Why choose an In-Class TEFL course?

• Online TEFL courses offer flexibility and are ideal for those who don’t have easy access to an in-class TEFL course. However, there are very real advantages to taking an in-class TEFL course.
• It’s more fun!
• You’re not alone!
• Both in-class and online TEFL courses are intense. In an in-class situation, you have classmates to share the experience, to consult, help and advise you. You learn from each others’ input: questions, mistakes, and successes.
• The challenges of the practical components of in-class courses will help you to learn and grow. Great friendships often develop with the people who go through those challenges alongside you.
• You meet and interact with classmates, make new friends who also want to travel and teach overseas. You get to share information about jobs, travel plans, and different countries’ requirements.
• You gain experience and confidence presenting lessons in front of a class. Standing in front of a class can be stressful if you aren’t used to it. On an in-class course, you get many opportunities to practice teaching, and gain constructive pointers to help you improve your skills. At English Access Gauteng, you get to observe our fulltime teachers’ classes, and to take classes of non-English-speaking students.

All this practical experience will give you more confidence in your teaching abilities!

2. Do In-Class TEFL courses ensure better jobs?

There is an enormous variety of TEFL jobs advertised on the Internet, each with their own specific requirements. There are jobs for which an online course is perfectly adequate.

It makes sense, however, that for a teaching position in a school, many employers would prefer to hire a student who has had practical experience in a classroom.

3. What qualities should a successful TEFL teacher have?

• Adaptability. Living in a foreign country can include many surprises. Being able to adapt to different cultures and ways of doing things will help you to settle and enjoy your TEFL adventure.
• Flexibility.  Even the most well-prepared lessons don’t always go to plan. Being able to change tack and improvise if an activity isn’t working is a key quality of a great teacher.
• Patience.  Learning and applying a new language takes time. TEFL teachers need to be patient with students, allowing them time to work it out for themselves.
• Willing Learner.  Be willing to sign up for a class in your students’ mother tongue. Many TEFL positions offer this as part of the package.  Your willingness to understand your new country and its customs will go a long way to ensuring your happy stay.
• Humility.  Although a thorough knowledge of your subject is preferable, it’s okay not to know everything. Make light of your mistakes and learn from them.  Being humble improves classroom rapport.
• Creativity.  Textbooks are mostly an excellent resource, but can be added to and adapted to create fun ways for students to use the target language inside and outside of the classroom.
• Respect. Successful teachers respect their students. They are approachable, know when to have fun, but also when to set boundaries. This earns respect from the students and leads to a well-managed learning experience.
• Professionalism.  Well-prepared lessons, appropriate dress, punctuality, organised materials, all contribute to making a successful TEFL teacher.