Teaching English in Peru - Part 2

An Interview with Adam Stengel from the USA who graduated from TEFL Zorritos in October 2014

1. What is your name, age, where are you from originally and where are you currently living?

Adam with his fellow trainees

My name is Adam Stengel and I’m twenty-eight years old.  I am from the United States—Arkansas to be specific—and as I write this I’m residing in my home state.  By the New Year, however, I intend to go abroad and start a new TEFL adventure.

2. When did you successfully complete your TEFL Certificate course and what have you been doing since then? Please tell us about who and where you have been teaching.

I completed the TEFL Zorritos course in October 2014. When the course concluded, I moved down to Lima, and, after taking several interviews—which Ellie helped tie down—I took a job at Euroidiomas, a private language institute in the city.  Since last summer, when I returned to the States, I’ve been adjunct teaching (I also have a Master’s degree in English) and doing freelance editing/writing work.

3. What has been the most rewarding thing about teaching English abroad?

I love my students, and so making classroom connections is the most rewarding thing.  When it becomes apparent that your teaching has made a difference, well, regardless of the local currency exchange rate, that’s a priceless feeling.

Adam in one of his teaching practice classes

4. What has been the most challenging thing about teaching English abroad?

Culture shock is real, y’all.  Adjusting to a foreign environment, where you may not have family or friends or speak the local language, can be intense and difficult.  But everything I’ve learned and experienced since setting out on my TEFL odyssey has made the difficulties worth it and the regrets obsolete. 

5. How have the skills you learned in your TEFL course helped you so far?

TEFL Zorritos was intense, a pedagogical boot camp if you will, but everything in the curriculum is applicable to TEFL.  The practice teaching component especially helped show me what teaching language learners would be like.  Without the course, transitioning right into teaching would have been much more difficult.

6. Do you have any advice for people thinking about taking the plunge into the world of TEFL?

Certainly one should get TEFL certified.  Having proper training and credentials makes procuring a job much easier and something, in some markets, which you can tie up remotely.  And a top shelf certificate, like the one offered by TEFL Zorritos—120 hours, on location, practice teaching included—is all the more valuable. 

7. What are your plans for the future?

ASAP, I want to go back abroad and teach.  China, or somewhere else in East or SE Asia, given the plentiful market, is looking like a solid option.

8. If you have anything else to add please feel free!

TEFL Zorritos kicks ass, vamos! 

Read more of TEFL Zorritos’ Success Stories on our website or contact us about applying to enroll.

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TEFL Zorritos: What could be better? Study in a beautiful Peruvian beach town at our outdoor beachfront training centre with great accommodations available, including delicious local food. Fully accredited 120 Hour TEFL course with a practical approach that provides you with 10 advanced certifications at absolutely no extra cost! And a job placement program in Peru and guaranteed lifetime job assistance waiting for you when you finish the course.

Class sizes are limited, so don’t wait, make your reservation today!

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