Comments for TEFL Teacher Training

Comment on Trained Teachers Maximize Student Talking Time by Abdulfattah

Abdulfattah — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 06:43:41 +0000

thank you guys! those tips are just wonderfull.
actually, I was looking for an answer to this “epidemic” in the classroom, and you kindly did offer a great solution. I’m very thankful for the lessons you keep sending me. thanks alot!
ps. I am a newbie teacher. I’ve just graduated from English literature and done my trainig course. for me this is like an extra training course that I wouldn’t even dream of. Thanx

Comment on What’s Wrong with CELTA and Most TEFL Certifications? by Rachael

Rachael — Thu, 29 Dec 2011 19:07:32 +0000

Hi Ted! Great post!
I absolutely agree with you. It is not very long ago when I was still a student, and teachers who inspires their students the most are those who are able to understand what their students like, want, or need.

Comment on Should you Get a TEFL, TESOL or TESL Certification? Which is Best? by Ted

Ted — Sun, 04 Dec 2011 07:39:09 +0000

Hi John,
PPP and ESA are methods of teaching English as a Foreign Language (EFL). Best place to learn more: Teaching Methods for EFL
I hope that helps!
Ted

Comment on Should you Get a TEFL, TESOL or TESL Certification? Which is Best? by John P. Dawson

John P. Dawson — Sat, 03 Dec 2011 17:51:22 +0000

I guess I am a “rookie”. What is PPP and ESA? Please advise, Thank you. John Dawson

Comment on Contact by Ted

Ted — Tue, 08 Nov 2011 03:40:57 +0000

Hello Roy, You might want to take a look at this post at our sister site - TEFL Newbie where we tend to over fewer ideas about training but more about the occupation itself. A relevant post there for you is this one: http://www.teflnewbie.com/experienced-and-qualified-teacher-wants-to-teach-english-abroad/ There are numerous posts on that site as well as this one with the "older" teacher in mind - and particularly how to overcome the issues of ageism. I hope that helps! Ted

Comment on Contact by Roy Bunnell

Roy Bunnell — Mon, 07 Nov 2011 20:42:58 +0000

Need info on teaching english. I am a newly retired teacher of 35 years HOw can I find work teaching in a foreign country

Comment on Teaching Writing can be a lot Easier than you Think by Parlin

Parlin — Tue, 25 Oct 2011 17:52:55 +0000

Thanks a lot for the tips and Intermediate Writing eBook. I think they’ll help to help my students develop their writing skills. I’ll return to see other postings of yours.

Comment on What’s Wrong with CELTA and Most TEFL Certifications? by Ted

Ted — Wed, 12 Oct 2011 12:00:01 +0000

Hi Seth,
Maybe functions lessons are finally catching on! I think all courses do teach more than one method, but most tend to have you doing your teaching practice in just one. It sounds like you took a better than average course. Thank you for your comment.
Ted

Comment on What’s Wrong with CELTA and Most TEFL Certifications? by Seth

Seth — Wed, 12 Oct 2011 11:09:13 +0000

I took a CELTA program in Vietnam this year. We talked quite a bit about functions and using them in lessons. Not every lesson was a grammar lesson. We also didn’t learn just one methodology. Anyway, I agree with your tip, and think my CELTA tutors would agree as well.

Comment on TEFL Training: What are the Accepted Standards? by wandering educators

wandering educators — Tue, 20 Sep 2011 14:37:55 +0000

what a great resource this is – thank you!

Comment on Scams to Watch for: Teaching English Abroad by Ted

Ted — Fri, 16 Sep 2011 12:00:03 +0000

Hello Keith, Agism is a problem in TEFL, but by the time you hit 50+ you already know that there is a way around almost every problem. Following are two links to blog articles that will help you think about solving the agism problem for you. Perhaps not perfect solutions, but solutions that do work. Try these: http://www.teflnewbie.com/tefl-for-older-folks-advice-for-the-job-search/ and http://www.teflnewbie.com/using-current-skills-to-teach-english/ I hope that helps! Ted

Comment on Scams to Watch for: Teaching English Abroad by Keith Howell

Keith Howell — Fri, 16 Sep 2011 11:30:39 +0000

I continue to be somewhat amazed at how important “the paper” is. I am whining about my experience, which seems to be largely discounted when it comes to a TEFL position. I am a TEFL Newbie (March, this year), but that certificate is backed by 20-years of broadcast journalism, three semesters teaching a credit course at university — by invitation of the University, my curriculum — , two years as architect and instructor of a broadcast news class at a provincial trade school, and international work in Africa and Europe.
I mean, I know the language, have an excellent vocabulary, and have written articles for broadcast or print nearly my entire life.

I realize agism is rampant in other areas, but some of us “older” folk are in pretty good shape.
Keith, or
Still disgusted and looking

Comment on Jobs Market for Teaching English: Is it too Good to be True? by TJ Taylor

TJ Taylor — Sat, 10 Sep 2011 11:43:27 +0000

There’s also something similar in the south of Europe at the moment. After the financial crisis there have been some changes, and corporate teaching has definitely been affected. However, the slack has been more than picked up – at least in Italy, where I’m based – by bilingual kindergartens that are springing up and the plans (though sometimes only plans) to increase the amount of English language teaching in state schools.
Although it’s always a good idea to keep an eye out for job offers or salaries that are too different from the other advertisements, in many parts of the world the EFL job market is alive and well. Job seekers just need some flexibility in terms of the type of student they can teach.

Comment on Contact by Ted

Ted — Wed, 03 Aug 2011 03:46:20 +0000

Hi Jim,
Some courses are more practical and down to earth and deliver the skills you need, rather than just the philosophy . . . My bias? TEFL Boot Camp. I wrote it after doing teacher training for many years with the hope of bringing it down to earth and teaching the skills needed to be a decent teacher. Take a look at it, 100% money back guarantee (with a smile) if you decide it is not for you. More bias = I am the Academic Director.
I hope that helps!
Ted

Comment on Contact by Amin

Amin — Fri, 29 Jul 2011 09:13:37 +0000

Dear Ted

When I was reading your profile a few weeks ago, I thought to myself “this is the kind of person one can go to with a serious question.” Incidentally, there is one such question that I should like to pose to you.

About a year ago, I took the highly-regarded Cambridge CELTA which turned out as rewarding as it was cultivating. However, I have come to realise that I am in desperate need of learning to plan functions lessons because what was offered on the course was minimal at best.

I can choose target language well and I can certainly clarify items, introduce topics, prolong a section, and conclude it smoothly.

My problem is in two areas:

1. How to clearly and quickly set up the functions task
and
2. How to manipulate students into producing the exact target language without resorting to audiolingual approach.

Please advise a plan sequence or recommend a book (or both) because my whole confidence is kind of hanging by a thread.