British Council grants for TEFL courses

briona

If you are an unemployed UK graduate who is interested in pursuing a career in TEFL, the British Council is offering grants which cover 50% of the tuition fee (up to a maximum of £600) of a CELTA or Trinity Cert TESOL course.

The course needs to start between 1 October and 30 November 2012. The grant is payable on successful completion of the course and a British Council one-day training course.

The deadline for applications is 1 October 2012.

For further information or to apply, see http://englishagenda.britishcouncil.org/english-teaching-graduate-scheme.

WolfSong2000

I would have loved to (and still may) take up this opportunity, but have just been told to expect an official letter offering me a job lecturing at a University in East Africa, starting September/October this year...I was intending to lecture in my master subject (Peace Studies) but in order to get funds to pay me, I am also having to work in the English department, teaching English, despite the fact I have no TEFL qualifications. Are there any websites which can give me pointers if I do end up leaving to take up the position before I get the opportunity to undertake a TESOL/CELTA qualification?

briona

Hi there,

Sounds like a pretty cool, albeit scary, opportunity. Ordinarily the only thing I'd recommend would be a CELTA/Trinity CertTESOL course, however in this case I can see that time might be an issue.

Have you considered a short online course to familiarise yourself with the methodology? Or even a 20hr in-person weekend course just to bring you up to speed with the very basics? You might even find a discounted course through Groupon or similar.

You could also purchase a book such as Teach Yourself TEFL (I have a copy of this I can send you if you PM me your address) or even Essential TEFL (http://www.amazon.co.uk/Essential-Tefl-Grammar-Activities-Confident/dp/0956806309/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1345104899&sr=8-1) which is a sort of crash course complete with photocopiable/adaptable activities and lesson plans.

If I think of anything else I will post back here and of course if you have any other Qs, please don't hesitate to ask.

Briona

WolfSong2000

briona wrote: »

Hi there,

Sounds like a pretty cool, albeit scary, opportunity. Ordinarily the only thing I'd recommend would be a CELTA/Trinity CertTESOL course, however in this case I can see that time might be an issue.

Have you considered a short online course to familiarise yourself with the methodology? Or even a 20hr in-person weekend course just to bring you up to speed with the very basics? You might even find a discounted course through Groupon or similar.

You could also purchase a book such as Teach Yourself TEFL (I have a copy of this I can send you if you PM me your address) or even Essential TEFL (http://www.amazon.co.uk/Essential-Tefl-Grammar-Activities-Confident/dp/0956806309/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1345104899&sr=8-1) which is a sort of crash course complete with photocopiable/adaptable activities and lesson plans.

If I think of anything else I will post back here and of course if you have any other Qs, please don't hesitate to ask.

Briona

Thank you, Briona - that book may be just the trick! The opportunity is a great one - a little scary, but it will be fine as Hargeisa, where I would be working, is safe The most scary thought is how to teach English with no experience, so the book will be helpful...I will also look into course opportunities. Teaching Peace Studies doesn't phase me so much as I just finished my Master degree last year, but last time I did anything specifically related to English was for an AS Level, so we're talking years ago...and besides, I don't think I will be teaching Chaucer or Shakespeare. lol.

Thanks again for your help - it's very much appreciated

p.s. I did try to PM you, but was unsuccessful - appaerently you've opted out of recieving PM's?

briona

WolfSong2000 wrote: »

I did try to PM you, but was unsuccessful - appaerently you've opted out of recieving PM's?

Oops, sorry! Just changed one of the settings so if you try and PM me again it should send.