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[nomad soul]

The question of how to transition from experienced EFL teacher to teacher trainer came up---whether training others in a teaching cert course or as a trainer for in-service teachers. Granted, there are specific courses one could take. However, for qualified, seasoned EFL teachers (i.e., those with a relevant MA, valid TEFL cert, and years of diverse and progressively-responsible teaching experience), I suggest the following:

-- Volunteer to mentor novice teachers.
-- Facilitate new faculty orientation sessions for new teachers.
-- Volunteer to maintain the faculty handbook or parts of it; create a basic handbook, if your workplace doesn't have one.
-- Talk to your higher ups about becoming a lead teacher or coordinator (if you're not already in either role).
-- Assist in reviewing CVs/resumes of potential new teachers; participate in job interviews (or ask to at least sit in on a few).
-- Participate in peer observations and feedback; request others observe your class as well.
-- Request to be mentored by the teacher trainer in your current workplace.
-- Conduct in-house workshops on classroom management, lesson planning, error correction, classroom observations, reflective teaching, etc.
-- Join your local TESOL affiliate and regularly participate in special interest groups (SIGs); attend TESOL events/seminars for your own professional development and networking.
-- Present at TESOL conferences, which, like the previous suggestion, leads to exposure and networking opportunities.
-- Maintain a Linkedin account to stay in touch with teaching colleagues and new connections who might have leads on teacher-training job opportunities.
-- Stay abreast of the latest in technology for teaching/learning and teaching trends and research.
-- Start a TEFL blog; actively post on TEFL discussion sites like the Cafe's job discussion forum and others.
-- Ensure your professional references and recommendation letter writers from your current position mention your mentoring and training.
-- Update your CV/resume to reflect any of the above experience relevant to your present work situation.

Having real hands-on experience and strong qualifications trumps taking a static "how-to" course. Plus, as a teacher trainer, you'll very likely draw and reflect on your own experience as both a teacher and a learner.

In my case, in addition to some of the tips above, I became the go-to person for my colleagues and the pre-service teachers for advice on classroom management issues, student motivation, fun learning activities, ideas for training, etc. I included this info on my CV and subsequently, got a teaching job that entailed major teacher-training responsibilities.

Comments?

[esl_prof]

[PC Parrot]

The friends of mine that have moved into teacher training have either (1) taken a masters in education to supplement their MA TESOL or (2) taken a doctorate in education.

I would say that their new jobs justify the work they put in.

Those with the EdD entered faculty and almost doubled their TEFL salary. They now earn a cool $11,000 a month - tax free.

If you're going to do it, do it properly!

[nomad soul]

[PC Parrot]

All the more reason to do it properly then.

[esl_prof]

[PC Parrot]

Not necessarily.

In my book, doing it properly means receiving training rather than making it up as you go along. You yourself now mention training as one of the steps to teacher training.

I saw no mention of professional training in the the OP's original list. Nor did I see mention of it in your endorsement of the list.

[nomad soul]

For clarification, teaching in a university BA/MA TESOL degree program is generally considered to be teacher education and not teacher training. In other words, the role is as educator, not trainer. Obviously, teaching in the context of an educational program requires a specific set of qualifications, which is why I didn't include it in my post.

[PC Parrot]

Generally considered to be 'teacher education' by whom?

Not by the British Gov't for a start.

http://www.education.gov.uk/get-into-teaching/teacher-training-options/university-based-training

Perhaps it's a US/UK thing.

[esl_prof]

[esl_prof]

[PC Parrot]

[rtm]

[GambateBingBangBOOM]

[rtm]