Comments 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

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

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

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.

By: Ted

Ted — Fri, 17 Jun 2011 03:36:06 +0000

Hi Derek,
A generic ESP certificate really isn’t very helpful. Is there a specific ESP area that you want to specialize in?
Ted

By: Derek Mayes

Derek Mayes — Wed, 15 Jun 2011 04:59:57 +0000

Hello I am a qualified technical/scientific/engineering author at advanced level – I also have an approved TEFL
certificate. I am looking for an on-line course on Teaching English For Specific Purposes – can you help me please. Regards Derek

By: Ted

Ted — Thu, 10 Mar 2011 08:47:45 +0000

Hello Lisa,
For observed teaching practice at TEFL Boot Camp (TBC), what people usually do is find a place to do some volunteer teaching in their city and have someone observe their teaching. We don’t actually arrange it for you. You are not charged anything extra and the teaching practice will be noted on your certificate. TBC has an evaluation form that the observing teacher needs to fill out when observing you and they need to return it to us. If that all goes well (it usually does), your hours are noted on the front of your certificate.
For Australia, I don’t know where you might look. In the United States when I was starting out, I volunteered at a program that taught English to newly arrived immigrants. They were happy to have volunteers. If reasonably qualified, a fellow volunteer would be allowed to observe your classes. Either tutoring or classes are accepted.
I hope that at least partially answers your question.
Ted

By: Lisa

Lisa — Thu, 10 Mar 2011 03:48:51 +0000

I am retired and like to move to South America. I’d like to teach English and want to do a TESOL certificate. If I do it in TEFLbootcamp where can I do the classroom section? I live in Brisbane, Australia and the courses here (140 hrs) cost $900 “special offer”.

By: Ted

Ted — Wed, 09 Mar 2011 23:13:43 +0000

Hello Ed,
For an online TEFL course, http://www.TEFLbootCamp.com is as good as any and usually about half the price. For an in-classroom course, it is usually better to take it in the country where you intend to first teach, but I am not familiar with TEFL training schools in S. America. If you are an American citizen, getting working papers in Italy as an English teacher will be difficult to impossible. They would have to prove they can’t find a similar teacher from within the EU and the high unemployment rates in Ireland and the UK mean that those people are heading elsewhere looking for work. Thus, plenty of English teachers available without having to struggle with working visa and paperwork for you.
I hope that helps.
Ted

By: ED

ED — Wed, 09 Mar 2011 06:42:58 +0000

HELLO:
I am interested in teaching most likely in South America, I have not gotten my TEFL cert yet. What is the best online school our there. I want to take a 120 hr course. I am a teacher of music right now, I have never taught English. I am a native of the States. Is is possible to teach English in Italy, I know quite a bit of Italian, and want to know more.

Thanks

By: Ted

Ted — Mon, 17 Jan 2011 07:31:52 +0000

Hello Abdullah,
If you want to work on an American accent then an excellent program is here: http://www. americanaccent.com/ They are also excellent at just helping you improve your English. I am not sure how to answer your other questions about developing an alternative career. That would depend a lot on you, your skills and where you are currently located and what options are available there.
I hope that helps a bit.
Ted

By: Abdullah, Egypt

Abdullah, Egypt — Sat, 15 Jan 2011 18:52:42 +0000

Dear Ted,
Thank you really for this great blog, i could really find all the matters that were coming across my mind regarding the TEFL career. I’m still at the first steps of the career, i really managed to know a big deal about it via the internet but i have still few questions that need answers. First, how to develop a native American accent. Second, can i start any other career while putting TEFL in my mind and then starting it later because at the moment i have no experience in TEFL and i want to work on developing my English. I’m looking forward to your answers, thank you.

By: Ted

Ted — Thu, 25 Nov 2010 00:42:40 +0000

Hi Swerky,
Thank you for your good comments! You are an inspiration to others. As we all know, the only way to get that “dream” job or “dream” anything is to go get it. It is never handed to us without some sort of special effort. I think you are on the right path. Go get ‘em!
Ted

By: Swerky

Swerky — Wed, 24 Nov 2010 13:35:10 +0000

Dear Ted,

I have to say that I was truly having one of those gloomy days when I came across your blog. Again, my application for a teaching position abroad was declined and the reason is I’m non-native. It doesn’t matter now. I just know what to do, having read your “non-native teacher of English” post. In fact, I’m writing to you with a big cheesy smile on my face. Your words inspired me in many ways. I’m overwhelmed.

I’m (another) non-native teacher of English that have been hitting the brick wall set in the face of many talented non-native teachers for too long. Yes, I know I’m talented but I also know that talents are doomed to perish if not nourished.

I’d been teaching English for two years before I decided it was time to get some sort of professional training. I knew that teaching English was just the right thing to do, that I didn’t care to look back once at the four years I spent in college to get my Bachelor of Science or consider other career options. I was determined to develop my teaching skills, and so there I was on a five-hour flight to London to commence my first ever official teacher training. I have to admit that I was at first a litte scared. I thought I would not really compare to my native peers. I was so naive!

I believe I was one of the best trainees in my group. I have to admit though that my very first lessons were a bit out of shape but once I gathered my confidence up it was all smiles.

I was so good that my CELTA tutors nicknamed me the ‘king of grammar’ and would refer anyone who had trouble analysing a grammar point to me. I was so good that my students were literally shocked when I told them that I was not English. I always thought that I had a heavy accent but one of my tutors told me that it was as good as native.

I know things are not really going the way I planned it, but I’m still full of hope!

I understand that teaching English isn’t all about grammar or lexis or pron; a teacher needs to communicate the culture as well but that I believe is quite ‘learnable’ too, isn’t it?

I know one day I WILL find my dream job.

In the end, I would like to thank you for crossing my path today. You made a difference in my life today. Thank You.

Swerky

By: Ted

Ted — Thu, 11 Nov 2010 02:39:58 +0000

Hello Roger,
Asia – is a big place – and I am not aware of any one website or link that would have all the training schedules for all the schools throughout Asia. You might Google for a specific city or country and start from there.
Enjoy!
Ted