Teach Abroad | Advice for New TEFL Trainees

At the end of our TEFL course, we ask our students to write advice in the form of a ‘letter to a future TEFL trainee’ as part of their journal project.

Monique recently completed our ‘Fast Track Job Preparation and Placement Assistance’ programme in Siem Reap, Cambodia. This course, which is offered in all of our training destinations, is specifically designed for those who already have a TEFL certificate, but lack onsite training with real teacher practicums. Those wanting to participate in the Fast Track programme will need to first complete an assignment to ensure that they know the basics – and then they’ll slot into weeks 3 and 4 of our full 4-week TEFL/TESOL course, starting with a recap of the techniques and methods used in an ESL classroom, followed by lesson planning, and then delivering lessons in a real classroom setting. They’ll also learn about Asian culture, and join our culture tour and activities.

Here’s Monique’s advice to someone considering the Fast Track TEFL course:

‘Dear new Fast Track student

So you thought you had finished your training when you got your certificate?… Nope, you certainly have not.

Honestly, you can all but forget what you have learned, because Destination TEFL will teach you a better way to what you have been taught, and of course, because you have not been exposed to class time in real teacher practices.

I received my level 5 certificate, and let me tell you I was not ready for any of this. In the few days that I joined the course before the start of the teacher practicums, I have learned more than I did in the 165hrs of online training. Proper lesson plans and how to manage classes, you would think we would know it from having completed the previous certificate… but noooooo!

In only 10 days I have been given the opportunity to not only learn so much but also how to teach what I have learned in the best way possible.

The amount of feedback I have received, good and bad, has helped me improve myself and how I plan on teaching in the future, and how I want to change and grow the minds of my students.

The tools that I have been given on how to prepare and how to teach adequately have been amazing. In all honesty, I wish I had rather done my diploma here from the start. Even though I came at a later stage I was made to feel like part of the group. Just hang in there, you can do this.

It has been such a great idea to join Destination TEFL and I assure you that you will enjoy meeting new people and reduce the amount of stress you feel about having to stand in front of a class without any practice time. Welcome to your future. The fun part starts now.

See you soon

Monique’

We’re pleased to say that Monique received several job offers immediately after the course! This is the message we received from her the day after her course:

‘I have received 11 emails inviting me for teaching interviews, 5 telegram interviews, 7 Zoom meetings, 2 in-person interviews (one I had to sing at ), and 3 job offers!!

This morning I went to another in-person interview and found exactly what I was looking for! This afternoon I got, and accepted this job offer .

Although I had to send numerous emails of thank you messages and declined offers to all the other institutes, I know I made the right decision.’

Here’s her review on Google:

‘As a previous level 5 TEFL graduate from another company, I could not have been happier to have found Destination TEFL. These last two and a half weeks have been so inspiring and I truly feel that I have learned more in this time than in my 168hrs of online training. I could not have been more impressed by the Fast Track package! If I had known about Destination TEFL beforehand, I would have done the complete course here in Siem Reap. I cannot recommend Destination TEFL more for anyone. Be it a new person wanting to make a change in their life or someone who has already completed an online course. This is the way to go! Today is our graduation and I already have so many interviews set up and callbacks to do! Thank you Destination TEFL for making such a big difference in my life!!!’

If you already have a TEFL certificate but want to add a refresher or classroom experience, join us for the Fast Track TEFL course with job preparation and placement assistance in Cambodia, Thailand or Bali.

Or book a call to discuss your teach-abroad options.