Job Discussion Forums

[pedro11]

Hello everyone,

I ain't going to lie , despite my recent qualification in the above subject i am nowhere near being a qualified teacher of English to speakers of other languages.. I found the course very tough at times and got a lot of help from my tutors. I excelled at TP , but my lesson plans were constructed with great assistance by the tutors. I loved this part of the course and it gave me a massive confidence boost. The Spanish students to whom i was teaching really responded well to the lessons and many asked for a one -to one with me . But they were not my own lessons !!!

I suppose what i am trying to elicit from the members on the forum is what do i do now to gain more lesson planning experience? where can i work with other teachers and study their methods ? which schools /colleges take the time to help you develop your initial qualification? what are the must have items in my toolkit in terms of books etc ?(penny ur was a fav on my course) ?

I know i can deliver good lessons when i have the material but the thought of having to deliver 10/15 a week is frightening and i don't want to take on any position until i know i can do this properly.

Having said all of the above, for anyone just starting out i say the Trinity or CELTA are a must!! It really opened my eyes and i realize how much more there is to teaching than i ever imagined. Was great ,i really want to progress, but i am uncertain as to the next move. Any well trodden advice i will lap up.

thanks folks p

[rafaella]

This might not be what you want to hear but after you've done your initial training you just have to take the plunge. I freely admit that in my first year I was learning as I went along and it was a steep learning curve! I'm sure many teachers didn't feel ready when they walked into a classroom for the first time if they are entirely honest.

Having said that, some schools are much better at supporting and developing new teachers than others. When you read job adverts you will often be able to determine whether the school is willing to offer this support or not. At the interview stage, you should feel free to ask about training and support although you don't want to give the impression that you don't feel ready to teach.

Remember that in most schools, students will be following a book. These books come with a teacher's book which acts as a guide and helps with lesson planning. Admittedly, standards vary considerably and some are more of a hindrance than a help but you will not be expected to plan 15-20 hours of classes a week from scratch.

Maybe others will be able to recommend schools where they got good support when they were starting out.

[Sashadroogie]

Ditto what Rafaella said. Course book takes a lot of the pressure off.

Schools like IH usually have good t-training to help raw teachers, so they might be worth checking out.

But just a final word - yes the CELTA provides valuable insight into EFL. But it is not supposed to turn out fully qualified teachers - how could it? So your feelings of not being ready are common to every single newbie just off the course ( unless they have had prior teaching experience). It's pre-sevice, nothing more. Take the plunge. Join a largish school with a proper DOS office. Look on your first job as extended training. You'll be fine.

[mozzar]

Yeah, it's good news that you still feel doubt as it'll make you a better teacher if you constantly review how to do things better. If only more people could realise that a one month course doesn't make you a teacher.

[Glenski]

[pedro11]

thanks everyone.. feel a tad more relaxed .but still a little apprehensive. All great advice which i will take on board.

I will re post and keep everyone up to date on the trials and tribulations during my virgin years.

thanks again all

p

[rafaella]

Good luck and I hope you will let us know how you get on. I'm sure other new teachers, who will be just as apprehensive, will find it helpful.