Are you getting ready to begin your great adventure of teaching English abroad? If so, savor this exciting moment. Still, you probably have questions and maybe some anxiety about what lies ahead. Let’s take a look at some of the questions you may have before you take our TESOL/TESL/TEFL course to get your Oxford Seminars’ certification.
Are there any requirements for taking the Oxford Seminars’ certification course?
There is no degree required to take the course. The course is at the level of a first year university class. Some countries you apply to work in may require a university degree for visa purposes, but it isn’t necessary to have a degree to take our course. It covers a multitude of aspects of the English language and numerous methods of teaching English. What’s more, your instructor is always there to address any questions and to help you in class.
Do I need to do anything to prepare for the course in advance?
Our certification course is a complete program, and the materials that you get in the class are enough to give you the information you need to teach English overseas. The course books provide a wealth of information including sample lessons and activities you can use in all the different skill areas. Also, you will be learning different methods of teaching students and sharing lessons with other students and the instructor. This means you can feel comfortable knowing you will be learning what you need in order to teach English abroad.
If you have a particular part of the world you are interested in, it never hurts to do some research on that region. Some students might have a clear idea of where they would like to teach, but if you don’t, there is plenty of opportunity to explore different options. The Oxford Job Placement Service can help you decide as well. There are many exciting job possibilities available, and with the information provided from your advisor, you will be able to decide which one is best for you.
Is the course online?
The Oxford certificate class consists of 60 hours of in-class instruction, plus 40 hours of grammar instruction online that you can do at your own pace. While many programs offer online only courses, our course offers the unique opportunity of getting feedback directly from your instructor and a chance to share information and lessons with other students.
A class where you can give demonstration lessons and receive feedback is ever so important in the formation of a good teacher. You can ask questions and receive answers when they are most relevant to you. Since you will also be observing your classmates’ lessons, you will leave the course with many ideas and lesson plans for teaching reading, writing, speech, grammar, and pronunciation.
There is no substitute for this kind of interaction with your instructor and other students, which just isn’t possible in an online environment only. Plus, you can enjoy the learning experience with others.
What’s the format of the course?
Since our TESOL/TESL/TEFL in-class course takes place over 3 weekends, the pace will keep you engaged. Each day is divided up into different aspects of language and instruction. The course is interactive and covers language acquisition, the different skill areas for teaching English with sample lessons and activities, how to create effective lessons, information on classroom management, different aspects of teaching abroad and what to expect while abroad. If you haven’t spent much time abroad, the section on culture shock will be very helpful. You’ll also learn how to prepare a resume for teaching abroad and practice interview techniques.
Oxford Seminars focuses on giving you as much input as possible for learning how to teach and what to teach. There is plenty of opportunity for practicing what you learn as you will do demonstration lessons in skill areas. But, don’t worry if you’ve never taught before, there are model lesson plans to follow, and your instructor will give you suggestions. The feedback you receive will help define your role as a teacher. You will come out of the course with practical knowledge that you will be able to use immediately.
What happens at the end of the course?
When you finish the course, you’ll receive the 100 hour TESOL/TESL/TEFL certificate. This is an internationally recognized teaching certificate designed specifically for job placements abroad. For information about teaching in the U.S. or Canada, it is best to inquire at the particular school at which you are interested in teaching. The fact that you have a TESOL/TESL/TEFL certificate may open doors for you. Your certificate shows your commitment to being the best teacher you can be in this dynamic world of teaching English. Learn how you can get started on your Oxford Seminars’ certification here.
Teresa Peipins spent many years teaching in Barcelona, Spain at institutes and at the university. Her first job abroad was in Medellin, Colombia, and she never looked back. From there, she taught in Malaysia before finding a home in Spain. Presently, she’s teaching at the Savannah College of Art and Design Language Studio in Atlanta and has a novel forthcoming with Black Rose Publishing.
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