June on the TEFL Times has been set aside for a series of articles from Sharon K Couzens de Hinojosa, the creator and writer of TEFL Tips.

The best teachers are those who keep on learning and trying new things. Here are some ideas to help you get started about learning about teaching. And even if you’re an experienced teacher, you’ll find some ideas below to help you out.

Dos

●Visit your local library and check out books on teaching.

● Ask to observe some classes at your local school, university, or language school. Take notes on the different teaching methods that you observe and then try to use them in your own classes.

● Talk to teachers. Even new teachers have some tips on discipline, activities, or things to do in class.

● Join forums to get new ideas. There are lots of people eager to share their information with others. You can take note of their ideas and add your own as well.

● Attend workshops, congresses, and conferences. Not only can you learn valuable information about teaching, but it’s also a great place to network.

● Volunteer to teach. There are many opportunities out there. And you can get valuable teaching experience and help others learn in the process.

Try a wide variety of setting, beginners to advanced, young to old. There are different groups that appeal to different students.

● Look online for ready-made worksheets and activities. There are heaps of fun activities to do, no matter what you’re teaching.

● Ask your institute to create a resource center for teachers. You can leave material that you’ve made and borrow material that others have made.

● Enroll in a class. Lots of language institutes offer classes for teachers. It’s a great way to learn about new ideas and methods.

● Go for a higher diploma or degree. If you already have a BA, consider getting a PGDE or an MA. Not only will you learn more, but it will also open up doors for you.

● Listen to your students. Students are the best form of feedback. Take the last five minutes of class and ask your students what they liked best and least of your lesson.

● Have other teachers observe you and tell you what you think.

● Look for new opportunities to move up. Once you’ve been teaching for a while, try getting a higher position, like head teacher.

Don’ts

● Reject new ideas before trying them.

● Think that you know all there is to know. You can always learn more. Methods are constantly changing as well, so you need to update how you teach.

● Get stuck in a rut. If you find yourself in automatic mode, it might be time to change jobs, or at least take on a new class.

● Be narrow-minded, you can learn from all types of people, from the teacher-backpacker to the lifers.
About the author

Sharon K Couzens de Hinojosa is the creator and writer for TEFL Tips, The LA Job List, and The Ultimate Peru List. She enjoys answering people’s questions about TEFLing and Peru.

Another article from Sharon K Couzens de Hinojosa, author of the TEFL Tips blog.

Many people get into TEFL as a gap year activity before going back to the “real” world and getting a “real” job. However, there are some of us who stay in the game for a while. Although time is a great way to move up in the TEFL world, you’ll have to do more than that if you want to snag the good jobs. There are two tried and true ways to move up and get better jobs in the TEFL world. First is experience and the other is qualifications.

Experience is pretty easy, you’ll want to work at good places, not only institutes, but schools as well. You’ll want to work with a variety of age levels and English levels in order to get as much experience as possible. If you teach the same age and level for a while, you’ll be likely to get into a rut. Changing classes will allow you to work with different books and try out different activities. If you spend a lot of time at one place, you’ll probably get the chance to work with different classes. Another reason to stay at one place is that you’ll also be more likely to be chosen for promotion.

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Qualifications is the other. Employers place high value on attending workshops, congresses, and conferences, and belonging to professional associations. The place where you work might be willing to subsidise part of the cost of belonging to a professional organisation or attending a training event. Some places may stress training sessions so your school may offer these free to their employees. If not, try to attend a conference, as it allows you to do some networking. Create a section on your CV that lists a few of the recent conferences that you have attended.

Longer-term options include certificate, diploma, master, and even doctorate courses. While some places may offer to pay for part of your education, even if they don’t, you should consider investing in yourself.

In addition to paper qualifications, becoming a member of a professional association has benefits. Not only will you find out about the latest training courses, but they often offer discounts on courses or material. Also, by joining a professional association, you’ll be put in contact with others in your field, and many of them can be prospective employers.

So if you want to make TEFL your career option, remember to get experience and qualifications and you’ll be a shoo-in for a promotion.

About the author
Sharon K Couzens de Hinojosa is the creator and writer for TEFL Tips, The LA Job List, and The Ultimate Peru List. She enjoys answering people’s questions about TEFLing and Peru.