My work with MLA Galway Summer camp will be remembered forever. For me, it was my first real TEFL teaching experience. I had the opportunity to learn just as much as the students were learning on a daily basis. With the help of the fellow teachers and other staff members, I got to learn a variety of different teaching methods that helped me when dealing with different learning styles. Sure, it is a lot to take in at times...However, you will profit so much in only a matter of weeks! I have to say, though, that the students were really amazing to work with. I learned a lot about their culture, different personalities, and humours. They were very cooperative and I grew very attached to each group that I taught, right up until their graduation day. The students come into the classroom looking shy and nervous on their first day, and by the last day they are all exchanging contacts and asking for the teachers' signatures; it is a special moment that would make any teacher feel on top of the world. As for a newbie teacher like me at the time, it's something I will always cherish.

I love the buzz of working in a summer school: the teachers, the students, and the other members of staff that you meet. A great thing about MLA is that there are so many members of staff to work alongside and support one another: we become a family over the summer. MLA has also adapted the tools you need to use as DoS to make it as stress free as possible, they’re a leader in their field. You learn so much from the teachers, and even from the students sometimes. The best thing about being DoS is seeing the progress so many students make; from being shy on day one when you tell them their classes, to seeing how much more confident they have become when they graduate.

Working for MLA has been one of the most wonderful experiences I’ve ever had personally and professionally, it has given me an amazing group of friends and I have grown professionally by teaching in different scenarios and situations that I have never done before because teaching for MLA hast put me in unique opportunities that I will never forget, and I’ll always carry in my heart.

Becoming an instant part of a community is one of the best perks of being a teacher. As a Residential EFL Teacher this experience is even stronger. Working for MLA last summer was a fantastic community experience where we supported each other and learned from a great variety of people, cultures, and teaching styles. I always felt supported by the managers who were always willing to help and guide us through the most interesting of the expected and unexpected. Getting to meet other teachers from around the world with so many different teaching experiences enlightened me into new ways of making learning a great experience and having fun!

Summer school is definitely a different teaching experience if you compare it to the one you usually have in a public or private school. The freedom to choose your own teaching materials as well as using the provided materials from MLA is the perfect combination. It gives you the opportunity to really focus on each group of students’ needs and individuality; it also allows you to bring your own creativity or personal touch to the class. The multicultural, friendly environment is a bonus, both for teachers and students, as you get the chance to exchange ideas and get in touch with different cultural backgrounds. All in all, I would say that summer school gives you the opportunity to enrich your teaching experience, but it is also rewarding at a personal level. I gained friends, knowledge and many, many memories!

Essentially the main role of the ADOS is to have a good working relationship and be of consistent and pro-active assistance to the Director of Studies. Part of the role I enjoyed as ADOS with MLA was the teaching of certain classes, be it to the Group Leaders, to the teaching of students which was still very much part of the role of ADOS. I enjoyed this experience very much as it gives you a real feel for the role of teachers and students on the ground in the whole process and it definitely helped me to have a greater understanding of how teaching can be aided and improved in order to bring it to the next level. The celebration of the student’s achievement in graduation is a fun and positive part of any summer school, and I found the presentation of completion certificates a joyous celebration to be embraced by all. In conclusion, I thoroughly enjoyed the challenge and experience of being ADOS with MLA in Worcester for the Summer of 2022.