More than a Gap Year Adventure – a book recommendation

I’m a bit late to the game, but I’ve finally completed my take on Martin Hajek’s book More than a Gap Year Adventure. It’s a book for all aspiring EFL teachers who may not know what they can do with their English teaching degree or certificate. The book is a collection of short essays by professionals who share their experiences in this industry, and I’m proud to say that I’m one of them!

More than a year ago, Martin surprised me with a message asking if I would like to contribute to his book. The book aimed to help CELTA and CertTESOL course providers guide their students in understanding the career options available after completing their English teaching courses. Martin was particularly interested in my perspective as someone who had transitioned from another profession to teaching and eventually became a freelancer. Without any hesitation, I agreed. It was an honour to have my essay published in the book and to be featured alongside many other professionals. This experience also validated one of the biggest decisions of my life – becoming a freelance ESL teacher.

On Valentine’s Day, Martin announced that the book has finally been published and is available in both digital and paper versions. You can read more about this project on Martin’s blog in a post titled More than a Gap Year Adventure.

My experience

Martin kindly gave me some pointers to focus on in my essay. While my story may not be unique, as many people change careers, it is special because I stuck to teaching and discovered a new passion. This has led to many opportunities in my English teaching profession, such as developing a successful blog, networking with other professionals, a YouTube interview (!) and, of course, writing an essay for this incredible project.

My story focuses on transitioning from academies to self-employment, which in my opinion, is a much more viable option in Spain where I currently live. I share the challenges of starting a solo adventure, searching for students, and navigating the world of online teaching platforms. Long story short, the tale as old as time, which makes it relatable and may serve as an inspiration for others. If you find yourself in a similar position, I highly recommend picking up More than a Gap Year Adventure to see how believing in your skills can change your life!

Who is this book for?

Enough about me, as the book has much more to offer. After I finished my essay, Martin offered to have a brief meeting with me to explain the concept of the book. The book aims to showcase the various opportunities available to aspiring ELT professionals in this industry. I must say, this conversation was truly eye-opening for me. For most of my life, I believed that those who teach English as a Foreign Language only do just that – teach the language. However, the book delves into numerous other career paths that one can pursue. For instance, one could become an examiner, a teacher-trainer, a blogger, a material creator…and the list goes on and on!

The book is designed for you to easily jump between stories and find the information that is most useful to you. I was particularly interested when Martin spoke about blogging (duh!), and material creation and edition. I was also curious about some people I had met online, so I wanted to read what they had to say. When I got my copy of the book, I quickly found essays that interested me. For this reason, I recommend reading the following stories:

• Peter Clement – My ELT blogging journey (ELT Planning)
• Silvina Mascitti – Writing materials is a great way to develop professionally (ELT creative ideas)
• Noreen Lam – A lucky stumble into ELT editing
• Martin Sketchely – Combining a career in ELT with YouTube (Seoul Foreigner)

These are just a few examples of what caught my attention, but believe me, there’s much more! I’m confident that many new EFL teachers will be interested in learning how to find an excellent job abroad like Tiago Bueno, what to watch out for when looking for a job like Kate Lloyd and Kris Kirby, how to attend conferences like André Hedlund, or the importance of professional development after completing CELTA like Rachel Tsateri. And that’s just the beginning! With a total of 23 contributors, you’re sure to find a story that resonates with you and helps you with your next step in ELT.

My recommendation

Why should you get this book? Well, why shouldn’t you? When I found out about this project, I wished I had it when I was in the process of changing careers, looking for jobs, or thinking about professional development. Many people often romanticize teaching English and living abroad. The book contains real stories of real people who are brutally honest, not only talking about their successes but also about their struggles. Not only that, you can also realize that maybe teaching isn’t for you and you prefer to develop in a way you hadn’t thought about before. The ELT world is your oyster!

Most importantly, you should read this book because Martin has poured his heart and soul into this project. He has gathered numerous ELT professionals with diverse backgrounds, so there is something for everyone in this book. Believe me when I say that you won’t find a better source of information about ELT.

Stop waiting and follow Martin (TEFL in Colombia) and, of course, buy the book More than a Gap Year Adventure. Check it out for yourself and see how it can change your perspective on the English Teaching industry. Hopefully, it will inspire you to define your path in ELT.

Still unsure? Check out the link below. 📖