Striking Reasons to Obtain a TEFL Training
I recently discovered that in countries where English is not the natively spoken language, there is a great demand for learning the English language. Thinking about this fact, and remembering my many friends from high-school and university whose native languages are not English and who consequently took many ESL classes to improve their English, I began thinking about the possibility of becoming an ESL/ EFL teacher. Having been a teacher in the past, this strengthened my belief in myself that this is something that I could do. So I began looking into the possibility a little more.
This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Ashley V. Please note that this blog post might not necessarily represent the beliefs or opinions of ITTT.
Personal experience of finding a course
I discovered that dozens of companies exist and many of these companies have gone through great lengths to develop special teaching programs to facilitate the teaching of this language to individuals from non-English speaking countries. These companies will then either extend invitations to native speakers of English to travel abroad to teach the language overseas or, via online teaching platforms, hire a native speaker of English to conduct classes from the comfort of his/her own home, with students from other parts of the world over the internet.
However, becoming such a teacher is not as simple as it seems. There are requirements to be met. Many of these programs ask for individuals to have a bachelor's degree, prior teaching experience is a plus, and in particular, a lot of emphasis is placed on having a TEFL qualification.
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So what is a TEFL qualification?
TEFL stands for Teaching English as a Foreign Language. In my case, I followed a 20 module long qualification that covers the most important aspects of English grammar that you need to know to be an EFL teacher to foreign students. The modules cover tenses, parts of speech, conditionals, and reported speech and pronunciation and phonology to name a few grammatical topics. The modules also cover important aspects of being a teacher such as a classroom management, lesson planning, and teaching methodology.
Why is TEFL so important?
Being a native speaker of the English language does not mean that an individual is aware of the many grammatical rules that comprise the language. Taking the TEFL allows the native speaker to be reintroduced to the rules of grammar allowing them to be equipped and therefore qualified to impart the rules onto learning individuals. The TEFL simultaneously covers common problems that students often encounter when learning English grammar. Understanding these problems greatly empowers the teacher to correct them when they are made. TEFL degrees also help the native speaker to be aware of quirks or seeming irregularities that would normally go unnoticed by the student in everyday conversation.
Since the TEFL also imparts knowledge on how to be a teacher, taking the TEFL allows individuals with limited teaching experience the opportunity to become EFL teachers. The TEFL teaches a unique methodology for conducting classes, and also equips the teacher to conduct classes individually or in groups of varying sizes in an organized, entertaining, and engaging efficient way.
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TEFL certification adds legitimacy to the teacher's qualifications.
A diploma, certificate, or degree in TEFL rewards the teacher with a sense of empowerment and legitimacy. They demonstrate that the recipient has achieved a certain level of proficiency in using and teaching the target language.
Many accept that language reveals culture.
Cultural differences often reveal themselves through language usage. A course in TEFL should help to heighten the importance of recognizing cultural differences.
As a native speaker of English, the TEFL has not only reawakened my knowledge of the grammatical composition of my language, but it has also inspired me to learn the grammatical compositions of other languages of my interest, to potentially become fluent in those languages, and to appreciate the different and varied cultures associated with them.
Do you want to teach English abroad? Take a TEFL course!
If teaching English as a foreign language to persons across the globe is something that appeals to you, then taking the TEFL greatly increases your chances of becoming an EFL teacher. As an EFL teacher, you will become closely acquainted with your students and their families, building relationships that will serve you well in the future.
Apply now & get certified to teach english abroad!
Speak with an ITTT advisor today to put together your personal plan for teaching English abroad!
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