Tips For Getting The Most Out Of Your TEFL Course

Doing a TEFL course is definitely your passport to adventure. Truth be told, though, it’s not the easiest course to do and it’s not cheap. So here are some ideas for you to make the most out of your TEFL course:

Read

Reading is the obvious way to get the most out of your TEFL course. The TEFL course is all about information overload so reading before the course will help you keep up with all the theories, methodologies and approaches that will be thrown at you. It will help to consolidate the practical knowledge you will get on the course. So ask for a reading list before the course and take some time out before your course to read ahead.

Just remember: reading does not only mean books. These days these is no excuse to be ignorant. Spend some time online and find blogs and websites which will give you more information on all things TEFL. It can even be helpful to look on Youtube at examples of lessons just to get an idea of what teaching EFL can be like.

Get to know your classmates

Whether you are doing an online course or a face-to-face course, your classmates are the only ones who will truly understand the needs of your particular course. Get to know them – either over a cup of coffee or in the online forums – and utilise them as a source of information and motivation.

Don’t be afraid to ask questions

It’s not often that you have people around you constantly to answer any questions you may have, but TEFL is one of those situations. The course can be quite fast-paced so any time you get a bit lost in the content or lose your way in the theory, don’t be shy to ask someone for further clarification. Rather make sure you are comfortable with information before you move on, than try to play catch up at the end.

Think about where you want to go

Of course you can’t spend all your time studying! Take some time out and do some research on places you may possibly want to go to once you are TEFL-qualified. Immersing yourself in travel literature will help keep you focussed and maintain your motivation levels. Whenever you doubt your decision to pack up your life and embark on a TEFL adventure, spend some time looking at all the glossy photos and you’ll once again be reminded why you are doing what you are doing.