Introduction

Once I met a teacher who had been working at one of the schools for more than ten years. My question to her was how often she received formal or informal training. Much to my surprise, she said she did not need any. She was even astonished at my inquiry and suggested that I should take into consideration that fact that she has been teaching for a long time and that had made her experienced in the field of teaching.

Well, this is the case with several teachers who think that experience comes only by time and practice and cannot be delivered through training sessions, conferences or professional meetings with other teachers or teacher trainers. What I want to focus on is the fact that we are all in need of training and development. We cannot count on the time we spend in the classroom and with our students to enrich our expertise and professionalise us.

What makes me keen on teacher training?

A question like this needs a pause to be answered but what I can say here is that I am mad about language learning as much as about language itself. I get the chance to attend many training courses through my work for MBC and McGraw-Hill. I mean we usually receive teacher trainers from worldwide and they usually give presentations, conferences and workshops to the local language centres, institutes and school. I happen to be the coordinator and a trainee at the same time. I have been attending these workshops for more than four years and now I think I have the qualities that make me able to help teachers do their job. At the same time, I cannot stay out-of-date and I am always in contact with the latest researches, techniques, methods, theories and technologies related to ELT training. I have also attended many teacher training courses in several parts of the world.

Last but not least, I studied English language and literature formally at university and now I am working on my M.A. in English Literature.

What training do I offer?

I have arranged my training material into several courses as the following:

Basics of teaching

• What teaching is
• What learning is
• What makes a good teacher
• What makes a good learner
• Teacher’s knowledge
• Teacher’s language
• Teacher’s voice and body language
• Teacher’s presence
• Teacher’s awareness of the students, the course and other factors
• What is special about teaching languages
• A practical session on the above-mentioned points

Basics of Teaching English

• Teaching beginners
• Teaching listening
• Teaching speaking
• Teaching reading
• Teaching writing
• Teaching grammar
• Teaching pronunciation

An Insight on ELT Methods and Schools

• The Grammar-translation method
• The Audio-Lingual method
• The Communicative method
• Desuggestopedia
• The Communicative method
• Multiple-Intelligence
• TPR (Total Physical Response)

Advanced Points in ELT

• Assessment and evaluation for students
• Assessment and evaluation for teachers  
• Modern trends in ELT
• Using technology in the classroom
• CBT (computer-based testing)
• E-learning and the Internet

Extra Courses for teachers

• Teacher’s language awareness and use in the classroom
• Teacher’s FAQs (What if questions + tips and tricks that make things work)
• Advanced English Language courses for non-native speakers of English
• Advanced listening and speaking courses for non-native speakers of English

What else?

If you are an individual and would like to train to be a teacher, the above-mentioned course steps are ideal for a beginning. If you are a language centre, a school or an institution, I can provide tailored material for your need on general courses or specific courses and coursebooks that you already have or are planning to have.