What is your first language? It's complicated, I learned to speak Spanish first but I learned to read and write in English first.
How old are you? I'm 21 years old.
What is your education level and background? I finished high school and I am currently a university student.
Have you traveled or lived abroad in the past? Yes
If you have, where have you been? I have lived in Florida and Colorado, and I am currently traveling through Europe.
When and how did you learn English? As a child when I lived in the United States
What were some of your concerns before taking the TESOL course? The methodology I was taught would be completely different and that I would have to prepare all my class materials on my own
What did your friends and family think about you taking the TESOL course? They thought it was a good idea to help me move forward in my career.
TEFL CLASS INFORMATION
Why did you decide to get TEFL certified and choose International TEFL Academy? I heard and read many good things about it; it was also close to my house.
Which TEFL certification course did you take? January 2016 in Barva, Heredia
How did you like the course? I loved it and I wish I could do it again. I grew as a person and professional.
How has your TEFL training helped you in your current job? I learned ways to make classes more entertaining for the students instead of following the same pattern.
TEACHING IN COSTA RICA
If you are currently teaching ESL, which country and city did you decide to teach English in and why? I currently work as an English teacher at Intensa: An Adventure In Learning. It's located in Heredia and I've been teaching here for two years already.
Tell us about your English teaching job. It's not like other schools whereyou prepare your classes based on a book, we are given all our materials and have to follow a specific methodology. It's not for everyone. All of my students are adults.
Are there other non-native English speakers working with you? Most teachers are Costa Rican but have lived in the United States.
ADVICE FOR PROSPECTIVE NON-NATIVE ESL TEACHERS
What advice would you give a non-native English speaker who is considering the TESOL course? Go for it. Work really hard and give it your all. Don't get discouraged if you don't find a job right away just because you're not a "native" speaker. Look everywhere and show that you are as good as the other teachers even if you weren't born in an English speaking country.