boss, who pummeled me into shape, or at least she tried, and that's where I first learnt how to teach younger learners. Despite being in Thailand for the Tsunami, which I almost ended up in, my seven months teaching was amazing. I loved teaching tiny, funny kids who were smiling all day. I saved up enough for a six-week overland trip through Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam, China, and then to Moscow on the Trans-Mongolian Railway. I returned to England a new man. I'd travelled the world and had become a teacher, but my thirst for adventure continued.
After the summer teaching in London, I head for Seville, Spain, where I've been ever since. That was six years ago and in September 2011 I got married to my Spanish wife, who, incidentally, used to be my student (she was 21 and I was 25 before you ask), but more on that later.
In my six years here I've really learnt how to teach thanks to some excellent training and a stiff hand from my boss. I know how to teach now, I get excellent results and my students like my classes, well, the majority of them who can be bothered to learn.
My Friends (36)
-
- logue159
-
I am a mum of one gorgeous son, who has...
-
- JMP_Meade
-
I'm John, I'm looking for a new challenge in life...
-
- katieamanda
-
I'm Katie, 21 years old from Leicestershire! I've just finished...
-
- Sophie16
-
I am 27 years old. I currently work for the...
SEE ALL
My recent comments
-
-
Bazteach said:
“Hiya, Like Paul says it is possible, but it's going...”
about Teaching in Thailand (Post)
-
-
Bazteach said:
“Hiya, just replied to your questions on my blog: Click...”
about Wandering Expat... (Post)
-
-
Bazteach said:
“Hiya, Thanks for the comment, yeah it's on my blog...”
about Wandering Expat... (Post)
-
-
Bazteach said:
“Hi Mate, That's a tough one. Depends what you want?...”
about Best Location for a TEFL Beginner (Post)
-
-
Bazteach said:
“Hiya, I know how you feel. I had that feeling...”
about Total Mess! (Post)
Comments on my stuff
-
-
koybong1 said:
“Thanks for getting back to me. I left my comments...”
about Wandering Expat... (Post)
-
-
man1ssenyum said:
“cheers to you... i think i already read that book.....”
about Wandering Expat... (Post)
-
-
koybong1 said:
“Hey there, I still don't see my comment from your...”
about Wandering Expat... (Post)
-
-
alexanderjulie said:
“Great to hear your story. I have to say though...”
about Bazteach (User)
-
-
koybong1 said:
“Hi there, I went to your blog to leave you...”
about Wandering Expat... (Post)
-
-
AlixM09 said:
“Great list Baz, I use some but always good to...”
about Best ESL Lesson plans websites (Post)
-
-
AlixM09 said:
“Top idea Baz! I don't have kids at the moment,...”
about The Spanish Spy - Tip for more English in class (Post)
-
-
AlixM09 said:
“I do sometimes use a bit of Spanish with lower...”
about Using L1 in the classroom (Post)
-
-
nikkij said:
“I love Spain.I used to live there and want to...”
about Come TEFL with me in...Spain (Post)
-
-
nikkij said:
“I love Spain.I used to live there and want to...”
about Come TEFL with me in...Spain (Post)
-
-
d3lta69 said:
“Tempted to go back once I've got my CELTA, had...”
about Life in Thailand (Post)
-
-
johnheaney said:
“Hey Baz, Im thinking of heading to Spain to TEFL...”
about Bazteach (User)
-
-
mbell87 said:
“Baztech, Thanks for the info...I plan on heading to...”
about Brazil: Rio, Sao Paolo, or Salvador? (Post)
-
-
sksoul said:
“I would love to! spent around 2 weeks in Brazil...”
about Brazil: Rio, Sao Paolo, or Salvador? (Post)
-
-
penheaven said:
“Thanks! What a great idea -- it's adaptable to everything...”
about /tefl-chalkboard/activity_posts/147 (ActivityPost)
-
-
AlixM09 said:
“I love your teen tips Baz - if I end...”
about More help for teenagers... (Post)
-
-
craigindublin said:
“I had a few problems classes that were hard to...”
about Need help motivating teenagers? (Post)
-
-
AlixM09 said:
“Yeah, I like the red and yellow cards, nice idea....”
about Need help motivating teenagers? (Post)
-
-
craigindublin said:
“That was a really great post, Barry. I liked your...”
about Need help motivating teenagers? (Post)
-
-
KatieKatie said:
“Alix this has made me laugh so much! Brilliant!”
about Need help motivating teenagers? (Post)
-
-
AlixM09 said:
“Good tips Baz! I used to have trouble with this...”
about Need help motivating teenagers? (Post)
-
-
MariekeE said:
“Thanks for the overview. Do you perhaps have the names...”
about Anyone going to Ecuador... (Post)
-
-
AlixM09 said:
“That rings a few bells Baz! Question sessions were often...”
about What classroom life in Ecuador is really like... (Post)
-
-
Devilwoman077 said:
“Sounds like you've had a fantastic time with your TEFLing...”
about Bazteach (User)
-
-
AlixM09 said:
“I agree completely - Ecuador is a great place to...”
about Why Ecuador is perfect for first-time TEFL travelers! (Post)
-
-
AlixM09 said:
“haha! the little devils eh? I still think we...”
about My first buzz as a TEFL teacher (Post)
-
-
AlixM09 said:
“Familiar story - Ecuadorian teenagers are very unpredictable! I had...”
about My first buzz as a TEFL teacher (Post)
-
-
Sophie16 said:
“I find your posts very inspiring! Can you give me...”
about Top 5 reasons to TEFL and live abroad (Post)
-
-
i-to-i said:
“Yikes! For anyone teetering on the edge of resigning from...”
about Top 5 reasons to TEFL and live abroad (Post)
-
-
AlixM09 said:
“Hi, I'm in Madrid. Check MadridLoquo and lingobongo websites where...”
about How to get a TEFL job on arrival... (Post)
-
-
Kyriakou542 said:
“i vote this one!”
about Come TEFL with me in...Spain (Post)
-
-
ChloeLB said:
“Also i was wondering where in spain you are Alix??”
about How to get a TEFL job on arrival... (Post)
-
-
ChloeLB said:
“Hi Alix, thank you for the comment. I'm a little...”
about How to get a TEFL job on arrival... (Post)
-
-
AlixM09 said:
“Chloe, there's loads of work in Spain, it's pretty easy...”
about How to get a TEFL job on arrival... (Post)
-
-
jack68 said:
“I vote this one!”
about Come TEFL with me in...Spain (Post)
-
-
arun123 said:
“Very encouring blogpost,,then again your are TEFL vetern now...Cheers mate.”
about How to get a TEFL job on arrival... (Post)
-
-
AmyDalton said:
“I vote this one!!”
about Come TEFL with me in...Spain (Post)
-
-
ChloeLB said:
“I VOTE THIS ONE because I live in spain and...”
about Come TEFL with me in...Spain (Post)
-
-
ChloeLB said:
“ok sorry, i found the answer in you blog, which...”
about How to get a TEFL job on arrival... (Post)
-
-
ChloeLB said:
“I am already in Spain doing my course online, I...”
about How to get a TEFL job on arrival... (Post)
-
-
JMP_Meade said:
“Hi, I've just completed my 140 hour TEFL course but...”
about Come TEFL with me in...Spain (Post)
-
-
AmyDalton said:
“Wow, now I really know I want to go to...”
about Come TEFL with me in...Spain (Post)
-
-
katieloudreaming said:
“Great points you have put forward and I agree with...”
about What makes a great TEFL teacher? (Post)
-
-
i-to-i said:
“Fantastic! This must have an excellent trip down memory lane...”
about Teaching English in a Foreign Land.wmv (Video)
-
-
logue159 said:
“ Ola ,Good morning from Ireland, Bazteach, thanks for the lovelye...”
about Come TEFL with me in...Spain (Post)
-
-
arun123 said:
“Awesome Spain..."The weather is gorgeous; blue skies for over 300...”
about Come TEFL with me in...Spain (Post)
-
-
xxgemsxx said:
“I vote this one!!!! ”
about Come TEFL with me in...Spain (Post)
-
-
logue159 said:
“I Vote this one !!”
about Come TEFL with me in...Spain (Post)
-
-
logue159 said:
“sounds just ideal, and defo what I want when I...”
about Come TEFL with me in...Spain (Post)
-
-
kol100 said:
“I vote this one”
about Come TEFL with me in...Spain (Post)
-
-
xxgemsxx said:
“Hey, so i would love to teach in Spain after...”
about Come TEFL with me in...Spain (Post)
-
-
mollyo said:
“I vote this one”
about Come TEFL with me in...Spain (Post)
Recent Blog Posts
Reason to become a TEFL teacher competition
- Bazteach
- Dec 16, 2012
- Views (36)
- Comments (0)
Just incase you missed my blog on Friday: here's a chance to win a copy of my book - Teaching English in a Foreign Land: http://www.onlinetefl.com/tefl-blog/2012/12/14/5-reasons-to-become-a-tefl-teacher/#.UM43IW_LTd5 Good luck Bazteach
Wandering Expat...
- Bazteach
- Dec 09, 2012
- Views (52)
- Comments (6)
Hi Guys, It's been a while. I've been busy studying for a DELTA, done the module 1 exam...now the module 2. I wrote a blog post a while back that might appeal to those of you who are wondering what it's like to be a wandering TEFL tecaher. Have a look here: http://teachingenglishinaforeignland.blogspot.com.es/2012/11/what-i-miss-about-being-wandering-tefl.html Hope all is well. Bazteach
read more
View my blog
Recent Discussion in Bazteach’s Groups
| Group | Topic | Activity | Posts |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brazil | Working in Brazil | May 21 | 7 |
| Spain | Cost of living | May 20 | 6 |
| Thailand | Working in Koh Phangan/Koh Tao/Samui | May 15 | 1 |
| Spain | Job Interview. HELP | May 13 | 1 |
| Thailand | Thailand 2013 | May 11 | 14 |
View my Groups
Loading recent content...
Profile Comments
Add Your Comment!
Log in to leave a comment or Create an accountGreat to hear your story. I have to say though the grammar is freaking me out and I keep hiding from it which does not help!! Sio today I'll take a deeep breath and have another go - how does one keep all that stuff in ones head and then have to regurgitate to a someone who can't speak English! Maybe you can shed some light on the matter. :)
Hey John,
Thanks for the mail. If you're going to be in El Puerto then I'd pop up when you can in July and August, but you might find most schools closed until the first week of September. I'd keep your eye out now though on tefl.com. We start recruiting in May I think, www.eli.es, have a look, you need a CELTA and a years experience. I'd just get up to Seville and hand my CV out, best way in my view, that's how I found most of my jobs.
Glad you like my blog, any more q's then let me know.
Cheers
Hey Baz, Im thinking of heading to Spain to TEFL in September (hopefully) and just wondering whens the best time to check out for jobs there? I've worked at a summer camp in El Puerto De Santa Maria last summer and going back again this year and was hopefully going to head up to Seville and try my luck with a CV in hand or does that sound too risky? Cheers and really enjoying your blog!
Sounds like you've had a fantastic time with your TEFLing so far! I've just completed the 140 hr TEFL course so am looking forward to future travelling and adventures : o )
Yeah Madrid would be cool, I've only been there once. Heard good and bad things about. Good, nightife, footy, loads of things to see and do, on bad side expensive, especially on TEFL wages, traffic, some areas dangerous (although you can say that about anywhere).
Seville is beautiful, does get a bit dull at times though. I've never done a horse and carriage, mainly cos they leave huge dollops of dung all round the town and after 6 years you get a bit tired of the stench...
Good luck on find a jonb mate, keep in touch.
I'm heading to Madrid more than likely. I haven't entirely made my mind up yet so I'll see what happens. Not heading over until August next year so have a while to decide. Seville was beautiful. My family are from Spain so my relatives have taken me there a few times before. Last time I was there I remember taking a horse and carriage ride around the city :-)
Hello!
Congratulations on coming a very noble 2nd place in the Come TEFL with Me competition!
Would you be so kind as to whizz me over an email to katie.baxter@i-to-i.com so that I can set you up with your prize of the Instant Teacher Kit - http://www.onlinetefl.com/instant-tefl-teacher-kit.html
Gracias!
Katie
Hi Ryan, cheers mate. Glad you like my blogs, where abouts are you heading? What did you think of Seville then?
Hi mate. I am really loving reading your blogs. I am about to head to Spain myself next year. So excited. I am glad to hear that you are having an amazing time. I have been to Seville and loved it.
Hola.. como es Sevilla? Hotter than Madrid I bet, although it's nice and sunny today. Autumn is definitely here, something I missed in Ecuador, with it's constant 12 hours of sun and never the red and gold leaves.
I'd like to go back one day though, and I think I'd prefer to teach in Quito next time. Did you find it easy to get work there? Were you with a school or private academy? I think I'd prefer a private academy as they're moe slack about rules regarding visas in my experience.
Did you take the teleferico up tp Pichincha? i did, but it was a bit cloudy and I couldn't see Cotopaxi. I could see antisana and some other volcanoes though, can't remember all their names.
I'd really appreciate any guides you could give me about working in Quito, I love that city! If I don't go back there I might move to the south of Spain next year - Madrid's a bit expensive. Strong accent they have down there though, right?
anyway, hope all's good
Alix
» Comments RSS