NEA: This Active Life: September 2002 -- Travel
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Sept. 2002 This Active Life -- Travel
A Brave New World Awaits Teachers
Washington member Gordon Warren and his wife Judy found a way to save money while seeing the world.
"When you retire, it's tempting to sit and twiddle your thumbs," says Washington member Gordon Warren, a former English teacher. Tired of waiting anxiously for their children and grandchildren to visit, Gordon and his wife Judith decided it was their time to see the world.
To some, retiring in your early 50's can be risky; especially in today's uncertain financial climate. So the Warrens found an alternative that gave them an opportunity to save money while traveling the globe. Both Gordon and Judith (formerly a florist) received their certification for teaching English as a foreign language, commonly known as TEFL. The certificate is a great insurance policy if you run into a financial crunch, as well as being a great way to travel from country to country, the Warrens say.
Since 1992, the Gordon and Judith have taught English in Japan, United Arab Emirates, Malaysia, Singapore, and other countries. Already comfortable teaching in a classroom setting, they've branched out to work with corporate clients as well. "I've learned to analyze a company's English language needs, then design and present workshops to meet those needs," Gordon says. "I never thought I would increase my teaching skills so much after I had retired."
At each stop in their journey, Gordon and Judy have taken advantage of the local culture and geography. For Gordon, an adventure enthusiast, that's meant practicing such outdoor sports as paragliding, scuba diving, and mountain climbing. He has scaled Mt. Fuji in the winter, (with a total of 10 climbers on the entire mountain opposed to the thousands that climb during the summer) and all 19,300 feet of Mt. Kilimanjaro on the more rigorous 6-day route. Judith, along with another teacher-friend, once went toe to toe with thirty "pretty determined" female camels to protect a highly coveted camping ground underneath a shade tree.
Currently, the Warrens are back in the United States enjoying their new home that Judith dubs "the house TEFL built" in Deer Park, Washington. They do not plan on stopping anytime soon. "The rewards have been endless," Gordon says. "It's been nice to slow down. But I hate to think I'm finished with teaching."
--Lorinda Bullock
For More
Check out the adventures of Gordon and Judy Warren online at: www.geocities.com/gjwarren645/ourpage.html.
It's packed with photos, articles and artwork from their travels. Also, the
Warrens highly recommend Dave's ESL Caf� at www.eslcafe.com for those who are
interested in TESL and TEFL.
Find out which countries are safe for travel online at the Department of States
website. http://travel.state.gov/travelwarnings.html
Quick Tips
Get Certified
Get certified. Gordon and Judy went to night school for two years to get their TEFL certificate, but it's possible to complete it in one summer.
Do Your Homework
Do your homework. Things like climate and other conditions are more important than you think. Judy says Japan actively recruits teachers and it is a great place to start. Also, know the international hot spots where there might be serious political issues. The Warrens have postponed going to Ecuador because of the political uncertainty there, although they would like to make it their next destination.
Consider Emotions
Consider the emotional side. Teaching abroad will not help you escape from problems at home. "Don't do it to get away from something," Gordon says. Also consider how you'll feel being apart from close friends and family. The Warrens say that E-mail helped keep them connected.
Just Jump In
Just jump in. Gordon and Judy say friends their age who admire and envy their adventures say they can't do it themselves. Gordon and Judy say, "Yes you can. Be open and you'll have a great time."
