If you are interested in teaching English as a second language, terrific resources are available to attain the credentials you will need. Because English has become the language of world-wide business, the demand for English teachers for non-native English speakers is huge and growing. Likewise, the number of suppliers of TESL certificates and coursework has grown. It is crucial that whatever coursework you take, you can count on the quality and reliability of the sponsor.
A good example of quality is LC Coaching at lccoaching.com. This language and culture coaching organization offers TESL/TEFL certification in 100 hours of training time. The real key to teaching English as a second language is the “teaching” part; LC Coaching emphasizes imbuing its students with the skills to teach. Teaching students a second or foreign language requires not only knowledge of vocabulary, grammar, syntax, usage and a native speaker’s fluency, but some knowledge of pedagogy. A TESL teacher needs to know about learning styles, cultural differences, the role of group dynamics, and how to create and carry out lesson plans that work effectively. He or she needs to know how to deal with conflict; how to teach a roomful of students who may be proceeding at different paces; how to work with students who understand little or nothing of the language being taught, while the teacher in turn may understand little or nothing of the language of the students.
Take a look at lccoaching.com’s Frequently Asked Questions page; you’ll see many of your questions about “why do I need a teaching credential” answered clearly.
It is also important that a teaching credential in this field not be simply some abstraction – you get it and forget it. Once you have completed your coursework, you will need assistance in making contact with prospective employers, interviewing, and obtaining a job. Quality schools provide job placement assistance and LC Coaching in particular even provides a job placement guarantee for oversees jobs.
Teachers most often hope for an overseas placement. It is unquestionably a great way to travel and see the world, while working at the same time. Domestic TESL positions are also available, if somewhat harder to obtain.
Resources in addition to lccoaching.com are out there, but that site is a great place to start your research on entering this important field.
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