TECSOL (Teaching English to Child Speakers of Other Language)
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Course Information | Course Outline | Frequently Asked Questions
TECSOL stands for teaching English to Child Speakers of Other Languages. The Greenwich TECSOL Certificate is an introductory course for those interested in teaching English as foreign language to children aged between 4 and 12 years old. The course combines sound lesson planning systems, with practical teaching skills and an extensive range of classroom-tested songs, games, chants and other educational activities.
Whether you have worked with children before, or plan on teaching for the first time, you will find this an excellent introduction to teaching, delivered by highly qualified and experienced teacher-trainers. The course features a week working with young learners, and a 'learning-pack' that includes two textbooks, a workbook, cassette, flashcard and assorted study materials.
Course Overview
The course is very practical and introduces every aspect you need to teach children, including: teaching techniques, lesson planning skills, reading & writing strategies, songs & chants, games & activities and how to maintain class control.
Our method of teaching is called 'activity based' because our trainees learn to teach the four skills of; listening, speaking, reading and writing - using a range of fast paced activities that ensure children enjoy learning effectively. While it is innovative, it can readily include traditional teaching ideas, such as grammar and phonics. It is an ideal way for children to learn and will be of use to both new, and more experienced children's teachers.
Demand for children's English teachers is growing rapidly. Parents are looking for more than rote learning of grammar. Increasingly, they want their children to develop a strong foundation in spoken English, and a genuine interest in the language. After all, if children actually enjoy studying and using English, they are more likely to excel at school, work and life.
Vocational Outcome:
Trainees learn:
- how to plan and prepare lessons
- how to plan a teaching syllabus
- how to teach reading and writing
- practical methods to teach reading and writing
- practical skills & techniques for teaching
- dozens of English games, songs & chants
- classroom management strategies
- advice on setting up home schools
Assessment
- 2 written assignments
- 3 weekly tests
- peer teaching lessons
- regular task based assessment
Entry Requirements:
Upper Intermediate English skills (IELTS 4.5 or above, or equivalent) or Completed final year of High School
Duration and Hours:
100 hours over 4 weeks
Consisting of: 3 weeks in class (25 hours a week), 1-week preschool assistant teacher (25 hours)*
Course Start Dates, 2007:
Every Monday
Module 1
Essential Components of Language Learning
This module examines some of the many factors that impact on language learning. Including introductions to: language skills, learning styles, intelligence types and approaches to teaching.
Module 2
The Physical Environment
Here we outline various ways language schools can be outfitted and equipped. Particular emphasis is placed on safety issues and the selection of age appropriate materials.
Module 3
Skills and Strategies for Teaching
This unit covers a variety of essential teaching skills, such as, modelling, eliciting, gesturing and concept checking questions. We also cover a variety of strategies for teaching vocabulary, reading, writing, listening and speaking.
Module 4
Class Management
One issue that concerns all teachers is how to create classes of well controlled, happy learners. We look at broad approaches and specific examples.
Module 5
Games and Learning
One of the highlights of the course is that trainees are provided with the opportunity to learn over a hundred tried and tested games for language learners. All of the games presented have been personally selected by the instructors and will be of invaluable to all language teachers.
Module 6
Songs and Movement
Songs are a great way to teach children and trainees learn more than a dozen songs over the course. All songs can be coupled with actions to provide memorable learning experiences. Practical TPR activities are also taught in this module.
Module 7
Phonics
Most primary English teaching methods use phonics in some way. Here we look at the basic approach to teaching children phonics to assist with reading, writing and pronunciation.
Module 8
Lesson Planning
This is where the trainee's konwedge of skills, strategies, classroom management and other components of language learning are combined to prepare enjoyable and workable lessons. Age appropriate variations on several different styles are presented.
Module 9
Curriculum Planning
This module looks at how to plan longer units of teaching and select appropriate items for students to study.
Module 10
Administration
Here we look at the organization and administration of classes and schools. We also study how to start and manage your own language school.
Module 11
Practical Experience
1) How long is the TECSOL Program?
The TECSOL program is four, full time weeks of twenty-five hours. The total course length is 100 contact hours. Of which 75 hours are with an instructor in class and 25 hours are spent working with children in a preschool.
2) What will I do in the preschool?
In the preschool you will assist teachers. This will give you the opportunity to observe how experienced teachers work. It will also give you the chance to observe children's behaviour. You will also be given daily tasks, such as singing songs, reading English books, teaching vocabulary or playing English games
3) How good must my English be?
To teach English to children you need to be able to speak, read and write it to a reasonable ability. We believe you need at least an IELTS 4.5 score to satisfactorily complete the course?
4) Is the course taught in English?
Yes, the course is taught in English and you will be expected to communicate in English as well. But don't worry; your instructor will work at a level the class is comfortable with! Most students find they learn many new words and phrases, and their English ability actually improves over the duration of the course.
5) Do I need to take the IELTS test to enter the course?
No. Greenwich if you don't have a recent IELTS score Greenwich will administer it's own test to determine your entry ability? If your English Is not quite good enough to enter then you might consider studying in a General English course until it improves.
6) Can I get a job at the end of the course?
Many of our TECSOL graduates have gone on to teach in kindergartens, private study centres and schools, with several graduates even opening their own schools in their home country. Successful graduates will have gained all the knowledge required to start immediate employment, and Greenwich only accepts students who have the language ability to teach English in English: resulting in well trained and effective graduates.
7) Is there much homework?
You can expect to do around 30 to 120 minutes of study at home most nights. Some of this homework is reading, preparing assignments or reviewing notes, but generally it involves preparing lessons to teach the following day. This kind of preparation may involve making a lesson plan and then producing materials such as picture flash cards, games or worksheets of use in this lesson
8) How will I be assessed?
You are assess three ways, through practice teaching sessions, where the instructor observes and grades your teaching, through two written assignments, through your participation in class and through tests?
9) Are there tests?
Yes. There are tests on Friday afternoon. The tests are based only on what you have studied in class. If you pay attention and review your notes at home you can expect to pass. You instructor holds regular review sessions to help you absorb the required information.
10) Am I likely to fail the course?
We do not accept students who we believe are likely to fail the course. If you do the work and participate fully in class you can reasonably expect to pass. Students who find they are close to failing will be offered counseling, and if they are prepared to do the work, will be offered additional support such as extra classes, make up tests, assignments and additional practice teaching sessions.
11) I have no experience working with children, is this problem?
No, the course is designed to teach you the fundamentals of teaching English to children and you will gain experience working with children by working at pre-schools
12) I am an experienced teacher. Will I gain anything by attending?
Yes. Many experienced kindergarten and primary school teachers have taken the course. You will learn new songs, chants, games and, most likely, new ways to pan lessons. You will also gain, or become reacquainted, with teaching techniques, methodologies and strategies.
13) What style of teaching will I be learning?
You will learn ¡° activity based' teaching. This is a method of teaching by targeting different activities to teach the four skills of listening, speaking reading and writing. All the activities are connected to a central theme based around new vocabulary and an appropriate structure. Activity based teaching is an affective way of learning since it keeps children interested and teaches all four skills.
14) Will I be teaching grammar?
Not really. Small children don't understand grammatical terms like nouns, adjectives, subject's objects and articles. Instead you will teach them structures through a system known as PPP.
15) What are the advantageous of studying in Australia?
You will be able to live and learn in an English-speaking environment and enjoy new sights and a different culture. You will also be able to study with people from other countries, and work in a pre-school with Australian teachers and children.
16) Should I study TESOL or TECSOL?
This depends on your interests, and to some extent your English abilities. If you prefer teaching children try TECSOL. If you prefer teaching adults try TESOL. If your English is not quite good enough to start the TESOL course you may find it improves over the month you study TECSOL. Although the teaching styles are quite different the fundamentals are similar and TECSOL is good preparation for TESOL.
17) Are the instructors well qualified?
Yes. All the instructors are native speaking English teachers with years of experience teaching children, university qualifications and specialist qualifications in teaching English. The program has been designed and supervised by teachers with decades of experience and post-graduate qualifications in TESOL.
18) Are the instructors of friendly?
Of course! Most students will enjoy working with instructors. Unlike many general English courses you are actually studying subject matter, and the instructors enjoy sharing their knowledge and experience with you. There is also the chance to socialise informally, out of class at monthly events.
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