Starting your TEFL Training

This course is intended for self study.

Your first bonus - download free copies of the US Peace Corps Training Manuals for EFL Teachers. Use the links lower on this page.

This course is designed to be easy to follow and to get you ready to teach an "English as a Foreign Language" (EFL) class as quickly as possible.  You WILL, after the completion of this course have a strong understanding of what is required to provide quality instruction in an English as Second (ESL) or Foreign Language classroom.

The course follows the sequence of units on the main menu and you will need to do at least the first three units in order [TEFL Methods, Lesson Planning and Boardwork] for a general understanding of the coursework.  After that you can move around as your interest dictates.

Each segment begins with a "Basic Concepts" section that explains the elementary principles involved in simple language.  After that, an "Expanded Concepts" section will provide further information, downloadable Word or PDF documents, and links to other sites for additional required study.

It is important to read EVERY segment of the course to gain the knowledge and skills equivalent to a full 120 hour TEFL Training course.  This is a "thinking person's" course and anyone who wants to be a successful teacher should not rely solely on the basic methodologies of any TEFL Certificate course.  Once you gain employment as an EFL teacher - or if you are already employed as one - you should experiment with methodology and modify method to best meet the needs of your students. 

Method courses such as this typically require only a high school education and thus, by design, need a workable process by which potential teachers can quickly access the knowledge needed to go to work immediately after finishing the course.  That method and process is provided for you here.  Learn it and use it, but also modify it, expand it, and develop your skills as a "thinking" teacher.

Each Unit will require a different amount of time depending on the difficulty and complexity of the topic as well as the quantity of the material to be covered.

Start your training work on TEFL Teaching Methods Unit.

If you are wondering . . . Is TEFL a good career option for me?  Go to TEFL Daddy - to see 94 pages of advice about teaching English overseas as a career.  It is not an idealized version - it is the real story as written by a career TEFL professional.

One important thing to do is to familiarize yourself with basic TEFL acronyms like EFL, ESL, EAP, etc.  Find that information at TEFL Acronyms

Download of US Peace Corps EFL/ESL Training manuals

These manuals will give you a strong background in teaching English overseas.  If you have the discipline to study them in detail - you will have a good start.  But . . . reading manuals does not replace a good teacher training program - with observed teaching practice.

TEFL/TESL: Teaching English as a Foreign or Second Language
This publication was designed for use by Peace Corps Volunteers with no previous teaching experience. It combines general teaching practices with specific language teaching techniques, and outlines and assesses each of the major, commonly used approaches to language instruction. Sessions cover techniques for teaching grammar and the four basic language skills (speaking, listening, reading, and writing), including lesson planning and testing.

Download PDF (file size: 4,803 KB)

Teaching English as a Foreign Language to Large Multilevel Classes
This manual draws on suggestions from Volunteers working under difficult conditions with limited resources. It offers ideas and activities to help teachers deal with very large classes or a lack of textbooks. It also addresses such issues as student interests and needs, classroom management, theme-based lesson planning, the national curricula, and resistance to group work. It aids Volunteers in creating classrooms where students are given opportunities to think critically, work cooperatively, and enjoy the experience of learning. ERIC: ED358702. NTIS: PB93 201945

Download PDF (file size: 4,235 KB)