Staff Interview with Andreea Mateescu

What inspired you to work for TEFL Madrid Academy?

I was motivated to work in an international and dynamic environment, helping students fulfil their dream to study abroad. It’s definitely not an easy thing to do, but when you make that decision, you know that you have to work hard to achieve it. I know that it wasn’t, and still isn’t, easy for me to continue learning language, but I know that it’s necessary, and I want people to know that we are here to help them every step of the way. Even before I started working here, this academy was recommended to me since I was looking for the right academy to improve my English when I first came to Madrid.



Describe a typical day at work.

Every day at work is different from the day before! New students to be enrolled, every one of them with hopes and fears to share, new trainee teachers to meet, old students letting us know about their exam results. I get in to the office around 10am, and start taking prospective students in for level tests. When they’re finished, I like to give them options as to how and when they can take the course that they need. Apart from that, I like to make sure that when I communicate with a prospective student, they see that I went through what they’re putting themselves through.

Why do you do what you do?

I love helping others. I can’t think of a person at TE Madrid who doesn’t share the same opinion about it the way I do. We all get something out of helping our students, and I like that we, at the very least, have that in common with each other. It makes me work harder. It gives me a lot of energy. It makes me patient, as well. No one is perfect, and I know that it’s difficult for many people. Whenever I see someone who was able to surpass their own expectations, and do something they never thought they could do, they always come back and express their gratitude, and everyone here at the academy shows it as well. It makes me believe that I did something right.

What is your favorite part of your job?

I like meeting new people every day. What’s their story? Where do they come from? Why are they here, and why do they need our help in their own journey? It forms the connections that help me do my job, and relate to people every single day. I work alongside Native English speakers every single day. I’m still not perfect with my English, and even though I have an Advanced English level, I like learning a thing or two from them, and I like seeing that they learn something from me, too. It’s the idea that we’re always learning and growing as we live. I like that we can do that in even the simplest of interactions.

How do you use your education and international background in your current role?

I have experience working as a teacher, and I like to bring that experience to my current role at TE Madrid. I know the conduct that teachers need to bring in order to get the best out of their students, and I want to see that conduct reflected in their teaching methods. I have more than 15 years of experience working for international companies, such as my position as a Japanese foreign representative. I’ve also worked for Greek and Spanish corporations, and I do speak Spanish at an Advanced Level. It helps me communicate the TE Madrid programs, and I’m happy to be that bridge between the teacher and the student.

What challenges do you often face and how do you overcome them?

My work requires great attention to detail. Whenever I speak with a new student, it’s important to understand not only what they need, but also why they need it. Getting the necessary information to ensure that they’re taking the right course at TE Madrid is crucial to customer satisfaction. When you do your job with patience, you carry with yourself a certain confidence in your skills and experience, that people will see that when you talk to them. I also make sure that when I do my job, I do it with dedication and proper management skills. These are traits that I think are very important with the working professional, and help anyone in their careers, in my opinion.

What are some current projects you are working on?

I’m responsible for the organization of Exam Madrid Academy's classes. My role is consistent within the company, and what I do is make sure that prospective students are aware of not only our programs, but the teachers who implement them. It’s also my job to serve as a customer service agent. Students know that they can speak to me if they have a scheduling problem, or if some unforeseen circumstances prevent them from attending regularly scheduled classes. I’m also there to ensure that when students see possibilities for their academic performance, that I’m able to encourage them to pursue those possibilities.

What advice would you tell your pre-travel self?

Don't be afraid. It’s normal at the beginning to feel a little overwhelmed. It happens with every traveller on their first major trip. I know that it happened to me when I left Romania to come to Spain. You won’t regret it. There are a lot of amazing things that life will give you if you go for it. With time, it gets a lot easier. Also, I would tell my pre-travel self to talk to new people and learn new languages. I wouldn’t have learned English and Spanish if I didn’t. It will only help you in your career, and I strongly recommend that you do it sooner, rather than later. Learn the customs of your new country. It will help you blend in and integrate with people a lot easier.

What makes TEFL Madrid Academy special?

Teamwork is very important in making an organization function to the best of its ability. If everyone consistently performs the tasks that they are good at, it means that the entire company functions. It’s very good for displaying a professional demeanour when people walk into our academy for the first time. I also think it’s very important for team morale. I also think that diversity is very important for our organization. When people bring in experience from wherever they come from in the world, they also bring a certain variety to the organization, and I think it really heightens our reputation as one of Madrid’s leading TEFL academies.

Why should someone choose your organization over competitors?

There are many reasons why TE Madrid should be your choice for your academic and professional development. I’ll only go over one reason that I think will be your deciding factor, and that is our team. I can’t think of a better group to be able to entrust your exam preparation needs to. We know that your experience and advancement in the professional world are very important, and we believe that everyone who walks through TE Madrid’s doors has a group of people that work together, believe in the students, and have no problem going the extra mile to ensure your success in the professional or academic worlds.



What hopes do you have for the future for your organization?

There are two things that are a constant when it comes to English Teaching. As English is the official language of the business world, we know that we will see changes to the exam courses that we provide our students, so I’m hopeful that our staff will be able to adapt to those changes. I know that I would. I also see that there is a growing need to be able to diversify the manner in which we deliver our classes, so I’ve been seeing a lot of emphasis on digitizing our entire catalogue to ensure that we are not only able to handle students here, but students all over the world. It does excite me as a professional.

Are there any developments with your organization that you would like to share with us?

There are certain developments that TE Madrid are currently doing to be able to adapt to the changes that I just mentioned. I will say that they are very exciting. When the tasks that our teachers are currently working on are assigned, what I do is monitor their progress on a regular basis to ensure that we are delivering on our commitment to adapt our programs according to the evolving needs of all our students. I remain in contact with teachers as they fulfill these necessary tasks as required. This is essential, because paying attention to their needs means that we are capable of delivering on their needs.



What makes your organization easy to market to potential participants?

The information about who we are is very clear. We don’t like to complicate things for people who want simple answers. They deserve a straightforward path to whatever academic goal they need, and being simple is essential. What we offer is another thing that makes TE Madrid easy to market. We know that there is a demand for students to have certain qualifications in order to successfully apply for and get good jobs in the global marketplace, and our programs and preparation methods achieve that end. The people who help you along add their little personal touch, and given the number of return students to our academy, our track record speaks for itself.



What is your organization's mission and how do you continue to work toward it?

At TE Madrid, we have an educational plan that will help you achieve your goals. That’s the beginning, middle, and end of what we do. From the moment you walk through the door, speak to me at reception, and embark on the program that you need, you will know that you’re in the hands of well-trained professionals, which is, of course, the next part of my answer. Our team of talented, and experienced professionals know how to custom-deliver each course to guarantee that you appropriately and, in a timely manner, study and prepare for the exam you need. Those are our goals at TE Madrid, and I make sure that I work consistently to deliver good service to the community.

What do you hope participants take away from your programs?

I want students to walk away from the courses that we offer at TE Madrid with a newfound knowledge of their expectations. It’s one thing to learn a new skill, but when you have to demonstrate that skill in a focused environment like a job, or a classroom, that skill, especially when placed under pressure, may find itself useless. I want students to learn how to focus their talents when placed under stressful situations. When they experience that pressure first-hand, I want them to have confidence in themselves that when they see TOEFL or GMAT examiners that they will be able to use the skills that they acquired with us to succeed.

How do you help support participants?

For our TEFL students, we know that stepping off the plane in a new country is very difficult, and it can certainly be overwhelming to some people. We offer legal assistance by helping them set up bank accounts, as they are very important to employers here in the country. Having that bank account is instrumental to the residential process. With that being said, we also help with administrative and registration procedures. The Visa Process for English Teachers in Spain can be quite complicated, and so what we do is make sure that we’re able to help organize their visa application, and/or help them with their residency appointments with the Community of Madrid. Being an English Teacher in Spain is an attractive job, but it’s important for applicants to know the legal boundaries for people coming here for the first time before they book their flight and their TEFL course.

What questions do participants often ask you, and how do you typically respond?

There are many typical questions about Madrid? What I do is make sure that I give the best possible answer to anyone who asks me these questions. I’m happy to do it. For example, it’s commonplace for me to read questions like, “Is it safe to travel?”, “Where are the best areas in the city to search for an apartment?”, “How do I get my residency document when I’m over there?”. I have been living in Madrid for quite some time, so I’m very knowledgeable about these questions. I enjoy answering them if it means that you know that you can count on us if and when you decide to come to TE Madrid for a TEFL course. If I don't have the answer (and there isn’t much about the city I don’t know) I´ll find out. I’m happy to be of help.



Why is it important for people to travel abroad and experience new cultures?

I don’t know how many reasons there are for people to travel abroad and experience new cultures. If I had to choose a couple, the first one that I can think of would be to help them open their minds. It’s definitely easy to see a culture in the comfort of your own home country, and think that you understand them, but when you actually go to the country that they come from, and potentially see why they’re in yours, you begin to develop a bond that you never thought was there. It also makes you aware of many other ways of life. Travelling does that to every type of person, and I think it’s important for people to do just that, and become their best version of themselves that they can be.

What advice do you have for individuals thinking about going abroad?

It's a must. If I’ve said it once, I probably said it a thousand times. I live in a country that’s not Romania. I had to leave my country in order to come here to Spain. I understand that it can be scary, but one of the things that I noticed is that if someone really wants to do something, you’ll do it. You’ll find a way to make it happen. If not, you’ll find a way out. Travelling may not be for everyone, but I’ll always tell people to do it. If this is what you want to do, you will feel more confident about yourself. I haven’t met someone who’s travelled that hasn’t exhibited some degree of self-assuredness and confidence. You won’t regret it if you decide to do it.

What hopes do you have for the future of international education?

I’m of the mind that everyone has the opportunity to grow and excel, if they simply believe that they can make it happen. That attitude spreads to other points in their lives, and they exhibit strength and confidence. I’ve met students who surprised teachers here with good marks on English language tests because they initially showed a certain belief in themselves. It’s one of the things that I look for in potential students, and it’s one of the things that compel me to work as hard as I do. It’s not enough to give chances to the luckier or the smarter. People don’t know what they understand until they see it and experience it. So, I say give equal chances for those who want to learn.

What qualities in program and host community relations are important to you and TE Madrid?

There are common mistakes that locals make when they’re trying to learn English, or any other language for that matter. I think that, especially when bringing on teachers, that teachers pay strict attention to details, and show students how to grow out of making common mistakes. Teachers need to be able to react quickly to speaking, writing, and listening errors with learners. I also think that ethical engagement with locals is very important. The teachers are living in a different country than their own, and I do think that teachers need to be aware of how to sensitively approach certain subjects. When they’re providing a service, it’s important to get people to come back, and to know that they’re able to count on you. If you’re showing a blatant disrespect for the country that you’re in, it shouldn’t come as a surprise if teachers don’t get return students.