Category: HomeLife

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

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.

 

 

Not going to plan…

Jemma Jones

As you all remember from my previous post that I had started working for a company called TutorABC. Well, I am currently “on hold” as my internet connection is suddenly not quick enough for the company. It is the same speed when I joined the company at the end of May. I was happy with the company until then. I have been trying to find another internet provider as I need faster internet speed.

In the UK, there are many different providers. I am currently using EE; which is the “home” account – I am not the only one who uses it. I have been thinking about going back to my original provider of 3. Will they work better? Fingers crossed?!

Reading the i-to-i blog…

Jemma Jones

Over the last few days, after writing “HiOffer – a new beginning?” I have found that I am truly missing out on the TEFL/ExPat lifestyle. So, to persuade my mind even more, I have been reading the i-to-i blog. It is full of testimonials, tips, hints and real life experiences of current or former i-to-i graduates. This also does not help that I was speaking with an British man, who had just returned from over years in the Philippines. He was passionate that I should go and live my dream (as he put it). ‘Go, teach in China’ – that is all he said as he left me thinking.

I have been focusing on the the internship posts – Internship in China, Internship in Thailand and Internship in Vietnam

There are many posts about the three internships; but this one struck me the most –  5 Reasons to go on the Vietnam Intership – I was surprised on what i-to-i classed as the five reasons to go. Being a bit of a culture junkie; I would have written about the culture and the food – however, I am always thinking of food. It is what gets me through the day.

Currently i-to-i are having a “Save 50% off Paid Internships” sale. Vietnam is £595 and both China and Thailand are £971.25 – however, this is only until 28th April.

It is a shame that I do not have the cash ready to pay for my spot…

Eat, Pray, Love…

Jemma Jones

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I have been a little down in the dumps lately (I love a good idiom in the morning!) as I have been trying to work out my TEFL lifestyle. I have been getting the YouTube channel all sorted and researching video editing programmes. i-to-i have brought back the Thailand Internship and recently it has been looking more appalling than it did before. There have advertised the 2018 dates and I REALLY want to go.

Alas; the italki teaching has not happened yet; as I now work “full time” for my part time job – they have messed my shifts up which has made it impossible to get any classes booked or even taught. To cheer myself up last night; I decided to watch “Eat, Pray, Love” with Julia Roberts in. The film is based on the book by Liz Gilbert (which I have on my TBR list; I need to start this book!)

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Some of what was said during the film really struck a cord with me. I have watched this film many times but this time it was different. I am wondering if I am heading towards the same fate as Liz did before she wrote the book.I know that there is only my family keeping me here in the U479402584-6239c2245158220e99e2e2376df524eaK (oh, and the lack of funds to pay for the internships). I have had enough of dreaming about living it. I want to live it for real!

I have been looking at Workaway again and think I should do one here in the UK before I head off to one abroad.

 

Leaving SkimaTalk…

Jemma Jones

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Yes I have finally done it! I was with SkimaTalk since March 2015 and I loved teaching for them. However, they changed their T&Cs – it is their prerogative to do so – but I had to do the Teacher Guideline test TWICE and had to create ANOTHER introduction piece. It seems that they have had some issues. I was hoping to be teaching on a regular basis with SkimaTalk; sadly this is no longer the case. I have been trying to sort “the issues” out since November – alas it has come to nothing.

I have decided to leave SkimaTalk and focus on italki in 2017. I am in the process of scanning all my certificates; as italki have requested them. Very efficient I would say. I am exciting about working with italki and I will also be able to learn American Sign Language and Spanish on the website!

I will keep you all posted about that. I am also going to continue with some of my i-to-i studies. I want to finish the Advanced Grammar course I started last year. There are some new courses since i-to-i joined forces with LoveTEFL. These courses have taken my eye:

Also they have now added a 15 day extension! I am super happy about that!