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Anne
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Jayde
Krissy
Linda
New Zealand Teachers
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Sue
Suzanne
Bronwyn
South African Teachers
Peta
Cara
David
Erna
Marie
Maureen
Peta
Waynne
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Jennifer
Maya
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Ciara - Ireland
Strephania - Malta
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Isangedige - Nigeria
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David, South African Teacher
Hi David, how many years experience do you have teaching in South Africa?
I trained in SA (Klerksdorp) and I have 14 years experience.
What made you want to teach in the UK?
Change of scenery, adventure and MONEY.
Did you need a Visa? If so, what Visa are you on? How hard was it to get?
I have a spousal Visa. As far as getting it - reams of paperwork and useless information. Eventually we went to VSS (a visa agency) and they sorted everything out in 3 days!
When you arrived did you have friends/family to stay with?
Lots of friends' couches at first as we have a lot of friends here, afterwards found our own place via an estate agent.
How have you found teaching in London? Good points?
Awesome experience, my wife and I do a supply work at the moment. I do mainstream and my wife does SEN. The digital aspect is cool - digital register, whiteboards, just make the whole thing a bit easier.
What things should teachers be aware of when planning to come here?
Get the right information from someone you know and trust. The biggest mission for us was the tons of useless info that we had to sift through, like South African drivers licences only need to get transferred to UK, the ISS payroll system if you're wanting to send money home, Waiting 3 weeks for a Schengen visa, whereas if we went to the right place it would have taken a week. Basically small things that cause big problems…
Have you any regrets?
None, whatsoever.
Have you done much travelling (if they have been here a while)? What destinations?
Yes, we went to Glastonbury which was awesome, seen most of London and Ireland. Easyjet is the way to go!
Would you recommend the London experience to other South African teachers? Why and what have you enjoyed?
Yes, I've enjoyed the easy day to day living as compared to living in South Africa. The children here are really not that different to the ones in SA.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
Be aware of hidden expenses and little things that could cause you wasted time and frustration…
Thank you for your time David
Interviewed November 2008
Interesting facts about London
Oyster Card
The Tube
Free stuff on the Tube
Things you must see in London
Into your music?
Is London Expensive?
Primark
Cockney Rhyming Slang
Postcodes
Phones
