Teachers Taking Skills Around the Globe

Communicative Language Training International (CLTI) helps teachers prepare to take skills around the globe.

Trained as a primary- school teacher, Kelly McMillan wanted to teach English in Japan, and enrolled in CLTI’s Preliminary Certificate in TEFL (Teaching English as a Foreign Language) three- week programme.

“The tutors taught me many new teaching skills in a practical way,” she says.

“The experience teaching foreign students was excellent practice. We received great tips and resources.”

Course graduate Beata Kumagai also plans to teach English in Japan. Originally from Poland, she trained as a physical-education teacher in her native country. Getting new teaching skills and useful resources made the course particularly useful, she says.

“We learned how to adapt every kind of lesson, even the boring ones, and to make them more interesting.”

Brazilian Josi Henriques says she enjoyed the course because she learned so much to improve her teaching.

” Communicative language teaching principles are some of the greatest principles to follow. The intensive practice enabled us to constantly develop our teaching ability.

“I now feel confident to start my own school in Brazil and will adapt it to teach not only English but also Portuguese for foreigners.”

Kiwi Tony Kirwan, who has taught in New Zealand for several years, believes the course is well structured and very well delivered.

“I have learned some key skills which will influence my teaching style significantly. The tutors encouraged trainees to achieve their best. The teaching philosophy was very practical and can be readily applied to my teaching practice.”

CLTI chief executive Linda Edwards says most of the institute’s teacher trainers have been teaching for more than 15 years and have a wide knowledge of students’ needs and cultural expectations.

“They have all been excellent teachers of English. CLTI students regard their trainers as great models, the kind of teacher they aspire to become — fun, innovative, caring, enthusiastic and knowledgeable. They have high professional standards, but know how to make learning how to teach enjoyable.”

CLTI provides a range of courses to learn how to teach English as a foreign language.

“Most teacher trainees go on to teach overseas,” says Edwards. “CLTI has a job- placement service. CLTI staff have taught, worked and lived around the world, and know about the customs, culture and educational systems in Asia, Europe and South America.

“The insight they pass on to trainees can aid cultural assimilation once they arrive in the new country.

“CLTI courses focus on getting trainees to understand teaching English as a foreign language methodology and learning how to adapt it when teaching in various countries.”

* The next courses run from January 28 to February 15, and April 14 to May 2. For further information, phone 377-8157, or email linda@cltintl. com

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