Nervous about Tesol

[its_vix]

Hi all,
I just wanted to get some input on the intensive 4 week TESOL course.

I will start the course at the beginning of Jan and after receiving some of the info today, I'm feeling somewhat nervous. I've been reading and studying whenever a get a moment but not sure if that will be enough?

Is there anything specific I should focus on to prepare myself?

I haven't studied formally for a quite a few years, so I'm worried the stress will get to me.
On the other hand, I am excited... I've already learnt a lot from my pre-studies.

Any input greatly appreciated.

Thanks,
Vicky

[Koka]

sorry but what kind of test is this,,is it the same as IELTS??

though wish u luck..

[5jj]

Have a look at some of the threads in the Teacher Training sub-forum. You might pick up some ideas

[Tdol]

Have they sent you a reading list? If so, what's on it?

[Alex Case]

I wrote this article on the topic a while ago:

Preparing for the CELTA etc

The course providers really should have told you that kind of stuff, though.

[its_vix]

Thanks for yor responses.
I had a pre-course assignment which led me to a lot of studying which has helped.

There is a reading list - I'm coming to the end of reading Jeremy Harmer's 'Learn How to Teach English' and I have bought Jim scriveners 'Learning Teaching' which friends have told me is an essential text.

Also, Alexcase, I read your article a while ago - thanks.

I guess I'm just looking for any extra tips to what will help. Are there any books that help with grammar?
I have Swan's 'practical English Usage' but I'd like a text with a more systematic approach from a teachers perspective.

I'm not sure how much grammar I'm expected to know - the course booklet said we won't actually study a great deal of it in the course, so I'm trying to study it now.

Thanks for all your help,

Vicky

[5jj]

A lot of my trainees found this helpful:

Parrott, Martin (2000) Grammar for English Language Teachers, Cambridge: CUP

Then there is always the old standby for teachers who have run out of ideas:

Murphy, Raymond (2004), English Grammar in Use - Third Edition, Cambridge: CUP

The explanations on the left-hand pages are designed for students, but have helped many a beginning teacher. The exercises on the right-hand pages have been photocopied (illegally) more times than anybody will ever admit by hard-pressed teachers.

[its_vix]

Thanks fivejedjon -

What do you think are some of the things that trainee's find the most difficult- grammar points or otherwise?

Thanks

[5jj]

What do you think are some of the things that trainee's find the most difficult- grammar points or otherwise?

I know that what I am about to write iin the next paragraph is unhelpful, but I believe it to be an honest answer to your question.

Many of my native-speaking trainees appeared to have enormous problems with the idea that they might actually have to think about what they say and why they say it. That you have read Harmer, possess Swan and have bought Scrivener, puts you streets ahead of some of your future colleagues on the course.

If you take the course seriously (and it seems to me that you do), then I have to warn you that you will suffer. But, try now to relax a little. You are going into this course very well prepared. Remember that the course is designed for people who have virtually no previous knowledge. All you have done, and are doing, is reducing your learning load on the course itself.

Try to have fun on the course and enjoy it.

Best wishes,

Jed