A Rocky Start in Spain<\/strong><\/p>\n Let me be honest, my first teaching experience was horrible. In 2010, I just finished a teaching training course in Madrid, Spain<\/a>, and the Spanish economy was looking pretty shaky. I grabbed the first job offer I got, and two days later, I was headed to an English summer camp for teenagers. I worked 14 hours a day, had no time to plan, and struggled to discipline children barely younger than me. All the teaching knowledge that had just been poured into my brain during my training was ready to come gushing out, but not in the most coordinated fashion.<\/p>\n Still Learning in Mexico<\/strong><\/p>\n My next stop was Mexico<\/a>, which is where everything started falling into place. With time, I honed all of the techniques and ideas that I had learned. I started to teach effective, and sometimes even fun classes. I discovered that, as a teacher, not only did I have a lot to offer my students, but they also had a lot to offer me. While I helped them master irregular verbs, they carefully explained the difference between sopes<\/a><\/em> and gorditas<\/a><\/em>. The all-male classes were especially preoccupied to make sure I had the right phrases ready to charm Mexican se\u00f1oritas<\/em>!<\/p>\n From Job to Passion<\/strong><\/p>\n In Mexico, I realized that I really enjoyed the social aspect of teaching ESL. My current class is an intermediate group of students, mostly 18-30. We spend 18 hours a week together. Unlike in other workplaces, we spend a lot of time sharing personal stories and opinions. I know them, and they know me. We are a small community, which allows us to have a family-like relationship.<\/p>\n The other part I enjoy is the creative side of teaching ESL. There is something very rewarding about watching as my ideas take shape, are embraced, and turned into knowledge. Teaching is not an art or<\/em> a science; it is a combination of both. On paper, a lesson plan only hints at whether it will or will not be a great lesson, but the determining factor is in the delivery. Just as a great piece of music might be technically brilliant, without a skilled conductor, it will fall flat. Hitting every note can leave you feeling almost euphoric, while a flop can leave you depressed and drained. This is how I view teaching. It is a new challenge every day, but I enjoy it. And, that is why I teach.<\/p>\n If you’re wondering if you should teach ESL<\/a>, consider my story. It’s an amazing profession that could be your passion too.<\/p>\n Written by Robin Garnham<\/p>\n
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