First experiences of Teaching (and learning!) English as a Foreign Language My first student arrived this weekend, and I am prompted by the experience to make the following observations that might help others in similar circumstances. You know the sort of thing: “if only I’d thought of that earlier”; “I wish I’d done that differently” and so on. Our student arrived on his own, from a very foreign country, to meet two total strangers (my wife and I). He has come to learn English, and he’s staying with the teacher and his wife in their house. It has been suggested by his mother and a friend of the family that he should take the opportunity, and can sort of see the point: but honestly, he’d probably had enough of languages at school! Apart from this, he doesn’t really know what to expect! Also at the airport, not really knowing what to expect, is the teacher - I know that the student is coming on a particular flight, from a particular country, at a specific time (his flight was actually four minutes early!).

I know his name, how old he is, and that I trust the source that is sending him to us. Other than this, and a small picture that I’ve seen of the young man, I know nothing. I am nervous. He is nervous. How will this go? Can I teach? Does he want to learn? English is too difficult! There’s the scenario – it probably won’t be too much different for every student we meet off a plane – but what did we get right? The Website is certainly a valuable tool for any TEFL teacher doing one-to-one tuition. Our student knew what my wife and I look like, and where in the country he was going to be living.

There is even a picture of our house on line. In fact we connected immediately in the Arrivals Hall, so the photo worked! I need to update the information on the site to show a little more information about the accommodation that we provide, making the standard clear – it’s easier if you know what to expect. I’d also put some route and distance information on the site, so the student knows what length of onward journey to expect. Having the Website also means that your logo is instantly recognisable for the person coming through those doors at the Airport and looking for something familiar amongst all the signs and faces. This person that you are meeting will be sizing you up from the word go – the English teacher’s emphasised, clear diction has to kick in straight away – dump the slang, slow down the sentences and aim at the target. As soon as he or she sees that he is already beginning to understand a few words, confidence is established and begins to grow (and here it is was invaluable to have another native speaker with me, so that just listening to conversation was an option). Teaching English is not about silence, it’s about hearing, listening, talking, conversing, describing.

My students are with me for total immersion. Early on in the course they are meeting new people, hearing several different voices, slowly unravelling the words from the strange noises coming from our mouths! Arriving at the teaching venue, getting the student settled is key – the first section of the course is about trust, taking things gently, using simple words, introducing your style to the student – and every teacher has a different style! For the first day of his stay we had no formal lessons – he was settling in, getting to know us and vice-versa. By the time it came to lesson one, we both had a bit more idea of who we were dealing with: we had eaten together, walked together, looked around. I’m sure that not a lot of English was understood during the first 48 hours, but we were already beginning to fly come that lesson. He knew I was for real! I knew that he actually does want to learn. Most importantly I already knew enough about him to know what he might be interested in talking about. – and that’s where the fun starts!

Andrew is a qualified TEFL (Teaching English as a Foreign Language) teacher, with 15 years experience of the global Automotive Industry as a Sales manager with an International component and systems supplier. For more information about learning English with Andrew at his home in the UK, visit the Lets Talk 2 website http://lets-talk2.com/_wsn/page2.html