Professional Development for EFL Teachers
Obtaining a TEFL certification marks the onset of your journey as an EFL teacher. Truth be told, it's merely the tip of the iceberg!After all, there's always room for improvement. Staying abreast of the latest advancements in English language teaching isn't just commendable; it's essential. This not only benefits your students in their language learning journey but also fosters your growth as an EFL educator.While some educational institutions may provide ongoing training opportunities for their faculty, those operating outside the conventional classroom setting or as independent contractors will benefit professional development.Thankfully, ITTT provides a range of specialised courses and a wealth of resources to help you stay at the forefront of teaching trends.
Table of Contents
Strategies for Furthering Your Career as an EFL Educator
Teaching Grammar and Phonology
5 Interesting Facts about the 250-hour TESOL Diploma Course can be viewed here
Strategies for Furthering Your Career as an EFL Educator
Following the acquisition of your initial TEFL certification, opportunities for specialisation abound through advanced training courses tailored to specific facets of TEFL. These courses not only embellish your resume but also facilitate entry into competitive sectors of the field, easing your professional trajectory. The most common areas being business English, teaching young learners and teaching English online.
At ITTT, we offer a selection of specialised courses for further professional development:
- 60-hour ITTT course in Teaching Business English (CTBE)
- 60-hour ITTT course in Teaching English to Young Learners (CTEYL)
- 60-hour ITTT course in Teaching English Online (CTEO)
- 60-hour ITTT Teaching Grammar and Phonology course (CTGP)
- 50-hour ITTT ELT Academic Planning course (CAP)
Teaching English Online
The course is designed for anyone who is currently working or intends to work within the field of teaching English online.Upon successfully completing the Certificate in Teaching English Online, course graduates should be able to:
- Discuss and evaluate the process of teaching English online using industry standard terminology.
- Create a curriculum based on an assessment of their learners' needs.
- Have real-world ideas for creating individual lessons that are tailored to the student's requirements, while also having clear ideas on how to execute the lessons to a wide spectrum of target online individuals or groups.
- Locate and create suitable materials for teaching English online.
- Develop assessment procedures for before, during and after the course.
- Understand the role of the English teacher in a wide variety of scenarios.
- Identify and pursue further opportunities for career development.
Teaching Young Learners
The course is designed for teachers who are currently working or intend to work within the field of teaching English to young learners.
Upon successfully completing the Certificate in Teaching English to Young Learners, course graduates should be able to:
- Discuss and evaluate the process of teaching English to young learners using industry standard terminology.
- Design a syllabus based on their students' individual needs assessment.
- Create everyday lesson plans tailored to the needs of young learners and have clear ideas for facilitating those lessons to different types of students.
- Find and create suitable materials for young learners.
- Design and use assessment methodologies for before, during and after a course.
- Understand the role of teaching English to young learners in a variety of different situations.
- Identify further opportunities for professional development.
Teaching Business English
The course is designed for teachers who are currently working or intend to work within the field of business English.Upon successfully completing the Certificate in Teaching Business English, course graduates should be able to:
- Discuss and evaluate the process of teaching business English using industry standard terminology.
- Create a curriculum based on an assessment of their learners' needs.
- Have real-world ideas for creating individual lessons that are tailored to the students' requirements, while also having clear ideas on how to execute the lessons to a wide spectrum of target groups.
- Locate and create suitable materials for teaching business English.
- Develop assessment procedures for before, during and after the course.
- Understand the role of a business English teacher in a wide variety of scenarios.
- Identify and pursue further opportunities for career development.
Teaching Grammar and Phonology
Our TGP course is particularly for those wishing to gain greater knowledge in two key areas of ESL teaching. Covering the fundamentals of English grammar and Phonology taught at most ESL learner levels, the course will prepare you for almost all teaching situations. A popular feature of the course is its flexibility which allows you to work through it at a pace that suits your circumstances.
Teaching Academic Planning
Our course in Academic Planning is particularly for those wishing to gain greater knowledge in two key areas of EFL teaching: the fundamentals of lesson planning and course design. The skills learned during the course will prepare you for many teaching situations.On completion of the course, you should have a basic knowledge of teachers and their roles, students and their needs, how to manage a classroom and the all-important skill of creating your own lessons.
Professional development can also include diploma or degree programs, teaching practice in a different setting or even connecting with a mentor who can offer a different perspective. Identifying the right method for growth isn't always a straightforward choice. Consider these points and how they fit with your career plans;
- Define your professional objectives to streamline your selection process for the most pertinent courses and programs.
- Assess your teaching environment. Take into account variables like grade level, subject matter, and any distinct challenges inherent in your teaching setting.
- Seek out reviews and recommendations from peers or reputable sources.
- Review the course curriculum and delivery method to ensure alignment with your preferred learning style. Determine if you favour online modules, interactive workshops, or instructor-led sessions.
- Prioritise courses taught by experienced educators or subject matter experts with proven success in education.
- Evaluate accessibility and flexibility to minimise disruptions to your routine. Ensure that course materials and resources are readily available and user-friendly.
- Compare the course fees against the perceived value. Assess the comprehensiveness of the content and the level of expertise it offers.
5 Interesting Facts about the 250-hour TESOL Diploma Course can be viewed here
As an educator, continued investment in professional development gives you the best chance to benefit your students and further your career.
