Name: Clara
Teacher ID: 14052
Nationality: Irish
Have you lived or worked overseas before?: No

Available Date: 28th August 2023
Travel Plans: I am travelling with friends
Location Preferences: City

Highest Qualification: BA
Degree Subject: English Literature and History
University / Institution: The University of Edinburgh
Grade: 1:1
Do you have a TEFL certificate: Yes
Details of TEFL certificate:

TEFL 120-hour Teaching Course, ID: 186681, completed 21/03/23.

Were you educated in your native country?: Yes
Education comments:

Graduated First Class (1:1) with English Literature and History (MA Hons) from the University of Edinburgh, 2022. Completed A levels summer 2018 achieving A* in English literature, A’s in Religious Studies and History at St Joseph’s Grammar School Donaghmore. Also achieved 4 GCSEs at A* (English Literature, English Language, Religious Studies, History) as well as 3 A’s (Double Award Science, Geography) and 3 B’s (Maths, Art, LLW).

Job title: Teaching Office Administrator
Employer: The University of Edinburgh
Date of employment: August 2022 – present
Summary of role:

– Provides effective administrative service in support of a range of teaching office administration, including working with other professional services staff, academic staff, and students.
– Responsible for administering own workload of taught courses in the School of History, Classics and Archaeology, across both undergraduate and postgraduate. Includes preparing course materials, maintaining online course pages on the Virtual learning Environment and the University’s student record system and assisting in allocation of tutorial groups.
– Works with a range of Microsoft packages, including extensive knowledge in Excel and BI suites.
– Directly overseesing administration of assessment, including coursework, class tests and exams. Managing deadlines and tracking student submissions, being readily available to respond to student queries and contacting them regarding assessment deadlines, utilising excellent interpersonal skills.

Job title: Team Leader
Employer: Edinburgh University Student’s Association
Date of employment: September 2019 – August 2022
Summary of role:

– Pursued learning opportunities as a Team Member to advance knowledge and progress to a leadership position.
– Responsible for supervising team members and taking the lead in the running of bars/cafes across multiple EUSA venues during busy periods including Edinburgh Fringe Festival.
– Acting as a point of contact for other members of staff for trouble- shooting problems and instructing them on correct protocols and procedures.
– Providing a high level of professional, friendly and efficient service to all customers, mostly consisting of students.
– Maintaining Venue Operations by organising rooms for events, managing stock levels and invoices, opening and closing venues, ensuring cleanliness.

Job title: Supervisor
Employer: Hill of the O’Neill, Arts and Visitor Centre
Date of employment: September 2016 – September 2019
Summary of role:

– Working large scale catering events and providing excellent 
customer service in a high-pressure, busy environment
– Daily Cash-handling and use of EPOS software
– Key-holding responsibilities

Why do you want to teach overseas?:

I have always had a passion for learning, from which has stemmed a love for passing knowledge onto others and teaching. I was an avid reader from a young age, English literature is a great love of mine, reading and writing literature has led me to pursue multiple roles in teaching English, to both primary and secondary level students. During my time in secondary school I volunteered at a primary school, reading books to 4-5 year olds, I privately tutored a primary student ages 6-8 and devised my own lesson plans to improve his English as it was his second language and I took part in peer mentoring for 14-16 year olds during my A-level years. I found it extremely rewarding to help children achieve goals and to improve their language skills and confidence, which led me to thinking about teaching English as a foreign language. Teaching English as a foreign language would build on my enjoyment of teaching and nurturing young minds and would be a great challenge to take on. I pursued English Literature at University and I currently work in the History school’s Teaching Office at Edinburgh University, where working with academics and administering assessments and supporting students has inspired me to want to take a more direct role in teaching, especially as I would like to apply to a PGCE in the future, this would be an excellent foundation. I want to teach in Korea as I love travelling and experiencing new cultures. Since 2016, I have been interested in Korean food, language, culture and music and history and I want to travel to Korea to experience this first-hand. I have been taking Korean lessons in Edinburgh since May 2022, and I have become even more invested in the language and culture since attending multiple community events. Teaching in Korea would combine my enthusiasm for teaching, build upon my existing skills while posing an exciting challenge with my love for Korean culture. From my research, the ethics surrounding work in Korea posit a fast-paced and hard-working environment, I am driven and proactive and I would like to contribute positively to students and create a dynamic learning environment.

Why are you a suitable candidate for teaching overseas?:

I believe that my teaching philosophy and personal experience could be valuable for teaching overseas. My philosophy for teaching is largely student driven, in order to keep learning exciting and engaging. My time spent volunteering at a primary school taught me that a lot of patience is required with teaching. Different students respond differently to different styles of teaching and in a class-room it is important to adapt to these needs and to be patient with students who may not understand straight away, and to persevere when they might not. I privately tutored a primary student ages 6-8 and devised my own lesson plans to improve his English as it was his second language; a lot of preparation was involved in catering to his needs and to keep lessons structured. Students need to be treated with kindness and patience but also need to have a structure to follow in order to keep focus. It is important as a teacher to keep sight of realistic goals and to encourage students, which requires the aforementioned skills of patience, determination, communication and organisation. Teaching that is too teacher focused and does not have interactive lessons, that allows for students to ask questions or to communicate and practice English with each other means that students are not learning effectively and lose interest in the content. As well as my background in teaching and mentoring I have had multiple opportunities to train and develop skills of colleagues. As a Team Leader in Edinburgh University Student’s Association, i was responsible for running hospitality venue bars and cafes and training team members. Knowing the strengths of my team and communicating with them throughout shifts allowed for a smoother operation, and I always made sure to check in when staff were overwhelmed. Interpersonal skills are important for working with students in order to have a good intuition for their needs in a classroom, to be able to both take control and to offer pastoral care when needed. My current role as a Teaching Office Administrator has also impressed the importance of time-keeping and deadlines for assessments, which is essential in a classroom. My background in such roles, as well as my patience, understanding and determination means I am able to bring essential skills to the classroom when teaching English. As well as this, working and studying at the University of Edinburgh means that I have interacted with a large international student body and encountered cultural differences with classmates, customers and colleagues. The most important thing is to keep an open-mind and to not be afraid to challenge your own thinking and customs, and to be respectful. As I have been attending Korean Language Classes in Edinburgh I have been making a huge effort to understand different customs and communication styles. My teacher is a great mentor for this, who advises on differences in respect, how to greet people and different traditions. Keeping an open mind and having a hard-working attitude means i will be able to thrive in a new and exciting environment and put my all into teaching, so that students have a valuable experience.

Additional information:

Name: Clara
Teacher ID: 14052
Nationality: Irish
Have you lived or worked overseas before?: No

Available Date: 28th August 2023
Travel Plans: I am travelling with friends
Location Preferences: City

Highest Qualification: BA
Degree Subject: English Literature and History
University / Institution: The University of Edinburgh
Grade: 1:1
Do you have a TEFL certificate: Yes
Details of TEFL certificate:

TEFL 120-hour Teaching Course, ID: 186681, completed 21/03/23.

Were you educated in your native country?: Yes
Education comments:

Graduated First Class (1:1) with English Literature and History (MA Hons) from the University of Edinburgh, 2022. Completed A levels summer 2018 achieving A* in English literature, A’s in Religious Studies and History at St Joseph’s Grammar School Donaghmore. Also achieved 4 GCSEs at A* (English Literature, English Language, Religious Studies, History) as well as 3 A’s (Double Award Science, Geography) and 3 B’s (Maths, Art, LLW).

Job title: Teaching Office Administrator
Employer: The University of Edinburgh
Date of employment: August 2022 – present
Summary of role:

– Provides effective administrative service in support of a range of teaching office administration, including working with other professional services staff, academic staff, and students.
– Responsible for administering own workload of taught courses in the School of History, Classics and Archaeology, across both undergraduate and postgraduate. Includes preparing course materials, maintaining online course pages on the Virtual learning Environment and the University’s student record system and assisting in allocation of tutorial groups.
– Works with a range of Microsoft packages, including extensive knowledge in Excel and BI suites.
– Directly overseesing administration of assessment, including coursework, class tests and exams. Managing deadlines and tracking student submissions, being readily available to respond to student queries and contacting them regarding assessment deadlines, utilising excellent interpersonal skills.

Job title: Team Leader
Employer: Edinburgh University Student’s Association
Date of employment: September 2019 – August 2022
Summary of role:

– Pursued learning opportunities as a Team Member to advance knowledge and progress to a leadership position.
– Responsible for supervising team members and taking the lead in the running of bars/cafes across multiple EUSA venues during busy periods including Edinburgh Fringe Festival.
– Acting as a point of contact for other members of staff for trouble- shooting problems and instructing them on correct protocols and procedures.
– Providing a high level of professional, friendly and efficient service to all customers, mostly consisting of students.
– Maintaining Venue Operations by organising rooms for events, managing stock levels and invoices, opening and closing venues, ensuring cleanliness.

Job title: Supervisor
Employer: Hill of the O’Neill, Arts and Visitor Centre
Date of employment: September 2016 – September 2019
Summary of role:

– Working large scale catering events and providing excellent 
customer service in a high-pressure, busy environment
– Daily Cash-handling and use of EPOS software
– Key-holding responsibilities

Why do you want to teach overseas?:

I have always had a passion for learning, from which has stemmed a love for passing knowledge onto others and teaching. I was an avid reader from a young age, English literature is a great love of mine, reading and writing literature has led me to pursue multiple roles in teaching English, to both primary and secondary level students. During my time in secondary school I volunteered at a primary school, reading books to 4-5 year olds, I privately tutored a primary student ages 6-8 and devised my own lesson plans to improve his English as it was his second language and I took part in peer mentoring for 14-16 year olds during my A-level years. I found it extremely rewarding to help children achieve goals and to improve their language skills and confidence, which led me to thinking about teaching English as a foreign language. Teaching English as a foreign language would build on my enjoyment of teaching and nurturing young minds and would be a great challenge to take on. I pursued English Literature at University and I currently work in the History school’s Teaching Office at Edinburgh University, where working with academics and administering assessments and supporting students has inspired me to want to take a more direct role in teaching, especially as I would like to apply to a PGCE in the future, this would be an excellent foundation. I want to teach in Korea as I love travelling and experiencing new cultures. Since 2016, I have been interested in Korean food, language, culture and music and history and I want to travel to Korea to experience this first-hand. I have been taking Korean lessons in Edinburgh since May 2022, and I have become even more invested in the language and culture since attending multiple community events. Teaching in Korea would combine my enthusiasm for teaching, build upon my existing skills while posing an exciting challenge with my love for Korean culture. From my research, the ethics surrounding work in Korea posit a fast-paced and hard-working environment, I am driven and proactive and I would like to contribute positively to students and create a dynamic learning environment.

Why are you a suitable candidate for teaching overseas?:

I believe that my teaching philosophy and personal experience could be valuable for teaching overseas. My philosophy for teaching is largely student driven, in order to keep learning exciting and engaging. My time spent volunteering at a primary school taught me that a lot of patience is required with teaching. Different students respond differently to different styles of teaching and in a class-room it is important to adapt to these needs and to be patient with students who may not understand straight away, and to persevere when they might not. I privately tutored a primary student ages 6-8 and devised my own lesson plans to improve his English as it was his second language; a lot of preparation was involved in catering to his needs and to keep lessons structured. Students need to be treated with kindness and patience but also need to have a structure to follow in order to keep focus. It is important as a teacher to keep sight of realistic goals and to encourage students, which requires the aforementioned skills of patience, determination, communication and organisation. Teaching that is too teacher focused and does not have interactive lessons, that allows for students to ask questions or to communicate and practice English with each other means that students are not learning effectively and lose interest in the content. As well as my background in teaching and mentoring I have had multiple opportunities to train and develop skills of colleagues. As a Team Leader in Edinburgh University Student’s Association, i was responsible for running hospitality venue bars and cafes and training team members. Knowing the strengths of my team and communicating with them throughout shifts allowed for a smoother operation, and I always made sure to check in when staff were overwhelmed. Interpersonal skills are important for working with students in order to have a good intuition for their needs in a classroom, to be able to both take control and to offer pastoral care when needed. My current role as a Teaching Office Administrator has also impressed the importance of time-keeping and deadlines for assessments, which is essential in a classroom. My background in such roles, as well as my patience, understanding and determination means I am able to bring essential skills to the classroom when teaching English. As well as this, working and studying at the University of Edinburgh means that I have interacted with a large international student body and encountered cultural differences with classmates, customers and colleagues. The most important thing is to keep an open-mind and to not be afraid to challenge your own thinking and customs, and to be respectful. As I have been attending Korean Language Classes in Edinburgh I have been making a huge effort to understand different customs and communication styles. My teacher is a great mentor for this, who advises on differences in respect, how to greet people and different traditions. Keeping an open mind and having a hard-working attitude means i will be able to thrive in a new and exciting environment and put my all into teaching, so that students have a valuable experience.

Additional information: