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Barcelona

Vivienne Lingard

I was finding it difficult to find work in my teaching field (art) and realising the New Zealand classrooms were becoming increasingly multi-cultural decided to add a CELTA to my qualifications. I should add here, that this followed 16 very enjoyable months teaching English in Japan and built on my desire to teach English as well as art to cultures different from my own.

My life has been varied to say the least since returning from Spain. I put out my resume to several language schools in Auckland and quickly acquired a position teaching at Upper Intermediate level. Unfortunately, New Zealand suffered a severe downturn in the number of international students coming in to the country, triggered by the SARS virus and changing immigration laws. Many schools closed, with my school among them. I lost my job in January 2004.Since then I have returned to private art practice and have been illustrating children's books. Both books published this year have featured different ethnicities other than my own, which is that of Pakeha (a white New Zealander). Alongside this work I have been doing relief teaching at a local language school and high school, while keeping my eye out for permanent teaching positions.