What is your favorite travel memory?
For me it is all those stunning yet simple Portuguese meals in little cantinas with the warm sun going down after a day of teaching. Food always felt well earned after class and it was great to unwind, while feeling the sun on your back, chatting through bits of the day with colleagues over a small(ish) glass of wine.
Which destination is most underrated? Conversely, which is most overrated?
Hard to say. Alaska was amazing for a variety of reasons; not just the landscape but the people being open and friendly. That's a place you wouldn't ordinarily go to so I'd say it is underrated. Never been anywhere overrated yet. I'll let you know.
What do you believe to be the biggest factor in being a successful company?
Keeping up to date with the teaching market and seeing what employers are looking for so offering relevant courses and looking after your trainees and treating people like people and as you would like to be treated.
How have you changed/grown since working for your current company?
I've seen that it makes a team to be successful and that you have to trust others to get on with it and delegate. This means getting lovely people on board and keeping them. Some of our tutors have been with us for many years - and this means a lot to me.
What unique qualities does your company possess?
It has one of the widest range of online courses to reflect the diversity of the market - and that's important because the course we'd recommend for Germany is different than China, for example. Plus, many people now want more flexibility in their work so we offer TESOL courses to help you freelance and teach English online. We've also been going a loooong time so we've developed some great job contacts and a fair bit of expertise along the way.
Describe a time when you felt especially proud to be part of your current team
Sorry, nothing to do with TESOL or work but 2 of our tutors have (independently) recently adopted children (and more than 1). I think this is one of the most amazing things you can do; share your lives with children who need a home and I am still a bit blown away by their selflessness.
What is the best story you've heard from a return student?
One of our trainees started teaching English online after his TESOL with us and then went to Thailand. However, on arrival his job fell through and most of the other teachers went home. Our trainee was able to stay since he could support himself teaching online. As a result, he found an even better job; all expenses paid and accommodation included, use of a motorbike and a great salary. Now he's moved again and is teaching online on an exotic island.
That's what I love about TESOL; it's so versatile.