Mar 30, 20234 min read

My Pandemic

On the 16th March 2020, our government issued its first of many statements urging us to stop non-essential contact and unnecessary travel. The pandemic that ensued tipped the country - correction - the world on its head, and everyone has their story to tell. This is mine.

On the 16th March, since students could no longer travel to the UK, my job simply ceased to be. As a freelance teacher and course co-ordinator, there was no furlough, no severance pay, and no guidance as to what I should do. I had slipped through the considerations for the self-employed government support scheme too. I panicked!

I started doing all the same things as every one else to try and keep myself sane - daily exercise, taking up new hobbies, and video call quiz nights with friends, but I was terrified. I knew that while everyone else was passing the days, weeks, perhaps months like this, recovery for the EFL sector, which relies on international travel, was likely to take so much longer. Even when restrictions were lifted, it would be a long time until individuals, let alone groups would travel to the UK.

What most people referred to as 'lockdown 1, 2, and 3', felt like one big lockdown for me. Those who know me know that I live for travel and adventure but after months without income, I couldn't go anywhere even when I was permitted.

By July 2021, most limits on social contact had been removed. Some people still worked from home, mask wearing was normal but overall, it was seen as the end. For me, it was still the beginning.

I had joined forces with a colleague with whom I was sharing ideas but we knew that impact of Covid as well as Brexit on the EFL landscape would be grave and long-lasting.

Everything had changed and I was starting to see the task ahead. I found myself, for the first time on social media: Instagram, Facebook, Linkedin as well as google business. I also started a blog. I had always enjoyed travel blogging so I'm not sure why I hadn't thought it before but blogging for work was new to me.

I was teaching a few students online, which was great and I met some lovely new people. I enjoyed every moment that I was teaching but my job had always been energetic, exciting, and intense and it called me to be in charge of a team of teachers as well as a classroom. I had thrived on this but since it had stopped, I was feeling unfulfilled to say the least.

I co-wrote a comprehensive course handbook, created an indexed materials and resources system (server based so it can be accessed from any teaching location in the world), and set up a student development suite to better tutor students in their learning journey.

I created a new catalogue of updated risk assessments for all course activities - hopeful that they would start up again soon, and I rewrote my entire policies suite. My course brochures had several overhauls as I tried to adapt to the changing times.

After the initial few weeks of blind panic, survival instinct had kicked in.

The situation still wasn't sustainable though. Most of my former students said they were waiting for opportunities to allow them to travel here again. Other potential new clients told me they were thinking of online lessons, but would wait and see.

I was still really struggling. Friends and family suggested teaching vacancies for me, but I couldn't seem to explain that my area of expertise is very specific. English as a Foreign Language is not the same as teaching any other school subject, teaching children is different to teaching adults, and moreover, my career history and experience was worlds away from teaching in a state or other school. I couldn't take a second job because despite the results, my business needed full-time commitment. Even with all the challenges, I never considered giving up my business. (ok so maybe I did consider it once or twice).

After a very long hard slog, in August 2022, I finally reached my first target of online students. It was a very low target but I was happy. I celebrated by upgrading my website to include integrated student registration, placement testing, feedback forms, and crucially, electronic payment.

Other significant milestones also included my first group online course, first webinar, and a return to 1-to-1 lessons here in Shrewsbury. My first course outside the UK was a particularly special event, and I even managed to make a holiday out of it.

This month, however, I hit the biggest milestone yet. I was finally back at the University Centre, Shrewsbury for a UK holiday course. The university is one of my favourite teaching locations because the facilities are fresh, modern, and just perfect for my courses. Plus, its location is such a great base for afternoon excursions. I loved being back in the classroom again, and the best reward for my patience and hard work was in the course feedback which was absolutely fantastic. I am thrilled!

It's not over yet, of course, there are many more challenges ahead, but 3 years after that dreaded first announcement, I can finally say that I (and my business) survived the pandemic.