Hey everyone! My name is Phillip Wumber, and I’m originally from Germany. Before I became a TEFL teacher, I was working as a receptionist at a hotel in Berlin, where I spent most of my time speaking English with tourists.
Six years ago, I decided it was time for a change, so I signed up for a TEFL course in beautiful Barcelona – and it completely changed my life. Since then, I’ve taught in Vietnam and Costa Rica, and today I want to share my story with you.
The TEFL Course in Barcelona
So, it all kicked off when I signed up for the 160-hour Trinity CertTESOL course in Barcelona. Let me tell you, it wasn’t a walk in the park – it was intense, but also super hands-on and practical, which is exactly what I needed.
We didn’t just sit around talking theory; we actually got to teach real students, which made all the difference when I started working. The trainers were absolute legends, always there to help us out, and the small group size meant we got loads of personal attention.
I made some amazing friends during the course, too – shoutout to Kate and Mia, two Americans who almost convinced me to move to California (haha, maybe one day!). After class, we’d all head out for tapas and drinks, laughing about our teaching practice sessions and exploring the city together.
Barcelona itself? Absolutely stunning. One minute you’re in class, the next you’re wandering around La Sagrada Família or chilling in Park Güell. The food was out of this world – paella, tapas, you name it, I’m still dreaming about it. I even took some Spanish classes offered by the same school, which turned out to be super useful when I ended up in Costa Rica later on.
Off to Vietnam!
Funny story—after the course, Mia (yes, one of the American girls I met during TEFL!!) got a job offer to teach in Vietnam, and it turns out the school was looking for two teachers. She told me about it, and next thing I knew, we were both on a plane to Ho Chi Minh City! It all fell into place so perfectly, and I couldn’t have asked for a better first teaching gig.
Man, Vietnam was something else! Ho Chi Minh City is this wild, crazy place where scooters are everywhere, the food is incredible, and the energy is off the charts. The TEFL course really set me up for success, especially the teaching practice – being thrown in with actual students during the course gave me the confidence to handle my own classes.
The students in Vietnam were awesome, super friendly and keen to learn, and it was so rewarding watching them improve.
Living in Vietnam wasn’t all work though. I spent my weekends exploring, trying the best pho I’ve ever tasted, and hitting up spots like Ha Long Bay and the Mekong Delta. One time, I got completely lost on a scooter ride, ended up at this random village, and was treated like royalty just because I was a teacher. Good times!
Vietnam was great, but my main focus has always been teaching in a Spanish-speaking country. I wanted to really improve my Spanish and, honestly, I’ve had an obsession with Latin music for as long as I can remember.
After two academic years in Vietnam, I knew it was time for a new adventure. I needed to find a place that combined my love for teaching with my passion for the Spanish language and culture.
Costa Rica: The Pura Vida Life
After finishing up in Vietnam, I spent about two months looking for jobs online, sending out 20 to 30 CVs and going through several interviews. Finally, I landed a solid offer at a language school in Costa Rica. The position was initially for six months, so I packed up and spent a few weeks in Germany before heading out.
When I arrived in Costa Rica, I instantly fell in love with the place. The “pura vida” vibe was everywhere – the people were friendly, stunning nature, and the lifestyle was so relaxed.
I was teaching advanced English classes for adults, doing about six hours a day, five days a week. The lessons were super dynamic, focusing on conversation, discussions, and real-life scenarios. The school provided great, engaging material, which made it easier to keep the students motivated.
But to make things more fun, I’d often add my own twist, like getting them to teach me salsa during class (in English, of course!).
The students were awesome, and many of them became friends. After class, we’d hang out – whether it was going out for food, grabbing drinks, or hitting the dance floor, it was always a good time. Teaching in Costa Rica was a blast, and the experience turned out to be so rewarding that my six-month contract ended up extending – I stayed for three semesters in total.
But Costa Rica wasn’t just great for work. On one of those nights out with my adult students, I met a lady from Colombia who would later become my wife. So yeah, Costa Rica changed my life in more ways than one.
Back to Germany
After my relationship with my now-wife started getting serious, we started talking about the next step.
Thankfully, she was really open to moving, so we decided to head to Germany, where I could be closer to home. My experience teaching abroad really helped me stand out, and I was able to get a job as an academic coordinator in Heidelberg, a small and lovely city in Germany.
Now, I work about 30 hours a week at a local school, and my wife found a job as a customer service assistant, helping Spanish-speaking clients. At home, we mix things up by speaking both English and Spanish, which keeps things fun.
Looking back, taking that TEFL course changed everything for me—both professionally and personally. It set me on a path I never expected, but I wouldn’t change a thing.
Thank you Erwin from TEFL Barcelona for the help and invitation to write this article.
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