Tips for your TEFL study – how to get the most out of your course
This guide has a couple of hot tips for your TEFL study. It covers everything from basic revision tactics to where you can go to get extra pointers when working to become a qualified English teacher. Taken together, they should help you get the most out of your course…
Take it slow
We know there might be the temptation to rush the course so you can get it done and dusted and applying for those dream jobs in schools from Thailand to Argentina. Our advice? Don’t do that! TEFL programs of 120 hours or more are carefully balanced study programs. They offer an insight into the craft of teaching, technical training in grammar, knowledge about lesson planning, and a whole load more. Most students will complete their course in 3-6 weeks, which allows enough time for you to take in all the important info before you graduate.
Don’t be afraid to ask
Anyone who signs up to a myTEFL course isn’t just signing up to one of the world’s highest-rated TEFL programs. They’re also signing up to a course that offers consistent, professional support. Yep, you’ll be able to reach out to us 24/7 and expect an answer pretty quick, either by email, by instant messenger, or via one of our many social media channels. All students get assigned a dedicated tutor who’s there whenever needed, to answer queries about arcane grammar questions or just to troubleshoot tech problems – whatever you like!
Do extra reading
There’s no law that says your TEFL studies have to finish the moment you turn off the laptop in the evening. The truth is that TEFL is a lifelong study. The 120-hour course you’re taking to get started really is just that; a gateway into the world of second-language teaching. There’s all sorts to learn on top that’s sure to improve your skills as a tutor down the line. Just some of the ones that come to mind include TEFL Lesson Plans For Dummies and Lynne Truss’s comedic Eats, Shoots & Leaves: The Zero Tolerance Approach to Punctuation.
Start your school outreach early
Get this: You don’t have to wait until you’ve received that fancy PDF file of your completed TEFL certificate to start outreach to potential employers. No way. You can begin the due diligence on would-be schools to work at even while you’re completing the course. Okay, so they might not offer you a job – or even an interview – until you complete, but there’s no reason you shouldn’t start making a list of desired experience, candidate requirements, or even do some early research into the top TEFL destinations for you.
Be organized
To all those students who don’t mind wading through stacks and stacks of papers and notes while revising, we can honestly say that a TEFL course will go a whole load smoother if you just got organized. Not only that but getting your papers in order is a great skill to have going forward as a teacher – you know, for when you have 40 different lesson plans all lined up for the coming months! A file and a hole punch are both good purchases before you begin.
If you have anything more to add to this list of TEFL course tips on how you can make the most out of your TEFL studies, we’d sure to love to hear your thoughts in the comments below. Alternatively, if you’re ready to start studying, check out our courses page right now!