Irina, UK
Hello! I’m Irina, originally from St Petersburg, Russia, now living and working in Birmingham, England. I’m one of those lucky people of my generation who knew early on what they wanted to be when they grew up. I’ve always loved languages, and interacting with people from all walks of life has always been easy for me. This led me to attend Pedagogical State University. While my degree prepared me to work with children, I found my passion in teaching adults and peers.
After graduating, I spent nearly five years working with corporate clients at a language school. I visited various companies, where I had the pleasure of teaching magnificent specialists and wonderful people, also experiencing the inner workings of companies they worked in, such as car manufacturers, soft drink producers, banks and IT firms. It was exciting to enjoy perks like stunning office views, in-company baristas and advanced lesson equipment, which made my classes even more interactive.
In 2018, I received a job offer to teach children at English First in China. Despite not being from an English-speaking country, I joined colleagues from the USA, South Africa and Canada. Though initially hesitant due to my limited experience with children, the adventure was incredibly rewarding and transformed my teaching style.
Over the next three years, I achieved my CELTA Grade A, CPE Grade A and DELTA. The DELTA qualification especially impacted my career, leading me to start a blog for English teachers, a free monthly ELT club and a course for teachers as a freelancer. I also published a speaking game and ventured into writing articles, with four published in MET, including one in this issue.
Currently, my professional interests focus on teaching speaking creatively, promoting learner agency and supporting teacher wellbeing. I believe in empowering learners to be independent and in taking care of ourselves as educators.