My work involves:

Teaching English, often by helping students work through the real issues they face when they arrive here - finding an apartment and job, connecting electricity/ internet, applying for a tax file number. The class becomes a family that pulls together because all we have is each other.

My top tip for learning English:

Don't share an apartment with people who speak your own language. You WILL speak your language even if you promise not to. Trust me, I know! I've been here since the beginning of time. The people who learn fastest have multicultural apartments and friends.

My top tip for enjoying life at Surfers Paradise:

Enjoy the nightlife but don't waste all your money and time there. Explore the beaches, the mountains, the rainforests… do the Platypus Club activities to see what Australia is really like.

My experience:

I have been an Embassy teacher since 2000 – some of the best years of my life. During this time I have taught all levels and met students from all over the world!

The greatest thing about being a teacher at our school is constantly challenging what I believe and introducing students to the real Australia through the Platypus Club activities. Every day is different which makes it fun!

My work involves:

Ensuring that students are placed into suitable Homestays and their experience is enjoyable. Supporting students in all areas, and finance.

My top tip for learning English:

Listen, read and speak English only while in Australia.

My top tip for enjoying life at Surfers Paradise:

Surfers Paradise offers sun, surf, beaches, mountains, and nightlife, so enjoy the Australian culture by just being part of everything.

My experience:

With an extensive background in childcare, I bring a caring approach to the always-changing, and at times challenging, days at the Surfers Paradise campus. We are a small and friendly team, working hard to ensure all our students have a positive and memorable time in their Homestays and at the campus. The Student Services team is always willing to lend an ear and solve any problems that come our way.

My work involves:

Helping students with any queries they have about courses or living on the Gold Coast, and supporting the administration team and teachers. So I do a little bit of everything: you name it, I can do it!

My top tip for learning English:

You didn't come here to speak your own language, so use English at every opportunity.

My top tip for enjoying life at Surfers Paradise:

Do what you can while you can, it's all there for you.

My experience:

A Surfers Paradise local, I have lived here for nearly 30 years (I was born in Mt. Isa and moved here when I was one year old) and I have loved all the time I have spent here. 

However, after graduating from university in April 2003, I set off to begin my teaching in Japan where I lived in Tokyo and taught there for two years. 

After returning to Australia I taught in Brisbane for a year and a half before deciding to move overseas again and teach in another country.  This time I lived in Seoul, South Korea for one year and worked in a language school. 

In 2008 I returned from Korea and I decided to change from teaching to something different and now I'm a Student Service Officer and Platypus Club Co-ordinator here at Embassy Surfers Paradise.  It's been a good ride so far! 

My work involves:

Teaching - but I am also the school mother, caring for and loving our students as their Australian Mum, but also helping out with any problems as needed.

My top tip for learning English:

Ask questions! Never give up!

My top tip for enjoying life at Surfers Paradise:

Go out, have fun and be safe.

My experience:

Having spent a length of time working in South America, I bring a fresh approach and a great sense of enthusiasm to my profession. I am keen to share my love of English with my students. I challenge them to work hard to reach their language goals and to give them the skills to become independent learners.

My work involves:

Teaching general English.

My top tip for learning English:

Don’t be afraid of making mistakes. Mistakes are part of learning.

My top tip for enjoying life at Surfers Paradise:

Sit on the beach and listen to the English around you. Talk to the locals. They are quite friendly. Invite all nationalities to your barbeques and parties.

My experience:

I'm a Certificate of English teacher here on the incredibly beautiful Gold Coast. In keeping with my policy of students being responsible for their own learning, I asked them to describe my philosophy. This is what they said:

Joy "really likes her job".
"Joy has taught students for a long time, so she has a lot of her own curriculum and experience. Her class is always so active and many students want to study with her."
"She has travelled to lots of countries and so obviously understands each culture and thought."
"When she is teaching, Joy is always helping the students in a positive way, seeing study not as boring but interesting. Her way of teaching is giving rewards for correct answers and using some games to improve the knowledge … and make the students happy."
"Through amusing, but at the same time focused, exercises students can learn English naturally".
Joy "is excited to know new countries, new cultures and new people like you" and "hopes to see you in our family at Embassy Surfers Paradise".
"Come on. Study with us!!"

I couldn’t say it better myself. Thank you, guys!