Teacher trainer insights: Izabela’s passion for TEFL

Teacher trainer insights: How it started for Izabela

Some people decide to make a career switch at some point in their careers. But there are also those who know from a very early age that they were born to teach. This was the case for Izabela, as she tells us just how early she knew she wanted to be a teacher. “I think I’ve always wanted to,” she said. I used to teach my toys when I was a kid. So I guess that’s always been at the back of my mind. But I think I really realised I wanted to make it my career when I landed a full-time job and I was teaching groups. I was teaching exam classes and business English. I worked in a really nice school. And I think that really made me realize that it’s a nice career.

That it’s something I want to do. I want to develop communities to do that…to build my qualifications and to do different things. I think at that point, I realised that that’s what I want to do.”

Teacher trainer insights: A look inside the job

Just like with any profession, the job of a teacher trainer comes with its own specific set of challenges. Izabela shares that for her, one of the most challenging things about being a teacher trainer is the amount of time that she spends online. “I think one thing I would say…because I’m working online most of the time, there’s a little bit more difference with the training on the TEFL courses. The amount of time that we see each other is limited. We can contact (each other) and communicate through email but it’s not the same as working face-to-face. I think that’s one of the challenges.” She also gives us a unique perspective looking into EBC’s Trinity CertTESOL course. Many graduates acknowledge that the course is intensive, and their teacher trainers know this very well. “I think another one would be the intensity of the courses. The four-week TEFL courses are very intensive. I think that can sometimes be a bit challenging–making sure everything is up to standard and making sure we meet all the deadlines and that everything is ready by the end of the course.” Izabela also shares that though a teacher trainer doesn’t have to write lesson plans for the course or do assignments, he or she has to mark them, give feedback, and make corrections.

“On one hand, it’s less work–cause obviously, you know, we don’t have to write assignments,” she explains. “We don’t have to write lesson plans, but at the same time, you have to give support. You have to give feedback. You have to mark assignments. Yeah. It’s still a lot of work on the trainers as well.”

Teacher trainer insights: The reward of making a difference

As a teacher trainer, Izabela loves seeing the progress all her teacher trainees make over such a short amount of time. For her, this is one of the most fulfilling things about her job. “I think the most rewarding thing is when it comes to people’s progress,” she says. “Especially on the short four-week courses where you see trainees who start sometimes very shy and not very comfortable in the classes…struggling to write lesson plans…struggling to structure a lesson or with building a rapport with students, they don’t know what to do in the classroom. And then four weeks later, they’re these confident, bubbly, energetic, and comfortable people in the classroom who write good lesson plans.

Plus, it’s amazing to see, you know, the change over four weeks, and I think it’s really rewarding to know that at least, to some extent I have contributed to that.”

Teacher trainer insights: Mental health of English teachers

Whether you’re an English teacher or an English teacher trainer, anyone who works in TEFL knows full well that the job can sometimes be stressful. In fact, there have been studies done specifically on the mental health of English teachers. Izabela shares some of her insights on the issue, such as why she thinks English teachers as well as English teacher trainers battle feeling overwhelmed sometimes. She also shares some of the ways she has managed to be in the TEFL industry for so long without getting burnt out.

Teacher trainer insights on mental health: The emotional work involved

Izabela uses her experience and perspective as an English teacher trainer to help us understand why people working in the TEFL world sometimes feel overwhelmed. “I think because, you know, you have contact with people, you work with people everyday,” she says. “And learning, from a learner’s perspective…it can be stressful…it can be frustrating…and I think people’s attitudes towards learning. Some people are highly motivated. They’re easy to work with. And then some people have issues–either they’re stressed or they’re under pressure…and they’re difficult. For example, if you’re working with young learners, that can be difficult and challenging sometimes because there are discipline issues as well. And I think that puts a strain on teachers who have to deal with that.

They have to deal with people’s emotions very often, and they have to deal with their own emotions as well. And I think (mental health)…it’s something that teachers have to take care of.”

Teacher trainer insights on mental health: The unconventional work hours

Izabela mentions another reason why people who work in the TEFL industry can feel overwhelmed at times. “I think another aspect of being a teacher is that you’re kind of at work all the time,” she says. “It’s not your typical nine-to-five…where you go to the office, then you go back home, you close the door and you’re done. You think about your students, you think about your lesson, you think about the next day…so you’re kind of at work all the time. So I think that’s another reason why, as I said, we have to take care of our mental health as teachers.”

Teacher trainer insights on mental health: How to disconnect

When asked what she personally does to disconnect, the answer comes very easily to Izabela. “The first thing is I turn off my laptop,” she says. “If not, you know, you can be at work all the time. Oh I just got that one email. I’m just gonna quickly reply to it. But that means you’re constantly working, and I think it’s very important to set a clear boundary. Okay, I’m done with work for today. I’m closing my laptop. Izabela also says that spending time outdoors, away from a screen helps a lot. “Because I work from home, I try to spend time outside.

I do other activities–I walk my dogs…I go hiking because I live close. Definitely, something that does not require looking at the screen. I think that’s very important for me to do outside my working hours.”

Izabela also talks about the mental, physical, and emotional exhaustion that many teachers feel at some point. “It’s very easy to among teachers, she says. And I think that one of the reasons is that, you know, you constantly think about your students. Or your lesson…or what you’re going to do tomorrow…or what you need to print out…or what materials you need to prepare. And that is why, it’s very easy to kind of exhaust yourself.”

Teacher trainer insights: The passion that drives Izabela

At the end of the day, what keeps Izabela going as a trailblazer in the TEFL industry as an English teacher and a teacher trainer…is her passion for the cause. When asked what exactly keeps her passionate, she says,

“I think the satisfaction of, you know, making a little bit of a difference in people’s lives. Helping people and supporting people. I think that that is really rewarding and realizing that you know, people need your support and it helps them.

And whether that is teaching English or teacher training, I think people rely on you and depend on you and the ability to give them that and make a difference. I think especially if you see that it does make a difference and that it helps them. That they make progress and that they found a technique that works for them finally. And they’re usually grateful.” Izabela also adds, “Most of the people I work with are really interesting, amazing people. And getting to know them is also really a really fun part of the job, I would say.”

Teacher trainer insights: Women in TEFL

When asked if she can think of any challenges women specifically face in the TEFL world, Izabela answers, “Yeah, I’ve been thinking about a question. I don’t think there are many, to be honest.

I think TEFL is a very equal field when it comes to gender. Yeah. I think (there are) a lot of women working in TEFL–a lot of men as well, obviously.  And I know a lot of inspirational women who’ve been publishing articles, working in different fields, and presenting at conferences. And I think they’ve been great and I don’t think there’s a lot of gender discrimination in TEFL, so I honestly don’t think there are many many challenges for women more than for men, I would say.”

As for advice for women who want to start a TEFL career, Izabela says “Do it. I think it’s a really interesting career. As I said, it is very equal. So I don’t think as a woman you will face a lot of extra challenges. Well, you will face lots of challenges in the profession, but not more than men, I would say.” Izabela also adds, “It can be very interesting. I think it’s a profession where you can constantly develop.” She also points out that there are many different ways you can branch out. “You can be an examiner, you can be a teacher trainer, you can write materials, you can present at conferences, you can do research.

There’s so much you can do in TEFL, so you can constantly learn new things. It’s never boring. And, you know, it is a big door opener. You can travel around the world if you want to.”

When talking about travel, Izabela notes, “One, maybe warning or advice I would give is just that people want to be aware that maybe not all over the world it is as equal as it is–let’s say…in Europe. So (keep) that in mind. But other than that, I think it’s a great profession both for women and men.”

Teacher trainer insights: A fun fact about Izabela

Besides being a teacher trainer, Izabela is also a dog mom. She tells us just how much she loves dogs. When asked to share a fun fact about her, Izabela laughs. “Took me off guard. I wasn’t prepared for that,” she chuckles. “I’ve got two dogs—I’m not sure that’s very fun, but I’ve got two dogs. I’d love to have more, but we don’t have that much space. I absolutely love dogs, and if I could, I would adopt all of them.” Read more about Izabela and the rest of the EBC team here. Get the chance to be trained by our amazing team. The Trinity CertTESOL certificate is accepted and recognised by the British Council. This means that you will get to expand your career opportunities. Enrol in our course today! Not sure where to start? Talk to us and we’ll help you get started.

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Accredited TEFL Training Courses

• Accredited online TESOL certification course, a face-to-face live-streaming TEFL course
• TEFL course in Madrid Spain, accredited TEFL course, the Trinity CertTESOL
• Trinity CertPT CPD courses courses for practising teachers
• Accredited teaching Business English course, a Business English CPD course
• Accredited CLIL course – Content and Language Integrated Learning, a CLIL CPD course
• Accredited CLT course, Communicative Language Teaching, a CLT CPD course
• Accredited teaching English online course, a teaching English online CPD course
• Online TEFL certification course in TESOL & TEFL, a 200-hour course with trainer-marked assignments
• EBC short TEFL skills courses with certification

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Accredited Spanish Courses

• Spanish language courses in Spain for international students – Learn Spanish in Spain

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Accredited Spanish and TEFL Courses

• Spanish and TEFL courses with a one-year student visa and a work permit for up to 30 hours a week