How long were you an EFL teacher, and how long have you been a teacher trainer?
I have been in EFL since 2003. I have worked for two years or more in China, Vietnam, Thailand, Afghanistan, Seattle and currently in Ecuador. During this time, I have worked as an English Instructor, Teacher Trainer and Director of Studies.
Did you have a different career before EFL?
No, after university I stumbled into EFL teaching and I loved it. Throughout my career, I’ve worked in various aspects of the EFL.
What are your hopes/aspirations for your trainees?
I always strive to guide trainees to find their own style of teaching. Though we focus on the specifics of how to teach on courses, everyone will execute these in a different manner. That’s what makes the job interesting and rewarding!
When you were an EFL teacher what did you like most, and how do you bring that into the classroom for your trainees?
I love the relationships I build when teaching. I naturally get very invested in my students’ educational journey. This characteristic of my teaching comes through when I work on training courses as well.
What advice would you give your trainees for successfully completing the course?
I always advise keeping an open mind during the course. No matter your background and experience, everyone finds the course to be beneficial. The more you are open to input and feedback, the more you will gain.
What advice would you give your trainees for an interesting and rewarding career?
Don’t be afraid to take risks. That goes for what you do in the classroom or in what contexts to choose to work. There may be some trial and tribulations, but I have found that saying “yes”, generally leads to good things.