TEFL Homer Alaska

What have I gained from the course? Before I started my aim was to improve my chances of employment. Hopefully that aim has been achieved, but only time will tell. I feel I have learned many things that will help towards this, particularly in a number of focal areas. I certainly think I have a better understanding and knowledge of grammar than I had before. The understanding of current methodology has given a solid base for the development of ideas and thinking in other areas of the course. Classroom management was an area that gave good practical advice, particularly on the topics of:- • Eye contact, gesture and voice usage. • Groupwork and seating. • Board work. • teacher and student talk time • Maintaining consistency and fairness. • Rapport building I would say that Lesson Planning has been the area throughout the course that has provided a big source of practical benefits. Preparation is the key. From choosing appropriate topics that are varied and maintain interest, to giving balance and flexibility to a lesson within a timeframe. Also within this area would come building in an anticipation of potential problems, being able to use large sources of simple games to adapt to many situations and levels, as well as a realization of the importance of keeping records. Last but not least would be an appreciation of how vital the role of evaluation is, through tutorials, tests and self-evaluation, whether this be student or teacher self-evaluation. Action plan? The employment situation is currently difficult in Germany, so my plan would be a simple one. To find work as near as possible to where we live, that would either supplement or replace the few hours a week I do at two local primary schools.