A Well-Balanced Syllabus with a Flexible, yet Demanding Program
Pedagogy
theory
Teaching
skills
Language
awareness
Cultural
awareness
Teaching
skills
The Via Lingua CTEFL Course focuses on five key aspects of successful language teaching
Pedagogy Theory and Teaching Skills component: Aims and Objectives
Our aims, in relation to the teaching skills and classroom management component of the course include:
- to prepare trainees for the opportunities and challenges of the TEFL classroom.
- to develop trainee awareness of classroom management techniques and teaching methodologies.
- to develop teaching skills with trainees which will enable them to be effective classroom practitioners.
In order to achieve these aims, the course provides opportunities for trainees:
- to reflect on their own experiences as language learners.
- to observe the techniques used by trainers during the input sessions.
- to develop an awareness of theories relating to the acquisition of first and additional languages.
- to develop an awareness of current teaching approaches and methodologies.
- to gain insights into the effective management of the learning environment.
- to consider basic models for developing language skills and planning lessons / activities.
- to identify relevant activities and materials which could be used with students in the classroom.
Input sessions are facilitated in a way which promotes experiential learning and a deductive approach to the study of language teaching. Furthermore, the sessions are characterized by a pragmatic, practical and creative approach which makes them accessible even for those trainees who come to the course with little or no background knowledge of teaching.
The Language Awareness Component: Aims and objectives
Our aims, in relation to the grammar component of the course, are threefold:
- to explore the significance of grammar awareness in a language-teaching programme
- to raise the awareness of trainees in relation to the nature and key features of English grammar
- to offer strategies for the development of language awareness with students of English as a foreign language
In order to achieve these aims, the course provides opportunities for trainees:
- to consider the relationship between grammar awareness and successful language acquisition.
- to explore techniques for presenting and exploring grammar within meaningful contexts.
- to observe the techniques used by trainers during the input sessions in relation to the analysis of language
- to study key features of English grammar as part of scheduled input sessions
- to study additional aspects of English grammar as part of the teaching-practice program
- to identify relevant activities and materials which could be used with students in order to promote language awareness
- to develop an understanding of why students make errors and mistakes in relation to grammar
- to explore strategies for responding to student errors and mistakes
In spite of popular myths to the contrary, grammar awareness sessions can be fun!
Phonology
This area of study will provide you with information about the sounds of the English language and offer you insights and teaching ideas which support the teaching of good pronunciation.
Teaching Practice
At the beginning of the course, you will observe a minimum of three lessons taught by qualified and experienced teachers.
During the second and third week of the course you will be required to teach & observed lessons of minimum 40 minutes. You will teach groups of students from at least two different levels of competence in English.
We will counsel you on the materials you will use and will offer you extensive support during guided lesson preparation time. As the course progresses, you will be expected to become less dependent on the support of our staff and to demonstrate your ability to work independently.
In addition to the classes you teach, you will also be required to work with an individual student for two 60 minute lessons.
All teaching practices with classes will be observed by trained and well qualified staff and you will receive group or individual feedback from them at the end of the lesson. Your work with an individual student will not be observed but you will be required toproduce a comprehensive report on the sessions before the end of the course.
Cultural Awareness
One of the most important aspects of our TEFL program is the opportunities we provide for you to experience the excitement of living, studying and working in a foreign country. For some trainees this can be a challenging prospect and so our trainers provide you with a supportive and safe environment where you can “find your feet” and then venture out into the unknown.
We guarantee to provide you with:
· Standardized, centrally located and inexpensive accommodation
· Opportunities to live with host families
· An orientation pack prior to arrival
· Workshop sessions on living and working in a foreign country
· Foreign language lessons
· Cultural awareness sessions
We expect you to:
· Respect the host culture
· Take the opportunity to get to know local people
· Take care of yourself and not put yourself at risk
· Make an effort to familiarize yourself with new customs, new ideas, new food, a new language.
By the end of the program you should be able to:
· Communicate at a basic level in the host country’s language
· Appreciate the challenges and opportunities of living, studying and working in a foreign country
· Feel confident about finding your way around the town, making new friends and looking for employment
· Appreciate something of the history, art and culture of the host country
· Feel confident enough to plan for your first year of living and working in a foreign country.
Life Skills, We guarantee to provide you with:
· Guidance, advice and support from our experienced team of trainers
· Access to our global network of language schools and training establishments
· Advice and support in preparing resumes, preparing for interviews and negotiating contracts
· Details about job vacancies
· Detailed and supportive references
· Opportunities to further your academic career with Nova Southeastern University
We expect you to:
· Discuss your requirements and employment goals with us
· Actively engage in the process of seeking a teaching position
· Complete your professional portfolio and share this at interview with prospective employers
By the end of the program you should be able to:
· Clearly define your employment goals
· Apply for a variety of international teaching posts
· Present yourself effectively through a resume and at an interview
· Negotiate a contract with an employer
Take up your first teaching post
Pedagogy Theory and Teaching Skills Course Content
1. Teaching and Learning a Foreign Language
2. The Role of the Teacher
3. Classroom Management
4. Using Published Material and Lesson Planning
5. Pair and Group Work. Instruction Giving
6/7.Teaching Receptive Skills
8/9.Teaching Vocabulary
10. Teaching Beginners
11/12.Teaching Grammar in Context
13. Correction Techniques
14. Language Games
15. Productive Skills: (Speaking)
16. Productive Skills (Writing)
17. English for Specific Purposes (Business English)
18. Teaching Children, Teaching in One to One Situations, Time-Lines
19. Assessing Student Progress
Language Awareness Component Course content
1/2. Introduction to English Grammar
3/4. Present Tenses
5/6. Past Tenses
7/8. Future Tenses
9. Modal Auxiliary Verbs, Reported Speech
10. Gerunds and Infinitives
11. Conditional Sentences
12. The Passive Voice
13. Relative Clauses, Phrasal Verbs
Teaching Practice Assessment
Unfortunately, you are going to be assessed on the course! However, while our approach to assessment is rigorous, it is also supportive and is conducted in such a way that our judgments are based on a very broad base of evidence.
- Teaching Practice: This accounts for 68% of your final grade (particular emphasis is given to your last four lessons with classes and to your individual student project).
- End of Course Test: This counts for 24% of your final grade and is focused on language awareness and grammar.
- Self-Assessment Portfolio: This will count for %8 of your final grade and should reflect strong goal-setting, reflection, and evidence of progress throughout the course.
Is there a correspondence/on-line option?
No. The practical teaching experience you acquire on the course teaching non-English speaking students is generally accepted as the most important element of a TEFL course and is what future employers will be looking for.
Life Skills
Supporting you as you seek your first appointment as a TEFL teacher is of primary importance to us. Approximately 80% of our trainees who actively seek employment during the duration of the course will have secured at least one job offer before they complete the program.
By the end of the program you should be able to:
· Clearly define your employment goals
· Apply for a variety of international teaching posts
· Present yourself effectively through a resume and at an interview
· Negotiate a contract with an employer
Take up your first teaching post
At the end of the course, you will be awarded a Certificate in TEFL if you have been successful in each of the above areas of formal assessment. Occasionally, individuals will be awarded a certificate of Merit or of Distinction if they have demonstrated a level of achievement above that which is expected.