Job Discussion Forums

[hickles]

MOD EDIT

I've travelled a lot, especially for someone my age, and now I've decided to do a CELTA either in spain or mexico (any recommends would be greatly appreciated). One of the things I love most about travelling, and travelling on my own, is that you meet loads of great new people, and make some of the best friends of your life. I know this sounds lame, but I've never worked in a new country before, only "travelled" Is it hard to meet new people who can speak english when you're not in a hostel setting, I was renting a house in Mexico with someone I met there and we used to go to hostels "shopping for friends" but I'm worried this will seem a bit demoralising going alone. I'm a very sociable person and my Spanish skills aren't that good. The areas I'm looking to go to are barcelona, seville or anywhere in Mexico (which I luurve) sorry if this is a bit drippy, I'm going to run up some stairs Rocky-style now to toughen up....yes I have Eye of the Tiger on my ipod.

[naturegirl321]

It depends. THere will probably be other English speakers maybe even native speakers at the place where you work

[nickpellatt]

Generally, there may be some type of network to help when you first arrive. This may be other FTs, and / or enthusiastic local teachers assigned to help you out, or those who genuinely want to help you out.

Depending upon the age group you teach, your approach to your role, and school rules, your new students may become part of your new social circle.

Those may come before you have to start trolling hostels to make friends LOL. Though I guess that does and will happen too!

I do think though, that one should be expected to have weekends where you sit on your own, looking out of a window...and thinking 'hmmmmm. what can I do next?'.

You will be in a new country, far from home, with few (or no) language skills...being on your own sometimes comes with the territory. As long as you are aware of that, its fine. Many of us use this time to learn or practice a new skill, or take up hobbies etcetc.

Travel journals, learning the language, posting long replies on Daves ESL cafe are three distractions to keep you going in the first few weeks.

**edited**

On this note, newbies might notice a lot of negative feedack for the language mills such as English First, Aston, IH etcetc. Whilst those places may have their negatives, they may be a good idea for people in this situation who are nervous about making friends and starting in a new country as they will generally have lots of other people in a very similar situation. I think some of them even 'sell' this part of their business as one of the reasons to join them.

[hickles]

thanks for all the advice, I think I'm going to use coachsurfing as a good network, I've used it before for places to stay and made loads of new friends, I just completely forgot about it as a social tool as well as a accomodation forum!