Global English graduate Nick Ponter has already chronicled his TESOL journey in Germany for us. But we’ve caught up with him again to ask about becoming a first-time author and the inspiration for his new book Connor Jackson and the Memory Thieves.
Key facts
- Who: Nick Ponter, Global English TESOL graduate and business English teacher
- Where: Germany – B2B training, Bielefeld University and Chamber of Commerce exam preparation
- Course: Global English TESOL, followed by 13 years teaching English to the B2B sector
- Outcome: published his first novel, Connor Jackson and the Memory Thieves, with readings hosted by the companies where he teaches
What does a business English teaching career in Germany look like?
Hi Nick. Can you remind us about the kind of English teaching you are engaged in?
I have been teaching English to the B2B sector in Germany for thirteen years now. The main focus of my training is focusing on the real tasks of my students’ jobs and that mainly includes vocabulary building, practical tasks and self-confidence. I also teach business English at Bielefeld University and prepare students for an international exam at the Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
If corporate teaching like Nick’s appeals to you, our 30-hour Teaching Business English specialist course covers exactly this kind of needs-based training, and our teaching English in Germany guide explains the market. Germany’s official Make it in Germany portal is the authoritative source on visas and working there as a skilled professional.
How did an EFL teacher become a published author?
What made you decide to become an author and what inspired your first book?
I had previously never thought about writing a book, despite the saying that there is a book in everyone. It all started with a dream, which normally I never remember but this one remained. I thought it would be a cool idea to write about it and decided pretty much straight away that I would write a book, especially as the idea was quite new. After a lengthy planning phase, I realised I had the potential to write a series of books and planned four with titles and a rough plot. This remains today. I never intended to write as a hobby, always with the motivation to find a publisher and entertain a wide audience.
Would he write about TEFL itself?
Sounds great but have you ever been inspired to write about your TEFL experiences?
A good question, and people have often asked me if I would do it. However, my book is a comedy fantasy novel and therefore the world of TEFL not quite compatible. I wouldn’t rule it out though as my fantasy world also includes the real world so I may be able to build an English teaching environment into one of the books.
How did his students and TEFL contacts help?
You are still teaching. How supportive have your students been?
My students have been extremely supportive. I’ve taught some hundreds of people since I had the original idea back in 2013. Most of my students have followed my writing career from an idea, to writing, to finding a publisher and the book launch itself. In fact, I now do readings in the companies where I work and without my TEFL experience and the contacts made, this would never have happened. Some of my students are either reading my book or have already finished and I have received excellent feedback. It is also a book quite suitable for those with a reasonable command of English. For the English native speaking world, it can be categorised as teenager upwards. For learners of English it is suitable for young adults and adults alike. It contains no violence, no scary scenes, no swear words and written in a humorous English narrative tradition.
“I now do readings in the companies where I work and without my TEFL experience and the contacts made, this would never have happened.”
- Nick Ponter, business English teacher and author, Germany
What is Nick’s advice for aspiring authors?
Any advice for anyone aspiring to be an author?
Be quite clear about why you are writing. Are you doing it just for fun and because you like writing? If yes, then enjoy the experience. If you are writing with the intention to publish to a wide audience then learn as much as you can regarding the publishing business, editing and submissions. The most important criteria in my opinion is to remain yourself in your writing style as it is authentic. I only write by hand then type afterwards and the reason for that is my style is exactly as I think, therefore authentic, leading to a pleasant story telling experience.
Will English teaching in Germany stay in demand?
Finally, we have to ask…do you think Brexit will have any impact TESOL in Germany?
That is an impossible question to answer but a good one. Whilst the negotiations are ongoing, it is not possible to predict. However, English will remain a global language and the need for business, researchers, academia and private people to communicate in English will remain.
(Nick gave this interview in early 2020, while the UK–EU negotiations were still under way – his core point has held: demand for business English in Germany remains strong, though UK citizens now need a visa or residence permit to work there.)
Thank you, Nick. We wish you every continuing success.
You can find out more about the book and Nick at: www.nickponter.com
What careers can grow out of EFL teaching?
Nick’s path from classroom to publication is one of many. Graduates have used their TESOL as a springboard into:
- ELT writing and publishing – like Kerry Edwards, who published her own student e-book alongside teaching in Spain
- Corporate training and exam preparation – Nick’s own B2B, university and Chamber of Commerce work
- Materials development, academic management and teacher training – see our roundup of TESOL career options
Frequently asked questions
Can teaching English abroad lead to other careers?
Yes. Nick’s thirteen years of business English teaching in Germany built the network that made his book launch and in-company readings possible. Other graduates move into ELT writing, exam preparation, teacher training and academic management – the classroom is often the starting point, not the ceiling.
What English teaching work is there in Germany?
Germany’s strongest demand is business English: in-company (B2B) training, university teaching and Chamber of Commerce exam preparation, as in Nick’s portfolio. A TESOL certificate with a business English specialism fits this market well – see our Germany guide for details.
What next?
- Read more about Nick’s TESOL journey in Germany
- Discover different career options with a TESOL
- Explore our guide to teaching English in Germany