Best Year Of My Life

Discipline in the classroom is many faceted. In this article, I will focus on being proactive with discipline. I have been a teacher for over twenty-five years and have always worked to create a positive, caring and supportive classroom for my students. In a classroom, there must be rules, positive consequences and negative consequences. That is part of creating a positive discipline plan. If teacher is proactive, she will have much less difficulty with discipline. The goal i s to be able to teach the curriculum in a comfortable classroom atmosphere-for you as a teacher and for your student. The single best resource I have found for discipline is a book entitled The First Days of School by Harry Wong. Harry says, ?What you do on the first days of school will...  [Read more]

This marks my thirteenth week as a new teacher of sixth and seventh grade students, ages eleven to thirteen. I teach history and my class sizes range from twenty-three to twenty-seven, with a total of one hundred and fifty students throughout the day. As one can imagine, classroom management and discipline are extremely important with groups this size and with children in general. In an effort to improve the effectiveness of my current teaching position and to set the tone for my future ESL/EFL classrooms, I consulted the Phi Delta Kappan, an excellent resource for teachers both beginning their careers and those who are seasoned veterans in the field. Metzger, Margaret (2002). Classroom Management: Learning to Discipline. Phi Delta Kappan 84, 77-84. Metzger is a life-long...  [Read more]

A TEFL course is a very unique course in that once qualified the world is literally your oyster!! Or as quoted by TEFL International ?the world is your classroom? (2) For all those hungry for travel but thought they were too old, for those who didn?t want to book the standard RTW trip or waste a year of their life saving for it!, for those that want to travel whilst learning a new skill, for those that want to seek out the more remote parts of the world and experience living in and with different cultures, for those who want to meet like minded people, for those who want a career break, for those who want a career!, for those who want to better their teaching skills, for those who want to make their dreams come true, for those who just want to get away from their...  [Read more]

To Teach, Travel, Work and Live abroad! says the ITTT website. Indeed, the main reasons for wanting to be a certified TEFL teacher are most probably these. If you are a student, to travel the world, discover different cultures, meet new people and learn the local language. If you are an office employee, frustrated by the routine and bored with your job, to escape to China or Japan to teach and learn about Buddhism. If you are an experienced teacher, to give a new dimension to your teaching. If you want to help others, to do volunteer work in Africa.There are a multitude of personal and professional reasons that may motivate people from all walks of life to do a TEFL course. For me it was to be a real teacher. This is my story.I am a native English speaker, but have lived in...  [Read more]

Madrid is not only the capital of Spain, but also the most populated city in the country and the nerve center of the government and economy, all of which make it a great location for taking a teacher training course. Famous as one of the most welcoming and hospitable capitals in Europe, Madrid is a very cosmopolitan city that is home to a wide range of cultures from all corners of the globe. Here you will find countless opportunities to make friends and to work alongside people from all backgrounds and walks of life. Regardless of the time of year, you will never be short of things to do in Madrid. Indoors you can explore many fascinating art galleries, including the Museo del Prado, Museo Reina Sofía and Museo Thyssen-Bornemisza, as well as numerous museums. When the weather is fine...  [Read more]

Madrid is not only the capital of Spain, but also the most populated city in the country and the nerve center of the government and economy, all of which make it a great location for taking a teacher training course. Famous as one of the most welcoming and hospitable capitals in Europe, Madrid is a very cosmopolitan city that is home to a wide range of cultures from all corners of the globe. Here you will find countless opportunities to make friends and to work alongside people from all backgrounds and walks of life. Regardless of the time of year, you will never be short of things to do in Madrid. Indoors you can explore many fascinating art galleries, including the Museo del Prado, Museo Reina Sofía and Museo Thyssen-Bornemisza, as well as numerous museums. When the weather is fine...  [Read more]

If you crave adventure and a lifestyle that’s out of the ordinary, Phnom Penh, Cambodia is the perfect location to launch your ‘teach English abroad’ journey. The transformation of Cambodia over the past three decades from a country characterised by occupation and trouble, to a Southeast Asian powerhouse, is phenomenal. There’s an insatiable demand for English language skills in Cambodia - and a chronic shortage of TEFL qualified people to teach English. What does this mean for people just like you? Simple! It means opportunities galore. Phnom Penh is the capital city of Cambodia and the nation’s international gateway. With a population of around 2.5 million people and a relatively confined central business district, it has a noticeably slower pace of life than you’ll find in...  [Read more]

After spending the last year in Korea I feel sharing my experiences there will be of great assistance to any ESL teachers who are considering or have accepted a position in the country. Firstly, I would like to outline the basic conditions of employment in the country The average salary is around 2,000,000 Won per month, which is equal to around $2,200, this amount is fairly standard whether working at a government school, university or the most common place of employment the all prevalent language school or ?Hagwon? in Korean. Furthermore, your employer will provide free accommodation, round trip air fare and will make a contribution to both the government run health insurance program and pension fund. Additionally upon completion of your contract you will receive...  [Read more]

After spending the last year in Korea I feel sharing my experiences there will be of great assistance to any ESL teachers who are considering or have accepted a position in the country. Firstly, I would like to outline the basic conditions of employment in the country The average salary is around 2,000,000 Won per month, which is equal to around $2,200, this amount is fairly standard whether working at a government school, university or the most common place of employment the all prevalent language school or “Hagwon” in Korean. Furthermore, your employer will provide free accommodation, round trip air fare and will make a contribution to both the government run health insurance program and pension fund.Additionally upon completion of your contract you will receive...  [Read more]

Volunteer teaching can be the most rewarding experience of your life or a total nightmare depending on your expectations and attitude. You need to be realistic about what kind of person you are. Are you the type who can travel the world making your own contacts and decide independently where best to spend your tine? Or are you the type who needs to know exactly where you will be sleeping each night and exactly what your days will hold? Most of us fall somewhere in between. People often ask why should I pay to volunteer somewhere? Aren?t they already getting my time and effort for nothing? Well is most cases it costs the organisation money to have you there, sometimes the benefit outweighs the cost for them and sometimes not. ?In Nicaragua, I often heard the comment...  [Read more]

Motivation is fuel for learning. What motivates us to learn what we know? The answer to this question creates a foundation for our subject matter, which in the end will determine the permanence of that knowledge. As TEFL Teachers, we should all look at our own experience as students and analyze what motivates us in a classroom. Let?s look to personal experience for evidence of the impact motivation has on the permanence of a foreign language and examine three main motivators for learning a new language: recognition, curiosity, and necessity. In school, we study for recognition. When I studied French at the university, I memorized many terms simply for the grade I desired; however, I was not able to communicate with French people I met. For many students the...  [Read more]

You only have to spend a short time in Bangkok to see why it was named as one of the world’s Top Ten Cities by Travel + Leisure and the number one visited city by Global Destination Cities Index. The city is home to a wide variety of quality restaurants, frantic non-stop shopping, pristine temples and thailand’s best museums. It is a unique blend of modern and traditional life with sleek city malls and floating markets. If you’re in to night life, Bangkok, or the City of Angles as it I also known, is second to none. Bangkok is arguably the best city in thailand for Thai food whether you’re eating on the street or at five star restaurants. You can find a taste of each part of the country here as well fantastic international dishes. ittt’s training centre in Bangkok is a working...  [Read more]

There’s only a handful of cities in the world that truly deserve ‘must visit’ status and Hanoi is certainly one of them. While most people can only dream about a fleeting trip to Hanoi – if they’re lucky – ‘living like a local’ and working as EFL teacher in this magnificent city is a realistic proposition for anyone with a sense of adventure. Hanoi is Vietnam’s capital city and the seat of government. It’s noticeably smaller than Ho Chi Minh City in the south, but the pace of life is similarly frenetic. While Ho Chi Minh City is often referred to as Vietnam’s ‘engine room’, Hanoi is more of a ‘grand old lady’. It’s tough to pin down what makes Hanoi such a special place. Is it because there’s history, culture and art on display in seemingly every street...  [Read more]

As the capital of the People's Republic of china, Beijing is well known for its friendly people, great food, extensive history and amazing cultural sites. Our fantastic location in the Xi Zhi Men downtown area means we are within a short journey of many of the city’s most famous attractions such as the Forbidden City, the Summer Palace, the Great Wall and Tiananmen Square. The amazing city of Beijing provides the perfect venue for taking a TEFL certificate course in China. Although developing at a rapid rate, Beijing is one of the few cities within China that still maintains much of its ancient cultural heritage. From the world renowned Great Wall, to the countless small hutongs (narrow, ancient alleyways) found around the Qianmen area, Beijing is overflowing with culture and history....  [Read more]

Thailand is known as the Land of Smiles. The culture is warm, friendly and genuine. There is a big expat community out there, so you’re in a new and exciting culture but also engaging with many different cultures through the expat network as well. The travel opportunities are wonderful, either around Thailand itself or to neighboring countries. AND the food is delicious and fresh! Hua Hin is a beautiful city on the beach in central Thailand, approximately two and a half hours away from Bangkok. The area has some amazing beaches, mountains, viewpoints, temples, night markets, water parks, and dining experiences for you to choose from and enjoy at any time of the year. Hua Hin itself features a beautiful, powdery sand beach, plenty of waterside seafood restaurants, a lively night market...  [Read more]

Bogotá is an exciting and South American city. The capital of Colombia, it is located in the heart of the Andes at 2,640 meters. It is one of the highest capitals in the world and is home to Colombians from all parts of the country. Bogotá is the energetic centre of a number of different Colombian cultures as well as other countries from South America. Bogotá always has something interesting to see or do in the city. Whether it’s experiencing the local culture in the old downtown area, or exploring the country’s beautiful landscapes and wildlife. There are a number of quality restaurants, clubs, cafes and bars to enjoy in Bogotá as wells as old houses, churches and convents, which date back several hundred years. There are also numerous parks where you can find a variety of...  [Read more]

The world’s only island city-state, Singapore is a cosmopolitan, tropical metropolis where people from all over the world live and work. In this exotic city you can sip your espresso on the balcony while watching as massive tropical thunderstorms roll in one minute only to be quickly replaced by gorgeous sunshine the next. Once known as the “Jewel of the British Empire”, Singapore’s British past can be seen in buildings such as the Raffles Hotel named after the founder of Singapore; Stamford Raffles, street names and numerous statues and other monuments. Singapore abounds with interesting things to see and do. A visit to Sentosa Island, home to Universal Studios Singapore, Madame Tussauds and the SEA Aquarium, is a must for any visitor. Clarke Quay, Arab Street and Boat Quay will...  [Read more]

The TEFL International course in northern Thailand is held in Chiang Mai, which was once the capital city of the Lanna Kingdom and is now the capital of North Thailand. Chiang Mai was founded more than 700 years ago, and is one of the oldest cities in Thailand; it’s recognized as having an independent cultural personality of its own. The Thai people love their beloved northern capital; a quaint, walled and moated city surrounded by a beautiful landscape nestled in a valley surrounded by national parks consisting of mountains, rivers, forests, waterfalls, meadows and rice fields. As a location, Chiang Mai offers a unique experience for TEFL International TEFL Courses in Thailand. Many feel that Chiang Mai is an essential part of any visit to Thailand. Located more than 700km northwest of...  [Read more]

Located in the east of the country, Uzbekistan’s capital, Tashkent, is its largest city and the most populated city in the region of Central Asia with around two and a half million people calling it home. The city became the capital of the Republic of Uzbekistan when the country became independent in 1991. Tashkent has a long and interesting history which is evidenced in its delightful architecture. The exhibition halls and metro stations are particularly good examples to look out for. One of the best ways of experiencing local life in Tashkent is to drop by one of the numerous local markets, which are thriving social centers for the local inhabitants. The nightlife in Tashkent is exciting and varied and you will find the best clubs, restaurants and teahouses in Uzbekistan in the city....  [Read more]

The tefl international center in central greece is located in Corinth and offers the four-week, 120-hour intensive course with 10 hours of teaching practice, internationally experienced trainers, and an internationally recognized certification. The Greek TEFL International center also offers global employment assistance and well-equipped and comfortable classrooms, and provides accommodation for the duration of the course. The TESOL course fees include the course itself, all course materials, certification, and a ‘meet and greet' at the railway station in Corinth, if required. Corinth is on the Peloponnese Peninsula, home to a large number of ancient sites and the most visited part of mainland Greece outside Athens. For many, a visit to the Peloponnese region offers the best chance to...  [Read more]

Seville is the capital and largest city of the region of Andalusia, in the South of spain. It is quite possibly one of europe's most beautiful and exuberant cities, and has captivated visitors for centuries with its rich history and folkloric tradition that continues to permeate daily Sevillano life. Legend has it that Seville was founded by the famous Hercules, and this city also gave life to the legendary figure of Don Juan, offered a nearby port from which columbus sailed to discover the New World, and produced such notable characters as Carmen and Figaro. Seville's biggest holiday, Holy Week (La Semana Santa), is during the March/April course, as is Seville's week long party, the Feria. From April 30 to May 4, everyone in Seville spends as much time as possible at the fairgrounds,...  [Read more]

paris, france. An incredible destination for a TEFL course. What can be said about Paris that you don’t already know? Paris assaults the senses, demanding to be seen, heard, touched, tasted and smelt. From romance along the Seine to landscapes on bus-sized canvases to lounging in cafés discussing the finer points on the use of garlic, Paris is the essence of all things French. TEFL trainees can gaze longingly at its breezy boulevards, impressive monuments, great works of art and magic lights. Savour its gourmet pastiche of cheese, chocolate, wine and seafood. Feel the wind in your face as you rollerblade through Bastille, or a soupçon of fear and pleasure at the top the Eiffel Tower. Paris is a city to discover before, during and after your TEFL course. So see the sights, visit the...  [Read more]