What exactly do you learn on a TEFL course?

[Northernsoullover]

I'm thinking of doing one. I'm kind of intrigued about how the whole thing works. If you don't have to speak another language how on earth do you teach English? Is it more about how to plan and structure lessons? I find the whole thing fascinating. I've seen level 5 offered for 260 pounds but I can afford to pay more if there are better courses available.

The focus of the TEFL training is on the lesson planning, teaching techniques and ideas/games/activities to motivate learners. I really enjoyed it, it's very practical. There are different types of classes and depends what you plan to do with it. I think the cheapest are the online only ones but some jobs want you to have a course with face to face hours. Mine was a mix of both, can't remember the exact number of hours. Did the face to face training first then did online reading and small assignments afterwards. It was more practical than academic. I now teach English in France with very basic French. I speak English 90% of the time. The language isn't a barrier for the lessons, and if in doubt there is always Google translate. Actually my students quite like it because I'm very honest about my difficulties with French so we can laugh about it together and if I make mistakes in their language they are more relaxed when trying to speak English.

TEFL is quite basic. CELTA is better if you are serious about it.

Thanks for replying. I'll look into them both. The TEFL I saw is a mixture. I've wanted to do it since I was young and I'm looking for ways to try and earn a little extra.

I do speak Spanish to an ok level.

You really need a CELTA.
The others are seen as "if we can't find a properly qualified teacher we'll have a Tefl"
But many organisations won't accept you with less than a CELTA.
Lots of places now offer them part time throughout the year, and you can pay in stages, especially in bigger cities.
Once you've got a CELTA, you'll get work throughout the summer in language schools in the UK and/or throughout the year abroad.
Don't consider doing anything which is only online. They aren't recognised by any reputable (ie decent money) organisation.

If you want to dip your toes there are eleventy billion Chinese online companies who will literally take anyone as long as English is your native language, for 1-1 tutoring for kids.

Even they are beginning to clamp down in the non qualified teachers though.

Ps. The idea is that you speak English all the time. You'd have to anyway, in multilingual classes in the UK. Part of the training is helping you get the message across using language your students will understand.

Thank you. I am doing it to hopefully tutor online. I am trying to save for a house.

There are a lot of those that don't require a qualification, check out a FB group called Hired ESL teachers (or something like that) They have recruiters on there too.

You could start out with conversation classes and see how you go

I did a CELTA, everything I read, people I spoke to said it was the best qualification to do. It was hard and very intense. It teaches you techniques to teach entirely in your own language. One of the hardest things to do is to keep your language simple yet fluid iyswim. Lots of games and role plays etc. I needed to revise all English grammar rules before starting. Have you ever really thought about present perfect? (see what I did there) I teach 90%in English, but because I teach mostly French students I sometimes explain tricky parts in French.

Good luck

@LeNil gosh yes! I remember my Spanish verb tables... past imperfect, subjunctive etc. aaarghh!