tefl for life-l

i think i hit on my tefl teacher. but in a subtle not sleeezee kinda way. I sent her an email saying that her manner invigorated my desire to teach.

Well, wait. first back story. At the class she was kinda over the top nice. I'm not sure if you know what i mean but kinda like a stipper. but not in a bad way - in the way that when you meet a really good one they both seem to be true lifelong friends and really interested in who you are. Yet we've just met. How can you be that invested in me when you don't know me. Well, my teacher was that nice. But not at all insincere. And our conversations bordered on flirtatious. Even though she made it know she was married and had children so that it never felt inapproriate.

Well, until i sent a (perhaps) too flattering email. Maybe. And i don't really care if she thinks i was hitting on her as long as she appreciates the compliment. Which was that while i admired her ability as a teacher it was more her sublime demeanor handling the class that i admired. And that is what has me excited to someday teaching - just the opportunity to be myself in front of 20 impresionable persons and have them learn not only english but how to act like a responsible person. Its what you teach when you're not talking that is really hard. I hope i measure up - heaven knows my english skeelz aint' taht grate.

Holla Diane!

I look slightly retarded - i guess that's pretty acurate.

truth be told - i'm a dork.

12 happy travelers TEFL part un

I took a TEFL class this last weekend in the city. Well, Burlingame actually. It was nice. Awesome really. Everyone else in the class had traveled. I think they had the seven continents covered. Harry just had a stem cell/heart procedure that essentially regenerated heart tissue. Mary was a judge living in an eight million dollar house near Laughlin. Jacques was a trust fund twenty something year old who had already taught in china and also was a certified underwater photographer and also had an engineering degree and also had an awesome girlfriend. Julija was from Slovenia but had moved to the US young so was fluent in English. But in order to teach in china she had to have certification - thus the reason she and Jacques were in the class. Eric had a degree from the art academy in the city and was going to Japan to learn calligraphy and paint. Brittany was in a masters program at cal and was going to Africa for a semester abroad. Rachel was ready to sell everything and move to Costa Rica. Brad was born in Detroit but raised in England - had a definite brit accent and an appreciation and respect for Asian culture. Susan was a marathon runner who had recently had a baby and wanted to be able to teach in the Caribbean. Rich was an athletic trainer and is leaving for south Korea on Wednesday. Dirk was planning a move to Italy, perhaps to be closer to Italian men. And me - that's twelve.

The instructor was amazing. Beautiful and smart as no other. Diane. She looked like a cross between Penelope Cruz and a young Julia Roberts and was married to a chp officer. I tried to act right but didn't always succeed. She was also kind, caring and an awesome mother but i couldn't possibly know that all from one weekend intensive class.