TEFL Online TEFL Course

Each component comprises a set of standardized statements of competence, accompanied by indicators of success. The indicators describe the skills, knowledge and qualities associated with effective teachers of English as a Foreign Language. The standardized statements of competence are as follows:

Pedagogy Theory

• Describe a range of teaching methodologies, approaches and strategies
• Describe the skills, knowledge and qualities which characterize an effective teacher
• Describe the factors which influence the establishment of an effective learning environment
• Describe a range of strategies for supporting, monitoring and assessing student progress

Language Awareness

• Describe the purposes and nature of Communication
• Describe key features in relation to the structure of the English language
• Describe and explain the English tense system and other, commonly taught, grammatical features
• Describe how sounds are made and modified and use phonetic symbols to describe the sounds of English

Teaching Skills

• Design and prepare effective lessons
• Prepare and manage the physical learning environment and use resources in an appropriate way
• Provide innovative and flexible learning experiences for individuals and groups of students
• Create learning environments that are student-centered, challenging and safe

Cultural Awareness

• Engage in the process of learning a foreign language
• Demonstrate an awareness of the issues in relation to culture and language teaching
• Demonstrate a willingness to foster positive relationships with members of the local community
• Demonstrate an awareness of cultural similarities and differences and our shared cultural heritage

Life Skills

• Demonstrate effective interpersonal skills
• Demonstrate effective communication skills
• Demonstrate effective decision-making skills
• Demonstrate effective organizational skills
• Demonstrate effective financial skills
• Demonstrate effective employment awareness skills
• Demonstrate effective legal awareness skills
• Demonstrate effective personal welfare skills

Each component of the Via Lingua program is allocated a minimum number of study hours. These study hours mainly involve:

• direct contact with trainers or mentors in workshop sessions, planning meetings, lesson preparation or review meetings;
• direct contact with students during teaching practice sessions;
• private study and preparation;
• record keeping and personal reflection linked to the maintenance of a professional portfolio.

The content of each of the five components can be described as follows:

Pedagogy Theory

• Teaching and learning a foreign language
• Language teaching methodologies
• The syllabus
• The effective teacher
• Classroom management skills
• Language teaching materials
• Lesson planning
• Teaching receptive skills
• Teaching productive skills (speaking)
• Teaching vocabulary
• Teaching pronunciation
• Teaching grammar
• Responding to mistakes and errors
• Language games
• The assessment of language learners

Language Awareness

• The purpose and nature of communication
• Word classes
• Verb types and verb forms
• The tense system
• The present simple tense and the present continuous tense
• The past simple tense, the past continuous tense, the past perfect tense (simple and continuous)
• The present perfect tense (simple and continuous)
• Expressing the future
• Conditional sentences
• The passive voice
• Gerunds and infinitives
• Modal auxiliary verbs
• Multi-word verbs
• Phonology

Teaching Skills

• Six hours of observing experienced teachers
• Eight hours of assessed teaching practice (*groups and or individual students)
• Sixteen hours of supported lesson preparation time
• Eight hours of post-lesson discussions

Cultural Awareness

• The cross-cultural dimension of language teaching
• The Group Project

Life Skills

• Interpersonal skills
• Communication skills
• Decision-making skills
• Organizational skills
• Financial awareness skills
• Employment awareness skills
• Legal awareness skills
• Personal welfare skills

Food and clothing

Meal times in Chiang Mai are often among the highlights of a trip. Like its art, language and cultural heritage, Chiang Mai food is distinct from its cousins to the south and east. A much more pronounced influence from Burma and China is evident in northern cuisine, resulting in milder curries and the heavier use of ginger and turmeric. Khao Niao (sticky rice), instead of steamed rice, is the main staple at every meal and goes very well with a range of nam prik (chilli dips) unique to northern cuisine.
It's most likely going to be hot in Chiang Mai so make sure you pack tops that are made from lightweight or breathable fabric. You might like to pack things that are strappy, loose fitting and breathablet, he type of clothes that allow you to catch a cool breeze and don't weigh you down. If you are visiting in the cooler months a jumper, jacket and scarf for your shoulders may be needed. Keep in mind, it can get quite cool in Northern Thailand during the cool season.

Climate

Chiang Mai has a tropical savanna climate, tempered by the low latitude and moderate elevation, with warm to hot weather year-round, though nighttime conditions during the dry season can be cool and much lower than daytime highs.

Excursions and cultural highlights

Chiang Mai has more than 300 Buddhist temples and monasteries. Many of them are of great historical significance and some of them are important tourist attractions such as Wat Phrathat Doi Suthep, Wat Chedi Luang, and Wat Chiang Man. These temples are located in the preservation area of the proposed UNESCO World Heritage.

Accommodation

Via Lingua Chiang Mai can provide accormmodation with a host family in close proximity to the school. We can also assist in securing a furnished apartment where you have the option of sharing with another trainee.