Heslington Language Program

This teaching experience was really great for a social and cultural immersion, as Tehuacán is not touristy.. so you get to practice all the Spanish you want, outside the classroom of course, travel to local places or other towns easily and take part in activities in the city. The school helped organize some outings and if you want to know about more things to do the staff is really friendly and will give you more advice. Moreover, the school is in a nice quiet area and the classes are generally very nice to teach. You are given book resources to base your classes off and only have to plan practice activities. You get a lot of freedom to lead the class how you want which is nice. Most other teachers are professional and the pay is decent compared to the cost of living. So, if you are looking for a place to teach English and you want to get to know Mexican culture and practice your Spanish, try new foods and you are open-minded and adaptable, I would recommend this program to you.

After having taught in English in China for three years, I had the fantastic opportunity to continue my teaching adventure as a volunteer English teacher with HELP Heslington in Tehuacan, Mexico. Words cannot fully capture the profound impact this experience has had on my life and my career and I will be eternally grateful. From the moment I arrived in Tehuacan, I was greeted with warmth and kindness by the local community. The management team were incredibly supportive, providing guidance and resources. Teaching English as a foreign language in Tehuacan challenged me to adapt my teaching style to suit the diverse needs of my students. I was able to gain invaluable experience teaching adults and teens from all professions and walks of life, teaching groups and individuals. I was also able to gain invaluable experience teaching Business English and had the opportunity to learn more Mexican Spanish due to the classes on offer. Beyond the classroom, Tehuacan offered a rich cultural tapestry that allowed me to immerse myself in the local way of life. I had the privilege of working with some amazing colleagues, making new lifelong friends and have even been integrated into a family as a fully fledged member. Through these experiences, I gained a deeper appreciation for the country's culture and its people. Even though I will be leaving Tehuacan, Tehuacan and my experiences will never leave me. Nosotros son familia, para siempre.

I have many good memories of my teaching at HELP. The staff were friendly and very helpful and supportive in giving suggestions to improve my teaching. I still communicate with some of the student and teacher friends I made. It is a great place to begin a career in teaching English because of the support and positive attitude of everyone. If you get the chance come and teach at HELP.

This was a great first teaching experience for me! My host family was wonderful as well and while I enjoyed teaching the kids the most, I gained great experience teaching adults and teenagers as well!

An experienced teacher, but new to teaching ESL abroad, I was a teacher at HELP for the winter 2023 semester. I taught Kids, Phonics, a teen French class and an adult Starters; all of the students were so enthusiastic and motivated to learn it made my job easy. The staff at HELP are all very friendly, helpful and supportive & Rachel is absolutely lovely. The other teachers were from all over, which made for an interesting and lively work team. I really enjoyed and appreciated the cultural workshops and field trips put on by the school for the staff. Great experience overall and lots of wonderful memories and new friends.

I spent a term in Help, and truly I enjoyed it there. The administration is very helpful. I had the best time in Help; I gained enough experience and skills a teacher would need to teach in an onsite classroom. The interaction between students and teachers was superb; my students were disciplined, which motivated me toward teaching. I had a good rapport with teachers from different parts of the world. I learned a lot from them; this was one of the best experiences. Help has the best teaching environment and resources that students and teachers need. Phiona Owaro Spring, 2022

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