I am writing this blog as an outlet for my new-found career as an English teacher here in Buenos Aires. I have been teaching all kinds of people for almost a year and have had many different experiences in the classroom along the way. The difference with me is that I am not technically a "trained teacher". I didn´t do a PGCE, a TEFL, a CELTA.... none of that. Instead I had to learn on the job. Use quick-wit, intuition and then after getting to know colleagues and through teaching privately, I acquired 2 very important professional teachers tutoring me on how to teach.

I teach Business English through 2 consultancies - one to one classes and groups of adults. I also teach in a private institute, again one to one lessons. My main job, however is teaching in a primary school. I have had to create my own course for an entirely new class called "oral skills in English". This has been my main challenge, not having had any real teaching experience before I moved here- having 6th and 7th grade (11-13yr olds) in large groups (20-30 kids)... I came across all kinds of problems. It wasn't just class content, but how to find a purpose for the class, being it a conversation class... but for kids. A challenge indeed, but also how to I could I get a certain message across to them, and get them to use their English in a practical way that would be useful for them. Then comes the classic classroom control...

Before I spurt out about things that have worked... I wanted to use the first few posts to give other teachers who may well be experiencing the same trials in other countries, something to laugh about.

I shall update you all soon!

Melanie (24 yrs, Buenos Aires, Argentina)