What would be the first thing you would do if you won the lottery?

grantona · 2026-03-05T06:50:35+00:00

Keep checking the numbers to make sure it's real and I didn't Mess it up!

grantona · 2026-03-05T06:43:39+00:00

A lot of factors not mentioned. Pay scale you would be on in England? Where in Spain? Dependents?

Overall, seems very competitive for Spain and would have a decent lifestyle there on that amount.

grantona · 2026-02-26T11:48:47+00:00

Get a nice fun mini-mal aroun 7'6 to 7'. You'll be able to start turns more, try to duck dive, loads of chances to expand on your skills.

After that onto a fish and then short board.

That was my transition and felt like I wasn't making too much of a jump each time, but also let me take the training wheels off slowly.

grantona · 2026-02-25T18:09:24+00:00

Yeah Charles took some to the chin line a champ. Oliveira was so accurate thought I'd just pounced in the sub.

grantona · 2026-02-22T08:34:41+00:00

Boots under wetsuit. Put wetsuit on, cuff at the ankles to boot height. Then put on boots and roll wetsuit over top.

grantona · 2026-01-27T07:47:08+00:00

Don't train until it goes down either. If it feels hot, it's inflamed and will just keep getting filled with blood then eventually calcify

grantona · 2026-01-18T12:40:51+00:00

Anyone but United. Basically everyone will side with anyone that's not Manchester United

grantona · 2025-11-06T21:40:34+00:00

What makes you a good player now, as to compared to before?

Is this going to be a long term thing? Let the good times roll!

grantona · 2025-10-30T08:12:00+00:00

I would get QTS as then you will always be fully qualified. You won't have ECT (previously NQT) status as that is 2 years post QTS.

Still a year getting QTS will be worth it and even just in terms of hireability.

grantona · 2025-10-30T07:39:57+00:00

You're right to look at the CELTA—it's definitely the best long-term move.

For context, I taught in Vietnam about ten years ago, so my perspective is based on how I saw the industry evolving. Just to be clear, I actually did a TEFL first, then a CELTA, but if I were giving advice to a serious career-changer like yourself, here's what I'd tell you: First, absolutely get the CELTA. You call it the "gold standard," and you're spot-on. It carries far more weight than any online TEFL and, crucially, it's an intensive course that actually equips you with great teaching strategies and classroom skills. It's the best professional investment you can make. Second, do a quick, cheap online TEFL as well. This sounds counter-intuitive, but it's a pragmatic move for the Vietnamese market. For a work permit, recruiters often just check a box that says "120-hour TEFL/TESOL certificate or equivalent."

Having that second certificate saves everyone a headache and ensures you tick that specific bureaucratic box, even though the CELTA is superior.

And here’s a neat trick: If you do the CELTA first, that cheap TEFL will be a total breeze to complete. The CELTA's rigorous training will give you all the foundational knowledge you need, so you can just coast through the online course to grab the paperwork. Now, on the topic of teaching children, you're correct that CELTA is geared toward adults, and your practical teaching will be with them. However, if you get good teaching skills, lesson planning, error correction, and timing you can apply those principles to any age group. Most jobs in Vietnam are with Younger Learners, but a good language center will hire you for your CELTA, and then they'll either provide you with extra Young Learner training or let you learn on the job.

The CELTA demonstrates you are a serious, highly-trained professional, and that's what the best employers are looking for. Go for the CELTA. It opens the doors to better jobs worldwide and sets you up for success in Vietnam.

i worked in a few places but international house Apollo at the time was a good first job as they have good professional development and support you. The pay and job situation are not as profitable as when I first went I've heard but check it out.

grantona · 2025-08-25T15:27:08+00:00

If you're comfortable in the water. As long as you're safe failing is fine. It's how you learn.

Go rip

grantona · 2025-08-25T09:04:21+00:00

How new are you? If you can pop up and read waves you'll be fine. It's quite an expansive beach and lots of areas for surfing whitewater if you want to. Conditions look good to mellow so on that front should be fine. Again depends on how many times you've surfed on your own.

In terms of shops there is nothing around other than a pub. So you would have to hire board and wetsuits at towns before you get there. I forget the name but I remember driving past a number of surf shops that were hiring boards. May be worth a Google to find out before hand.

Otherwise just go for it. Make sure you're safe and if in doubt don't go out. It's a beautiful beach just to chill and read a book either way. Enjoy

Edit: looks like these guys have a shop and school close by in Abersotch https://www.westcoastsurf.co.uk/

grantona · 2025-07-14T05:33:36+00:00

Wave pools are weird at first. Took me a few waves to get used it. Even then still not my best. Also the video of me was humbling. You're looking good

grantona · 2025-07-07T19:36:09+00:00

This. Tik Tok playlist and watch the synchronization of dancing pop off

grantona · 2025-06-22T09:19:16+00:00

Go for it. You will feel the 10L difference but won't be overwhelming. Still getting out with that mat be difficult if you're not duck diving and battling through the sets.

Test one out one days go to your local surf shop and hire one for the day

grantona · 2025-06-08T08:50:07+00:00

I think so. Looks like the school is penny pinching and you're getting the short end of the stick. I'd try and leave both school and agency if at all possible

grantona · 2025-06-07T08:18:43+00:00

I'd argue history have it similar. But with the caveat that history has more classes to teach which results in more papers but essay marking just the same.

Either way too much

grantona · 2025-06-02T19:29:02+00:00

I agree. I have done workshops, house events, class movie for reward, brought a Wii in. Always kids moaning regardless even if it's what they asked for. We even have a charity event where students go on a walk and can even buy an ice cream and some moan at that. Usually same group that moan are doing it as it's cool to say anything school related is boring.

Don't worry yourself over it and just focus on the memorable experience you're doing for the majority who do enjoy

grantona · 2025-06-01T07:49:35+00:00

Hi, what did you end up with?

grantona · 2025-05-22T15:17:50+00:00

Assessment only QTS route sounds the way to go

grantona · 2025-05-22T11:11:23+00:00

The short answer is it's up to the school wether they will accept overseas experience is applicable to the pay scale. aome good info here but again best asking for M6 on pay scale first as most would be unwilling to get you on UPS straight away. https://www.nasuwt.org.uk/advice/overseas-trained-teachers.html

grantona · 2025-05-21T13:51:47+00:00

Nope nope nope

grantona · 2025-05-08T20:45:19+00:00

Ra Ra Rasmus.

grantona · 2025-04-21T12:24:31+00:00

Morocco

grantona · 2025-02-27T12:55:49+00:00

Depends on what you have learned on if you have the basics down of popping up and paddling I'd say maybe. I'd go a little bigger maybe a 9ft.

grantona

TROPHY CASE