KOREA
I am doing pretty well here. I just returned from a month-long vacation in China and Vietnam. I loved both countries and hope to go back to China again soon. Another teacher and I traveled for one week in China to Xian, Chengdu and Lijiang, then for 3 weeks in Vietnam. I love to travel so much! I used the Lonely Planet China guidebook, which your teacher Tom helped write, during my travels. If he's still there, let him know it was quite helpful. Now I am back to teaching for one more year here at YBM in Seoul.
Amy Dooley, 2003 graduate
FRANCE
My wife and I are doing fine here in Lyon, France. I am now teaching two languages at Inlingua, English and German. I mainly give classes to business professionals at their respective companies. I am like a tennis ball, bouncing around from one corner of Lyon to the other. You wouldn't believe how much demand there is for English here. I have begun branching out and giving private English lessons to high school and middle school students. I have seriously thought about starting my own language school here once I get a bit more experience.
Dan Langenfeld, 2002 graduate
MEXICO
I have been meaning to write you for a little while, just getting to it now. I have been busy because I have a job here in Oaxaca! I work for a school called Cambridge Academy, you can guess who its affiliated with. Five days after I got here I went job hunting. Cambridge was the second school i went to, the first was scary...but anyway, I talked with the director and less than 10 minutes later they offered me a job. I had to have a TEFL certificate and I told him a little about my experience, and then he said well, we would like you to work here.
Last Saturday I did a 4-hour class for adults. Uff. It went okay, they knew a lot more than I thought so we went through my lesson plan in an hour and a half. I did the rest sort of on the fly. This week I started with little kids in a private school. Its really difficult, but a good experience.
Jenny Skye, 2004 graduate
CZECH REPUBLIC
Things are going well in Prague. The city is even more beautiful than I remember. I love the cobblestone streets, Baroque architecture and of course the delicious pivo (beer)! I'm still struggling with the language, but it's getting better every day. Unfortunately Old Town is packed with tourists, but I'm barely ever there so it's not a huge issue. I've found my favorite area, Vinohrady, which is tree-lined and full of great little cafes and pubs. It reminds me a lot of Chez Paris.
My school is professional and well-run, and I'd definitely recommend it to any future grads! Thanks again for the wonderful TEFL program this summer. It has helped enormously with my daily classes, which are widely varied and quite challenging. I'm still trying to find my niche, but it's getting better every week.
Angela Horvath, 2005 graduate
CHINA
I found a job teaching English in Qin Huangdao, China. I am currently starting my second year. I am teaching Oral English at a private that is affiliated with a Canadian college and Hebei Normal University I love it! I am in an Olympic city and hope to find some position teaching English for the 2008 Olympics - at least that is my goal!
I am doing very well and happy with my career change. A note of support to your school: I learned so much practical, hands on skills that made my experience as a new TEFL teacher so much better than a lot of teachers that were also certified but they just did not seem to know what to do in the classroom. Thank you! Your school was worth every $ and minute I put in. That is the truth. I am having fun in my classes because you all gave me great ideas and taught me how to apply them. Thanks again for a great education.
Judy VerHage, 2005 graduate
INDONESIA
Just wanted to let you know that I'm back in teaching EFL. I accepted a job last week with English First Jakarta. I talked with a few different branches of EF and was really surprised at how each was a little different and offered different things. I think that I ended up with the best of the lot. A little better pay, a few more vacation days and a good conversation with the American director. Sounds like a real professional school and I'm looking forward to it.
Bryan Kersten, 2001 gradute
