Exploring Through Teaching

A life-changing decision leads to travel, adventure and the most gratifying job she’s ever had

- Louise Davis

After working for 30 years as a legal assist-ant, I made a life-changing decision in 2014 to move to Europe, get out of my comfort zone and start a new career. What started as a six-month leave of absence became a brand new life for me. It was an experience that provided me with more confidence and a positive outlook on life.

I arrived in Prague in November 2014, during a grey and dreary time of year. Having no prior experience in teaching English, I began school right away, and four weeks later, I was certified in Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL). The job market in Prague is very lucrative for native English speakers. While enrolled in the course, the school’s office had many contacts for us. I applied to many of them as quickly as I could and ended up having two interviews lined up prior to graduating. I simply needed the certificate in order to start. There have been many Canadians who have travelled to Prague to take this particular course; however, I happened to be the only person in attendance this time around and began teaching two days after I graduated.

It was interesting to see the range of students I had in my classroom. There was a four-year-old girl who knew how to say “hello,” and that was about it. Then there was a 74-year-old retired doctor who knew enough to hold a conversation. The students I had between the ages of 16 and 30 all spoke English well and were hoping to learn or master a more conversational style of English.