TEFL
Oct 9th 2010 | 8:19 pm
#16
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 2,645
Re: TEFL
As far as CELTA goes, if you don't pass you don't get your certificate and that's that. If I remember rightly, of my group about 50% got their accreditation.
I don't doubt that there are good teachers and bad teachers everywhere - and some excellent teachers haven't got a piece of paper - but it's one thing teaching because you want to teach, make a difference, ensure that the student learns something etc, and quite another deciding to teach because there's nothing else to do and you fancy making a few bob for a few months. Having had 'if you're going to do something, do it properly' drummed into my head as a child it annoys me immensely to see teachers who arrive, teach a term and then decide they want to go to Singapore, and leave everyone in the lurch, or people who think it'll be a bit of laugh, and then, when they have to prepare lessons, decide it's all too much like hard work.
The idea of getting a qualification is not only to give you right to brandish a certificate, but also to help you as a teacher, and see if you are cut out for the profession. It's heart breaking to see students who have given up a year of their time do badly in Trinity exams or FCE because their teacher hadn't got a clue about preparing them for the exams.
Working in the south of Italy, where the permanent staff in schools certainly are not up to mark in English teaching, a mothertongue teacher is often the only way a student will actually learn anything, (especially given the 1950s teaching methods that still exist in alot of schools). If that teacher is rubbish, what chance do the students have? Ultimately, its not just the teaching, but a bit of experience and know-how will help you keep order in a classroom of 30 teenagers.
I don't doubt that there are good teachers and bad teachers everywhere - and some excellent teachers haven't got a piece of paper - but it's one thing teaching because you want to teach, make a difference, ensure that the student learns something etc, and quite another deciding to teach because there's nothing else to do and you fancy making a few bob for a few months. Having had 'if you're going to do something, do it properly' drummed into my head as a child it annoys me immensely to see teachers who arrive, teach a term and then decide they want to go to Singapore, and leave everyone in the lurch, or people who think it'll be a bit of laugh, and then, when they have to prepare lessons, decide it's all too much like hard work.
The idea of getting a qualification is not only to give you right to brandish a certificate, but also to help you as a teacher, and see if you are cut out for the profession. It's heart breaking to see students who have given up a year of their time do badly in Trinity exams or FCE because their teacher hadn't got a clue about preparing them for the exams.
Working in the south of Italy, where the permanent staff in schools certainly are not up to mark in English teaching, a mothertongue teacher is often the only way a student will actually learn anything, (especially given the 1950s teaching methods that still exist in alot of schools). If that teacher is rubbish, what chance do the students have? Ultimately, its not just the teaching, but a bit of experience and know-how will help you keep order in a classroom of 30 teenagers.
Oct 9th 2010 | 9:56 pm
#17
Thread Starter
Banned
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 431
Re: TEFL
I should point out as the person that started this thread, hell will freeze over before I try and teach a bunch of teenagers!
My interest is only in adult education especially assisting students who are studying business courses, I feel pretty qualified to do this. The thought of going in for a 9am lesson with 30 students aged 14 is so far beyond what I would ever consider; bluntly that is NEVER going to happen
To put this discussion into context as far as my situation goes:
I have a good degree in Business from a good university
A in Higher English
Qualified financial adviser
Post Grad in business strategy
Run my own company that turns a profit in several countries.
Almost last so certainly not least, I have helped a dozen international students study English in the UK all of whom have passed.
I have decided to do the most basic TEFL as I am sure I will pick up some work. It should not annoy anyone that people do not want to be full-time teachers but still have a genuine interest in helping people study. If this does still annoy you having read this it suggests a lack of satisfaction with your own career rather than valid comment on my intended plan.
I know I am capable and firmly believe that I would be an asset to any institution that teaches English as a second language especially if students are learning "Business English".
You will find my adverts on the inter web as a private tutor
k
My interest is only in adult education especially assisting students who are studying business courses, I feel pretty qualified to do this. The thought of going in for a 9am lesson with 30 students aged 14 is so far beyond what I would ever consider; bluntly that is NEVER going to happen
To put this discussion into context as far as my situation goes:
I have a good degree in Business from a good university
A in Higher English
Qualified financial adviser
Post Grad in business strategy
Run my own company that turns a profit in several countries.
Almost last so certainly not least, I have helped a dozen international students study English in the UK all of whom have passed.
I have decided to do the most basic TEFL as I am sure I will pick up some work. It should not annoy anyone that people do not want to be full-time teachers but still have a genuine interest in helping people study. If this does still annoy you having read this it suggests a lack of satisfaction with your own career rather than valid comment on my intended plan.
I know I am capable and firmly believe that I would be an asset to any institution that teaches English as a second language especially if students are learning "Business English".
You will find my adverts on the inter web as a private tutor
k
Last edited by 6monthshere6monthsthere; Oct 9th 2010 at 9:59 pm.
Oct 10th 2010 | 1:46 am
#18
MODERATOR
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 19,115
From: Province of Vicenza
Re: TEFL
Laters.
Best of luck K
Oct 10th 2010 | 2:02 am
#19
Forum Regular
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 189
From: Latina, Italy
Re: TEFL
I should point out as the person that started this thread, hell will freeze over before I try and teach a bunch of teenagers!
My interest is only in adult education especially assisting students who are studying business courses, I feel pretty qualified to do this. The thought of going in for a 9am lesson with 30 students aged 14 is so far beyond what I would ever consider; bluntly that is NEVER going to happen
To put this discussion into context as far as my situation goes:
I have a good degree in Business from a good university
A in Higher English
Qualified financial adviser
Post Grad in business strategy
Run my own company that turns a profit in several countries.
Almost last so certainly not least, I have helped a dozen international students study English in the UK all of whom have passed.
I have decided to do the most basic TEFL as I am sure I will pick up some work. It should not annoy anyone that people do not want to be full-time teachers but still have a genuine interest in helping people study. If this does still annoy you having read this it suggests a lack of satisfaction with your own career rather than valid comment on my intended plan.
I know I am capable and firmly believe that I would be an asset to any institution that teaches English as a second language especially if students are learning "Business English".
You will find my adverts on the inter web as a private tutor
k
My interest is only in adult education especially assisting students who are studying business courses, I feel pretty qualified to do this. The thought of going in for a 9am lesson with 30 students aged 14 is so far beyond what I would ever consider; bluntly that is NEVER going to happen
To put this discussion into context as far as my situation goes:
I have a good degree in Business from a good university
A in Higher English
Qualified financial adviser
Post Grad in business strategy
Run my own company that turns a profit in several countries.
Almost last so certainly not least, I have helped a dozen international students study English in the UK all of whom have passed.
I have decided to do the most basic TEFL as I am sure I will pick up some work. It should not annoy anyone that people do not want to be full-time teachers but still have a genuine interest in helping people study. If this does still annoy you having read this it suggests a lack of satisfaction with your own career rather than valid comment on my intended plan.
I know I am capable and firmly believe that I would be an asset to any institution that teaches English as a second language especially if students are learning "Business English".
You will find my adverts on the inter web as a private tutor
k
Lol - you'll NEVER teach teens eh? So what happens when your boss gives you a teen class, which they invariably will? And please for the love of god, stop saying "basic TEFL" - that means absolutely nothing. Do you mean you're going to spend money on a dodgy online course which will not be recognised by the majority of schools (certainly those in Europe)? Are you even going to bother buying a book to help you understand methodology? And what exactly do you mean when you say your tutees have passed? Were they EFL students or ESOL students (i.e. people settling in the UK)? If they've all passed IELTs but only with a 2.5, then they pretty much wasted their time.
It's one thing to want to teach part-time, but you are clearly not serious about doing this properly, and the impression you give is that this'll just be a fun way of earning a bit of pocket money on the side. I know that it is typical of British people to have a very negative view of teaching and indeed, learning - every year we belittle our childrens' GCSE and A Level achievements, we treat university students with contempt, we treat education with suspicion and resent those who have done well under the system...but as a teacher you are responsible for your students' learning and progress and you can't just swan off when it starts getting sunny again in Britain. You certainly can't cherry pick students if you're working at a school, and you can't make demands about going or not going out to state schools etc.
I strongly suggest that if you are reluctant to teach anyone expect business students of a certain level, or if you see TEFL in a purely selfish way and can't appreciate that you will have to invest time and effort in your students throughout the academic year, then you don't waste your time doing any TEFL courses, online or otherwise.
Oct 10th 2010 | 4:47 am
#20
Thread Starter
Banned
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 431
Re: TEFL
Lol - you'll NEVER teach teens eh? So what happens when your boss gives you a teen class, which they invariably will?
They won't! It would not be an option to them.
And please for the love of god, stop saying "basic TEFL" - that means absolutely nothing.
BASIC TEFL
Do you mean you're going to spend money on a dodgy online course which will not be recognised by the majority of schools (certainly those in Europe)?
Correct
Are you even going to bother buying a book to help you understand methodology?
Of course I am.
And what exactly do you mean when you say your tutees have passed?
Were they EFL students or ESOL students (i.e. people settling in the UK)?
They all studied and passed the advanced certificate in English.
If they've all passed IELTs but only with a 2.5, then they pretty much wasted their time.
No idea what this is
It's one thing to want to teach part-time, but you are clearly not serious about doing this properly, and the impression you give is that this'll just be a fun way of earning a bit of pocket money on the side.
It is a fun way of earning money and I fail to see the problem.
I know that it is typical of British people to have a very negative view of teaching and indeed, learning - every year we belittle our childrens' GCSE and A Level achievements, we treat university students with contempt, we treat education with suspicion and resent those who have done well under the system...but as a teacher you are responsible for your students' learning and progress and you can't just swan off when it starts getting sunny again in Britain. You certainly can't cherry pick students if you're working at a school, and you can't make demands about going or not going out to state schools etc.
I think you will find that I can as I would work only if certain conditions are met.
I strongly suggest that if you are reluctant to teach anyone expect business students of a certain level, or if you see TEFL in a purely selfish way and can't appreciate that you will have to invest time and effort in your students throughout the academic year, then you don't waste your time doing any TEFL courses, online or otherwise.
They won't! It would not be an option to them.
And please for the love of god, stop saying "basic TEFL" - that means absolutely nothing.
BASIC TEFL
Do you mean you're going to spend money on a dodgy online course which will not be recognised by the majority of schools (certainly those in Europe)?
Correct Are you even going to bother buying a book to help you understand methodology?
Of course I am.
And what exactly do you mean when you say your tutees have passed?
Were they EFL students or ESOL students (i.e. people settling in the UK)?
They all studied and passed the advanced certificate in English.
If they've all passed IELTs but only with a 2.5, then they pretty much wasted their time.
No idea what this is
It's one thing to want to teach part-time, but you are clearly not serious about doing this properly, and the impression you give is that this'll just be a fun way of earning a bit of pocket money on the side.
It is a fun way of earning money and I fail to see the problem.
I know that it is typical of British people to have a very negative view of teaching and indeed, learning - every year we belittle our childrens' GCSE and A Level achievements, we treat university students with contempt, we treat education with suspicion and resent those who have done well under the system...but as a teacher you are responsible for your students' learning and progress and you can't just swan off when it starts getting sunny again in Britain. You certainly can't cherry pick students if you're working at a school, and you can't make demands about going or not going out to state schools etc.
I think you will find that I can as I would work only if certain conditions are met.
I strongly suggest that if you are reluctant to teach anyone expect business students of a certain level, or if you see TEFL in a purely selfish way and can't appreciate that you will have to invest time and effort in your students throughout the academic year, then you don't waste your time doing any TEFL courses, online or otherwise.
I really not keen on the tone of your message and find it hard to take you seriously given the errors in YOUR ENGLISH!
Do not tell me what I will be doing, that is ridiculous!
I am going to tutor adults and ideally those studying business OR I am not, at NO point will I be preparing a lesson for teenagers.
Last edited by 6monthshere6monthsthere; Oct 10th 2010 at 4:56 am.
Oct 10th 2010 | 6:53 am
#21
Forum Regular
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 189
From: Latina, Italy
Re: TEFL
I really not keen on the tone of your message and find it hard to take you seriously given the errors in YOUR ENGLISH!
Do not tell me what I will be doing, that is ridiculous!
I am going to tutor adults and ideally those studying business OR I am not, at NO point will I be preparing a lesson for teenagers.
Ahhh I see - you're just going to tutor private students? Forgive me I was under the impression you were going to work at a language school. Obviously yes, if you are self employed then you can pick and choose who you teach, although you'll be doing yourself out of a very large proportion of potential students if you rule out teens and young learners - but hey that's up to you.
As for my English, I'd be happy for you to correct any mistakes you see - think of it as a pre-course task! Everyone makes grammatical errors - native speakers of any language know exactly how to bend the rules even if they don't realise it, and that's why language is constantly changing. And as for my spelling, I like to stress to students that I am not a walking dictionary - there are hundreds of thousands of words in our language and I can't remember all of them...although I'm pretty sure at a quick glance that spelling isn't an issue in my previous post.
Oct 10th 2010 | 5:58 pm
#22
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 2,645
Re: TEFL
"They won't! It would not be an option to them."
pots, kettles, black. (idiom)
pots, kettles, black. (idiom)
