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Steve Marsh
English Teaching in Moldova
 Moldova Teaching English Programme
How did you feel before you joined the programme?
I tried not to have too many expectations. I just wanted to get away somewhere totally different. Daniela at Gap Year for Grown Ups was fantastic, couldn't have been more helpful.
What was the accommodation like?
My bedroom was fine, comfortable and warm. One word for the bathroom facilities though: BASIC. Get used to doing without luxurious soaks in hot baths or power showers! Yes they have sit on toilets but if my host family was anything to go by, hot water is rationed strictly!
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What did you think of the programme?
The programme is great. Leana, the English teacher is fantastic, she works under amazingly difficult conditions, tries really hard to enthuse her students and has little thanks for it.
As I said I did not know what to expect so it's difficult to say whether it did or didn't meet them. It certainly held me fascinated the whole time.
Salary levels are unbelievable and not all things are cheap to compensate. Food of course is, but gas and electricity typically take up to half the monthly salary. |
Despite this nearly everyone has a better mobile phone than me! Why? The mobile is tops in Moldova. Kids have mountains of music on them and sit in class wearing earphones taking no notice of the teacher. They also make and receive calls and texts quite openly in lessons. Chat, fighting (not serious) throwing of missiles and paper darts is all part of the school day.
How have you benefited from your experience?
Changed? Not sure, but I like to think more relaxed, more tolerant and less rushed. Don't expect everything to run properly. To us 2:30 means 2:25. To the Moldovan people I met it means 2:45 ish. I met some special people out there. I hope to return.
What advice could you offer to someone considering this project?
GO!
Take pictures with you. The people are desperately curious about the West. Pictures of your home, car, family, town, local amenities, pets anything. Take hundreds of them.
Don't teach them bad words! The girls will all ask you to teach them bad words. You probably don't know any which will be new to them, but please don't be tempted.
Don't go out without tissues or toilet paper. Toilets in bars and public places tend not to have any. |
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The country is fabulous and the people friendly and curious. The food is excellent. If you are confident enough to venture into the shops and markets you will find more fruit and fantastic quality vegetables than you could possibly imagine. Many Moldovan dishes appear vegetarian, in that the meat is added at the table, so if you're an “I just don't eat meat” vegetarian you will be fine.
Get used to being stared at. It is not threatening in any way, but curiosity. I bought clothes out there and even wearing locally produced outfits folk were staring at the “americanski” (although I am English) from miles away. I must have had a sign invisible to me with a big arrow saying “foreigner”. Most people are delighted to meet you however.
Accept virtually any invitation you receive. Get around. Get to see the people and Country.
 Moldova Teaching English Programme
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