Hi Ian,

Thanks for your reply.  I have done all the course now and am at a cross roads as how to move on.  My goal is Vietnam and have just sent off an email to an organisation.  Unfortunately they do have age restrictions however I did ask if they could either waive the age restriction of recommend to me another place that I could apply for.  I have been driving myself crazy not making any decision about my path and have decided to just go for it and see where it leads.  I think that if I just continue to keep studying I will just get older and it will be even harder. 

Thanks again for your reply.

Di

Hi Diohoh,

Thx for your interest, don't let age stop you doing anything, especially not the Weekend Course. You should find it really fun and informative. I regret not having joined and been an active participant in the Senior group, as I'm sure I'd have learned a lot from others who take more life experiences into the TEFL journey. My education qualification is a degree in Music Education [4 year B.Mus with an education major] done back in the 80s. My new one is a Masters in Education (TESOL), the last bit being known as the 'specialisation', rather say School Leadership or Maths Curricula etc. Have done the Grad Cert in Ed (TESOL) f/time in 6months. Now onto the Masters.

Yes it basically all helps. As a non-Enlglish Studies of Literature degree holder Ihave had to bone up a bit, but I am finding all muy studies espec in Sociolinguistics fascinating. Neurolinguisticss is another really interesting sub-field at present - I see some interesting cross-over stuff relating to learning and responding to the language of music. Have written in euphemim, Stephen Krashen and Estuary English and now doing ESP. Can highly recommend it all. My friend Baxter Jackson, ESL teacher in the M. East also highly recommends the course(s) at the Uni of New England. TEFL is really great though as it teaches/trains you to actually do the job of classroom instruction. Wider reading and study then inform your approach.

All the best,

Ian

Hi Ian,  I like your comments and encouragement to others.  I too have completed the 140 hours and am interested in going to Vietnam.  I am 59 so a little older than most and that is probably my biggest worry although it didn't seem to be a problem in the weekend course.  I notice that you are doing the Grad Dip in Education which I have been contemplating.  Do you see this as an advantage to the whole scheme of things?

HI lizybabynnn,

If you're out there wondering at how rude I was not acknowledge your message to me, I couldn't get the link to it to work - just got an 404 error message.

Will try again later, Ian

Hi Angela,

Thx for your warm comments sounds like you are well under way with gaining your qualifications.

To bring you up to date with me I having achieved the full 140 hour Combined Course I bought two further Spec Certs I am part way through doing the assignment for the Cert called 'How to Use Audio and Video.' I really recommend this one it is so interesting and basically very simple to learn. It gives you great insights into the type of material that makes good video in terms of stuff from You Tube and shows you how to structure your planning for maximum learning impact.

Can't comment on the Teaching English with Limited Resources yet, its almost the opposite end of the scale though, to using electrically-powered technology to deliver learning experiences though. More of a 'stix and stones' approach. I look forward to seeing what I can learn about it.

Keep up your good work, you're on the cusp of a life-changing experience! How wonderful!!!
Ian 

Thanks for advice on doing grammar alongside the 60 hours, i felt it did help me to understand parts of the course. I have passed grammar awareness now and feel i can tackle 60 hours again...good luck with your studies Angela.

Yesterday was a great day for me.  140 hours Combined Course now complete. Had a top time with the Practical Classroom Course in Melbourne in mid-July. Thx Brett, you're a legend! Must be suffering withdrawals already as I've enrolled for two additional Specialist Certs and may also look at doing either the China or Thailand one (or both!). My own experience is that everyone Ive come across in this organisation so far has been both helpful and completent and I bless the day I first found i-to-itefl. It has been a transformative experience for me doing the studuy and I havent even begun my teaching seriously yet! Hoping to head to the Middle East within two years but may do a shorter stint in Asia first.

To all fellow students - hang in there, you can do it!

Ian

I am 48 and was a classroom and studio music teacher for 22 years.  Have become fascinated with the opportunities TEFL offers and have been brought back to my love of language that got hijacked by my love of music for so long. Spent 4 years studying German and did 4 years of Italian study in early 2000s. Enrolled for the 140hr Combined Course in late JAN2012 adn am nearly finshed the online component. AM also undertaking a Grad Cert in Education (TESOL) by Distance through my local University UTAS in Tasmania AUST. It is more academic but a good foil for all the practical content and technique training that I'm getting through TEFL.  

Have never Facebooked or been to chatrooms before so I'm finding this Chalkboard a liberating experience and am amazed at the help and encouragement that is out there. Also the incredible courage and sense of adventure of the younger generation who see the world as a place of wonder and discovery, despite the way in which the mass media depict it.   For older ones like me I am challenged and excited in equal amounts and note with pleasure the older people not only taking the courses, but getting out into the world and helping to make it better for others.   What a positive place this is!