The other day, I came across my old Trinity TESOL certificate. After leaving university, I took a 4-week training courses and learned how to teach English as a foreign language. I say learned, but really, the course just allowed me to dip my big toe into the world on language teaching. Many years later, I’m still working in this field although now I prefer to introduce myself – rather more pretentiously – as an English Language Teaching Professional!!
Back in April 1996, however, I thought the TEFL certificate would be nothing more than a useful skill I could use to find work abroad, a way to fund my travels. But, being a TEFL teacher can be more, much more, than just a job to do during your gap year.