TESOL TEFL course
Study program

This is a long page and so has a table of contents. Click on the links in the "Contents" shown below to view the relevant sections.

Contents

Overview

To help you learn how to teach in the shortest possible time, the EBC International TEFL Certificate intensive study program comprises a total of 150 hours:

  • Pre-course work,
  • Classroom training,
  • Lesson planning,
  • Teaching practice and feedback,
  • Homework,
  • Job workshops.

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Classroom training
Area Description
The difficulties of learning a language Initial introduction to learning a foreign language and the difficulties involved in teaching and learning.
Speaking and pronunciation How to teach speaking and pronunciation is presented, showing what speaking activities look like, practice drills for fluency and pronunciation, role play and related techniques. To reinforce what you have learned, you  will design your own speaking and pronunciation lesson plans.
Vocabulary How to teach vocabulary. A range of strategies to present, remember and test vocabulary are taught. Ideas for vocabulary work in the class are discussed. Through group work, you will practice the elicitation techniques you learned in class.
Listening How to teach listening is presented, showing what real life listening in the classroom is and what listening sequences look like. To reinforce what you have learned, you will design your own listening lesson plans.
Reading How to teach reading is presented, what is really involved in real life reading and what reading sequences look like. To reinforce what you have learned, you will design your own reading lesson plans.
Writing How to teach writing is presented, showing tasks that stimulate writing, how to give feedback on writing and what writing sequences look like. To reinforce what you have learned, you  will design your own writing lesson plans.
Grammar: Language functions and analysis How to teach grammar. Grammar practice games and activities are investigated, showing you how to turn grammar into a fun and interesting lesson. You will also learn how to teach the most important English language functions.
Structure and Organisation Trainees are presented with strategies on how to present explanations and instructions based on levels and age. Also presented are teaching models that influence current teaching practices. To reinforce what you have learned, you will design and present your own teaching structures.
Teacher language The theme "taught or entertained" is investigated, presenting actual teaching strategies used by experienced teachers on "how to teach and entertain." The importance of clear instructions is discussed. To reinforce what you have learned, you will demonstrate the proper language to be used when teaching.
TEFL for children What difference does age make to language learning is investigated. You will learn practical techniques for teaching children.
ESP (English for Special Purposes) Business English You will learn about ESP (Business English), its definition, terminology, areas of specialisation. How to prepare ESP lesson plans, ESP books and supplementary material are discussed. Practical ESP lesson management strategies and ESP concept checking exercises are presented. Based on different areas of specialisation, you will develop your own ESP lesson plans to be presented during teaching practice sessions.
Classroom Interaction Patterns of classroom interaction, questioning drills and group work will be discussed. You will learn about classroom discipline and how to deal with discipline episodes.
EFL Course books and Supplementary Material The most widely used EFL course books are introduced, different equipment to use, their advantages and disadvantages are discussed. You will develop your own learning resources to be used during teaching practice sessions.
Delivering feedback You are presented with feedback techniques, learn how to correct students and how to correct mistakes in oral and written work.
Individual (One to One) Teaching You will learn about individualisation strategies and lesson preparation for one to one teaching. You will put into practice the learned theories in an individual (one to one) project to be presented later in class.

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Lesson planning
Area Description

Group lesson planning

You will plan lessons in groups under the supervision of your course trainer. These lesson plans will serve as the basis for future teaching practice to both peers and non-English speaking students.

Individual lesson planning

You will create your own individual teaching practice lesson plans from original material gathered and put together by you under the guidance and supervision of your course trainer.

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Teaching practice
Area Description

Trainer demonstrations

There will be 4, 2 hour demonstration classes given by your course trainer. At the end of each demonstration class, there will be a question and answer session.

Teaching practice

There will be 8, 1 hour teaching practice sessions. You will teach to classes of non-English speakers. The classes you teach are grouped into beginner, intermediate and advanced levels. You will be observed and get feedback from your course trainer.

Peer group teaching practice

There are 8 micro-teaching sessions where you teach practice lessons to your class peers. The sessions are observed, assessed and critiqued by your course trainer and your class peers.

Individual (one to one) assignment

Your individual assignment requires you to interview a non-English speaker and write a study plan based on his/her needs. This assignment is part of the Business English teaching module.

Teaching practice critique

There are verbal and written feedback sessions from your peers and course trainer.

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Employment opportunities
Area Description

Job Workshops

You will be introduced to the requirements of the job market, job interview questions/answers and world-wide job possibilities.

You will also be given information about local requirements regarding employment, pay, bank accounts and other important practical issues associated with getting a job.

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"The course met my expectations. It was worth both my time and money."

Lynda King (USA)
"I though the course was excellently taught and I was extremely happy with my progress from the start to the finish of the course."

David Knapman (UK)
"This course is definitely worth every penny. I feel confident of my teaching skills after taking this course."

Kristen Wegner (USA)
"EBC TEFL came through in all regards. I feel confident in my ability to teach. They were also honest about language teaching in general in terms of what to expect. The staff was 100%. It is hard to imagine a group of people more dedicated to their jobs."

Brendan Mardesich (USA)
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