Title of job:
English Language Teacher in Barcelona (TEFL teacher)

Languages studied for A level:
Drama, French, Spanish and AS Music

Languages studied at university:
Spanish

University:
The University of Kent at Canterbury.

Best thing about the course:
The opportunity to work closely with native Spanish people on the course. Great tutors who were all enthusiastic about the subjects that they were teaching. The variety of modules offered e.g, cultural, historical and literal modules so there were modules that catered for everyone.

Where did you spend your year out?
Autonoma University in Barcelona

Do you think that the fact that you studied languages helped you to obtain this post?
Yes, because after having studied Spanish and Hispanic studies I already had an insight into Spanish culture and history and could relate to the pupils and the country where I would teach. Although it is not essential to speak the native language, it helps when the pupil has a query or doesn’t understand, or one of the pupils has a problem that they cannot express in English, or if you are required to talk to the parent who might not be able to speak English.

Could you tell us more about the nature of the job outlining main tasks and responsibilities?
As an English language teacher at International House, Terrassa, Barcelona, I taught primary school children, teenagers and adults. I mainly taught Beginner, Elementary and Intermediate levels but also conducted conversation classes to more advanced level students.

We were required to follow a specific book based on the level and age of the group e.g English File for adults and Headway for teenagers. My responsibilities as a teacher involved creating lesson plans and adopting various methods of teaching within my lessons e.g using flashcards, using computers, reflecting on current affairs, adapting games into the lessons. As well as teaching I was required to take the minutes at staff meetings, write reports on all the students, meet parents at parent meetings to discuss the progress of the student, help organise events held by the school and be actively involved in any events that the school organises.

Do you use your languages frequently? If so, in which situations?
At the school where I teach we are encouraged to speak English all the time so that the pupils are immersed in English all the time. I use my Spanish mostly when chatting to the parents, the Spanish staff or if a student does not understand or has a problem. My Spanish is mostly used to get by when living in Spain and to chat with Spanish friends.

What other jobs have you done since leaving university?
None, this is my first job after university. I went back to Barcelona to do a TEFL (Teaching English as a Foreign Language) course as soon as I graduated and got a teaching job at International House after I finished the course in October 2004.

What is the best thing about learning another language in your opinion?
I think that learning languages is important and extremely beneficial. Firstly, you are able to communicate with different people from different cultures and societies, and feel confident, when travelling, that you can speak another language and communicate in any situation. Secondly, I believe that us British people are ignorant when it comes to learning languages and we expect everyone to speak English and we also have a reputation for this which is a shame. In my personal experience, speaking Welsh, Spanish and French has been a great advantage because you broaden your knowledge about the country and its people and culture and you can try and relate to them in a better way if you are able to speak their language. I think it also shows respect for the people and their culture. After learning one language I believe that it is easier to pick up and learn another.

What would you say to those who are reluctant to carry on with their languages?
I would encourage them to continue and stress how important it is to learn a language. Language is the most important component of culture. I would recommend that going to the country and immersing oneself in the culture and language is the best and most efficient way to learn a language and it is much more fun too! Learning by constant contact with native speakers in their own society is the quickest and best way. It is almost better than taking foreign language classes because it forces you to concentrate on it all of the time.