Should
I get some English Teaching Training before I go to
Korea?
Will training in
Teaching English help?
Advertisements for
ESL jobs used to say that you just
needed to "come on over and have a conversation with your
class." That was true, maybe, ten years ago. And in
some places you can still get away with doing a poor job
of teaching. But, more and more, schools are actually
expecting teachers to provide a lesson plan and/or to
demonstrate at least some skill in the
classroom.
It's only fair, isn't it?
Korean ESL
students pay, what for them,
is a large amount of money to be in the classroom with
you. Wouldn't it be fair of them to expect that you have some
skills? To expect that you might have some notion of
the best way to teach them English? That you have at
least a rudimentary knowledge of grammar and how to
explain it to them?
It's Not Rocket Science
Okay, teaching English as a foreign language is not
rocket science. Really, it's not that tough. But,
organizing your thoughts and abilities in a way to
benefit your classes - to help your students learn -
DOES require some skill that training provides.
What kind of training?
Any
kind of training is better than no training. You can
find some free training as a volunteer from
organizations like
Literacy Volunteers of America. There are online
courses that are inexpensive. All of them will provide
you with some beginnings of the knowledge and skill you
need to do a decent job.
The ideal training is one
where you will teach practice classes with a
teacher-trainer observing you and giving you feedback
after each class. Preferably six hours or more, so you
have enough practice and time to begin professionalize your
skills - and to have a chance to become at least a
semi-skilled teacher. Will you become a seasoned "pro"
with such a class? No, but you will have a good idea of
what needs to be done and how to continue to improve.
What kind of training do employers look for?
Sadly, some employers have no
expectations that you have any training at all - yet
wonder why their students don't sign up for the NEXT
class. Other employers may have some very specific ideas about what training
they would like you to have had.
You won't be able to
please everyone in every country, but with a good TEFL
training course you will have what 95% of employers are
more than satisfied with. And, enough training to feel like
you are doing a good job and have some real satisfaction
about the work you are doing. It's a great feeling!
Getting a little
training FIRST also says, I'm serious about this,
it's not just a lark. AND it puts you in front most
of your competitors in Korea for the job you want most.
How
do I find the best ESL Training course for me?
I
wrote my ideas about
How to Choose a TEFL Certification Program on
another website after working a few years as a
teacher-trainer in one of those programs - and that page
can help you find the program that works best for you.
And help you know what kind of questions to ask to find
a good program.
Do yourself, and your students, a
favor and develop a few skills. You might find that you
love the profession as much as I do - and end up
spending the rest of your life overseas teaching, seeing
the world, and frankly - just having a ball!
On-Line Training versus Full-Blown TEFL Courses
As
mentioned above, any training is better than no
training. If you don't have the time or money to do a
full course, or if you just want to experiment and see
if it might interest you, consider a an online course.
They are a good introduction to teaching and can tide
you over until you get into a full program with observed
teaching practice.
No
free time and no money? Try
TEFL Boot Camp. I wrote it - it's as good as it
gets online - and it really is free.
|
"Twenty
years from now you will be more disappointed
by the things that you didn't do than by the
ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines.
Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the
trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream.
Discover." -- Mark Twain |
|
Raise your hand if you'd like to spend your "working"
time in a Luxury Resort . . . 
