A few years ago I did a TESL (Teach English as a Second Language) course. I am constantly fascinated by and am a big fan of the English language and would love to someday teach those looking to master it.
The course I did was an online course. The students are to submit their essays or projects via email as opposed to sitting in a classroom taking a test. While I know it is possible to “cheat” on these types of courses, I didn’t. I wanted to learn.
When I completed the course, I was over the moon. I left high school and never attended college or university or went on to any further education, something which, while I know it is never too late to begin, I wish I had done in my late teens/early 20’s, when I could afford it and when I was more eager to learn.
My friends and family were wonderfully pleased for me, but my partner kept saying things like “You know it’s not a REAL course, right? It’s a silly little online course” and being incredibly unsupportive. I suppose he thinks I am naïve. Either way it hurt me deeply. I spoke to him about it and he claimed to be just giving me a reality check so I don’t get my hopes up.
My question is, how do you deal with these situations when it comes to those close to you? Do you “reality check” them, or support them wholeheartedly?