Hello,

I have been a teacher for 25 years in a tourism program in Calgary, Alberta.  During my career I have had the fortunate opportunity of taking my students on study tours to many countries around the world.  One of the focused elements of the tour is to engage our students in a deeper connection with the cultures we visit.  Part of the preparation for the tours was to participate in a mini language session of the country we were visiting.  It was this experience where I first understood the value of having a second language. 

Visiting my first school in a small village near Livingston, Guatemala was the catalyst for my interest in pursuing a TESL certification. I know how I struggled to speak with the students at the school with my small Spanish vocabulary.  I so wanted to have a deeper conversation with those beautiful faces.  It was this language barrier that today gives me the inspiration to work on a TESL certification.  I want to share my English language with other cultures giving them opportunity to communicate with whomever they want.