Program is for teaching English as a second language
Staff writer
The experience of studying in Spain for the 2007-08 school year inspired Marion resident and Marion High School alumnus TC Edwards to join a program in Mexico, where he will learn to teach English as a second language.
Edwards flew from Wichita to Guadalajara, Mexico Saturday. He will study as part of the University of Guadalajara’s International Teacher Training Organization, taking Spanish classes and teacher training.
The program offers training for teaching English in elementary and secondary education settings as well as business environments. Business English is in high demand, but Edwards said he is most interested in teaching at the secondary level.
After 120 hours of schoolwork and 140 hours of teacher training, Edwards will receive certification to teach English as a second language in Mexico and several other Central and South American countries. The university guarantees graduates a job, he said.
He could have chosen a dormitory or apartment, but he thought living with a family in Guadalajara would be best for him.
Edwards described himself as a solitary person. Living with a family will force him to interact, practice his Spanish, and learn the culture, he said Friday.
His biggest worry is how different the Spanish spoken in Mexico is from that in Spain. Speakers have different accents and use different vocabulary. He compared it to the differences between English used in England and in the United States.
Edwards had two years of high school Spanish class before he went to Spain. He said it took a long time for him to learn the language well enough to understand a conversation among native speakers. When he learned it, it was like a sudden breakthrough, he said.
“I am excited to get out and meet people,” he said.
Several people told him they were jealous of him leaving Kansas during the winter, but he wasn’t looking forward to the hot and humid weather in Guadalajara.
“I will miss the cold weather and the snow,” Edwards said.
Terry and Cris Edwards of Marion are his parents.