The Optimus blog

The blog that inspires leaders in the UK education sector

The Optimus blog

The blog that inspires leaders in the UK education sector

Alex Cuetos

Alex Cuetos teaches English at an experimental kindergarten in Foshan, China. He prepares pupils not only for primary school but also for later life. 

Latest blog posts

Alex Cuetos

Do new teachers set their expectations too high?

In my experience of working with new graduates from other countries, even a six-hour working day can apparently be 'too much'. Is this a generational gripe, or something more systemic? One of the worst things about working in China is being so far away from home. Seeing so many people come and go,...
Read more...
Alex Cuetos

Native speaker, better teacher? Not always!

Demand for teachers has made China a popular working destination. As I’ve found, it’s also a destination for unqualified and unmotivated ‘teachers’ looking to make easy money. As a Spaniard teaching English in China, I’m living proof of the fact that teachers are becoming increasingly hard to come...
Read more...
Alex Cuetos

No talking at the back! Open classes and parental engagement

Calls for positive engagement can often fall on deaf ears, but teachers must endeavour to create a positive relationship with parents if they hope to improve pupil outcomes. I teach English at an experimental kindergarten in Foshan, China. I prepare my pupils not only for primary school, but also...
Read more...