FAQ
I don't have a teaching degree and have
never taught before. Can I still take a TEFL course?
Certainly! You don't need to have any prior teaching
experience or qualifications to take a TEFL or TESOL course.
Our course will equip you with all the skills necessary to
conduct effective lessons. Our emphasis on the practical
aspect of teaching, with observed teaching practice covering
primary, secondary, adult and one-to-one levels, will ensure
you are confident to step into any classroom.
What is the difference between TEFL and
TESOL?
The terms basically mean the same, with TEFL more common in
the UK, and TESOL more common in America. There is a slight
technical difference since TESOL refers to learners whose
first language is not English, although they may speak
English in their daily lives. TEFL refers to "foreign"
students, learning English as a foreign language. These
students do not use English regularly and therefore have
different usage and comprehension problems.
My grammar skills aren't the best - not sure whether
I could make it through!
Believe it or not, as a native speaker, you already know
grammar quite well! It's more the terminology that you may
not know. We assume that you know nothing of the terminology
when you start on our course, so it's our job to teach you
the basics needed to teach grammar effectively in the
classroom.
Do I need knowledge of other languages?
No. Island TEFL uses the international standard
communicative approach to teaching, where English is the
only language used in the classroom.
Is there an age limit?
We have no official upper age limit, but you must be 18
years of age or older for your application to be considered.
If you are a person of "more mature years",
don't let this in itself put you off applying. If you are
receptive to learning, you should have no problems.
NB: Some employers may have an upper age limit
Will my Island TEFL certificate be recognized around
the world?
Yes. Upon successful completion of our 4-week TEFL course,
you will receive a certificate which is recognized
worldwide. Island TEFL's course meets and exceeds the basic
international criteria of 100+ hours of classroom time and
6+ hours of observed teaching practice. We often hear from
students, "Do I need a CELTA to teach around the World?" In
short the answer is no! Some jobs specify that they want a
CELTA but those are rare cases. The vast majority, perhaps
over 95% of employers only require the 'normal' TESOL/TEFL
certification.
Work is available almost anywhere in the world where English
is not the native language (and even some where it is!).
Check out our Employment Opportunities page for more details
on countries around the world where you can find teaching
positions.
What are my chances of finding a job after the
course? Does Island TEFL help with this?
Your chances of finding a job after successful completion of
our course are excellent! Our Volunteer Packages are an
excellent option for those wishing to improve their resume
and give something back to the local community. Evidence of
this voluntary teaching will be highly beneficial when
applying for future EFL teaching jobs. The Island TEFL staff
assist all graduates with advice and information on teaching
opportunities in Thailand, where EFL teachers are in high
demand.
Is the TEFL Course intensive? Will I have time to
see the sights?
Yes, the course is intensive, and you will need to commit
yourself to some independent study/planning outside of
classroom input sessions, but we schedule in quite a bit of
time within the 4-week TEFL course for planning and
preparation. If you balance your workload and make good use
of your time whilst in the classroom, you will have weekends
to enjoy the sights on beautiful Koh Samui, or just chill
out at the beach.
How do I know if I'm suitable?
If you are to be a teacher of English, a high standard of
both spoken and written English is required. This does not
necessarily mean your knowledge of grammatical terminology,
but your use of English.
As our 4-week TEFL course is very intensive, you have to be
prepared to work hard and commit yourself. You should also
be presentable in appearance. Finally, you need to want to
teach! We'll teach you how - you'll decide how well you do!
Why Island TEFL?
Our course exceeds all international criteria, with emphasis
placed on practical teaching experience
We have a low student to instructor ratio which ensures that
students get quality attention. The ratio averages between
6-8 students per instructor.
Observed teaching practice covering 3 areas: young learners,
adult and one-to-one
For those choosing the Volunteer Placement Packages, we
arrange for graduates to begin teaching immediately after
successful completion of the course in local schools,
learning centres and businesses.
We provide ongoing support, advice and resources for all
graduates placed in volunteer positions
We strive to make the learning environment nurturing and
supportive
We are located on a tropical island paradise, with sun and
fun at your fingertips
Our complete package is not only very affordable and of the
highest quality, but offers far more than most others
available
We are a very happy and enthusiastic team and we have fun!
