My Profile

Hi I'm Avinash Balmookand. I have my Bachelor of Education Degree intermediate and senior phase. I have completed a 120 hour advanced tefl course. I have 8 years of teaching experience. I have experience in primary and special education. My reasons for wanting to teach English as a foreign language abroad is firstly, for the experience of full-time employment and secondly, teaching English as a foreign language seems like an interesting step to take with its own set of challenges and lessons to learn from. The prospect of teaching in a foreign country would be an entirely new experience for me. However, I am keen to use all the skills and techniques I have learned over the years in a different setting. Furthermore, one of the most important reasons for wanting to teach English abroad is for the opportunity to teach in a country that is extremely technologically advanced and which is rapidly becoming one of the dominant nations of the world. 

When it comes to my educational philosophy, it is quite varied. Firstly, I believe teachers should be very flexible with their techniques, as every student is unique in the manner and rate in which they learn. Therefore, the natural process of learning should be stimulated in each student through interest. In order to stimulate interest, learning should be an interactive process, with the use of visual and multimedia aids to accompany prescribed books and texts. This interactive process would also help students to learn from their mistakes and that of their peers. By doing this, the students will learn how to better themselves. Secondly, as a teacher, leading by example is essential, as teachers are often looked upon as role models by their students’. Therefore, the role of a teacher should not be taken lightly because in nurturing a young mind, one nurtures their future as well.

One of the advantages of living in a country as diverse as South Africa is that interaction with various individuals, customs and cultures is inevitable. Living within a diverse nation has taught me that cultural differences are unavoidable; however, in order to respect and fully accept different individuals and cultures, it is important to understand them first. By doing so, my interest in exploring other cultures had been stimulated. Consequently, encountering cultural differences is a challenge that I am willing to embrace and learn from.

Also, while researching , I came across the term “Jeong”, which is concept that is widely expressed as “hard-to-define” by Koreans, but a foundational concept that runs through every aspect of life. This is similar to the trait of “Ubuntu” that many South Africans pride themselves on. “Ubuntu” may be described as simple acts of kindness with the acceptance and love of one another. Hence, experiencing a home grown custom in different continent is rather exciting and something I am truly looking forward to. Therefore, while encountering different cultures and customs, which is a desirable exploratory experience, I am enthused by finding cultural similarities as well.

To conclude, it would be an absolute honor to be given the opportunity to teach English in a public school. The chance to interact with different people, cultures, customs and a whole new language would be greatly appreciated. I look forward to the prospect of experiencing a whole new, more advanced world.