It has been a while…

Jemma Jones

My last blog post here was on 15th December 2021; it is now March 2023! Boy – a lot has happened! Here is a quick update on me and my TEFL adventures…

January 2022 – I became a Hearing Aid user; as my hearing has worsened over the last few years.

July 2022 – I finished working as a Support Worker for the Deaf and made a HUGE decision to train as a Primary School teacher.

September 2022 – I started my Teacher Training course; still travelling over 300 miles a week!

January 2023 – I felt that I had made a HUGE mistake in becoming a Primary teacher; I think my mental health and well-being are starting to be affected.

March 2023 – My 40th birthday arrived, and I still think I am making a mistake in training as a teacher, but I only have until June 2023, and the course will be completed!

After I have qualified, I have to complete two years as an Early Career Teacher (ECT); but I do not know if I can cope…I understand why so many teachers are leaving the profession. I think I should have started my TEFL adventures properly after the Pandemic restrictions were lifted; I don’t think I would feel like I currently am!

Until the next time…

Jemma

What has COVID done to me?

Jemma Jones

You may have noticed that I have not done much blogging (or even teaching!) since March 2020! I know that my last post was dated May 15th. However, I have been working! I am still working within the British educational sector as a Support Worker for the Deaf, but I have had to change companies. My contract ended at the end of May – I was lucky enough to find a job the day the contract was ended! I cannot believe that I have been with this new company, for over one year!

In spite of that; I am not really happy! I am having to travel over 30 miles; which is approximately one hour from my current home; so, 60 miles and two hours a day! That’s over 300 miles and 10 hours a week driving! Many weeks were spent at home and I continued to do my research about EF English First and I was recommended to apply to Magic Ears – I started the process and I am going to complete my Demo Lesson very soon!

Sadly, 2020 and 2021 has not been the best for me! I have had a death within the family and my grandfather is terminal ill. He has been one of the reasons why I was able to teach in another country. Due to the “world imploded” – this is what I am calling the Pandemic – I have come to conclusion that I need to do something for me and me alone! I have become very stressed and I am starting to be ill myself; a change is needed!

How has the Pandemic affected you?

Until the next time…

Jemma

Been doing a lot of thinking…

Jemma Jones

My current full-time job is within the educational sector and due to the situation that we are all involved in I do not know if I will have a job in September. As the school will only have one “Hearing Impaired” student and will not need to have two communicators. I was supposed to be completing three exams that were going to help me gain access to my Teacher Training course; as all GCSE and A Level exams have been cancelled I will not be able to start my Teacher course.

Due to this, I have been thinking about teaching abroad again. Sadly, PalFish is not working out as much as I thought. This is due not being able to complete my interview – every time I book an interview, I am unable to attend; which is a shame. I am signed up for the newsletter of several TEFL Recruitment websites.

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I have been doing a lot of reading on what and where I can go with the qualifications I currently have. Today, I have been researching EF (English First)  and I have been watching (and listening) to all of the information videos. I am rather keen on using this company as it has been active for many years. Also, I have been recommended this company by former EF colleagues.

Have any of you worked with or are currently working with EF? Do you have any tips or even horror stories about this company?

See you all soon!

Jemma

Brexit – what does it mean for me!?

Jemma Jones

Some of you may or may not know that I am currently in the UK and soon the Uk will be leaving the European Union (EU). This process is called Brexit. I am going, to be honest with you all; I voted to Remain in the EU – however; the rest of my Country disagreed. I knew that in the future, Visas would be needed for me to travel (and work) within the EU. I know that it will not happen straight away but it WILL happen!

I know that I already have to have Visas for Asia and the Americas – I am not bothered about that – but to go and work in Spain; for example, I will need to apply for a Visa!

Are you worried about what is going to happen?

This is the reason why I have not been teaching or posting about teaching for a while as I know that Visas cost money. I have been looking at getting another Online Teaching job, but I need faster internet – which I currently do not have! Any ideas on what I can do to increase the speed of my internet?

Jemma

What do you all think of Cyprus? Also, in other news!

Jemma Jones1 Comment

Hey everyone;

What a few weeks it has been! I have been away for a few weeks with my Mom in Cyprus. It was amazing! I was job hunting while I was there; however, the level of English within the local community is amazingly high. However; I did find that it was much better within the Hotel and Tourist areas. There is a British School in the town we were staying but there were no vacancies for me! Oh well! I will keep searching…

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I have also signed up to the thinkSPAIN website; which sends me email about jobs, accommodation etc from all over Spain. My friend; Chris, who is currently in Spain and has been for almost fours years now, told me that this was a good mailing list to join. I have seen a lot of rental properties – exciting right!?

I have some news about the Russian client I had; I used the word ‘had’. She has not re-booked me since the February Half Term. It is shame really; as I was enjoying my work with her. Not to worry; I will keep plodding along!

I have been feeding my Wanderlust recently – I have found a website called Twitch; where there are people who Stream games; their lives or even their crafting! I have become a member of the “Awkward Family” – I have been watching Awkwards Travel; a beautiful couple (Tallulah, 27, from Canada and her Gaspard, 36, from France) who travel all over the world and stream their adventures.

It is lovely to see where they are travelling and their share the “non-tourist” sights of the country they are in. It is amazing! It is good that they are helping me with my Wanderlust! Big love to G&T! I have been thinking about doing some IRL (In Real Life) streaming – just I’m all nervous. However; I do stream about my Creativeness – I cross stitch! Not that exciting…

TutorABC is no more!

Jemma Jones

You may remember that I have been trying to change my internet provider; it has finally been completed! Yippie! I was so happy that I was finally having faster internet – I have been trying to get myself organised to get my classes back at TutorABC…however; it has all changed!

I have done a speed test; as requested by iTutorGroup – however; even though my internet provider is now better and faster – it is still not good enough for iTutorGroup. A shame really! But what I am going to do…

…apply to more companies; that’s right!

I had already applied to VIPKID; I am currently “not ready” for teaching with them – I think it is due to not being available for the interview.

I have applied to DaDaTalk; I am waiting to find out if I can continue with the application – I like this company as my speed of internet is suitable for this company

I have registered myself on Preply; I am just waiting to be accepted to teach.

I am in the process of applying to Verbling and Two Sigmas – fingers crossed I will be successful!

As my 35th year started on 9th March; I have been thinking that I need to do this! Move abroad and teach English! I bought a book The Solo Travel Handbook from Lonely Planet. I cannot wait to read this book!

 

Been a while…

Jemma Jones

…I do apologise about that everyone! It has been a busy few months! I have been getting my internet sorted out and it all sorted!! I am so happy as I can now get back to my Online Teaching!I am waiting to get my Speed Test completed and then I will be teaching again.

I am thinking about applying to more Online Schools; but there are so many, which ones do I choose?

I have been wondering why there are so many different online schools; I know that there are different teaching methods – most of them I probably could follow.

Private Teaching and more…

Jemma Jones

For the last few weeks, I have been working with a local client. She is from Russia who has married an English man. She wants to focus on her pronunciation as she works in a school as a reader. I have loads of respect for her. He spoken English is lovely, just some of the words she is finding it difficult. Together, we are reading; out loud, some of the books that the children in the school she works in read. It is very exciting to be ‘teaching’ again.

I have been trying to sort out my Internet provider the last month or so. It seems that the Upload speed is still not good enough. I may have to invest in another provider – a quick for you British TEFLers; who is your internet provider?

Still Searching…

Jemma Jones

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Yes, that is correct! I am still searching. I did have another interview with a recruiter from HiOffer. I am worried that they are checking their database of Teachers; as she was surprised that I am already in their system. I have this horrid feeling that I am missing out somehow.

I have also registered my interest with The Online Teachergiphygiphy and I am very excited to see what happens. I just need to add all my certificates, work experience and employment history.