My Rewarding Teaching Autobiography

I am Victor Hugo Rojas, associate professor of TEFL. I have over 25 years of experience as a foreign language teacher educator. I've taught at schools, pedagogical institutes, language centres, and universities in Lima, Peru. Since then, I've been reflecting on how to work with teenagers and adults, as well as the importance of patience, understanding, and consistency.

In addition to teaching students, I have spent time teaching teachers how to create, utilise, and integrate teaching methodology and strategies in their classrooms. The highlight of my staff development involvement came when I joined a group of English teachers at the ESS Project, which has been supported by the MED and the British Council since 1991. I was trained to be an English teacher trainer, attending intensive TEFL workshops. In 1993, I started training in-service state school English teachers in Cusco. It was one of the most challenging experiences I have ever had. Up to now, I have continued training ETs and have mainly been speaking at conferences, congresses, and workshops around Perú and abroad.

Over the years, I have developed some teaching material and anthologies. As a course developer, I have applied my extensive knowledge of ICT and distance/blended learning to build courses using a range of e-learning tools.

Some "life outside of teaching" facts about me... I've been married to Rosa Angelica for 24 years now. She's exceptionally talented and currently pursues her favourite hobbies, decorating and gardening. We have only one son: Antonio, 21, scholar, guitarist, varsity soccer player, Sprachdiplom II in German, and currently a junior attending UPC, majoring in Music Production and Engineering. Also, we have a dog: Uriel.

I have been involved in education services all my life, so I have travelled throughout Peru and to several countries abroad, touring and sightseeing the most wonderful cities and towns I have ever seen. I like all kinds of food, primarily Peruvian, Italian, Mexican, and typical Chinese food. I enjoy classical music and 80s classic rock. Besides, I like the cinema, especially comedies. Besides, I started getting grey hair when my son finished school, and I spent most of my time trying to keep up with my family.