Pat Stapleton

Travels of a TEFL Teacher Pat Stapleton

Learning through teaching in China, Hungary, Vietnam, Palestine and France. Pat Stapleton describes her experiences travelling to teach English. It wasn't planned that way, but it turned out to be a series of fascinating encounters with people in countries at times of transition and crisis: From France in 1947 to Vienna under Allied occupation and Nigeria immediately pre-Independence; A year in China after the Cultural revolution, when English teachers were scarce; Vietnam where she was entertained by General Giap who had fought the French at Dien Bien Phu, immediately after the visit from Francois Mitterand, the first Western leader to visit Vietnam since the war; Hungary just as the first election took place after years of rule from Moscow; Palestine at a time of increasing tension and danger with life dominated by checkpoints and the dividing wall; Based in France, where she acquired French citizenship and continues to take every opportunity to teach.