It Is Finished

I don't know how, but I just flew past the last third of my TESOL course.  I was anticipating finishing a week or two from now, but I was actually able to finish it before December.  Thank the Lord!  I was especially surprised by how fast I was able to finish my very last assignment, a 500-700 word essay on my topic of choice, in just a little over half an hour.  And so I conclude my celebration (after listening to my "Tequila" jam) by sharing Philip Chung's Why complete a TEFL course (8):


Today, we live in an age where English is the primary language of the world with the highest demand and need for work, media, and relationships.  As a result, millions of people are studying English to keep up with the rest of society.  That is why hundreds of TEFL courses are offered all over the world as numerous schools and institutions seek qualified English teachers everyday.  Although there is some debate regarding the effectiveness and necessity of a TEFL certificate, there are three clear reasons why English instructors should complete a TEFL course.  There are great benefits to one’s grammar skills, teaching abilities, and job qualifications.

One of the best things about taking a TEFL course is the in-depth review and refining of grammar skills.  Ranging from various tenses to active and passive voices, students can look at the fine rules of grammar by examining various structures, conditions, and examples.  Even native speakers who feel very comfortable with these rules may have some trouble with particular areas of grammar.  It does not hurt to review these lessons, especially when these same lessons will be taught to English learners in the future.  Another great thing about studying grammar in the TEFL course is being able to practice the application of these grammar rules in teaching.  TEFL students will be given many opportunities to think of ideas for educational and engaging activities for classes that will focus on foundational rules.  As a result, reviewing grammar will be very beneficial and relevant for all TEFL students along with other areas of teaching.

A TEFL course introduces and improves various teaching methods that will make an effective teacher.  Students will learn how to manage different types of classes, teach students of various levels, age groups, and sizes, make instructive lesson plans, and choose appropriate material for the class.  They will be introduced to different theories and present all kinds of advantages and disadvantages to numerous approaches.  Students will learn how to combine new teaching methods while finding a balance between diverse options.  Ultimately, the different areas that will be covered will help produce teachers who are flexible and able to adapt to unexpected situations as well.  At the same time, these new methods will constantly be put into practice through the assigning of lesson plans and theoretical situations.  Students will be challenged to analyze and understand all of these things through various reading and homework assignments as well.  In addition to sharpening teaching skills, taking a course can also help with work-related areas.

Completing a TEFL course will certainly help with future jobs and pay.  As the need for English teachers is growing all around the world, so is the need for qualified instructors who know what they are doing.  The educational market is growing rapidly in several countries; so many native English speakers are seeking lucrative teaching jobs as well.  However, many of these jobs are now requiring certificates in education, but especially in English education as a foreign language.  Even if some institutions do not necessarily require a TEFL certificate, having one can actually increase the chances of getting hired along with a noticeably higher salary.  When schools or academies see that a teacher has taken this course, it builds credibility and reliability, which will ultimately benefit both parties.  Although the TEFL course has great benefits with learning and teaching, the job and financial benefits should be considered as well.

In conclusion, students who take a TEFL course will have positive experiences with studying, refining, and even job-searching.  There are hundreds of courses to choose from that will bring about better teaching and learning for teachers and students.  Although there are several teachers in many countries that have not taken a TEFL course, having this certificate will bring various advantages and benefits to all who choose to take it.

Now I've gotta start applying for jobs and begin some Christmas shopping.  Hello, December!

Thought of the Day:  내시경

Song of the Day:  Haste the Day-O Come Emmanuel

This week's persecuted church: Algeria

Krimo, 29, was arrested on April 14 and detained for three days in Oran for giving a CD about Christianity to a neighbor.  On May 4, Krimo was given a five year prison sentence for blasphemy based on the neighbor's accusation that he had insulted the Muslim prophet Muhammad.  Having appealed the decision, Krimo waits to be summoned to an appellate court where a final verdict is expected to be handed down.

Thought of the Day:  Unit 16
Song of the Day:  Kim Kyung Ho-금지된사랑

Bullied Bullies Bullying Bullies?

I was working on a sample lesson plan and wanted to find a youtube clip on bullying.  Many of you might have already heard of this incident a while back, but I just found out about it a few minutes ago.




I had a dream that I finally started a facebook and the whole world was so happy.  I think that's why they call it IN YOUR DREAMS.

Thought of the Day:  Bombarded
Song of the Day:  INOJ-Movin' On

This week's persecuted church: Iran

Dissident student Peyman Aref, who was imprisoned for two years and released after enduring 74 lashes, was rearrested recently after he prayed at the grave of Neda Agha Soltan, the young Iranian woman shot down in the streets of Tehran during the anti-government protests of 2009

TESOL

I am more than halfway done with my online TESOL course.  I LOATHE doing the homework assignments.  There are a total of 20 assignments for the course, and each one takes me approximately 2.5 hours to finish.  Part of it is the fact that I already know 80% of the material.  Another part is that I would rather spend my time studying or doing something else.  I honestly thought that I'd be able to gun through all of the units in less than a month, but it looks like I'll need a couple of extra weeks (I think I'll be getting my diploma when Simon gets his).  It's times like this when I realize how undisciplined I can be.  The thing that really pisses me off is that I know that this course is actually helping me too.  I AM learning.  I NEEDED to practice making lesson plans.  I HAD to refine some of my grammar rules.

Anyway, I recently remembered that this was what inspired me to write that one blogpost about "what I wish I had known."  John Ro was right.  I wish I had come in to Korea with a TESOL certificate.  Freak.

Thought of the Day:  등갈비
Song of the Day:  2Pac-Life Goes On

This week's persecuted church: Nigeria

They stormed this town in Yobe state, northern Nigeria like a swarm of bees, and at the end of their four-hour rampage, some 150 people had been killed – at least 130 of them Christians, according to church sources.

More than 200 members of the Islamic extremist Boko Haram sect stormed the Yobe state capital, Damaturu, at 5 p.m. on Nov. 4, and soon the terrorists had blocked all four major highways leading into town. Some of them charged the police headquarters, commando style, killing all officers on duty, while the rest broke into two banks – First Bank Nigeria PLC and United Bank for Africa, stealing millions of naira. Boko Haram also bombed police stations and an army base in and around Damaturu.

“When Boko Haram members and other Muslims here attacked us on that 4th of November, it was like the end had come for Christians in this settlement,” Garba said. “Bullets were fired indiscriminately into our houses. I and my family locked ourselves in my house. Bullets were dropping on rooftops like ice blocks from a rainstorm. The trauma my 10-year-old son had as a result of sounds from guns and explosions has not left him, as he has refused to eat ever since the attack.”

Thought of the Day:  Future Tense
Song of the Day:  Sweetpea-떠나가지마

This week's persecuted church: Kenya

In a town in Kenya, Hassan was returning home from running errands at 8:30 p.m. when the six young Muslim men stopped him.  They hit him with a metal bar on his forehead and face, he said, and he lost two teeth on the spot.  Others hit him on the back.

Some stomped on his stomach while he was on the ground as others hit him on his legs, he said through bandages on his nose and above his mouth.  His hands were bandaged where they wounded him with a knife.

The attachers stripped him of his clothes as he bled and dragged him away, dumping him at the entrance of an area Presbyterian Church of East Africa.  Some passersby found him and called his mother.

"What happened to my son is the climax of the threats that I have been receiving from my Muslim neighbors," she said.  "They have now discovered that we are Christians.  They have heard my small children sing Christian songs.  In fact, there are rumors going round that I am the pastor of the group, but my strength is from God and my seven sons..Even though has he has been beaten, I trust God to protect us.  I will not return to Islam; I will stand with Christ."

Thought of the Day:  불안정
Song of the Day:  TLC-Creep