At the beginning of my solo journey, I was quite excited. I realized that for once in my ESL teaching career, I can decide the type of students I teach. I always preferred a company of teenagers and adult students. My wish came true! Unfortunately, I forgot about one tiny thing - adult students are… Continue reading The flakiness of adult students
Tag: teaching esl
Journey to freelancing – one month later
So it's officially been a month since I've decided on becoming my own boss. Let's do a recap and see how things are ACTUALLY going. So I started this solo journey with a lot of optimism. In reality, I wanted to work one more year at an academy and then go on my own. However,… Continue reading Journey to freelancing – one month later
Cambridge Exam Score Templates
Who said that ESL teachers don't need to know math? We do math more than we would like to admit. All Cambridge exam preparation teachers, I've got something just for you! As a teacher in Spain, you do quite a lot of things. You get to teach all ages and levels, and probably one of… Continue reading Cambridge Exam Score Templates
(ESL) job interview red flags
Imagine that you are a brand new ESL teacher. You sent your CV everywhere, and now you wait. Finally, it happens! You got a job interview. You go to the academy full of energy and hope, but it's nothing like what you had imagined. Sounds familiar? As the first part of becoming a freelancer, I… Continue reading (ESL) job interview red flags
Adapting lesson plans to other levels
I used to work at an academy that required all plans to be posted onto the server by Monday. At first, it's fine, you do it, full of energy and happiness. However, then comes the time when you reach the limit and you start thinking about how you can prepare one lesson plan that can… Continue reading Adapting lesson plans to other levels
Cambridge PET – informative brochures
If you are like me and you primarily prepare your students to take Cambridge exams, then you always find yourself going in circles and explaining different parts of the examination. It isn't rocket science but obviously, some parts are more complicated than others. The handbook provided by Cambridge official helps a lot but I often… Continue reading Cambridge PET – informative brochures
New chapter: becoming a freelancer
This post was meant to be about something else. However, as I was enjoying what I thought were my last few days of holidays, I received a news so unexpected that it changed my way of thinking and motivated me enough to change my current work ambitions. Let me tell you a story about teaching… Continue reading New chapter: becoming a freelancer
Cambridge PET – Speaking Part 1
The beginning of a speaking exam can be a nerve-racking experience. Speaking Part 1 is designed to break the ice and get to know the candidates. If you have been following me for some time, then you know I have a series on PET Cambridge exam preparation. Check out my previous lesson plans on Writing Part… Continue reading Cambridge PET – Speaking Part 1
Lesson planning – Is it worth it?
Last year I decided to do a little experiment - I decided to plan all of my classes to a tee. Here are some things that I learnt by planning 492 lessons last year. If you are employed at a private language academy in Spain, you will normally be asked to prepare lesson plans in… Continue reading Lesson planning – Is it worth it?
Your last holiday – A2 Adults
One month left! If you're coming back to the same school or academy and you know you're getting the same students as before, it eliminates that awkward first class introductions. Instead, you can focus on something much better - last summer's experience. Last year I had the pleasure of teaching a lovely group of general… Continue reading Your last holiday – A2 Adults
