TEFL trainers are essential to the TEFL world. After all, where would we all be without them? In this article, Georgina, one of EBC’s teacher trainers shares her insights on the profession with us. Whether you’re an English teacher, a teacher trainer, or an educator in general, her insights will surely resonate.
TEFL trainer insights: Forming a career
I’ve always known that I wanted to be a teacher. (At first), I didn’t know what kind of teacher. However, I went on to study the English language at university. Then, during the course, I had some experience teaching English as a foreign language to other students. And actually, I found that I enjoy doing that. So, after my degree, I went on to do the CELTA course and the MA in TESOL in teaching English to speakers of other languages, and I made TEFL my career. And I’m still teaching–like 10 years out.
TEFL trainer insights: Deciding to branch out
I had been teaching for like five, five years I think. And I wanted to try something to add to my experience. And the school I was working at, at that time, they were offering, the CertTESOL course. I started shadowing a few (things). Then I became a teacher trainer myself.
TEFL trainer insights: Challenges of the job
I think it can be the same as a teacher and teacher trainer. Because it can be quite overwhelming at times. Especially if you have to teach big groups of students or big groups of trainees because each student has their own learning needs.
Each trainee or student has their own learning style. And it’s quite difficult to plan, prepare, and deliver, a lesson that meets all your students’ needs in a way. And, it can be quite disappointing when you, for example…Let’s say you spent hours–especially at first. You spent hours planning a lesson, and then it doesn’t go as planned when you actually deliver the lesson.
TEFL trainer insights: Occasional overwhelm
It can be quite overwhelming as a teacher trainer, especially when you have a big group. The marking can be quite heavy at times as well. Again, especially if you have a big group of trainees. But at the same time, from a trainee’s point of view, it is quite an intensive course.
As a trainer, you have to be there for the trainee emotionally as well…to give them emotional support as well. So as a trainer, you’re not only managing the academic aspect of the course.
Literally, you have to be there for your trainee 24/7 because they will be asking for help at any time of the day. About the lesson planning, about the assignments.
They come to you because like they’re feeling overwhelmed, the anxiety, because of the feeling that they can’t meet a deadline. After all, it can be a very intensive course. And as a trainer, you have to be able to manage all that. So it can be quite hard on us as well.
TEFL trainer insights: The rewarding aspects of training teachers
Apart from the fact that I actually enjoy being a teacher trainer–it’s something that I actually look forward to doing. I think the most rewarding is when past trainees who have finished the course then contact me to tell me about their new jobs. ‘I’m working here, thanks to you…thank you.’ ‘I’m in this country teaching.’ And it’s nice to know that I’ve helped them basically achieve the dream. The goal.
TEFL trainer insights: Disconnecting after work is essential
Especially since the course is online, a way for me to relax and unwind…I live literally five minutes from the beach, so if the weather permits, I like to go on a long walk by the beach. Especially if I’ve been teaching for many hours in front of a screen. I prefer just to get out, and go for a long walk.
If not–if the weather does not permit, then maybe a good Netflix series. Like binge watch for hours. It always does the work.
TEFL trainer insights: How to go far in the profession
Patience. Patience. I think you need to be patient to deal with everything. Students. Planning. Don’t be afraid to ask for help from fellow teachers. For help, for advice, for recommendations…and try to get as much experience as you can. Teaching young learners, teenagers, and adults, cause you never know what you might prefer doing.
Adults, and then you get a group of teenagers or young learners. And then you just switch. Don’t be afraid to experiment basically in the classroom, to use different skills and methods.
Fun fact about Georgina
I recently started kickboxing. And I actually think that’s a way to unwind. After a long, stressful day at work, kickboxing. And you can take all your energy and everything that went wrong that day (and go) kickboxing. So, there you go. If you want to be a teacher, I think you should start kickboxing as well.
If you want to take your English teaching to the next level, enrol in the EBC Trinity CertTESOL course. It is accepted and recognised by the British Council, which works in over 100 countries worldwide.
Related Articles
- Information about EBC
- What makes a great teacher?
- 9 essential questions before you travel to teach English
- Meet our TEFL training and administration team
- CPD for practising English teachers is vital – see why
Accredited TEFL Training Courses
- Accredited online TESOL certification course, a face-to-face live-streaming TEFL course
- TEFL course in Madrid Spain, accredited TEFL course, the Trinity CertTESOL
- Trinity CertPT CPD courses courses for practising teachers
- Accredited teaching Business English course, a Business English CPD course
- Accredited CLIL course – Content and Language Integrated Learning, a CLIL CPD course
- Accredited CLT course, Communicative Language Teaching, a CLT CPD course
- Accredited teaching English online course, a teaching English online CPD course
- Online TEFL certification course in TESOL & TEFL, a 200-hour course with trainer-marked assignments
- EBC short TEFL skills courses with certification
