NE Veronika Wróbelová and HE Miriam Hadassah Levie
New Entrepreneur (NE):
Name & surname: Veronika Wróbelová
Country: Czech Republic
Sector of activity: Community Multicultural Center
Did you already start your business? No
What is your future business? Language school
Host Entrepreneur (HE):
Name & surname: Miriam Hadassah Levie
Country: Spain
Sector of activity: Language learning, tutoring
Experience in running a business (in years): 18
Name of business/website: TEFL in Malaga, https://www.tefl-in-malaga.com/
Period of exchange: 08/01/2024 – 10/05/2024
Duration of exchange: 4 months
My name is Veronika Wróbelová, I am a student of the follow-up master’s program in Social Pedagogy at Charles University in Prague. I have been working in the field of education and social work for 10 years. In the past years, I worked for 3 years at the Consultancy for the Integration of Foreigners in Prague. Of these, 2 years as a teacher of A0-B2 Czech language courses for foreigners and as a Mediator for schools educating children with a different mother tongue.
I have always been attracted to informal methods of education. In addition to formal education and work, I was looking for ways to gain practical experience that would allow me to connect my professional experience in the field of pedagogy and business. And so, I found out that the EYE program is the most suitable for me and my entrepreneurships visions and I decided to apply.
Through the research of the European scene, I chose Miriam’s language school TEFL in Malaga because I was mainly interested in its experience so far. I also had Spain as my preferred country for this exchange because I always wanted to give the Spanish lifestyle a chance and I found Spain to be a great choice where the language education in English is very good the level of the market is very developed, I wanted to get a chance to learn from best practices.
I was engaged in a variety of activities aimed at enriching my understanding of building a sustainable business. This included gaining insights from my HE about the intricacies of establishing and maintaining successful business relationships. Additionally, I became familiar with digital or AI tools essential for business and participated in seminars or webinars to explore their functionalities. I acquired skills in basic website editing using WordPress.
I enjoyed learning about content creation and dissemination on social media platforms, honing my skills in creating visual content using tools like Canva. As I transitioned into a new environment, I focused on facilitating the language of business and effective communication strategies with clients and partners. Additionally, I got introduction to the fundamentals of financial management and legal requirements for entrepreneurs, ensuring a comprehensive understanding of the economic landscape for future endeavors.
I now have a better understanding of what’s required to establish a language school or any educational institution in the private sector. This experience has provided me with a unique opportunity to advance my own business. I’ve enroled in a TESOL course, aiming to become a certified ESL teacher soon. Before arriving here, I was unaware of the various language learning methods and options available, but now I appreciate the TEFL concept. I’ve gained clarity on my business options considering my formal education, financial resources, and goals. The relationship developed with my HE during this exchange holds potential for future collaborations and partnerships. My time in Spain has also improved my proficiency in both English and Spanish, which I continue to study even after returning home.
Concluding Remarks
Veronika Wróbelová (NE): “My experience during my job shadowing at the TEFL language school in Malaga was incredibly beneficial. It provided me with a unique educational opportunity to immerse myself in Spanish culture for the first time while learning the Spanish language and gaining insights into the business of language education. This experience allowed me to understand the principles of business and aspects of entrepreneurship. I greatly appreciate the opportunity to become familiar with various marketing or AI tools, which are highly desirable and even essential for 21st-century business.
I gained insight into the workings of TEFL language education, and towards the end of my project, I actively participated in the TEFL course. I enroled in the TESOL online course offered by Miriam’s partner school, TEFL in Italy, and soon I will be a certified ESL teacher of English as a second language.
Throughout my time, I took part in interesting educational events, met inspiring people, and gained practical experience through creative tasks such as creating graphics using Canva, managing social networks and websites, and assisting with student activities. Miriam helped me grasp the essential aspects of sustainable business, teaching strategies, social media management, and effective communication with clients. Her mentorship has been like an inspirational guiding light throughout my professional as well as personal journey, offering wisdom and nurturing invaluable growth along the way.”
Miriam Hadassah Levie (HE): “Hosting Veronika at our TEFL school in Malaga has been an incredibly rewarding experience. Veronika consistently demonstrated flexibility, hard work, intelligence, and a remarkable ability to learn quickly. She engaged deeply in various aspects of our operations, from creating and managing social media content to assisting with website updates and student activities. Her enthusiasm for learning and dedication to her tasks significantly contributed to our team’s success. Our cooperation has extended beyond her job shadowing, and thanks to her efforts, we are delighted that she is about to become a TEFL trainee as a future ESL teacher in our school. Working with Veronika has been a mutually enriching experience, and we look forward to potential future collaborations.”