TEFL Tales, Training, First Impressions

What this episode covers

This week on Gav & Em’s How to English TEFL Pod, we take a nostalgic wander through the weird, wonderful, and occasionally chaotic world of TEFL life! ✈️📚 Gav puts Em on the spot with a not-quite-true-or-false quiz that somehow turns into stories about teaching in bathrooms, cupboards, art galleries, and even gas refineries (yes, really). We chat about adorable (and slightly uncooperative) student pets 🐱, mega-long commutes, and the classroom games that got way too competitive… with adults 😅. Then things get a bit more reflective as we dig into our CELTA experiences—what stuck, what annoyed us, and how it’s shaped the teachers we are today. We talk about classroom dynamics, teacher “fingerprints” on students, first impressions (and first-lesson nerves!), and why being human in front of your class might just be your biggest strength.As always, it’s relaxed, honest, and packed with teaching insights you’ll definitely recognise—whether you’re in the classroom or learning in one.☕ If you enjoy the show, you can support Gav & Em (and keep the coffee flowing!) at 👉 ko-fi.com/howtoenglishpodResourcesQuiz music: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=proOvlY-WKk⏱️ Timestamps00:00 – Intro with TEFL nostalgia03:17 – Gav’s “true or false” quiz begins 😄03:47 – Weirdest places we’ve taught English04:40 – Cutest (and strangest) student pets06:02 – Longest commutes & travel stories07:09 – Funny things students have called us08:02 – Essential TEFL survival items ☕08:32 – When classroom games get too competitive11:02 – CELTA reflections: love it or hate it?17:05 – Teaching style, classroom vibe & being approachable18:22 – Can you spot another teacher’s influence?23:18 – Bad habits students bring with them25:24 – First lessons, pressure & first impressions26:59 – Surviving the “autopilot” lesson blur31:06 – Being human, making mistakes & wrapping up

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