CIEE TEFL Alumni Spotlight: Annie Cheng

My name is Annie. I am originally from Taiwan and moved to San Francisco in my 20s to study Arts Administration master's program. Later on, I worked mostly in property management and special education in public school. I completed my CIEE TEFL's 150-Hour Certificate course last year while applying for the CIEE Teach in Spain program. I am currently in my 2nd year as a language assistant in a primary school in Majadahonda, about 45 minutes by metro and bus from Madrid center. My situation is unique because we moved to Madrid as a family, I have two kids that are currently in secondary school in Madrid. 

1. What inspired you to get TEFL certified and teach abroad?

I knew I wanted to teach abroad since I found out about the language assistants' program because I was already working in a school so teaching wasn't another new thing to learn and I actually taught English in Taiwan long time ago. I learned that having a TEFL certificate would be beneficial in getting other teaching jobs besides being a language assistant. I was glad I did because I really learned a lot and was able to adapt my learnings in my classroom and private teaching. 

2. What have you found most fulfilling about teaching English? 

It was seeing myself improve along the way as a teacher and learning from my early mistakes that was most fulfilling and kept me going.

3. What kinds of jobs have you held (or are you considering) after your CIEE program? How do you think your CIEE experience shaped your career?

I worked in public school and I think in the future I will continue to teach. CIEE helped me with my first experience teaching abroad and I really enjoyed it.

4. What was the biggest challenge you faced as an EFL teacher? How did you overcome that challenge?

I think it would be working with other teachers from various backgrounds. Everyone has different ideas and sometimes there would be disagreements. But my experience has been great since everyone i worked with was very respectful and we all communicated well. 

5. What was the most important thing you learned in your CIEE TEFL course or while you were teaching abroad?

While teaching abroad, I think it is very important to be flexible. It's a different country and different system, everything will be different. If the schedule changes last minute or anything that seems out of the norm, it's really no big deal, it's all part of learning a new culture. 

6. What advice would you offer to future CIEE TEFL and Teach Abroad participants?

Be patient, be open minded and enjoy the experience! A lot of things can be challenging in the beginning such as finding housing, getting appointments, all you can do is be patient and trust that it will eventually work out. 

7. What do you like to do in your free time? What are your hobbies?

Madrid is HUGE so there are so many things to do which I love to explore different places and join fun activities, local festivals during my free time. 

Thanks Annie for sharing your experience as a CIEE TEFL student and teacher!

Want to be featured in the 'CIEE TEFL & Teach Abroad Alumni Connections' newsletter? Please complete the information on this form: CIEE TEFL & Teach Abroad Alumni Connections Form