When a sunny Spanish life beckoned, GE graduate Linda Cassell’s journey from Airtours Rep to EFL teacher began. We asked her for her first teaching impressions, how she found work and her top tips for anyone considering following in her footsteps:

1) What were your first impressions of Malaga and Spain? What is the first thing you notice? What's the part you have found most challenging?

I repped for Airtours before I moved to Spain, so I originally came here after Greece. Spain was great in the way that it had lots of things from home, so at least you didn't miss the home comforts. The area I decided to settle in is more Spanish, near Puerto Banus. I don't think I would live anywhere else. It has everything from the busy days in Marbella, beach to the typical Spanish way of life in my town. The most challenging thing for me was the language in the beginning, but the great thing here is the people are so helpful and friendly and they always try to help, more so in Andalucia.

2) Where are you working and how did you find your job?

I work in my hometown, but because I didn't know Spanish I worked in a shop for a while until one day I was asked to teach a small group of children. I investigated on Google about giving classes and what I could do, from games to grammar. I learnt along the way really and taught like this for 4 years, each time getting more students without advertising anywhere.

3) Has your TESOL qualification helped you finding work and in the classroom? If so, how?

I decided I would like to see if I was doing things well and what else I could learn as I had no idea if the ways I was teaching were correct or not, although the children were learning well. The (Global English) certificate and course gave me a great insight in all areas of the language, also ideas of how to teach different grammar points. Being English doesn't mean that you know how to teach! Explaining why we do this and that in our language can be tricky if you are not prepared. So yes, the course gave me more confidence in myself helping me feel more professional.

4) How do you find your students? What is the biggest challenge in your teaching and where have you already seen success?

My students came from word of mouth. I find the most challenging thing is competing with incompetent teachers in public schools!!!! They have a dislike of "native teachers" I have found that my students get corrected with my pronunciation and they are made to say it how the teacher pronounces it....my son also has problems with them as he is bilingual with a pure English accent. There is no motivation in Spanish schools, it’s all about getting a 10 in the exam and that’s it.

5) If there is one piece of advice you could give to someone coming to Spain to teach, what would it be?

My advice for someone coming to Spain would be that it is a great place to work, and that it is adaptable and not a difficult place to settle into. I find it easier teaching because I speak their language, but nevertheless Spanish is quite easy to pick up and as I said the people are great too. So anyone thinking of doing it should take your courses, because I had a great time doing them and learnt so much.

Could this be your story?

While much of Europe is struggling financially, this can put a squeeze on ‘extras’ like learning English. However, Linda’s story is not unique. Armed with an accredited TESOL certificate and a can-do attitude, our TESOL course graduates are teaching English all over the world.

Take a look at the 100 hour online TESOL course with young learners that Linda took. Are you ready to make the switch to a new life abroad?

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Global English graduates teaching in Spain; their comments

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