AIS GRADUATE PROFILE Robert Freeman Nationality: England STUDIED: CertTESOL Robert was originally employed by the Consulate-General of Japan to teach English to diplomats visiting New Zealand. Upon leaving the consulate, Robert soon discovered that finding work as a language teacher proved a challenge – it turned out that his previous qualification wasn’t enough. Luckily, thanks to his extensive experience at the consulate, Robert got a temporary position teaching English at AIS. “I was at AIS teaching for about a year and I taught privately, but it was very difficult to get jobs. I was also tour-guiding for Japanese visitors, working part-time. Of course I was using my Japanese all the time, but I wanted to teach. I realised I needed a better qualification.” Robert enrolled at AIS to study CertTESOL and noticed the difference right away. “I found it to be quite different at AIS – the teachers are quite open and very helpful. If a student is having problems, the teachers really go out of their way to help. They explain everything so clearly and when I am teaching my students I can pass that on.” Robert still uses the materials he was given at AIS. “I bought a few of the recommended books and read them. They were really good – even now I use them for reference in my teaching.“ Robert found the practical component of CertTESOL very useful as well.
QUALITY EDUCATION
“You prepare a lesson and present it to your classmates and they tell you when you muck up. Instant feedback. It helped me to organise my lessons and rather than just looking at a textbook, I had to prepare the materials and present.”
INDIVIDUAL FOCUS
Being an experienced, qualified English teacher puts you in hot demand. “It’s almost upsetting – these days I’ll have work at Worldwide, then Kaplan will ring me and ask if I can go and teach there. Then NZLC will ring and I’ll have to go there, but I can only do one school at a time! Sometimes they need me for a week, sometimes a couple of days.”
SUPPORTIVE ENVIRONMENT REAL WORLD SUCCESS
Today Robert teaches a selection of English courses and is able to develop and teach tailored courses. “It’s fascinating. I’m getting paid for doing what I enjoy, which is ideal.” For Robert’s full story, visit: www.ais.ac.nz/success-stories
www.AIS.ac.nz