Story Archive September 14, 2002 (Page 1 of 1)

sun...
 
Saturday, 14. September 2002
The preparation begins...

Sept 14

Well, as Jess has been rather dominating this site with her most exciting entries, here's my starter for 10.

A gripping tale of overseas of travel it is NOT, but I'll try to hint at some of the preparation required for such a year out, should anyone want to know...

TRAINING: back in January I completed a very intensive starter TEFL certificate. This was by no means the CELTA qualification, but it was great for learning some teaching basics, scribbling down plenty of lesson ideas, and meeting a fab group of people all looking to change their lives, if only for a year (one of whom I'll be living and working with in a month's time!).

Should this year go well it is in my mind to do the CELTA course when I come back to the UK for a month (hopefully providing me with wider travel options, better teaching skills and greater earning potential). Details of the certificate I completed (and more inspiring ' leave the uk ' type stories) can be found at www.tefl.uk.com. If in doubt, ring grab the number from the site and ring Sue - she's a font of information and encouragement.

VISAS / DOCUMENTATION:
This is Taiwan-specific. To work there as a foreigner you need a BA degree (mine's in Music and, erm, Business) but at least my work since then has related to written English - editor, press officer, PR etc.

Other essential documentation: Initial 2-month VISA (from Embassy in London) - this is extended once you are working over there, and a written job offer from a school (for said VISA).

ALSO TO SORT: plane tickets (obviously!) - a return cost me £746!, insurance for valuables (i.e. in my case a vintage 1956 Conn saxophone - just bought!), and cancelling a whole load of UK stuff like car ins, mobile phones, Direct Debits and serious stuff (I've never had to be so organised!).

So, I'm trotting down to London next week to get my VISA - the Embassy's only open weekday mornings so I have to apply Thursday morning and go back a day later to get the Visa. Ah the convenience!

Sorry it's not the most exciting entry, but I know a couple of readers may be mooching over the idea of doing TEFL so I hope this will be helpful at some point.

Fave joke of the week?
DYSLEXICS OF THE WORLD UNTIE!

... Link


:: First day at school ::

Hehe, nothing can prepare you! Thank goodness the noisiest, rowdiest kids are not in my classes.

Today I sat in with a lovely teacher so that I could get to know the class a little before next week. And they're really cool! They don't complain (much) about subjects they don't like, the (mostly) do their homework and they are really well behaved. At least today they were! Altogether a fab class, and such personalities! I'm over the moon!

On Monday I will teach my other class for the first time - these are the kids I don't know yet - I have a long weekend ahead of planning etc.

But... how knackered am I?? These next few weeks I think will be the most tiring yet challenging of my life. God knows how I will get through it. But I will.

For those of you hoping to catch me online, I haven't worked messenger out yet, but bear with me.

¡Ouch! Another wicked mosquito. I am peppered with bites, the biggest on my arm with the swelling as big as my eye socket!!!

I went to the mall tonight for some fantastic airconditioned shopping and Pizza Hut, yummy. Will have to make that a regular thing I think. I need to learn how to converse in Spanish though, it's so embarassing!

Ooh - I was met by a big orange lizard in my room this evening, first one I've seen. So cute! Hope he stays around for a bit (the spider left). (I think).

... Link


:: Rack off hairy legs ::

Nothing apart from THERE'S A HUGE BLACK HAIRY SPIDER IN MY ROOM!!!!!

... Link


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