Troy's Blog - 28th September 2009
Dealing with stress on a TEFL course
Three simple pointers to avoid becoming a nervous wreck
Making the decision to take a TEFL course in Bangkok can be quite daunting, and making it through four weeks as a trainee teacher in Thailand away from your normal lifestyle and routine can add to that quite a bit more.
For those of you considering a career teaching English in Thailand or anywhere else it's important to make sure that you get the most out of your experience, but that the experience doesn't take too much out of you!
There is a lot to do and a very short time to do it once you have started the course. From meeting new people and getting new information each day, to coping with teaching practice schedules and writing assignments, it can start getting overwhelming fairly quickly. Here are some ideas on getting the most from the course, and surviving it without too much pain!
1. Social life
The Chichester TESOL course in Bangkok is very intense. In the space of a few short weeks you will be learning a lot. Try to make sure that you are reasonably free of commitments for the duration of the course and that you don't have too many distractions planned. You will spend a lot of time at the training center during the course and trying to juggle a hectic social life around your course work will cause you unnecessary stress. The course is run in such a way that it helps prepare you for your career as a teacher. You will have every weekend free to relax and recuperate so use this time valuably – you are in Thailand so there is plenty to enjoy, just make sure you balance it carefully!
2. Ask questions
The trainers on the course like their jobs and like helping out. It is a fantastic experience as a teacher trainer to see new trainees come in at the beginning of the course, grow as teachers and in just a few short weeks finish the course as qualified English Teachers and go out to teach and motivate students who need English. This means that the trainers like any questions you may have over the course. We spend a lot of time in the center and try to make sure that we are available as much as you need us. Come and ask if you are not sure – it's great for our egos too; in return, you'll get to spend time with the English students who will ask you lots of questions!
3. Have Fun!
Whilst all of this might sound like a lot of work and stress, at the end of it all remember that teaching is one of the most enjoyable jobs you can do. You'll see very quickly once you start meeting the students that the vast majority of them genuinely like learning, and are more engaged, attentive, and learn more when the teacher is enjoying themselves too. With this in mind, we try to make sure that the course is as enjoyable and stimulating as possible, so take advantage of that and have fun!I hope that this helps you deal with the effects of what may be one of the biggest decisions you could make. A lot of new English Teachers tell me that they find the course quite taxing, but they are often the same teachers that come back months later raving about how much they are enjoying their new lives as English teachers! In short this means that while there may be some pressure involved in making the decision to teach English in Thailand and taking a TEFL course, the reward is being able to embark on a fun, exciting and very rewarding career.
Other recent articles in Troy's Blog:
So they want you to do a demonstration class?
28th February 2010
How to be prepared for an interview
6th December 2009
The Asian fascination with appearance
25th November 2009
What does a teacher look like anyway?
5th September 2009
Ten easy pointers to reduce stress during your TESOL course
18th June 2009
Getting started in the teaching game