Many of the teachers at British study centres started teaching English in different countries. Many have chosen such warm climates as Spain, Italy, Brazil and Argentina to first become an English teacher. Afterwards quite a few come back home and teach in the UK. Ray Goodspeed, a teacher at the English school In London, chose Russia!

1) What was it like teaching English in Russia? Cold enough for you? I suppose England must seem like a tropical climate by comparison?

Ah -- but what people don’t realise is that the summer temperatures in Moscow are between 25 and 35 degrees, and it stays light until 10.30! Russia is a country of extremes -- minus 20 in winter and plus 30 in summer and you have two completely different ways of life each year. Of course, there is also no rain in winter -- just snow! Britain is a bit boring after that -- either cold and wet or warm and wet.

I loved teaching in Russia, but it is a bit like Marmite. You either understand the Russian, national character, the ’soul,’ or you don’t. Luckily, I do and discovered how warm and friendly and hospitable Russians can be.

2) We always ask the teachers, what’s the funniest moment that happened in class? How about yours?

That’s difficult because there are so many funny moments in teaching. It’s my favourite part of the job. It’s also difficult to answer, as some of the funniest are too rude to repeat!!

I did have a student who came back from a hunting trip to Siberia and offered me an arm of a bear to take home and eat! Refusing gifts is almost socially impossible in Russia but I am afraid I couldn’t accept on that occasion.

3) Have you got any quick tips and fixes for learning English? Any good advice?

There are no easy answers -- just hard work, but it is important to read as much as you can, especially adapted novels. You can get them with CDs too and you should always read easier ones that you can enjoy without working too hard.. My passion is BBC Radio 4 (95-3 FM or via bbc.co.uk). I always recommend students to listen for a few minutes each day. It is talk radio and marvellous listening practice.

4) What’s the best way to maximize your time at British Study Centres?

Speak English! If you want to learn to swim then jump in the water! You have the rest of your life to speak your own language, but only a few weeks or months to speak English all day. Make use of the opportunity or you will regret it. When I was in Moscow I made myself speak to any Russians I could find and avoided English speakers. Don’t be shy -- just do it. You might also find out that English people are nicer than you think!