Case studies : Teaching English abroad with CAPS: Dearbhla Farrell

Dearbhla Farrell studied Economics and Finance at degree and postgrad level before teaching English in the Czech Republic and more recently in Spain.

My name is Dearbhla Farrell but I go by Dee here in Spain as most people find my name rather difficult.  I am from Dublin Ireland where I lived with my family. I am 23 years old and have 3 brothers back in Ireland. Previous to teaching English I studied and received a degree and postgrad in Economics and Finance majoring in economics. Someday I hope to become a maths and economics teacher. Several months ago I completed a TEFL course and began working as an English teacher in the Czech Republic. I was living north of Prague in a small town for almost 4 months teaching English. I left there recently and moved here to Spain through the CAPS (Conversation Assistant for Spanish Schools) program. I currently teach in Amposta but live in a smaller town approximately 15 minutes away right on the coast.

The family I live with consists of mother and father – Blanca and Josep and one daughter (15) Blanca. I was initially a little apprehensive about living with and becoming a part of a family unrelated to me but these fears were immediately squashed upon meeting them. They were extremely welcoming, helpful and relatable.  I really could not have asked for a better family. The house I live in is perfect in terms of arrangement and location. I have my own room which looks out onto the garden and pool. Both parents work, the father a doctor and the mother works for the local town council. Blanca, the daughter, is in 3 eso in the school I teach in.

The school I work in is called Colegia Sagrat Familia. My timetable is such that I am with each class once a week. The school is like any other normal school, has a wide range of classrooms and outdoor space for physical education and recreational purposes. The school has a large collection of teachers all of which have been extremely welcoming and helpful to me.

The aspect I enjoy the most about being in the school is how I am treated by the kids. Not that I don’t enjoying the teaching aspect but I am different to them and they show that everyday.  When I get on the school bus in the morning they are all smiles and ask questions about me and my life in Ireland. They find little things I do fascinating. In the hallways they stare at me and try to speak to me. At lunch they race to sit beside me at the table. Outside in the school yard (where I sit and appreciate the Spanish weather) they surround me with more questions or simply stare at me. Its what I imagine being famous/special feels like and its nice. They treat me really well considering I am in a position of respect to them.

I am gaining more experience teaching English in a different environment to my previous experience. The best way to learn a new language is to immerse yourself in it and live with it. That is exactly what I am doing. I have always had a desire to travel to Spain and see different parts of the country and being here has given me that opportunity. My family travel a lot and I get to go with them which I thoroughly enjoy and appreciate.  Any nerves I had about this experience before coming here are completely unfounded and have been washed away.