Our training team comes from different backgrounds and have come to the teaching profession from very different directions. This diversity is our strength. Today’s “Blog from the Head Trainer’s Desk” is a little taste of our collective wisdom. First, let’s (re)meet the team:
- Tasci – Course Co-Director: Head of Training
- April – Course Co-Director: Head of Admissions and Alumni Relations
- Nick – Trainer & Head Observer
- Jordan – Trainer & Observer
Read below for our tips for trainees on the course, for those starting off, and also a little something for our alumni who have been teaching for a while.
What are tips you have for any incoming trainees?
T: My number one tip for trainees is make sure you are sleeping enough and eating some nutritious food. It sounds cliche, but a trainee running on chocolate and two hours of sleep is going to burn out in four weeks. Pace yourself and you’ll be fine!
A: I say it every course, but it’s true: do the assignments as soon as you can, and they’re out of the way. Staying an extra 30min to put some ideas down on your LP in the planning session that isn’t yours will make YOUR planning session easier (and faster!!).
N: If you have some teaching experience be open to trying new approaches. Teaching English as a foreign language is different to teaching other subjects and we introduce some more modern techniques that will differ from perhaps how people are taught in high school. Enter the course with an open mind and use it as an opportunity to try new techniques.
J: You’re not alone. Each of you has strengths and weaknesses, many of which you can’t see for yourself. Plan with each other, be intentional in your observations and feedback, and see the improvement accelerate!
What tips do you have for new teachers?
T: When you start teaching try to bundle your lessons around one theme or grammar point that you can can a bit higher level or lower level for each class. This saves you from trying to create twenty unique lessons. Recycling is good for the earth, and also keeps teacher stress down.
A: “No” is allowed! If you’re offered a lesson that’s too far from you to be worthwhile, say no! Otherwise you’ll hate the commute each time, and waste time that you could be planning or doing anything else.
N: Textbooks are your friend. It’s tempting to create all of your own original material for your lessons especially if you are a creative person. But when you start out think about courses that have a textbook as a guideline. It will speed up your planning and also give you more of an idea what kind of activities are suitable for different levels.
J: How to avoid getting burned out? PLANNING. Have a weekly planning session at the beginning or end of the week. Review materials before teaching to make sure you can fit them into the TEFL framework/PPP structure, don’t just follow the pages blindly!
What tips would you like to offer experienced teachers?
T: Teaching is a skill. The more we teach, the more comfortable we become. But when we’ve been teaching for a while, we might become too comfortable. I encourage teachers to attend a training workshop or conference, go observe a colleague in their class, or take on a new type of class like exam prep. Keep your skill set sharp by changing it up and finding ways to develop yourself.
A: Professional Development!!! Attend a teaching conference or any workshops that your company offers. Not only will you get ideas to spruce up your lessons, you’ll get to meet colleagues and make connections. Use what you learn and see how it works – students like variety, and it will keep you from being bored as well.
N: If you want to keep improving, avoid getting stuck in a rut. Teaching the same type of classes and having the same conversations might be comfortable but you might find your own teaching skills are waning and you are missing key opportunities to educate your students. Shake up your schedule, take a group course or even give a different age group a go for a semester. You might like it!
J: Just because students are happy with your lessons doesn’t mean you are being the most effective teacher you can be. Reassess your strategies, ask for student feedback, maximize your efficacy and impact as a teacher!
Join our last TEFL courses of the year, and experience the rest of 2025 with me and the team!
TEFL Worldwide was awarded as the Top TEFL Certification Course of 2018 and 2019, the Best Teach Provider in 2020, a Finalist for Innovation in Alumni Engagement in 2024, and in 2025 – the Top Rated TEFL Course in the Czech Republic!
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