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After 4 years of waffle that led to an English Degree, the TEFL course at International House in London was practical and dynamic. This was REAL teaching. Since then I've taught in Greece, Oxford, Dublin, Saudi Arabia and Turkey and travelled 'all over'. I've taught on the floor, in palaces, in dingy school rooms with rats rattling about under the floorboards and in well-equipped British Council classrooms. 'A proper job?' Absolutely YES.

You can't beat the buzz of the classroom, there's plenty of scope for the creative side of your personality and you'll have fun on the way. Now, with maturity and loads of experience, it's great to be able to encourage new teachers on the i-to -i weekend courses as they prepare to explore the global village. Top tips for new teachers ? Wherever you go be CULTURE SMART. Never forget that YOU are the foreigner in the class room. Don't let your class be dominated by 'The Book'. Make sure your materials are relevant to the lives of your particular students and keep and file everything you create. Be aware of what your students' linguistic difficulties are most likely to be and Be Prepared. Always have at least 2 activities ready that can be adapted to any level and don't forget the mystery bag. Keep up to date with the world of TEFL and review what you're doing every 2-3 years.

If you're not having fun - move on. Remember, a bored teacher is a boring teacher. Take every opportunity that comes your way. You'll have more regrets about things you haven't done than about things you have.

So up close and personal I love hearing from old students all round the world and seeing them too. Sometimes our house is a real 'International House'. And when I'm not teaching I love walking in the hills and mountains, swimming in the sea, winter and summer, and dreaming of my next travelling adventure.