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chryanvii
Joined: 19 Jul 2009
Posts: 125
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 Posted: Wed Nov 20, 2013 2:45 am Post subject: Can you recommend a good TEFL program? |
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I have been teaching here 4 years, but I have decided that if I plan to stay in China, that I will get the TEFL certificate. I don't want to get one of the online ones! I really want to get some in-house practice.
I have heard that the LTI TEFL International is very good, especially since he teaches you in Chinese the first 3 days to know what it's like to be a language student.
I have also heard that the best places to go for the program are in Zhuhai or Thailand.
I hope I can find a program where I can get some good training, learn some new tricks, classroom management, get some feedback...but I have heard that a lot of them emphasize teaching grammar? Why would they do that?
Thanks for your advice and suggestions. Soon I will have 2 months of free time, so I want to make sure I use it wisely!
ps - I have heard a lot of people talk about how good the CELTA program is. If I consider this route, I would have to do it while I am teaching, since the program is so long. What are your opinions? Which is the better one to do...get the TEFL month-long program before teaching, or getting the CELTA as you go along?
In my opinion, none of these are a waste of time, since I can learn some new techniques, especially since I feel I have been doing it the wrong way the whole time! |
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roadwalker
Joined: 24 Aug 2005
Posts: 1750
Location: Ch
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| Posted: Wed Nov 20, 2013 3:01 am Post subject: Re: Can you recommend a good TEFL program? |
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| chryanvii wrote: |
I have been teaching here 4 years, but I have decided that if I plan to stay in China, that I will get the TEFL certificate. I don't want to get one of the online ones! I really want to get some in-house practice.
I have heard that the LTI TEFL International is very good, especially since he teaches you in Chinese the first 3 days to know what it's like to be a language student.
I have also heard that the best places to go for the program are in Zhuhai or Thailand.
I hope I can find a program where I can get some good training, learn some new tricks, classroom management, get some feedback...but I have heard that a lot of them emphasize teaching grammar? Why would they do that?
Thanks for your advice and suggestions. Soon I will have 2 months of free time, so I want to make sure I use it wisely!
ps - I have heard a lot of people talk about how good the CELTA program is. If I consider this route, I would have to do it while I am teaching, since the program is so long. What are your opinions? Which is the better one to do...get the TEFL month-long program before teaching, or getting the CELTA as you go along?
In my opinion, none of these are a waste of time, since I can learn some new techniques, especially since I feel I have been doing it the wrong way the whole time! |
Are you perhaps confusing the CELTA and DELTA courses? The CELTA is a month-long course but the DELTA is the one that is divided into modules and can be done over time. The CELTA is the most famous name-brand of the 4 week intensive TEFL course with observed teaching practice. I took an off-brand modeled after the CELTA (so they said) some years ago and found it worthwhile. I noticed by checking the intertubes that there are still January spots available for the CELTA in Thailand and China for January, which should mesh with a public school schedule. |
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Denim-Maniac
Joined: 31 Jan 2012
Posts: 1238
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| Posted: Wed Nov 20, 2013 5:12 am Post subject: Re: Can you recommend a good TEFL program? |
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| chryanvii wrote: |
I have heard that the LTI TEFL International is very good, especially since he teaches you in Chinese the first 3 days to know what it's like to be a language student. |
This a standard part of Trinity Cert TESOL programs, and I assume a standard part of CELTA too. Its actually much more useful if they teach you a language you have had no exposure to ... thats much more informative than being taught a language that isnt totally alien to you.
| chryanvii wrote: |
| I hope I can find a program where I can get some good training, learn some new tricks, classroom management, get some feedback... |
An 'in-person' course is essential to get this. I was teaching for a couple of years before I took my course and had always had good feedback at work ... but when I went to the course, feedback showed me lots of ways I could improve, be a better teacher and frankly, eliminate some rather silly mistakes that are commonplace.
| chryanvii wrote: |
| but I have heard that a lot of them emphasize teaching grammar? Why would they do that? |
Because the idea that you can split grammar from successful language learning is rather silly. Courses will show you how all lessons are taught, listening, reading, writing and speaking and will also instruct on how to present grammar, teach pronunication, introduce and elicit vocabulary etc. Course students worry about the grammar element, but its not given much more attention than any other part of the course.
Understanding grammar is part of being a successful English language teacher and if a course is to really equip you effectively grammar needs to be included as part of the syllabus. The IPA is also introduced too.
| chryanvii wrote: |
| ps - I have heard a lot of people talk about how good the CELTA program is. If I consider this route, I would have to do it while I am teaching, since the program is so long. What are your opinions? Which is the better one to do...get the TEFL month-long program before teaching, or getting the CELTA as you go along? |
CELTA and Trinity are both one month long intensive courses. These are the ones to take really as they have to be taken through course providers who are evaluated ensuring certain standards are met. This includes course trainers who have a certain amount of experience and qualifications. They are also both the most recognised of these courses ... and unless a generic course offers a huge saving (perhaps 50% of total cost or even more) its probably worth paying extra and doing CELTA / Trinity.
| chryanvii wrote: |
| since I feel I have been doing it the wrong way the whole time! |
I have read your recent bad experience ... dont be too hard on yourself. Adults in a training centre can demand more in the way of teaching skills and expect results in a way that university students dont. Perhaps that last job wasnt a good fit (I remember reading a post where you didnt like the hours ... and maybe the social clubs???) ... but that doesnt mean you were wrong ... it just may mean there is a better way.
Good luck! |
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