A 36-year-old California man turned a short teaching stint in Mallorca, Spain into a successful new life, despite initially struggling with the language. Ted Purdom, who struggled with foreign languages ​​at school, moved to the Balearic Islands in 2011 for a nine-month program to teach English. He planned to return to the US after the contract was over. However, what started as a short stay in Mallorca turned into a life-changing journey, both personally and professionally.

Mr. Purdom, who is from San Anselmo, California, has always struggled with Spanish. “Foreign languages ​​have always been my hardest subject,” he told CNN. “I failed second-year Spanish twice and passed it by the skin of my teeth the third time.”

Nevertheless, a college exchange program in Spain brought her to the Balearic Islands in 2009, where she spent three months immersed in Spanish culture. That initial visit left a mark, and a desire to return to Spain led him to apply for a program that placed American “language coaches” in Spanish schools.

I had no teaching experience when I got there, Mr Purdom admitted. But what started as a temporary gig grew into a full-time opportunity. “I decided to stay because there weren’t many job opportunities in the US in 2013, so I thought another year wouldn’t be such a bad idea,” he told CNN.

Over time, Mr. Purdom integrated into Mallorcan society, learning not only Spanish but also Mallorcan, the Catalan dialect spoken locally. His language skills improved, and he married a former student, Louisa, in 2017. According to CNN, they have a four-year-old daughter and are expecting their second child.

In 2017, Mr Purdom took a bold step, opening The Bridge English Academy in Manacor. “The business has grown, we have close to 200 students, starting at the age of seven and up to adults,” he explained. Her background, she believes, helps her help students who struggle with language learning, as she did before. To get students more excited about a subject that some might not find the most interesting, he said.

Mr Purdom plans to expand his academy and has recently purchased office space next door. He also plans to increase the number of courses and admit more students.

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