NEXT time the train is running late to take you to work on a cold November morning, think of 23-year-old Diana Grusauskiate, who has travelled 1,262 miles from her native Vilnius to teach at a Longfield primary school.

Lithuanian, Miss Grusauskiate is one of 150 teachers who come from as far as South Africa and the Caribbean to teach children in Kent.

Dartford and Gravesend has taken on a 13-strong contingent of foreigners.

Dartford has three Australians, two Lithuanians, a Canadian, a Namibian, a New Zealander and a Swede while Gravesend has taken on a Hungarian, an Australian and a South African.

The foreign teachers have been brought in because of the current national teacher shortage.

Diana and her colleague Aurlija Staniukyniene, 25, left the Baltic country to start at Langafel Primary School, in Main Road, Longfield, in September.

She had taught at a school in her native country for two years and was looking forward to a new experience.

She told the News Shopper: "I was slightly worried but since I arrived I have experienced nothing but friendliness.

"Everyone I have met, from the school, from the council, teachers and parents, have all made we feel very welcome."

In Lithuania, Miss Grusauskiate taught a variety of subjects, and is glad most of what she teaches Langafel children is similar.

She said: "One difference is at home we teach science, geography and history as one subject, but here they are all taught separately.

Miss Grusauskiate also admitted it was tough to teach an academic subject in a different language. She said: "It is difficult sometimes but I have learnt English for 13 years."

She has also enjoyed her time outside the classroom. She has made contact with eight other Lithuanian teachers and visited London.

The school's headteacher Jean Craig is delighted with her two eastern European imports.

She said: "All our new teachers have slotted in perfectly. They are hard-working and committed and their enthusiasm shines through in the classroom."

November 15, 2001 11:54