The Story So Far

I am one of those rare people an engineer (computers) who is interested (even good) at English. Feeling that I wanted to extend my knowledge I signed up for a distant learning degree in English Language and Literature.

I had moved to Spain some 3 years ago and had continued with computer work and a mutual friend had introduced me to a Spanish artist and her English husband - Loli and Harold - who needed a web site. In fact I produced three websites for them and became good friends but even so what happened next was a bit of a surprise. Prior to moving to Spain, Harold, a qualified TEFL teacher, had taught English to foreign students and now he had gone back to doing this at their house here in darkest Spain with a small classroom attached to Loli's art studio. However he had a problem, he was too popular and could see the time rapidly approaching when he would have to turn students away. Their answer to this problem was to ask me to join them in teaching English. For me this was an obvious answer to a waking nightmare, my computer work simply did not bring in sufficient money to live off. I did a little research and approached I-to-I for more information. Rebecca answered all my questions and, several emails and telephone calls later, I signed up for the 100-hour course (plus the TV package).

While I studied for both my degree and the TEFL course, Loli and Harold had come to a major decision, Harold's classroom simply wasn't going to be big enough and consequently Loli had found a small disused shop in Beniganim (Valencia) which was then turned into a small English Language Centre. Our opening party was on the 15th January this year, and was attended by the Mayor and his wife, the Doctor, the Chief-of-Police, the Gestor (a type of lawyer), parents and, this being Spain, the Priest; the TEFL course mentions being aware (careful even) of local customs and so it was that we were expected to have the Centre 'blessed' which the Priest performed in mid-Party with a little speech, a prayer and the spraying of classrooms with Holy Water!

Currently we have a small reception area, a classroom suitable for 8 students (complete with a Smart White Board) and a small classroom suitable for only 2 students. We are already out-growing our premises - we already have over 40 students - and our next step is going to be a quick refurbish over Easter with the result being two classrooms suitable for 6 students, each classroom with a Smart whiteboard and sound system. We fully expect to have to move to larger premises at the end of the summer; there is even the possibility that we may have to take on another TEFL teacher. Not quite a Rags-to-Riches story but certainly from nothing to a thriving language school in just a few months is impressive in anyone's language.

Should you - or anyone else interested in TEFL - find yourself in Beniganim (about an hours drive south of the city of Valencia), then do drop in for a chat; all our details are on the internet at www.hfhenglishcourse.com

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