ESL Explorer

Don’t look over. Don’t look over. Don’t look over.    During my last week in South Africa, I went with a group of students on the Garden Route. We were with each other 24/7: kayaking, hiking, and dancing. We were fearless. It made me realize that if they could do half the things we did on that trip, why do some students have a fear of making mistakes in the classroom?   Harvard conducted a study that found the important time to develop a second language is before 18. Yet Language Institutions, like Education First, work with students between the ages of 18 to 80. Since this is a multi-billion-dollar industry, it is easy to see that they have the clientele who are willing to take the first step in putting themselves out of their comfort zone .   In my experience, the best students and teachers are the ones who are vulnerable.   I can do this.    Companies such as Berlitz, Education First, and International House pay enormous amounts of money to ...

Boom   I look around and everyone is ignoring the explosion.     Boom     This time I jump. A couple passing by start to laugh. Embarrassed, I take out my phone and stare at Google Maps. I am a one-minute walk away from my destination, my new school: EF Malta.     I walk up to a modern building and as I enter, I notice all the walls are made of glass. Teachers can be seen instructing their class. Am I always going to be watched? I approach reception.     "Hi, I'm Cathy. I'm the new English teacher. I’m supposed to meet the Director of Studies ."     "Ahh, the American... Welcome! I'll take you to Kris, alright ."     As she leads me, I ask, "Oh, I was wondering what the explosions are outside ?"     "Explosions, hmm... the fireworks? It's Festa. Every village has a patron saint and a festa celebrates that." She chuckles, "Ostja, you thought it was explosions ?"     "Well, it's 10am. Don’t...