Questions about TEFL Training

Are you thinking about taking a TEFL training course? Are you a recent TEFL graduate? Please participate in this Q and A. There’s a treat at the end!

At the 2010 Boston TESOL conference I met a number of administrators and teacher trainers working at TEFL Training institutes. Many were walking through the exhibition hall looking for resources to pass on to students. This got me thinking about my own TEFL training program. It has been a long time since I did my schooling in Vancouver, Canada. To work in a private English school in Canada I was required to have a degree from a university, a TESL certificate, and a certain amount of practicum hours (observing and assisting a teacher in the classroom). The requirements are different in every country and school. These change regularly, and it is difficult to stay on top of them. Some people want to teach English abroad AND at home. Others want to teach online. Teachers need to get used to going back to school!

EnglishClub.com is a stopping ground for those considering a career in teaching English. It is also a place where new teachers often come to find materials and ideas for class. Perhaps you have some of the same questions as other EnglishClub members and visitors. Maybe you also have some answers. If you are considering TEFL Training, or have recently graduated, please take a moment to answer a few of the questions below. In your comment, please indicate the question # you are answering. Don’t forget to tell us which country you are from and where you teach or where you hope to begin your career.

Questions for those considering TEFL Training

1. What is your main reason for wanting to become a certified teacher of English?
2. Which options are you considering for certification?
3. What are the general requirements for English teachers in your country?
4. Have you considered online training courses?
5. How many hours of observed teaching do you think new teachers should have?
6. Can native English speakers get jobs teaching English without certification in your country?
7. How much money can English teachers expect to make in your country?
8. Do you think non-native English speakers require different training than native English speakers?
9. What do you hope to learn at a TEFL Training centre?
10. Which resources are you using to explore TEFL training courses?

Questions for TEFL Training Graduates

11. Which TEFL Training school did you attend?
12. When you graduated did you feel ready to teach English?
13. What type of practicum training did you receive?
14. Have you found a job teaching English?
15. How was your first week on the job?
16. Do you recommend the school you attended? (please share the location)
17. Do you recommend the certificate program you chose?
18. What is the most important thing you learned in your TEFL training class?
19. Did your trainers offer you suggestions for finding supplementary materials?
20. How did you decide on a TEFL training school or certificate?

A Tip for New TEFL Graduates
Twitter was not available when I began teaching English. I know that having a strong network of international English teachers outside of my own staff room would have been a great way for me to continue my professional development. Here are 25 TEFL Tweeters new English teachers can rely on. These are veteran educational tweeters who are likely to be tweeting for many years to come. Their tweets will lead to many important resources, teaching tips, and friendships.

@TEFL
@englishclub
@kalinagoenglish
@shellterrell
@larryferlazzo
@barbsaka
@NergizK
@TeacherMelanie
@Marisa_C
@kenwilsonlondon
@rliberni
@grammargirl
@cybraryman1
@CallieWallie1
@ESLLibrary
@englishraven
@web20classroom
@tomwhitby
@Amandalanguage
@evab2001
@judiehaynes
@cgoodey
@hollysuel
@burcuakyol

More Treats for TEFL Wannabes and Newbies
TEFL FAQ
TEFL Glossary