Chris Thompson

Where are you from?

I’m from Dublin, Ireland

How long have you been in Mexico?

I’ve been living here since 2010. I lived in León, Guanajuato for 3 years, and I have been living in Querétaro since 2013. And I was only supposed to be here for a year!

How long have you been teaching English?

I’ve been teaching since 2010.

How long have you been with UE?

I started with United English in 2013, when I moved to Querétaro. I worked as a part-time teacher initially for three years, before coming on full-time in the position of Director of Studies in 2016, and later as the Executive Director.

Have you taught anywhere else?

I taught both adults and children in another language school in León, Guanajuato. I also taught for 3 years in a high school in Juriquilla.

What do you like about teaching at United English?

I love the fact that you get to meet a variety of people, both students and teachers, with a range of different backgrounds and personalities. I love that we can help such a large number of people with their learning needs, but also that we have the opportunity to learn from them. The fact that it is a professional institution that has allowed me to grow as a teacher over the years. Finally, I enjoy the opportunity to get to know other teachers from different English-speaking countries.

What advice can you offer to language learners?

Remember that learning a language is a marathon, not a sprint. It takes time, and you are going to make mistakes. But keep at it, keep practicing. Try to take advantage of every opportunity you can get to interact with the English language, whether it be talking to your teacher in class, giving a presentation in work, or watching a movie. The more you interact with the language, both inside and outside of class, the quicker you will start to see your skills develop. Learning a foreign language has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my life, and it has enabled me to live and work in Mexico for the past eight years. People often say that learning a new language opens doors for you, and it can sound like a bit of a cliché, but it really is true.