I'm still part of that association and for some years now, every summer, I'm given the opportunity to lengthen even more the list of students, and co teachers, some of them even becoming friends.
Joe and his wife Carla are among teachers who have become friends. With Kay, we all realized we have something in common, something very important to all of us: our Faith and belief in God. In a time and place where everybody else proudly declares that they do not believe in God, it was a welcome friendship. Talking and sharing with people who speak the same language as yourself without feeling like you were an alien from a completely different planet was indeed a blessing and a relief.
Again, with their recommendations,the chamber of Commerce contacted me to work with them as an ESL consultant and teacher. The first time, I couldn't because I already had a previous commitment. But the following year, I did. And this time, I have to work with 12 young adults: between 18 and 23. It was a totally different experience but nonetheless enriching. When we started, they had the basic knowledge of grammar, but most of them were terrified when they had to actually speak English. It was both fun and hard work helping them dispel their fear of speaking English. And it was rewarding seeing them get better and more fluent by the day. At the end of course, when half of them got accepted to do their practicals in different companies in England, Denmark and Finland, it felt like another feather in my cap. The last day of the course, as they all thanked and hugged me, my heart swelled with pride. It was indeed another feather in my cap!

While, I was working with the Chamber of Commerce, I was also working with an academy, doing in-company classes. Working with professionals has always been both enjoyable and challenging for me. The two groups I had were great. A group of 13 upper intermediate students and another of 10 lower advanced, most of them engineers. Great students, nice people. My list of students was getting really longer and my heart was getting bigger.
Nelly, was my co- teacher, a gorgeous young lady who I shared the 2 hours commute with. We also discovered and enjoyed our love for the Napolitana de chocolate. The pastry shop became the only bright spot in Pinto for us. We even managed to get the lady attendant to change her hair-do and start wearing make-up... What we did for the love of the Napolitana.
When I finished the course with the Chamber of Commerce, my boss at the academy offered me more in company classes. Two more groups in a fire protection company... One 1-1 class with one of the directors and the other, a group of  6 students, mostly firemen! I have no idea how I survived the first day of class... In the most of hot looking, well muscled firemen! When we did the exercise I had prepared, and most of them told me that their first impression about me was that I was "really beautiful and efficient" and I quote... I thought I saw going to swoon. Somehow, miraculously, I maintained a seemingly professional front and we got on with the class. Again, seeing them improve their English, watching their excited faces everyday just before we start, assured me that I was doing something right.
I was enjoying my job and obviously, my students were improving and we were all having fun while at it.
My career as an ESL teacher in Spain has been one filled with so many great memories, such priviledge and inspiration. A career that has helped to widen my perspective about life and people. A career that has further fueled my quest for knowledge and continuous self developement, a career that has brought me in contact with so many people and one which I'm not in any hurry to change.