Our May/June 2023 TEFL course just graduated, and before they departed for the last time, we asked them what advice they would give to the new course attendees.
Here’s some of what they said:
- Try to get plenty of sleep/don’t stay up late.
- Connect with your peers as much as possible and keep themas a support system.
- Remember that if your students like you as a person, they will better internalize what you’ve taught them.
- Listen closely to what each instructor is telling you and follow their recommendations when creating lesson plans for your teaching practices.
- Keep your head in the game as this TEFL course jettisons you into the fast lane and will push you out of your comfort zone especially when doing your teaching practices – make sureyou understand each and every stage – ask them questions until you do understand!
- Keep up and stay super organized as the trainers want you to learn and grow, but they have high standards.
- Getready for a great deal of self-reflection and, be open to the feedback and constructive criticism. You will be getting and use it to grow.
- Be prepared to have good and not so good lessons, you are still learning it.
- Don’t forget to balance work and life – relax, and go out with your peers, because with a calm head and the support of friends,everything can be done much easier.
- Getting enough sleep is always a good idea.
- Get to know your peers before the course is over since the time passes by way too fast.
- The whole process is one of learning and that mistakes are expected to be made. Don’t be too hard on yourself.
- Pick out something new to work on as a teacher for every lesson.
- Allow students to express themselves.
- Remember that stress passes over.
- Expect the unexpected. Lessons will not go as planned, so be ready to think on your feet.
- Failure is the greatest teacher. You will not be amazing your first time, nor your second, nor your third. You have your entire career as a teacher to make mistake after mistake, so embrace the chance tomake them in a safe space.
- Keep a good perspective, especially when dealing with lesson plans. Lesson plans can become very overwhelming, especially after a day of classes. Take a moment, reset, eat something and the task ahead will become much easier.
- Relax. You will not be great to start, and that’s okay!
- The more detailed/prepared your lesson plan is, the more flexible and relaxed you will bein the classroom.
- Remember it’s about the students! Even if nothing goes according to your plan—if they’re learning and still enjoying learning English, you’re doing your job.
In just 4 weeks you can be teaching English abroad. TEFL Worldwide was awarded as the Top TEFL Certification Course of 2018 and 2019! Courses offered monthly.
