Our English Teacher Training Program is Highly Interactive

The Institute's Approach to English Teacher Training

Our ESL* teacher training course is based on an active learning approach, giving our TEFL trainees extensive opportunity to practice what they study. In our TEFL training program, you will participate in classes where your trainers model the teaching techniques to be mastered. You will then undertake skill-building activities, both individually and in small groups. You also lead your own ESL practice teaching classes for a minimum of six hours, receiving guidance and feedback from our experienced teacher trainers.

ESL Teacher Training Course Content

During the course, you will:

• learn to plan and teach your lessons using the Communicative Approach. Skills covered include teaching reading, listening, speaking and writing;
• develop the ability to create your own materials that introduce and integrate these skills in a lively, enjoyable and productive format;
• review English grammar and learn how to create dynamic, effective grammar lessons;
• learn how to teach populations with specialized needs, such as business people;
• develop classroom management skills;
• increase your ability to work in cross-cultural settings;
• learn to find and evaluate English teaching jobs overseas and in the United States, to present yourself through your resume and cover letter, tackle interviews, and much more.

Course Length

The full-time TEFL intensive program takes 4 weeks and meets Monday through Friday from 10 am to 5 pm for a total of 120 hours of instruction.

The Part-time program meets Saturdays from 9:00 am until 6:00 pm. The course duration is 12 weeks and 96 hours of classroom time. It is the same program content as the full-time course. Some lesson-planning hours are done as homework, with instructor guidance via e-mail.

The Certificate

The Boston Language Institute's internationally recognized TEFL Certificate is awarded at the completion of the program. In order to earn the certificate, you must attend and participate in all course modules, successfully teach six class hours and complete a final project, which becomes your portfolio. All graduates receive a letter of recommendation and ongoing career support.

*For detailed information about various abbreviations, please visit the Glossary page.