Alumni Recommendations on Obtaining a TEFL Course
Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL) as a course contains a variety of units that are meant to enable an English as a Second Language (ESL) teacher to be prepared for the classroom and everything that they may face. Some of the most important benefits of the course are the units on the three main components of lesson structure, lesson planning, possible problems in the classroom, grammar overviews and classroom management. Even if the TEFL is not a requirement, it is an invaluable resource meant to provide support to ESL teachers wherever they may teach.
This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Kyra H. Please note that this blog post might not necessarily represent the beliefs or opinions of ITTT.
ESA Methodology
One of the most helpful parts of the TEFL talks about the three elements of the Engage-Study-Activate methodology. This methodology is considered to be the most effective for new teachers, therefore the TEFL bases all of their lesson instruction around these three components. Each of the elements has a specific role to play and that is shown clearly throughout the lesson. The Engage phase is used to bring the energy of the students up and to prepare them for the learning that they will do that day. The TEFL gives great examples of different activities to do during this phase and why each one is important. During the Study phase, the main lesson is taught and the students are given opportunities to do tasks that help solidify the information in their mind. Finally, during the Activate phase, the students are allowed to apply what they learned through various speaking exercises or interacting with other students. The course explains why each phase is important and the multiple ways that the elements can be arranged to best suit the circumstance or lesson.
Also Read: Should I take a TEFL course online or in a classroom?
Grammar Review
Another reason why one should take the TEFL course is the overview of grammar concepts. For most native English speakers, not much thought is given to grammar on a day to day basis. Things learned in elementary school are second nature now and, if asked, the “why” of grammar could be difficult to explain. Through the TEFL the learner is allowed to review basic grammar concepts such as parts of speech, verb tenses, and active and passive voice. For each grammar concept, the course outlines how it’s formed, its use in a sentence, and the possible problems that could occur with students. For teachers who have never taught English, these particular lessons provide invaluable insight into how to teach what they already know to others.
Also Read: Teaching English In Taiwan - The Salary and Budget Guide
Preparing for Classes
Lesson planning can be one of the more difficult aspects of teaching ESL. While forming lesson plans may seem daunting, the reasons behind them make sense. The TEFL reminds the learner that having a lesson plan can make the entire process easier in the long run by providing a structure to fall back on and a record that can be referenced later. The course lays out what all should be included in a lesson plan and how it should be formatted. Sample lesson plans are included to give the learner a visual aid and an idea for the future. Along with lesson plans, the course also encourages and teaches how self-evaluations can aid the teacher in future lesson planning.
Do you want to teach English abroad? Take a TEFL course!
With something as daunting as teaching a new language, having the resource of a course specifically designed to help the teacher is not something that should be taken for granted. Through clear and concise lessons, the TEFL has helped countless teachers to prepare for ESL jobs around the world. The lessons help build confidence and challenge the learner to expand their ways of teaching thereby growing as an instructor. Regardless of where one may teach, having the education the TEFL provides already gives the teacher a head start towards success in the classroom.
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