FUNemployment and learning to teach
Instead of writing an "Introduction: Time to get to know your blog tour-guide" like first post, I have decided to jump right into my decisions and experiences (so far) with teaching English as a foreign language. But, of course, this still means back story details will end up oozing out anyways.
My last year of college, like most, was met with a lot of confusion and excitement. Within a two month period I "decided" to go to graduate school, then to stay in LA and get a job, then to move to an entirely different state. It never crossed my mind to move back home. I had a friend who was overseas teaching English, though, and finally got inspired to travel, teach, and have some fun during this transitioning period of my life. So, I ended up signing up to get certified to teach English as a foreign language through the TEFL Academy Online in February of 2017.
Realizing that this was the right path for me was like realizing that the mother trucker who you've had a crush on for a while is actually a complete dud and you were blinded by love (*abs). Completely obvious after I thought about it for a while.
Luckily I was completely supported by my friends and family! So, for my last semester of school (which was more like going to class and just browsing Pinterest, Buzzfeed, and planetblue.com) I was able to learn how to teach English.
Skip ahead past a few meltdowns, a few more ~college~ trips to Vegas and Cabo, graduation, crying on the bathroom floor of the Ritz-Carlton with my friends, a phat road trip home..... and I was ready for the last portion of my certification. Actually teaching English! I could have done this my whole last semester in Los Angeles, but why volunteer for a whole a week when I could be day-drinking expensive margaritas because "I only have, like, two more months in California."
I found a program at a local church in my hometown and jumped right in. I was scared. Not because it was new and I didn't know how to communicate with foreign people, but because if I ended up being a terrible teacher it meant that the refugees I was teaching would not succeed as well in our country and, the thoughts of "Oh shit, should I actually be doing this?" and "Maybe I should just stay home forever." would cross my mind.
BUT GUESS WHAT THAT DIDN'T HAPPEN! I made beautiful relationships, learn so much about the world, and, although I had to wake up before noon, had some type of work to look forward to everyday.
My students were all refugees from Eastern Asia, Ukraine, Iraq, Afghanistan, Africa, and Cuba. People who had lovely lives but had to move for fear of lives. If you ever want to be humbled, make friends with refugees. My new friends taught me about their cultures, made me feel loved, and supported my efforts to teach and move abroad.... all while speaking at a minimal to intermediate level of English. I know plenty of people who do speak English who haven't been able to communicate their love and appreciation, but my students started off barely knowing any English and were able to quickly express themselves with me.
I am now fully certified to teach English as a foreign language and am planning my big move in January! Keep updated on this blog for more posts about my new refugee friends, my plans on moving, and any other love I have to share.
Love & Light,
Lisa
My last year of college, like most, was met with a lot of confusion and excitement. Within a two month period I "decided" to go to graduate school, then to stay in LA and get a job, then to move to an entirely different state. It never crossed my mind to move back home. I had a friend who was overseas teaching English, though, and finally got inspired to travel, teach, and have some fun during this transitioning period of my life. So, I ended up signing up to get certified to teach English as a foreign language through the TEFL Academy Online in February of 2017.
Realizing that this was the right path for me was like realizing that the mother trucker who you've had a crush on for a while is actually a complete dud and you were blinded by love (*abs). Completely obvious after I thought about it for a while.
Luckily I was completely supported by my friends and family! So, for my last semester of school (which was more like going to class and just browsing Pinterest, Buzzfeed, and planetblue.com) I was able to learn how to teach English.
Skip ahead past a few meltdowns, a few more ~college~ trips to Vegas and Cabo, graduation, crying on the bathroom floor of the Ritz-Carlton with my friends, a phat road trip home..... and I was ready for the last portion of my certification. Actually teaching English! I could have done this my whole last semester in Los Angeles, but why volunteer for a whole a week when I could be day-drinking expensive margaritas because "I only have, like, two more months in California."
I found a program at a local church in my hometown and jumped right in. I was scared. Not because it was new and I didn't know how to communicate with foreign people, but because if I ended up being a terrible teacher it meant that the refugees I was teaching would not succeed as well in our country and, the thoughts of "Oh shit, should I actually be doing this?" and "Maybe I should just stay home forever." would cross my mind.
BUT GUESS WHAT THAT DIDN'T HAPPEN! I made beautiful relationships, learn so much about the world, and, although I had to wake up before noon, had some type of work to look forward to everyday.
My students were all refugees from Eastern Asia, Ukraine, Iraq, Afghanistan, Africa, and Cuba. People who had lovely lives but had to move for fear of lives. If you ever want to be humbled, make friends with refugees. My new friends taught me about their cultures, made me feel loved, and supported my efforts to teach and move abroad.... all while speaking at a minimal to intermediate level of English. I know plenty of people who do speak English who haven't been able to communicate their love and appreciation, but my students started off barely knowing any English and were able to quickly express themselves with me.
I am now fully certified to teach English as a foreign language and am planning my big move in January! Keep updated on this blog for more posts about my new refugee friends, my plans on moving, and any other love I have to share.
Love & Light,
Lisa
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