TEFL course diaries - Emma Claydon

Before I started the distance learning course I needed to get back into studying. It been some time since I had to make notes or write an essay so I dipped into my trusty copy of The Good Study Guide from the Open University. It was just what I needed. I wish I’d read it before doing my Bachelors though.

Doing this self study course means I have to be disciplined and manage my time.

First of all I wrote up a weekly timetable and tried to schedule everything in, especially free time and exercise. Plus things usually take longer then you think they will.

While I was studying at university I first considered a TEFL course, but after three years of study, having absolutely no money plus a huge loan, I was eager to get a job. So I ended up in corporate advertising in Paris.

I loved the place and some of the people were great but I soon realised I was a closet greeny and I had to get into the not-for-profit sector so that meant volunteering.

After a year and a half at the adv agency and building on my wobbly GCSE French (oooh la vache!), I packed it all in to go live in the rainforest in New Zealand where I would help with admin and the website in addition to organic gardening, earth building and a vegetarian diet for three months.

It was wikid! I loved it so much I was a Remote Volunteer when I returned to the UK and got a new job in a large youth charity. After a year I was asked back as Volunteer Coordinator so I could work on marketing and recruitment full time.

Skip to the end…..that’s where I met a lovely Dutch guy and here I am learning Dutch and becoming a qualified English Teacher. I hope to teach English here in the Netherlands, but also have more plans to travel so it will always be useful.