TEFL Carlinville Illinois

What is tefl? tefl is the acronym for teaching english as a foreign language. This is teaching english to students whose native language is not english. tefl usually takes place abroad in a non-english speaking country. If one is considering living or traveling abroad and is interested in teaching english, then they should at least research and consider completing a tefl course to get an overview and understanding of what is involved. After all, what have you got to lose? As a child in Girl Scouts I learned the motto “Always be prepared.” Can you really ever learn or know too much? Changing careers, exploring your options, or plunging in a new direction is often a tough choice because it requires you to step outside of your comfort zone. Making a decision about your future could be a spontaneous decision or a well thought out one with careful consideration. In any case additional education, preparation, and personal development can encourage, motivate, and reassure one. The U.S. Army motto also comes to mind here; “Be all that you can be.” Don't sell yourself short. Take advantage of opportunities that present themselves; you may even learn more about yourself too. There are many tefl courses out there to choose from, but they all have the same common goal of preparing a person to teach the english language by understanding and utilizing theories and methodologies. Most tefl teachers are native english speakers, but often need and require refreshers when it comes to parts of speech, tenses, and grammar. A tefl course can serve as an introductory course into teaching or it may be a refresher for those who already have been exposed to the field of education. Also, it is a great resource to have because most courses offer additional references such as suggested reading lists and educational websites. A professional certification shows potential employers that you have taken the initiative and are serious about your commitment to teach students english. tefl courses and programs are recognized and respected globally. While not all employers require the certification, it sets you apart from other applicants, and may offer you more opportunities at quality, higher paying positions. From personal experience, with my Master's degree in Organizational Management and enrolling in a tefl program I landed a position at a well respected bilingual school teaching english Language Arts. While there are great differences between the two (ELA and tefl), I am glad I enrolled in a tefl program for the much needed grammatical review, introduction to teaching methods, and a tutor who could relate to living and teaching abroad as well as offer support and advice. Completing a tefl course is a personal choice that should be considered even if one is only remotely interested. Education is exciting when you have the vested interest yourself. So, if you are truly interested and dedicated to learning more about teaching and living abroad, the possibilities and opportunities are endless. You never know if you are going to like something until you try it. Taking a tefl course is valuable and beneficial because the amount of information that is covered within the course, the links to additional resources and most tefl courses assist in career placement as well as offer support during your transition. My desire was to relocate abroad to work at a resort, but I was told the easiest and fastest way to find a position abroad was to teach english. Most schools desire native english speakers, so I decided to enroll in a tefl course to learn how to teach english as a second language. I chose an online course because I was working full time and I could work at my own pace. Turned out I got offered a position less than a month after I enrolled in my tefl course. It worked out very well. I was able to accept the position, move abroad, and still complete my tefl course. Watching my students learn, grow, and develop is one of the most rewarding feelings I have ever had. I am even considering getting a degree in education because I always strive to be the best. For me personally, mediocrity is not an option. The more knowledgeable and more experience I obtain, the more I have to offer my students. The famous quote states, “Life is what you make of it.” You never know what may lie ahead so do a self-evaluation and do your research, then reach out and take a chance. If you think you might be interested, I recommend obtaining more information to see which course best meets your needs and contacting a recruiter to discover which program fits your schedule, budget, and location. Isn't it time you made a difference? What are you waiting for? REFERENCES www.ITTT.com www.wikipedia.org www.goteachabroad.com