TELL US ABOUT YOURSELF
What is your citizenship?
Costa Rican
What city and state are you from?
San José
What is your first language?
Spanish
How old are you?
in my 40s :)
What is your education level and background?
I have an Executive MBA from the University of Miami, Sales and Marketing
Have you traveled or lived abroad in the past?
Yes
If you have, where have you been?
Many parts of the US and Europe
When and how did you learn English?
I learned English back in 1987 in an immersion ESL class at the University of Texas.
What sparked your interest in being an ESL teacher?
The enjoyment of seeing others learn and better themselves
What were some of your concerns before taking the TESOL course?
Not being a native English speaker.
What did your friends and family think about you taking the TESOL course?
They were happy and excited for me.
TEFL CLASS INFORMATION
Why did you decide to get TEFL certified and choose International TEFL Academy?
It seemed a good synergy coming back to my hometown with all my other personal projects.
Which TEFL certification course did you take?
The 4-week onsite course in Heredia, Costa Rica in July 2016.
How did you like the course?
The professors complemented each other and made the class very interesting and exciting. The course also provided me with more than fundamentals to become an exciting educator. It empowered me with tools and fresh ideas to approach teaching in more creative ways.
How has your TEFL training helped you in your current job?
I meet people from different walks of life which is one of my passions so I am a much happier as a person. It also helped me to be more structured and focus.
TEACHING ABROAD IN COSTA RICA
If you are currently teaching ESL, which country and city did you decide to teach English in and why?
San José, Costa Rica because I am from here and it became an organic decision.
How long have you been and how long do you plan to stay?
I’ve been back for about a year and not sure of the future.
What school, company, or program are you working for?
Wizard
Tell us about your English teaching job.
I teach what Wizard refers to VIP individuals onsite.
Are there other non-native English speakers working with you?
Yes.
ADVICE FOR PROSPECTIVE NON-NATIVE ESL TEACHERS
What advice would you give a non-native English speaker who is considering the TESOL course?
If you enjoy traveling and learning about other cultures, this is the perfect career path anyone can take. You can travel the world and immerse yourself in the cultures, learn other languages in the process and the experience and knowledge you will obtain is limitlesss. It will set you apart from others.
