Local student wins placement at Tokyo University

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Olchfa School pupil and Swansea University graduate Jay Jones has successfully been awarded an internship with a Tokyo University.

Jay, who currently lives in Sketty and is 24 years old, took his A levels at Olchfa School then went on to read History at Swansea University, graduating in 2013.

Jay developed the desire to work abroad after volunteering to teach children in Phnom Penh, Cambodia and Bogor, Indonesia during 2015. Jay then took the Swansea University Cambridge English CELTA (Certificate in English Language Teaching to Adults) course during January – March 2016, obtaining a very good PASS B grade.

Jay will be setting off for Tokyo in September and spending just over three months at the Toyo Gakuen University (TGU).

Jay Jones

 Speaking about his placement Jay said:

“ I am really looking forward to working with staff and students at TGU helping them with their English language development. My role at the University will be to assist with the internationalisation of the campus, to provide an outlet for students to practice their spoken English, to run English conversational classes, and to assist teachers and lecturers by giving presentations and speeches about life in the UK.

“ If I get the opportunity I’ll also speak about Wales and its beautiful countryside and beaches and the warm welcome they would get if they ever have the chance to come to visit. I won’t be attempting to teach them any Welsh – the English language can be difficult enough without attempting to get them to pronounce Welsh place names and phrases !   

“ I will be returning to Swansea after Christmas to catch up with my family before setting off in Spring to experience and learn about the different cultures in Europe. I hope to go back to work for Select English at their summer school in Tudor Hall, Oxfordshire next summer before finally securing a year-long teaching job abroad.”   

Peter Neville, who manages Teacher Training in ELTS, commented; “ It is gratifying to see Jay’s success in obtaining this placement. Like so many of our CELTA trainees Jay has gained a life-changing qualification that lets him make a real difference to his own prospects and the chance to work positively in an international environment.

For more information about the English Language Training Services (ELTS) which is celebrating its 10th anniversary this year ‌go to http://www.swansea.ac.uk/elts/