Emma Claydon » 2008 » January

It’s been a while since I updated my blog but it’s a good opportunity to review 2007.

So, back in February I started a full time office job.  Working 40 hours a week and commuting for 20 hours meant I had submitted my assignments for Module two by the end of March.  I was pleased with the A minus I was awarded and it spurred me on.  I plodded through my final module, taking 9 more months to finish.

Well  time has a way of flying by, plus we had the final arrangements for our wedding that took place on 11th August near Maastricht.  Before I realised it was September and I had missed the deadline I had made for myself to complete the course and start applying for my fist teaching position.

In October I booked my flight back to the UK for a week at Christmas and started making open applications to language centers in the area.  With no advertised vacancies on the net or in newspapers I was beginning to think that I wouldn’t get a teaching position in the Netherlands.

I wrote to various language centers as my Dutch isn’t good enough to work with young children and I met with two institutes.  One was teaching business English to adults and the other was working with university students to improve their academic English.

Having the interviews meant that I was more motivated to finish the course by the end of the year and determined to break into teaching.  I had also found the ACTDEC Teaching Practice Portfolio Scheme (www.ACTEDEC.org.uk) which helps you obtain an Certificate in Teaching Practice Development at the end of the two month practicum within a supporting school.

By the end of November I didn’t have a concrete offer and was awaiting the outcome of the two interviews.  I took a leap of faith and resigned (I recommend the template letters on www.i-resign.com/uk/letters/).  I focused on the final module and starting a new job in the New Year.  The third module consisted of lesson planning, teaching vocabulary, practical languages activities, and testing in the classroom.  The assignments took me a while to complete but I gladly submitted them on 16th December and I’m eagerly awaiting the results.

A few days after handing in my notice I got an offer to work with university students and I start on Monday 7th January.  First I will meet with the language coordinator and discuss hours, tasks and the contract.  After the meeting I start observing students that have been on the preparatory English course for 6 months.  New students will be starting in February and I will have three students who I will coach on a one-to-one basis, in addition to assisting with the group lessons.  I am really excited about this new challenge and at the same time not quite sure what I am letting myself in for!  I’m sure it will all work out in the end.  It usually does.

Wishing you all the very best for 2008!  May it be filled with peace, joy and serenity.