2025
In retrospect, 2025 was a challenging year, marked by self-reflection, self-healing, and a continuing quest toward self-actualization. There was a great deal to unpack in the first half of the year: divorce and my ongoing battle with depression and anxiety. I spent considerable time working with health care professionals to dial in the appropriate cocktail of medications to treat both conditions. I also devoted extensive time to therapy, including cognitive behavioral therapy, emotional and psychological work, and behavioral and lifestyle-focused support.
To round out the year, I completed six weeks of Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) treatment. Needless to say, I made significant progress with my mental health as I approached my 50th birthday in September.
September
For the past few years, I had been considering living in a different country—a mix of concern about the political climate in the United States and a sense of adventure. As I consulted “the Google machine” for ways to live abroad, the idea of teaching English as a second language presented itself. Since I have a Master’s degree in Education, as well as classroom experience, this seemed like a strong and realistic possibility.
On September 17, I attended an information session with Oxford Seminars to learn more about their Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL) course. During the session, the host also discussed the many exciting opportunities to teach English abroad. It was an easy decision to enroll in the course, which began on October 3.
October
The course details were provided ahead of time, so I knew exactly what to expect. The first half of the course consisted of six days of Zoom meetings with an instructor, spread over three weekends from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays. Although it was intense at times, knowing it only lasted three weekends made it more manageable. The instructor, who had taught the course over 50 times, was very comfortable with the format. She incorporated mini-breaks, group work, and games throughout each day. The class size was about nine students, providing ample opportunities to interact with others. By October 19, all instructor-led sessions were complete, and it was time to move on to the second half of the course.
November
The second half of the course was a 60-hour online independent study, covering grammar rules, concepts, and lesson planning. The material is divided into 21 modules, each consisting of readings, mini-quizzes, and a final module quiz to assess understanding. Quizzes can be taken multiple times, with the last score recorded, though they do not count toward the overall course grade. After completing all modules, students take a 150-question online assessment, which serves as the final exam. The exam can be completed in multiple sessions, and students are allowed to reference course materials and the internet. A passing score is 60%, and all online material remains accessible after the exam is successfully completed.
On November 7, I completed the TEFL course and received my internationally recognized TESOL/TESL/TEFL certificate!
December
After completing the course, I took advantage of the job placement service included in the Oxford Seminars course package. The process begins with an online wizard to help build a resume and cover letter. Once these documents are prepared, a real person reviews them and provides guidance for revisions to increase their effectiveness with potential employers. The next step involves working with the placement team to identify countries of interest and apply for teaching positions. They also provide resources to help prepare for interviews.
On December 11, I interviewed with Maple Bear, a bilingual school in South Korea with a Canadian-style curriculum. The 30-minute interview was very informal, and it was easy to establish a connection with the director. We had a pleasant conversation about the school and the Kindergarten teaching position.
Just a few days later, December 15, I signed a one-year contract with Maple Bear.
Beginning in March 2026, I will be living and teaching Kindergarten in Daejeon, South Korea!
Phillip N. Patrick 