Ally Sobol
My love for travel started with a trip to Australia and New Zealand during my junior year of high school. A semester in Copenhagen during my college years solidified my need to see the world. After I graduated college, I got TEFL certified and hopped on a plane to China – a place I had never been and knew very little about. One year teaching English in China led to a Master’s degree, conversational Mandarin skills, and a lifetime of memories. I loved my experience teaching English to university students in China so much; I stayed there for three years. Because of this experience, my career goals changed, and I worked for CIEE Teach Abroad programs for almost three years before moving to the TEFL department. I love that my job is to promote English language learning, and help change lives for people all over the world.
Posts
Top five reasons to learn online
Online learning is creeping into our education system whether we like it or not. While there will always be people who prefer a paper book to a kindle, and an... keep reading
The world is your oyster, and TEFL is your accoutrement
The first time I ever had an oyster was at Eventide Oyster Company in Portland, ME. I was 25 years old, and just started liking seafood. I was with new... keep reading
How To Land A Job Teaching English Abroad
If you’re reading this, you’ve either considered teaching English abroad before, or the title hooked you to something you didn’t know was possible. Either way, landing a job teaching English... keep reading
How I use my TEFL training when my job is not TEFL
Let’s call a spade a spade – I manage a TEFL certification, so the title of this article might be confusing. Managing a Teaching English as a Foreign Language certification... keep reading
5 do’s and don’ts for traveling abroad
Do: 1. Your research The last thing you want to do when you are living or traveling in a foreign country is offend the locals, trust us. Take some time... keep reading
5 things I will do better next time I teach abroad
Nothing in life is perfect; we all know that to be true. There are always regrets, and the "what if" scenario is something we always consider. This list is most... keep reading
Five ways a TEFL certification can help any career
We think there are endless reasons why you should get TEFL certified, but what benefits can it give you if you're not sure about teaching? At least five! Better understanding... keep reading
How I learned Chinese while teaching English in China
It is no secret that most travelers crave the ability to speak multiple languages. Being able to communicate with people outside your mother tongue is no small task. Since I... keep reading