Alan LaDuca
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Alan LaDuca, 43 years old, married, father of three, Woodburn, Oregon.
Attended TEFL Costa Rica four-week certificate course in August 2008. Part-Time Instructor for Chemeketa Community College, Woodburn Campus. Teaches “English Now! Working in the U.S”, Levels 1 and 2. “Four weeks in Costa Rica with TEFL International and I began teaching in my hometown of Woodburn, Oregon, not long after I got off the plane. I started a language class at the farm worker union as a volunteer, and in three months I was hired by the community college. I teach an intensive three-hour evening course for 20 students, five days a week, designing my own curriculum and materials. What happened in Costa Rica that made this career change so smooth? I was completely immersed in the world of English language development—actual practice teaching with real students, being mentored one-on-one by excellent instructors, and learning the art and business of teaching English. All this and it was the best vacation I’ve ever had--the tropical paradise, the animals, the food, the markets. I heard the roar of howler monkeys, saw giant tropical butterflies and lizards that run on water, ate fresh mangoes, and at the end of four weeks, I walked to the bus station, waiving goodbye to taxi drivers and construction workers that I had actually taught in class. I believe it was the magic of this experience that bonded me to teaching. Why learn anything in places like Ohio when you can see sloth and monkeys out your classroom window in Costa Rica with world class beaches and a national park down the road?” |