TEFLees in Spain

Our students trust us.

Our students depend on us to tell them the mistakes on their CV and how to proposition their blind date and how to ask for a medium rare steak.

So when new TEFLees come every month to be their brand new teacher, it is difficult for them to adjust. This proves to be discouraging for incoming teachers at times. It is especially true of upper-intermediate students that they have a strong tendency to doubt.

When a TEFLee explains a complex grammatical structure, upper-intermediate to advanced students are not likely to believe him. They are likely to turn around and ask one of us (the instructors grading the class) “Is this true?” as if they are watching a mockumentary or are on candid camera. They are also likely to turn around in the middle of the class and look at us and roll their eyes, as if we are collectively making fun of the new TEFLee and are exasperated together by them.

This offends new teachers sometimes, who are not used to having their credibility questioned on a language in which they consider themselves fluent.

During these moments, it’s important to remember that trust is earned, especially in a forum which requires it so completely. Because students have no other reference, they need to test out their new sources of information to make sure that they can walk on the ice confidently without it cracking under their feet one day.

And in the meantime, just keep being right.