Occurred to me recently that in many ways some of my EFL colleagues down the years can be likened unto footballer types - see if you can recognise any of these:
The David Ginola/Matt Le Tissier
So talented the sod could saw it off in spades. Effortless classroom management skills and has the students rapt in awe. The guys love him, the birds fancy him and mere mortal TEFlers are constantly narked by the squeals of laughter from his classroom. Lazy bugger though, doesn’t do a stick of prep. Everything’s internalised and slick. On form, he’s a dazzler. On an off day, or confronted by a squad of unamused Swiss students, you’d have to wipe him up off the floor when the laughter stops…
The Gary Neville
Completely the opposite of Le Diveur or Le Tiss. CELTA or DELTA hard earned by graft and relentless masochistic dedication. Complete personality bypass compensated for by rigorous prep and has the photocopier burnmarks to prove it. Few complaints from the students though, unless he has the misfortune to follow on from a course delivered by the flair players like those above.
The George Best
Slight variation of Le Ginola when he turns up. Brilliant in the classroom, the life and soul down the pub and chatter-upper of gorgeous women par excellence. Just make sure your cover teacher is on red alert…
The Bryan Robson
DoS’s wet dream. All Gary’s industry and a fair bit of Davide’s charisma. Your school is just a stepping stone to greater things. Enjoy all those positive feedback sheets while you can and hope he’ll give you an honourable mention in the first of his many publications.
The Jean Alain Boumsong
Slipped through the net, this one. Good refs, nice CV and talks a good game but hopelessly crap and must be a friend of a friend of the Boss..
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