A lot of teachers, new and experienced, come forward asking how they can improve their teaching skills, expand their theoretical knowledge of teaching principles as well as how to get practical ideas for the classroom. They also want to know which are the qualifications that can help them expand their work opportunities.
The English speaking EFL industry has been using the TEFL courses for a long time as the means to identify, among other criteria, the teachers they hire for the summer and/or year-round courses offered across the English-speaking world (United Kingdom, Ireland, USA, Canada, Australia, etc).
TEFL stands for Teaching English as a Foreign Language. Typically, it involves a fluent English speaker, teaching English to students in schools, language institutes or workplaces. A TEFL course equips new and experienced teachers with the skills, knowledge and confidence to teach English. The best TEFL courses are accredited, Ofqual-regulated, recognised and are in huge demand by employers around the world.
Gatehouse Awards has made available three, Level 5 Certificates and Diplomas in Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL). The GA TEFL courses are the UK’s longest-standing short courses, with over 175,000 TEFL teachers taking them, over the last 20 years. All courses are accredited, Ofqual-regulated, equivalent to CELTA and Trinity Cert TESOL/foundation degree level. They are completed 100% online. One can access the modules at anytime, anyplace from their tablet, computer or smart phone. All courses are packed-full with videos, real-life classroom scenarios and interactive quizzes. They are among the most enjoyable TEFL courses available.
On passing one of the courses, successful candidates will receive an internationally-recognised professional TEFL certificate
The three GA TEFL courses are:
GA Level 5 Certificate in Teaching English as a Foreign Language (180 hours)
There are 10 modules in total which take about 180 hours to study. The modules are: Introduction to TEFL, Lesson Planning, Structuring Lessons, Making it work in the classroom, Teaching Vocabulary, Teaching Pronunciation, Teaching Grammar, Teaching Young Learners, Teaching the 4 Skills, Using External Sources. All students are assessed at the end of each module with a test. Throughout the course there are three written assignments after module 5, module 8 and 10.
GA Level 5 Certificate in Teaching English as a Foreign Language (240 hours)
The 240-hour online TEFL course is a combination of the 180-hour course plus the GA exclusive 60-hour Level 5 Teaching One-to- One & Online specialism. It is designed to get one ready to teach individual students from the comfort of their home, online or in different one-to-one environments. Students will be assessed with one more assignment on top of the tests and assignments of the 180-hour course. The additional assignment to be completed involves conducting a language analysis of a student’s English language proficiency level and creating a syllabus.
GA Level 5 Diploma in Teaching English as a Foreign Language (300 hours)
The 300-hour TEFL is a combination of the 180-hour plus TWO exclusive Level 5 specialisms: Teaching Online & One-to-One AND Teaching Business English. The aim of the Teaching Business English course, which one will start after completing the 240-hour TEFL course, is to get them ready to teach students in a corporate or business environment. Upon completing the 240-hour course assignments, students will have an additional assignment to complete, which will involve choosing one from a possible four Business English topics and producing a detailed Business English lesson plan, materials and rationale.
Experienced, DELTA-qualified tutors offer continuous help, support and feedback over telephone, email or web chat service.
What are the entry requirements for the GA TEFL courses? There aren’t any academic entry requirements to enrol on any of the GA courses but one must be a native, or fluent/near-native English speaker. There are assignments to complete, so a good standard of academic writing is expected. Most applicants are accepted onto the course upon application. In some instances, they may be interviewed in person, over the phone or via remote video facility e.g. Skype.
Lia Naoumidou is the Examinations Director of Gnosis Assessment which administers the Test of Interactive English (TIE) and the Classic in Greece. GA TEFL detailed presentation can be found on: www.qualexperts.gr/index.php/tefl/ , or email us at: info@qualexperts.gr. All courses are offered at highly affordable fees
