Meet Doreen Weinberg, a mother and a housewife who successfully completed the TESOL certificate program while simultaneously maintaining a balanced family life. We caught up with her and discussed how choosing a new career path changed her life for the better.
Hi, Doreen! Can you tell us a little about yourself?
I’m originally from Germany and moved to Abu Dhabi about eight years ago. I speak German, English and Spanish fluently. I love being creative; I do crocheting and sewing in my free time along with playing sports. I have always worked in the hospitality and tourism industry.
What inspired you to apply for a TESOL program?
I’m always looking for new challenges. I’ve always been searching for new ways to increase my knowledge and expand my career opportunities and so I decided to take on a new career move and pursue a TESOL certificate.
“I’m always looking for new ways to increase my knowledge and expand my career opportunities and so I decided to take on a new career move and pursue a TESOL certificate.”
Tell us about your experience while taking TESOL at Eton Institute.
I still recall the day I went to Eton Institute to book my course. The first thing I noticed was the warm, friendly and welcoming environment. The receptionist greeted me with a smile and a positive attitude then informed me about the offered discount at that time. When I went to my first class, again I was greeted as if I always belonged there! My teacher guided and supported me throughout the course with dedication and honesty. I was truly inspired by my passionate teachers who were so devoted to their work and greatly inspired their students to enter the profession. It was so much more than I expected!
What did you find challenging and how did you overcome it?
Apart from the work and effort required for a TESOL course, managing being a mother, a housewife, a driver and a cook was really challenging for me. However, when the realization of all this hit me, my teacher and fellow students were there for me with their comforting words. The instructor didn’t just teach us how to be a teacher, but went a step further and helped us be the person we want to be in order to become an exceptional teacher. The instructor also taught us the importance of self-motivation and overcoming the fear of failing.
“The instructor didn’t just teach us how to be a teacher, but went a step further and helped us be the person we want to be in order to become an exceptional teacher. ”
What part of the program did you enjoy the most?
I mostly enjoyed lesson plan preparations including creating ‘mind maps’ and being creative by applying the methods taught in class. Also, the use of technology for researching resources for lesson preparations was new. I’ve never made use of technology this way ever before!
What kind of impact did the TESOL course have on your professional career?
I started the TESOL course with the sole idea of making a living out of it. However, the time that I spent learning at Eton Institute awakened a side of me that I’ve almost avoided throughout my professional career, which is to share what I learned and take the responsibility of sharing experiences. With that being said, I want to be a ‘sharer’ now and help others achieve language skills that enable them to attain whatever goal they’ve set for themselves.
That’s great! Now that you have a TESOL certificate, what are your goals?
I want to put into practice everything that I have learned and I would love to join the teaching family at Eton Institute!
What advice would you give to future teacher trainees?
I advise all future teacher trainees to take the challenge and embark on a rewarding journey of learning and self-growth. The TESOL program is a great experience and a good qualification to have under your belt. I definitely learned a lot and would recommend it to anyone thinking of a TESOL career. The opportunities and encouragement for personal and professional development are completely supreme. As in the words of my teacher, knowledge is power!
Take your career to the next level! Learn more about the TESOL certificate program.