Love is in the air...

It's that time of year again. Love it or hate it, Valentine's Day is upon us once more. As people here in the UK spend the day exchanging cards, chocolates and flowers, we thought we would take a look at how it is celebrated in some top TEFL destinations around the world.

Giving gifts in Catalonia, Spain

1. Spain
Most Spaniards will be doing much the same as us Britons, except those in the North-Eastern region of Catalonia. Catalans instead celebrate La Diada de Sant Jordi (otherwise known as St George's Day) on April 23rd. Traditionally this is marked by men giving women roses and women giving them books in return.

2. Peru
As in most of Latin America, Valentine's Day is about friendship as well as love. Many Peruvians take part in 'Secreto Amigo'. The game is similar to Secret Santa and involves giving gifts anonymously.

3. Estonia
Estonians take the friendship theme even further. They observe Sõbrapäev on February 14th, which is a celebration based entirely on platonic love.

4. Saudi Arabia
Saudi authorities consider the holiday to be un-Islamic and as a result the sale of Valentine's Day gifts have been banned on a number of occasions!

5. South Korea
There are three separate celebrations in South Korea. On February 14th women give chocolates to men and a month later, on something known as 'White Day', they return the favour. A month after that, on 'Black Day', single South Koreans mourn their loneliness by eating a dark-noodle dish called Jajangmyeon!

Single South Koreans chowing down on 'Black Day'

Doha Days: From Merseyside to the Middle East

Vivien Smith took a UK-TEFL course in 2009 and within a few months she had found a job working in Doha at the Qatar International School. Five years on she is still there and is now Learning Resource Manager, after gaining successive promotions. We caught up with her to find out how she's enjoying life in the Middle East.

Vivien with some flowers she got from her students

Hi!

My name is Vivien Smith and I have been working at Qatar International School, Doha, for the past four years. We have 1,600 students ranging from four to eighteen years old and follow a British teaching system.

Before that I was working in local industry in Wirral, Merseyside. Like most people I was finding there was too much month at the end of the money and felt it was time for a change in profession. It may have even been a mid-life crisis. I knew I could do more, I just wasn't sure what.

After scouring the internet for inspiration I came across a course being advertised in Liverpool. After a bit of research, I thought this was just what I had been looking for. It was a whole new change of career and life, just what I needed.

So with some apprehension I thought I would give it a go to find out if it was for me. We all met at a local hotel. With a fabulous instructor by the name of Mike Furber. I managed to get through the first day. Even on the way home from the first day I felt a huge sense on achievement and thought 'I really can really do this'!

UK-TEFL Trainer Mike Furber in action

By the end of the course i was so excited to start a new chapter in my life and applied to Qatar International School. I started in November 2009 in Yellow class, pre-school, as a teaching assistant. What a fantastic experience it was, knowing I could actually make a difference to our students.

Then a place in the library came up. With my knowledge in private industry I thought 'I can do this'. I was still working with the students and making the most of my new found confidence and TEFL know-how. I was fortunate enough that I was appointed Librarian, then graduated to Senior Librarian, and then lo and behold Learning Resource Centre Manager.

The Learning Resource Centre at Vivien's School

I cannot thank UK-TEFL enough for giving me the confidence to go out in to the wider world with a knowledge that I could do it and make a difference, now five years later I am still in touch with my fabulous teacher Mike.

I have never looked back and would recommend anybody who thinks they aren't sure to give it a go. It was certainly worth it to me. Like me you may find you never know what you can do until you try. Doing nothing is never an option.

The Doha Skyline

Get your UK-TEFL certificate and you could be weeks away from working in Doha. Visit our website to find out more.