4 Impressive Benefits of Getting a TEFL Certification
To say that an English Teacher should complete a TEFL course is an understatement, an English Teacher must complete a TEFL course and obtain a TEFL certificate. I say this as an English teacher who has five years of experience and has taught in three countries in Europe. From a professional point of view and also from a financial point of view a TEFL certificate is a huge advantage. As I discovered during my research on TEFL certificates, Teachers who hold a TEFL certificate are well sought after and the job opportunities are endless. What is amazing is that the TEFL certificate opens possibilities to an English teacher to teach all over the world. Getting a TEFL certificate is tantamount to opening a gold mine of job opportunities and possibilities for English teachers. Not only does a TEFL certificate open job opportunities to English teachers, but it also increases a teacher's pay scale, most jobs which require TEFL certification offer competitive salaries and lucrative perks. So having A TEFL certificate assures one of the vast opportunities and competitive pay rates.
This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Ngonidzashe M. Please note that this blog post might not necessarily represent the beliefs or opinions of ITTT.
1. Stand Out
Besides the job opportunities and good salaries, a TEFL certificate also boosts a teacher profile and sets him apart from other English teachers. A TEFL certificate is the icing on the cake to a teacher's resume. Employers around the world look favorably upon teachers with TEFL training because of the confidence most employers and English schools have in the quality and ability of a TEFL trained teacher. With a TEFL certificate you are not only seen as an English speaker but a professional teacher capable of teaching at the highest level and fully equipped to work with students of various backgrounds and different levels.
Also Read: What is it like teaching English in Saudi Arabia?
2. Teaching Approach
I had been teaching English classes before completing my TEFL course but after the completion of my TEFL course, I can say that my approach to teaching English has changed. The course has given me clarity on several issues I didn't have clarity on before. The TEFL course unpacks English grammar in a simple but effective language which makes the course enjoyable and eye-opening, this is something I seek to copy in my teaching profession, being able to teach in a simple yet understandable language which benefits the students. The course prepares the teacher to be student-centered and not to show how much he knows the English language. Tips such a Student Talk Time are markers that I have started using in my classes to make sure I involve my students as much as possible in the lessons. The course also provided me with valuable dos and don'ts when teaching different ages and different English groups. These tips are very effective when applied to a class and in a classroom setting.
3. Relationship Building
After taking the TEFL course I strive to build rapport with my students, I am better prepared for the lesson and I incorporate games and activities into the learning process and the impact it has had on my students is tremendously positive hence I concluded that a TEFL course is a must for teachers of English. What I found most useful about the course was the ESA methodology and the topic of lesson planning. Most times I would go into the classroom without a lesson plan but after this course, I started to see the real value a lesson plan gives to a teacher. The TEFL course gives detailed examples of lesson plans and how to make them, it also provides practical examples of what an ESA lesson looks like. This was a groundbreaking moment for me as it helped me plan and conduct lessons which were more focused, well structured, and well organized.
Also Read: "Challenges for Learners from Rwanda in English"
4. Practical Skills
TEFL courses are an essential and well-detailed guidebook to English teaching. The practical examples were given during the course and also some ideas about activities which can be conducted with students during the lesson are very useful. The examples and tips given in the course can be effectively applied in the class by a teacher who has taken the course. This is very good as a teacher can import the material and tips given in the course and tailor it to the needs of his class or students. After taking the TEFL course as a teacher I am more self-aware of what my role is in the classroom and how to fulfill that role. The course also provided me with the tools which are necessary to fulfill that role.
Do you want to teach English abroad or online? Take a TEFL course!
In conclusion, I will state that it is worth the effort, time, and money to take a TEFL course. As a teacher, I feel empowered after taking this short course and it has greatly enhanced my knowledge, skills, and job prospects. A TEFL course is a must for English teachers.
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