How did TESL@TFLI  prepare you for teaching in Kenya?

It has helped tremendously. The students are varied from all different cultural backgrounds to different learning levels. The training you receive during the course more than prepares you for what you experience while abroad. The resources TESL provided are priceless. Many times I found myself referencing the book we studied from and the many teaching tools and creative ideas we used while in the TESL course.

What advice do you have for students who want to teach abroad?

Check the validity of who you are going to work for. Also, bring over things from your own country to show and talk about in your classroom. Make it personal. The students really like learning about you and where you come from.

What is your best experience so far teaching abroad?

My best experience by far is meeting and getting to know my students from all over the world. Kenya is a melting pot of so many different nationalities. The relationships always seem to expand outside the classroom. And of course, seeing the students’ progress in learning and speaking English!

Tell us an interesting classroom story.

One day my classroom was being used by someone else, so I had to teach in the school’s auditorium. On their HUGE stage was this rather large chalkboard. So I taught on stage while the students sat way down below. I would jump off and on while teaching so I didn’t seem so far from the students. I was exhausted by the time the class ended. Plus, the students really got a kick out of it.