Janine Fanning is an English and Drama teacher that has taught in London over the past 5 years. Welcome to the hotseat !

1. What inspired you to be a teacher ?
I always wanted to be a teacher, since I was a little child. I even used to play schools with my dolls and bears and do the register.

2. What are the best things about teaching in London ?
The variety of experiences, meeting new teachers and talking with the students about life here and in Australia.

3. A few of the worst please ?
Starting and finishing the school day in the dark during winter.

4. What are the main differences between British and Aussie Kids ?
A main difference I have found between British and Aussie Kids is that kids in Australia tend to be find student centered, independent work easier, whereas, British students tend to find group work and class discussions easier.

5. Are there any major differences in the curriculums ?
The Australian Curriculum, even though still very versatile, seems a lot more restrictive, especially for the younger years. This could be due to individual schools

6. Any plans to teach outside of the UK or go back to Australia ?
The long term plan is that my husband and I will go back to Australia, eventually, however there is still so much to see and do that we do not have a definite date for that yet. We are keeping our options open at the moment for what ever may come along.

Biking

7. I know your a keen a biker, tell us more…
Well it all started when I lived over here the first time. I was living with my cousin and her boyfriend and they were extremely into bikes, as was a good friend of mine. We would be out for the weekend, camping or going to bike shows or hanging around the ACE cafe in North London. It was great, only problem was I was refined to the car. So I decided that I wanted to get in on the action, before leaving here to go back to Australia I got my Learners licence on a scooter. When I got home I went and got my licence in Australia and convinced some of the girls they should do it too. It was a lot of fun and a good way to spend the weekend.

8. Do you own a bike and what type ?
I do own a bike, unfortunately its in Australia at the minute. Its a Kawasaki GPX250. My dad it riding it while I’m over here. But I am working on getting a bike here, I have the licence, the helmet and all the kit, just need the bike, but it will come!!! Then I’ll probably have to share it with the husband.

9. Have to done any major trips on the bike?
Back home we used to take the bikes out, on a Saturday if I was playing soccer on the Sunday otherwise the Sunday. A major trip for us was one or two hours out of Sydney, stopping for lunch then home again. These were always great fun.

10. What other sports do you enjoy ?
I was watching a fair bit of the Rugby World Cup, but who wasn’t really? I have played and enjoy watching the soccer (sorry football). I also like the Irish Hurling, but I’m still not sure of the rules.

Living in London

1. Perfect way to spend a Sunday afternoon ?
Starts with a phone call home, then exploring somewhere or something new, somewhere we haven’t been before or trying something for the first time.

2. What’s your favourite pub ?
The White Swan and Cuckoo and the Captain Kid, two pubs in Wapping, they used to be the locals, but we still venture over that way.

3. Favourite restaurant ?
Has to be Nandos – those Portobello Mushrooms and Hollumi Cheese delicious

4. Favourite place ?
At the moment, my favourite place in London would have to be Camden. The markets, the food, the people…what’s not to like.

5. Any plans for the rest of the year…
There are a couple of places that we would like to go see and try, like Little Venice or seeing plays in the West End or out for some Jazz. Lots of little things but nothing major for the end of the year.

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