Hybrid Online TEFL/TESOL Course with Teaching Practice in Granada, Nicaragua

I completed the TEFL certification hybrid (50/50: online/onsite) course in early 2017. Although I had some background in ESL/EFL, I needed classroom experience, an update on current, effective teaching methods and theories, and help with lesson planning. This program went well beyond providing me with all of these.

Instruction in theory and pedagogy is succinct but thorough and gives a broad understanding of the fundamentals of language acquisition and teaching methodologies. I would say the focus of the course, though, is on developing practical, effective classroom strategies. This includes extensive instruction/support in:
1. Designing lessons plans
2. Incorporating audiovisual aids and other resources into lessons
3. Managing/maximizing classroom time
4. Organizing/sequencing elements of presentation
5. Assessing/evaluating student progress
6. Accessing online and other teacher resources
7. Implementing self-assessment to continually improve as a teacher

Feedback from instructors is thorough and incredibly helpful. Each practicum is observed and followed up immediately (ie, right after class) with verbal assessment, suggestions, and support--which is in turn followed-up by a detailed written evaluation. Critique is both incisive and supportive. I continue to consult these evaluations in my current job teaching abroad.

Director Paul is an accomplished and committed instructor--and invested in the success of both TEFL and English language students. The English school affiliated with the program is deeply rooted in the community and supplies a variety of classes to local residents free of charge.

So glad I did this course. I'm confident and continually improving in my classroom now because of it.