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NOTES FROM OUR TEFL GRADUATES


Feel free to contact our graduates about their experience. You can also email info@teflworldwideprague.com for more contacts for our TEFL graduates who did not write a testimony for this page.

I laughed at myself when I first thought of teaching English abroad. It's interesting how great leaps in life start with self amusement and doubt. Once I started getting the opinions of others, researching and playing with literal logistics it became clearer. Let's go for it! TEFL world wide was recommended through a friend who was already signed up for the course. I have to admit, I didn't know much about what I was in for even as I arrived in Prague. I made the decision based on what I read on the internet which is enough to make the most anal retentive paranoid.

From the moment I confirmed my spot in the course I was taken care of. No more than half a day went by with out a question being answered or detailed instructions being given out. The TEFL WW staff made me feel like I had a mission to accomplish from the word "go"!

When arriving in Prague, everything was laid out for me. All the who's, what's, wheres and whys were spelled out with ultimate precision. For someone who comes from a background in organizing the meticulous lives of musicians, I was immediately impressed.

As the course started I realized this was intense. I was staring up a mountain I've never seen or even knew existed. TEFL WW had started to give me the tools I needed to conquer it, one at a time.

Teaching English as a foreign language is a carefully designed art, this was obvious in the first week. Like any artistic skill, once trained properly you can accomplish your tasks with ease and enjoyment. This was no different. Since our actual teaching began on day TWO, there was no room for subtlety or a grace period. Some may say it's learning the hard way, but one must do so to yield maximum results!

It wasn't until after I graduated that I noticed the true merit of TEFL ww. Once I was free from the rigorous schedule of a TEFL student, I was able to meet others that have made the same choice I had. It was then I noticed the horror that was possible by making the wrong choice in a TEFL school.

Their involvement with flat/job/visa hunting is unmatched. If it weren't for the girls in the office, most of us would be undeniably lost. The attention to detail, knowhow and expertise literally cannot be found at any other TEFL school. Again, it wasn't until I heard about what was happening to other teachers until I fully realized this.

I was able to secure a job a mere seven days after graduation. I've been teaching business English here in Prague ever since and I love it. I'm looking forward to a summer in NYC, who knows where my TEFL certificate will take me next!

Feel free to contact me with any questions!

Bill Meis billmeis@me.com

Dear TEFL Worldwide crew,

It's been two years now since my course with TEFL Worldwide and all I can say is TAHNK YOU for giving me the initial push into the best two years of my life. Since that amazing month of inspiring lessons, life-long friendships and a whole lot of grammar, I have worked and traveled all over the world! TEFL Worldwide gave me the ticket to teach English in Prague, Spain, South Korea and Peru! I remember a moment I had high up in the Andes in Peru while trying to teach a lesson to eight year olds who had to work in the streets to make money for their families. We had zero electricity, zero resources, and zero English to communicate. I remember looking at those kids watching my every move and hanging on to every word I was saying. I thought, man, how did I get here? How did I get this incredible chance to make such a difference for these kids? The answer was TEFL Worldwide. I may not have known I would be going so many places with my TEFL certificate in hand back in October 2006, but taking your course was the first step to opening a world of doors for me. After two years, I have finally returned to my home in Georgia. My email and facebook wall are full of messages from around the world from people who have changed my life. I feel truly blessed to have had the experiences I did in every country and with every person I met along the way. I can't thank you enough! I hope everyone is doing well and when I return to Praha I will be sure to stop by and say hello!

Děkuji!
Ginny Blair
gblair22@gmail.com
You can also contact Ginny by phone. 9am to 9pm EST: 404-395-8220

Hi Cheryl and Merhaba from Turkey,

How are you? How are things in Prague? I hope you and all your staff are doing well. As you know, I am currently teaching in Adana, Turkey. Turkey is truly one of the most amazing countries in the WORLD. I love the culture and especially the people. They are very friendly and welcoming.I have been working here since I left the course in February. I think I was fortunate to have found a job before the course completed and thanks to your schools resources. Currently, I teach both primary and adults in a private school in Adana.

The TEFL Worldwide program was absolutely amazing. I absolutely loved Terry and Trish and I couldn't have had better teachers. Terry is probably one of the best teachers I have had in my life. Not only was he a great teacher but he was inspirational. One day, I hope that I can become a great teacher like Terry.

The program was intense. I admire Terry and Trish for being able to teach such a difficult and intense course in a months time. I have a hectic schedule here in a Adana and I don't know how I would be able teach if I didn't have had such good teachers. In addition, I use the principles given to me by Terry and Trish in my everyday classroom. I think this has allowed me to become a more effective teacher.

In addition to Terry and Trish, your staff was very friendly and helpful. Jen and Hana were always there to help me, guide me and answer any questions. Having such a great staff help me transition to the course, to Prague and my new lifestyle. And, finally, I couldn't have asked for a better group than the group that I worked with during the course. I have made some life long friends from around the world as a result and I am very thankful for this.

Tell everyone hi for me and to not hesitate to contact me about anything.

BTW -I am attaching a couple of pictures of me. The 1st one is a picture of me (in brown) with some of my adults students. The second pictures are of a trip I took to the coast of Turkey called Kizkalesi. Its a beautiful town where I went swimming, laid in the warm sun and ate awesome fish outside by the water. In the 3rd picture, there is a castle that was built out in the water that you can swim to and explore.

Michell Babcock
 mbabcock71@yahoo.com

Hi Cheryl,

Dropping you a line to let you know where in the world I am. Well at the beginning of January I moved to Taiwan to teach for Shane English School. I am based in Taipei teaching at Kindergarten. So far so good. The company is excellent and takes care of its teachers every step of the way. We have a welfare officer who takes care of our Visas and any personal issues. I was also given an intensive training week as well as observing many classes. Wages are good and the cost of living is low. Taiwan is a mecca for English teachers so there is a great social scene too. It is also a perfect opportunity to learn Manderin. It is mainly young learners here, so for those wanting to teach adults Taiwan is maybe not the right choice. I will send some pics soon. Shane School also has a great support system for its teachers and there is further opportunity for teacher development and promotion.

As regards to the TEFL programme, I found it to be an amazing learning experience. It had been many years for me since I was in a classroom situation and throughout college and university I had avoided courses which involved exams and dissertations so I was very scared of what to expect. The whole experience was amazing and Terry was so right when he said the first day ' you will get out of this course what you put into it'. I feel much more confident with my teaching having completed the TEFL course and my notes are now my bible. Please let me know if you have any students who are interested in teaching in Asia as I applied through many websites and delt with many schools in China, South Korea and Japan, I would be more than willing to share my experiences with them.

Thanks so much for getting in touch, it has been a joy to share my experience,

Lisa Herbertson
lisaherbertson@hotmail.com

Hello to Terry and the team,

Choosing where to train in the skills of TEFL was a difficult decision. Do you opt for a course close to home (many of them claiming to equip you within a week!) or do you explore one of Europe’s great cities whilst studying?

I chose the latter and was delighted with the outcome. The process from sending our application to arriving in our accommodation was very clear, efficient and all of our questions were answered. The team are great.

As for the course, I found out quickly that to become a successful teacher, a one month course is absolutely necessary to become confident enough and competent enough in the art of TEFL. Whilst intensive, the design of the course allows plenty of time to explore Prague and the neighbouring area during your spare time.

The tuition is friendly, honest and conducted to high professional standards. You develop techniques in creative lesson planning, delivering grammar lessons and are eased into the hands-on teaching practice. It’s hard work, but truly worth it.

After the course I travelled to China and worked in Hebei province. The reputation of this course allowed me to find work quickly and experience the delights of this rapidly changing country.

My sojourn could have continued to other countries in the east, however I enrolled on the British Post Graduate Certificate in Education, and currently teach Humanities in a High School in Newcastle, England. The experience from TEFL Worldwide and the subsequent job in China helped greatly in gaining a further professional teaching qualification.

I still use my TEFL skills teaching in Summer Schools in the UK. I cannot recommend TEFL Worldwide Prague enough; the experience they offer is thoroughly rewarding and creates many opportunities.

Garry Milburn garrymilburn@yahoo.co.uk

Dear Cheryl,

I am currently in San Jose, Costa Rica teaching part time at a school that prepares missionaries for their mission work. Future missionaries attend Instituto de Lengua Espanola to learn Spanish before being sent out on their missions. While they are attending, their children must attend school as well - at Sojourn Academy. That is where I am currently teaching part time until January. In January, I will begin teaching full time junior high and high school science and an EFL class at Sojourn. My plan is to teach there until June, and then I am considering following some of my missionary friends to Lima, Peru to help with there mission and to find EFL teaching jobs.

Thank you so much for the wonderful opportunity to attend TEFL:) When people ask me about my experience there, I always explain that the course was well worth the money and time. The classes and material covered as well as the teaching practice left me feeling confident going out into the teaching world. I was really impressed with the concept of learning used there - eliciting answers from the students, making learning fun, encouraging team work, filling in the information gaps, and step by step comprehensive learning. The teachers and staff were very helpful and encouraging as well. In fact, Jennifer Fry still sends me possible job opportunities, and you are still in contact with me. Terry and Pete have offered to be references for me, and Hana has helped me out on some things as well.

I really appreciate what TEFL Worldwide Prague stands for and what you are doing to help people fulfill their dreams of living and teaching abroad and to fully prepare them for teaching English as a foreign language. Thank you again for accepting me into the course and for all that you and your team taught me in that one short month. I wish you and TEFL the best, and please stay in touch. Tell everyone at TEFL "hello".

Sincerely,
Caroline Cullum
cullumcaro@yahoo.com

Dear Pete, Terry and Cheryl,

So I've finally figured it out, TESOL has become my life! Im currently doing masters at a top program in Philly, (Upenn) in TESOL, and I absolutely love it. I'm completely enjoying the program, and I feel Im quite well prepared for it, thanks to you guys.

I loved the TEFL course I took with you - it was about three years ago but the way you taught us how to TEACH has certainly stuck. In fact, professors often comment on my straightforward teaching style - techniques that I probably would never have implemented if it hadn't been for you, have now become second nature for me. The TEFL course has without a doubt been a defining experience in my life. I still carry around my (now) tattered folder containing your handouts, my notes and the sheets of feedback! In fact, that folder remains the main point of referral for me when I find myself in a teaching bind! And by the way, one of the courses I took last semester on actual teaching (more practical than theory based) seemed to me a repeat of a lot of what I learnt with you back in 2005, so I am forever grateful to you for preparing me so well.

I hope to go into educational linguistics after I complete my masters, as well as teacher training. What I'm most interested however is phonological acquisition/phonology teaching, so I guess a couple of years from now, my focus will be pretty narrowed down.

Thanks for keeping in touch, and of course, even after Pete leaves, I hope to stay in touch with all of you :)

All the best to you three!


Talar talarsk@gmail.com

Life after TEFL….

As you know the TEFL course helps find you jobs. Not only did they help find my job, but I had a job before the course even finished. It has been over 2 years now since my course and my life has completely changed. I taught in a language school in CZ to get some experience and then I moved to Berlin, Germany. I worked at a summer camp and was offered a new position to hire and train the staff. It was a great opportunity and I took it. Camping was a strength of mine and so with my new qualifications in teaching English as a foreign language the camping director and I came up with some ideas of our own. Now I am a partner with an incredible language camp in Germany, Im making great money and supporting my family.

There are so many ideas that came from the course in Prague, and now our camp is expanding and there are new and exciting opportunities. We may actually be starting a branch of the camp for International Students around the world in the Czech Republic next year. If you are looking for a summer job and an incredible experience please get in touch. But first be sure to complete to TEFL certificate, I promise you will not regret it!

Michael Corman
Michael.corman@gmail.com

Dear Terry,

How are you? How is this month's course going? How is your family doing? I hope that you are enjoying your students this month and that all is well with your family:)

Well, I just wanted to thank you again for teaching me so much in only one month. You really made the course interesting and challenging as well. I feel very confident going out and searching for jobs with this training under my belt.

I left Prague the Wednesday after the course to come back to Costa Rica. I am working part time at the school where I was teaching before. I am using my extra time to find a job either here or back in Europe for the January time frame. I have an interview at Intercultura Language School in San Jose tomorrow.

Well, take care Terry. If I make it back to Prague, I'll come by and see you guys. Please tell everyone at TEFL that I said "hello". Please stay in touch!

Sincerely,
Caroline Cullum cullumcaro@yahoo.com

Hi Cheryl,

I am currently teaching in Prague at a school that outsources its teachers to businesses (mainly Unilever, Autocont, and Sitronics). I am really liking it thus far. I have been working here since about mid-april and I'm having what some people would refer to as a blast. This week is the last week of the semester, and I fully intend to come back and teach for this company in the fall because I will be heading back to the US in about two weeks for the summer.

I absolutely loved the TEFL program. Terry and Pete are really awesome guys. I truly enjoyed the staff. They were incredible to say the least. Terry and Pete know what they are doing. They know how to prepare successful teachers, and they also know when to tell unmotivated ones that maybe teaching isn't the right profession for them.

Upon arrival and still to this day Hana befriended me and has been an influence in my continued stay in the Czech Republic. She also helped me with a mail issues I had prior to the course starting.

I'd like to stop by, but just in case I don't find the time before I leave for summer, give my regards to the staff.

Paul Camarata pcamarata@itsfac.com

Hi Alicia, Cheryl, Pete, Terry, and staff,

I know it has been a long time (I graduated with the June 2007 class), however, I would like to write about my crazy, hectic, but awesome experience in the Czech Republic. I taught at the 3 week Sunrise Camp following the TEFL course, and then found myself teaching conversation, practical language, and writing at the Technical University of Liberec! Your TEFL course prepared me more than I can imagine, as I now have and deal with over 100 students at the university level!

Liberec is a beautiful small city of 100,000 people. People here are quite nice, most things are cheaper than in Prague, and Prague is only 1 hour away by bus. There are ample opportunities to ski and snowboard right next to the living area.

To Pete and Terry, thanks again for the wonderful course, as it has prepared me for a job I never dreamed I would be able to do!

Timothy Lessler
Technical University of Liberec, Faculty of Education
Timothylessler@yahoo.com

'Since completing the TEFL Worldwide course in November 2007 I have been working for my local authority in Central Scotland delivering ESOL lessons to the ever-growing immigrant population. In general the students here range between the 'absolute beginner' and 'intermediate' categories with the bulk of them falling into 'beginner and elementary'.The majority of them tend to come from Eastern European countries, but there are also a number from places as diverse as Pakistan and Cuba.

Most of my teaching takes place in local authority premises around the county, but I also teach students in their homes as part of the Working For Families initiative. I also have some private students.

The most interesting place I teach however is in the local prison where classes comprise long-term prisoners only. Lessons are not forced upon inmates who do not have English as their first language, meaning those who attend are very keen indeed. I cannot give them enough extra work it seems. The days (and particularly the weekends when the prison education department is closed) are long. Once again there are a variety of nationalities present: from Chinese to French to Vietnamese to Iranian, each presenting different challenges. Absentees are infrequent as you might imagine! Nobody has ever escaped from the prison (or from my classes) so when a student is not in attendance it is because they have either done something else that's bad (and been confined to their cell as punishment), or their sentence has ended and they've been deported! Incidentally imprisonment and deportation are, in my view, the only valid excuses there can ever be for absenteeism in any class, whether in a correctional institution or not! (It's a tough line I know but the students will respect you for it). That, of course, was wrong. I will accept sudden death too.

So, what of TEFL Worldwide Prague and the course itself? Well, What struck me immediately upon completion of each week was how carefully structured the whole thing is. The saying 'A place for everything and everything in its place' is very apt indeed. Each lesson builds upon the next with the teaching afternoons and supplementary projects augmenting everything. I thoroughly enjoyed the course. I found it very challenging, but it was challenging in an invigorating way. I was forced to use my loaf a lot more than I had been used to!

For me the opportunity to put into practice straight away what I have just learned theoretically is always preferable, and TEFL Worldwide Prague uses this consolidation method well. I can say without doubt that I left the college each night with two things: a full brain and a sense of achievement.'

Alan Macfarlane
alanmac65@googlemail.com

Hello Terry!

So, I started to teach in Apollo, the language school on Hanoi, 4 months ago. I pretty much found my feet and feel really at ease with the adult (mainly corporate and general English) classes.

Nowadays I teach only 13 hours a week which gives me plenty of time to search through the very extensive library of books for different classroom activities and games. I also love incorporating songs and films into my lessons.

My students are lovely and I really enjoy teaching them. We have a lot of fun together. I really try hard to make my lessons dynamic and interesting and I hope I am doing a good job. Some of my classes already had tests and it was so satisfying for me to see them do well!

The picture that I sent you is from last Saturday. One of my corporate classes invited me for a day out with them far outside Hanoi. It was a brilliant day that finished with Karaoke (which I am absolutely crazy about)!

Apart from teaching for Apollo, I also give 1-2-1 lessons and teach Fashion in The Hanoi Fashion College. So, all in all, I do teach about 20 hours per week. I have only 1 day off, Sunday, and work usually in the evenings on weekdays, which is perfect for me, as I am so not a morning person!

I still have time to do Yoga, play tennis and hang out in bars, though.... Life is GOOD!

The weather now is really gorgeous, the best season- it is sunny, warm and breezy - lovely!

Vietnamese people are very friendly, warm and just so keen to learn and speak English! They require a lot of pronunciation practice, though, as MOST of the English sounds don't exist in their language. They are all very nice about their bad pronunciation and laugh at their own mistakes. Having said that, I have taken up the Vietnamese lessons and I am really full of understanding for my students, as my Vietnamese is so hard and I rarely ever make myself understood to the Vietnamese!

I consider myself really lucky to have started my teaching experience in Apollo, as the help I have been given along the way and all the organization in general ,and people have been amazing.

The access to the teaching resources like books, photocopying, laminating etc is unlimited, which I love, as it stimulates my creativity. CD players, TVs, DVD players and OH projectors are available at all times. I really enjoy my work here! (No, they didn't pay me to write this, Terry. I really feel this way!!!)

Hope to hear from you soon.

ANNA
noushdabrowska@hotmail.com

Helllo, its Vanessa again. TEFL Worldwide is really the best thing I have ever done. I have gained so much from this experience it’s incredible. Terry and Pete are by far the best teachers that I have ever had. They care about their students, and they have a clear passion for what they teach. Both have been of great support to me during my time in Prague. The actual course itself is phenomenal. It exceeded all of my expectations, and I actually feel quiet clever now!

I have made the most beautiful friendships with practically everyone on the course, and I hope that the staff at TEFL Worldwide will except mine, Beth, Andrew, and Justin’s invitation to come for dinner at our new flat in Andel one evening that best suits you.

Basically TELF Worldwide has been an incredible investment, an amazing experience, and opportunity of a life time. I would recommend TEFL Worldwide to anyone as I believe it’s fantastic.

Thank you to Terry Pete for looking after me, and encouraging me. I couldn’t have done it without them. They are both amazing teachers. Thank you to all the members of staff in TEFL Worldwide. Everyone does such a fantastic job. I’m really going to miss not coming to school. Keep in touch. I will definitely see you soon. All my love and with a great big thank you,

Ness
ness9@live.co.uk

Hello to all TEFLers,

I am currently in Dresden, Germany and working for Inlingua. I have been here about a month and a half and really like it. The city is unbelievably gorgeous and the perfect size for me (around 500,000). I love my job at Inlingua and have a lot of work, so life is never boring. I teach classes in businesses and in the two schools that Inlingua has. Most of the classes are Business English, but I like it.

I really think that the classes in Prague prepared me well for my job here in Dresden. I would recommend TEFL Worldwide Prague to anyone who wants to teach English abroad.

Ryan Harrington ryankharrington@gmail.com

Hello to TEFL Worldwide. How are all of you? I am currently back in Japan, I was here before for 2 years teaching, and I will begin working next Tuesday. I got a job working 24 hours a week at an International College. I could never have gotten this job without taking the TEFL course because I was given a grammar quiz first thing in my interview. I would never in a million years have known the answers to those questions without Terry and Pete. I am so happy to be back here and looking forward to enjoying all the free time that this job is going to give me. I am starting Japanese lessons tomorrow so I hope that won't be too stressful. Other than that, not much else is new here.

The TEFL course was great in everyway. It was so amazing how well everyone in my class got along and how much everyone bonded. Also, the help from Terry and Pete during classroom observations was really helpful. They are also hilarious which helps to pass the time when talking about grammar. ha!

Lori loriann208@yahoo.com

The TEFL Worldwide course was a great experience for me. We really learned a lot about teaching English effectively, for example how to organize lessons, teach grammar and vocabulary, use good teacher language, and use various activities and materials to spice up lessons. The experience of teaching students of different levels was also very helpful. I truly think this course helped me to get my job because after the course I had a much better idea of how to teach. Terry and Peter were wonderful teachers who gave us so much useful information and showed us how to teach in a fun and interesting way. I highly recommend this course to anyone who is interested in teaching English. Thank you again for the opportunity to be a part of it!

Lena Jurgens
lenaj12@hotmail.com

Hello Terry! I'm sure you've forgotten all about me and our humble group but I thought I would drop you a note to tell you I haven't forgotten about you! I wanted to let you know that I got a job at the same school that your friend Regina worked for) and thus far it has been quite an experience! I teach mostly Turkish and Vietnamese children in the 7th and 5th grades. I also teach the owner of the school and three of his Turkish friends...they're a riot.

I wanted to thank you for one of the most incredible experiences I have ever had in my entire life. I don't think I could have chosen a better program. Your hard work surely paid off (as I'm sure it does every month) because all of us left the program truly changed and equipped skills that have enabled us to walk into a classroom with confidence. I enjoyed every minute of your course. Even when I was feeling sick you were there to sympathize and assure me I would be fine. I really appreciate your kindness.

I know you're a busy man, but I wanted to let you know I would love to stay in contact while I'm still living here in Prague. I hope the November course is going well and that you like them (not as much as us of course). Thank you again for such an incredible month. I look forward to staying in touch!

Ginny Blair gblair22@gmail.com

I just wanted to let you know that the TEFL course totally changed my life! It was one of the greatest investments I ever made! The teachers are incredible and fun, Prague is rich in history and culture, and lets not forget the best beer in the world! The staff at TEFL Worldwide are extremely helpful with job placement, finding apartments etc. I am currently teaching in a town outside of Prague in the Czech Paradise. I got the job before finishing the course! They provide average salaries, housing, insurance, and working visas. I can't imagine being anywhere else right now! Jess and I also got summer camp jobs in Austria, so that is great too! We will be in touch! Thanks again for everything.

Michael Allan Corman

Hi to everyone at TEFL Worldwide!

I'm teaching in Greece and am absolutely loving it! I'm teaching at a school in Larissa, central Greece. The children are 8-16 and for the most part they're great! The hours are good and my employer provides my accomodation. Greece itself is fantastic, the people are so friendly and the food is amazing! I'm in a good location to visit other places in Greece too.

The course was great, the trainers were so friendly and helpful and I met some amazing people. All my questions, both before I arrived in Prague and during the course, were answered in a quick and personal way. The job guidance was also excellent. All in all the course really made me feel confident and prepared to teach.

Thanks for your help and keep up the good work!!

Claire Bucknall
 claire_b55@hotmail.com

Terry & Gang,

Just wanted to drop you a line to say hey. Kudos first.

Thanks for everything you did for us in the classroom mate. I cannot begin to express the profound way in which your course changed my life. The mere fact that I survived the course with an initial knowledge base of absolute zero speaks volumes to your ability to teach, and my own ability to persevere in the presence of an unfamiliar environment. I left Prague feeling nearly invincible, that is that no achievement was too far out of reach if you really want it. Speaking on more general terms, I will also never forget my Prague experience thanks to you (Pete too).

I will say, however, that one thing I'll never forget is the comment you made after the conclusion of the course.The comment about what makes a good coach or motivator.More specifically the part about instilling in the student the belief that they can succeed (whether or not YOU believe they actually can). Simply brilliant stuff mate!! Oh yeah, did I mention that fact that every so often I catch myself saying "mate" instead of friend or a host of other American colloquialisms? Funny how sometimes the people that influence your life the most are those you'd least expect.

Thanks for never letting me quit mate. While expressing thanks, I can't forget Cheryl and the office staff. You guys were great too, always full of information and helpful tips. Thanks for everything.

Alright, enough with the thanks at the risk of already having blown too much smoke. Things here in Denver are good. After 5 long years I will complete my Bachelor's in Business Administration, December 16th if you want to plan a visit (GRIN). Looking forward to being done, but now I'm considering a Masters in a loosely related field that may afford me the healthy professional lifestyle I've been looking for (lots of recreation and travel time). Aimee is also doing well. She is scheduled to graduate in the Spring and is also considering a pursing a graduate degree.

I know you're busy so I'll cut it here after a few quick questions. How are things in Prague? How is your daughter? How are those markers faring? I now obsessively place the caps back on them by the way ;) Does Pete still aspire to be Mick Jagger? Is Pete still hanging out at Jama? I hope all is well in your world and that your efforts in all things are adequately rewarded.

Later,
Matt
celestinecook@yahoo.com

Hi Everyone!

This is one of the three Kate's from the September course(Rodrigue!). I am currently working right here in Prague at a language school. It is definitely something new and interesting everyday. I am working at a lot of different companies throughout Prague but I feel that my most interesting "gig" is teaching the Prime Minister's assistant. (I pass the PM's office on the way!)

Anyway, the course was one of the best experiences that I've ever had. Not only did I learn so much, but I got to enjoy Prague at the same time! Job Guidance: Even now that I have a job, I am still receiving updates on jobs in the area, which is great! As for customer service, I can't tell you how at ease I felt receiving all the emails before I arrived in Prague (and trust me, I wrote a lot.) All of my emails were responded to the next day and I was never left wondering about anything.

Hope all is going well! I am heading back to Maine in 2 weeks... but only staying for the holidays and then coming right back here! I am QUITE excited! Take Care!

Kate Rodrigue Katharin_Rodrigue@umit.maine.edu

I graduated from TEFL in June 2004. The TEFL course was more than I could imagine: education, hard work, fun, variety, friends, tears and laughter. It is a month that I will remember forever. I met a lot of really great people including the teacher trainers who gave me the foundations for teaching English. The course is hard work but worth every second. You can only truly learn by doing and this is a great course to develop your own skill base, confidence and life path.

I worked as a TEFL teacher in Jihlava, Czech for 4 months and then moved onto Germany for 2 years teaching Business English to adults incompany in a private language school. Both employers were more than impressed with the inductive approach and quality of teaching. Thanks to Paul and Terry for that. I have now moved to Dublin, Ireland. I am working as an Interior Design Programme Leader for a Design Academy, I tutor distance learners for Diploma and Higher National Diploma globally as well as being responsible for the team of evening course tutors across Ireland and their development/courses. This uses all of my teaching skills as well as my design background and I can truly say that although it was a bit unclear at the time, TEFL gave me both direction and usable skills in the non TEFL world.


Nicola Jones
Now working at a Design Academy in Ireland.

Hey Cheryl,

It's Anne. Yes, I am teaching.....

Well, I am with EF English First West Jakarta. (As of today, I got my Indonesian residency...I am in Singapore right now...crazy I know) ....

As far as your program....I really am using a lot of the resources that we were given or ideas that I got while observing Pete and Terry (tell them I say Selamat Sore ...it's just like saying Dobry den). And actually, a few of the other teachers are using some of the ideas.....they saw them in use in a few of my classes and asked me how I came up with such ideas and I said...well didn't they teach you this stuff on your TEFL course??? :- )

TEFL Worldwide was an incredible experience from both the teaching and learning aspect. As a teacher from the United States, I was unsure what to expect and I learned so many new methods and strategies to bring back to my classroom! The teachers and staff were very accommodating...in more than just instruction. They were also a lot of fun, and designed the lessons in a way that we could use them in our TEFL teaching immediately.

Beyond the TEFL course, Prague is an amazing city. I was surprised at how easy it was to live in the city! I learned that the best way to learn about a culture is to LIVE in it. Everyday was an adventure and all of my students added something "special" to the overall teaching experience.

I would recommend TEFL Worldwide to anyone interested in challenging themselves a bit to a new but unforgettable experience.

Chrissy Clothier chrissyclothier@aol.com

No, I really do think that the program is 100% worth it. I know I wouldn't be as good as a teacher as I am without it, especially since teaching was a career change for me. The hardest part is getting to know all the material (since I just started with these new books)...but I think that in about a month or two things are going to run really slick.

I am here in Jakarta until next November...but I might be contacting you all around August or so ...because I think that after this, I want to go to Portugal and teach (just a heads up)...

Well my plane is getting ready to depart. Talk to you later. Hope all is well in Prague.

Anne
irishwestie@hotmail.com

Dear Terry,

How are you? How is this month's course going? How is your family doing? I hope that you are enjoying your students this month and that all is well with your family:)

Well, I just wanted to thank you again for teaching me so much in only one month. You really made the course interesting and challenging as well. I feel very confident going out and searching for jobs with this training under my belt.

I left Prague the Wednesday after the course to come back to Costa Rica. I am working part time at the school where I was teaching before. I am using my extra time to find a job either here or back in Europe for the January time frame. I have an interview at Intercultura Language School in San Jose tomorrow.

Well, take care Terry. If I make it back to Prague, I'll come by and see you guys. Please tell everyone at TEFL that I said "hello". Please stay in touch!

Sincerely,
Caroline Cullum
cullumcaro@yahoo.com


When I first learned about TEFL (Teaching English as a Foreign Language), I knew right away that I wanted to come to Prague to do the program. However, I was very nervous about finding a job, not knowing the language, the intensity of the program, and the kinds of people I would meet there.

However, three months after the program I have students who I love, am living in a flat in the city, and have made great roommates and friends. It's amazing how much can change in only a few months!

The program is fairly small, which is great because not only do you get to know the people in the program very well, but any questions you have about teaching or anything else get answered whenever you need. Cheryl helped so much with getting me over to Prague, answering many questions and finishing off little details. Once you are here, you begin teaching on your second day. I had no classroom teaching experience, and so this was overwhelming at first, but necessary at the same time.


I got a lot of teaching experience on all different levels so that when I was ready to look for a job, I felt confident in what I had learned and experienced. Also, when I finished TEFL after the month was over, I felt like I had actually accomplished something! Once you get your certificate, it is like a ticket - you can teach so many other places in the world. You met some great people in TEFL; some who come from similar backgrounds as you, and others who come from completely different places! Either way, you are not alone when you get to Prague!

Kristin Urbanus

Now teaching in Seville Spain. kristin.urbanus@snc.edu

Hi Cheryl,

Terry had mentioned that he wanted some of our pictures so I've attached a few. Tell Pete and Terry and Luke and I say hi. We both got jobs at the British International School, and you were right, we will be well taken care of. We are excited!

We wanted to thank you all for the great TEFL course. It really was so valuable for us and we both feel well equipped to teach english (although, it will really be tested Aug. 28 with a bunch of 8 year olds - oh wow, what have we got ourselves into?). Anyway, it was fun and rewarding! We would recommend it to anyone.

Thanks again!
Ashlee

Dear Cheryl:

Greetings from the land of fried noodles and big statues of Chairman Mao. I have been teaching in the city of Shijiazhuang, Hebei Province in the PRC for a couple of months now. Over here, I have the pleasure to teach people of all ages, but I have to say that my favorite are my early learners, I have 17 pre-schoolers twice a week.

The school I work for, EF Shijiazhuang, is part of the EF family and I have access to an outstanding library of teaching resources. I also have my own classroom which I have to manage and keep clean and ready for my students. Here at EF Shijiazhuang I have an amazing supporting staff and a fantastic support system around me,not to mention the wonderful friends I have here.

TEFL Worldwide Prague provided me with all the tools I need to teach. Teaching grammar is now a breeze and listening activities are very easy to implement in the classroom. Terry and Peter prepared me for everything I have encountered thus far.

Prague has been one of the most amazing and productive experiences of my life, I made new and wonderful friends and gained the knowledge and abilities I need to do what I love to do: teaching.

China is far away from home but two months in Prague and a certificate from TEFL Worldwide Prague makes being so far so much easy. If you have questions about the program or would like info about teaching in China, please don't hesitate to contact me.

Marco Mizrahi
mm261703@ohio.edu

Hi Cheryl,

How are you all at TEFL Worldwide?

I thought that the TEFL Worldwide program was absolutely fantastic. Terry and Pete are both really great teachers, and I felt that the course was of a very high standard. All the staff at TEFL Worldwide were so helpful and everyone gave us all such great support throughout the program.

The job guidance was really helpful. Merideth was very efficient with sending me emails about job placements wherever I was looking at going.

Before the course started I was very impressed with the efficiency from both you and Lucy, my emails were responded to straight away which I really appreciated!


I thoroughly enjoyed the course and I learned so much from it! I am so glad that I did it, and miss everyone in Prague!

If I'm ever in Prague again, I will stop by to say hello!

Thanks again,
Loren
lorentownshend@yahoo.com

Dear Cheryl,

I just wanted to say thank you again for all of your amazing work and support with regard to us TEFLers. You have been such an amazing help and a wonderful source of encouragement to us all.

I wanted to let you know that I have been hired on by two language schools here in Prague and have already begun teaching classes. I didn't think that it was possible to be more busy post TEFL coruse, but I was wrong!

I hope to stay in touch, as I will be in Prague for the next year. After that, who knows. But it is due in large part to you that I am here and that things have gone as well as they have. Thanks again.


Sincerely,

Marya

Hello all,

Greetings from beautiful South Korea. We are just starting into monsoon season here and so umbrellas are currently must have items. I've been teaching at the Gukje Foreign Language Institute since December and things are going quite well. So well, in fact, that I am planning to continue teaching in Korea for a few more years. If you enjoy spicy food, friendly people and can handle a little rain ("little" being completely relative, of course) then I whole-heartedly encourage you to try teaching here.

Sincerely,

John Daubert

Well, here I am amidst the chaos of China, something that keeps my eyes wide open with both delight in the smiling, hospitable faces everywhere I go and in fear of the swarm of bicycles, mopeds, and taxis that buzz around me as I walk the streets. I’m not in Kansas anymore! It’s truly a crazy, wonderful place where everyday I experience something I never could have imagined as a child. And did I mention the food?

At the university where I am, I teach a class of eight pre-undergraduate students who are preparing to take the IELTS exam in the hopes of attending a university in the English speaking world next year. I’m responsible for their speaking skills and some things from a book called “British Culture”. My intentions are good when using this book, but oh how I must butcher the British! (Guy Fawkes, who the heck is he?) I also teach a little from an old friend: the New Headway book we used in class.

No longer having to falsely compliment you, I can honestly say I use many of the things I learned in Prague here in China; my notes and handouts are a continual point of reference and source of good ideas. And as I am responsible for my students speaking skills, the phonetics lessons have been particularly helpful, especially here in China. (Those pesky l’s and r’s!) So, I’m writing to say thanks! Due to Terry and Paul’s great preparation and the advantage of having some teaching experience at your school prior to traveling, my expectations upon arriving in the classroom here in China were based in reality, and things have gone smoothly as a result. Where I’ll go next, I don’t know… Maybe Chile, or Russia, or maybe Prague again! I had a lot of fun there! Thanks again!

Jesse Hudson
jesse_hudson@hotmail.com

From registering online, arriving in Prague and learning to teach English as a foreign language, TEFL Worldwide takes care of you. The communications before the course begins reassures you that the staff has your best interest at heart. From the airport, they make sure that you safely arrive at your accommodations, which are walking distance from the school. Getting to and from school is not an issue. Once the course begins, Paul & Terry make sure that upon graduation you will be qualified to teach English as a foreign language. Their teaching approach is very innovative, interactive and comprehensive. Within the TEFL community they are highly respected and along with that comes respect for their graduates. I would strongly recommend TEFL Worldwide experience.

Raymond Husum, Esq.
r_husum@yahoo.com

First let me say you might be able to find a school of equal caliber to take a TEFL certificate but you will never find a better one than TEFL Worldwide. I've never seen two instructors (Paul and Terry) work harder at perfecting not only their craft but the coursework as well. I attribute this to their absolute commitment to and the love of the English language. They are passionate about what they do and totally committed to the success of their students.

You will work hard and yet be very satisfied with the results because you will have "earned" your certificate. Many schools are nothing more than certificate mills, but this is not one of them. In a very short period of time students from this school have become "in demand".

I stumbled onto TEFL Worldwide by accident and consider myself to be quite fortunate that I did. I consider it to be one of the best happenings in my life. I have never meet better people and consider everyone at TEFL to be nothing but the best in all ways.

As you can tell I am very favorably disposed toward this school and it's people. I dare say that just about anyone you speak with or encounter who has been there will echo my sentiments.

If I can be of any further help to you please do not hesitate to contact me.

Sincerely,

Ron Buckles
ron5690@hotmail.com

A year ago while deciding what I was going to do with my degree after college, I approached the idea of living and teaching abroad. I heard that Prague was the ideal place for training and working, so I began researching on the Internet schools to attend. My first instinct, when I stumbled across TEFL WORLDWIDE PRAGUE, was the professional demeanor that it presented. From the time I inquired, throughout the application and acceptance process, and finally the arrival in Prague and course history I was impressed with the amount of help and encouragement that the entire staff of TEFL WORLDWIDE PRAGUE gave.


Terry and Paul told us on day one that they were, "throwing you in the deep end rather then letting you wade around the shallow until you get relaxed," and that tactic was the best they could have used. Throughout training Paul and Terry taught us the magic and technique of teaching the English language, while giving us both constructive criticism and encouraging our strong points. Terry and Paul were able to direct their knowledge outside the classroom as they showed us the benefits of living and working abroad.


I had the pleasure of watching Terry teach EFL to Czech students and from that one instance I understood how years of teaching and training have made Paul and Terry amazing EFL teachers, as well as TEFL WORLDWIDE PRAGUE an amazing experience.

Elizabeth Kearney

TEFL Worldwide Prague gave me three things: ability, confidence and a great excuse to visit Prague. The instructors are phenomenal. Terry and Peter have years of experience between them and a wealth of knowledge to share with their teacher trainees. They are friendly, accessible and committed to making their students become topnotch teachers.

I currently teach in Yangsan, South Korea. My first day here was scary because I’d never taught outside the confines of TEFL Worldwide Prague’s classrooms. I used tons of information and lesson planning skills that I learned throughout their course right off the bat. Furthermore, that scary feeling disappeared about thirty seconds after I got started teaching. Their course is intensive which will give you the ability to teach effectively and the confidence to do it well.


The staff are wonderful, too. Lucie and Cheryl will help you with all of your needs. They can provide you with job leads all over the planet, can answer any of your questions prior to your departure, during your visit and even after your graduation ceremony!

Travis Golden

travis_m_golden@yahoo.com

A lot of people throw around the words "inspired" or "inspirational", but few of us can claim we have truly been touched by their power. If you are looking for an experience that is just that, here is the program for you. Under the exceptional tutelage of Terry Prosser and Paul Whitaker, you, too, can be inspired to become a great teacher.

I came to Prague seeking a change in my life. I researched all of the language schools and, though TEFL Worldwide initially seemed a bit more expensive, there was a level of professionalism about their website and their past student section that made me feel like this was the real deal. What's more, the excellent office team of Cheryl, Lucy, and Mary always answered my emails and questions immediately - something others were taking time to do. It was with no reservations that I enrolled in the course and began one of the most powerful decisions of my life.

I came across the TEFL Worldwide website whilst trying to figure out what to do with my gap year. I knew I wanted to do something productive which would help me to have a worthwhile year off. I luckily came across this site, and signed up for the January 2005 course. As soon as I signed up everyone was so helpful - I was in regular email contact with the course for a few months before and felt as though everything was really organised.

As soon as I got of the plane I knew I had made the right choice. Whilst their main job is to help you to become a TEFL teacher, they also instantly help you to settle in and they go the extra mile that other courses don’t. I was picked up and taken straight to my hotel, where there was someone to greet me! We were all taken on a walk of Prague before the course started, which really helped to settle everyone in immediately. The course itself is fantastic, Terry and Paul, whilst being completely professional are so much fun to work with, and I can honestly say I had such a good time! I may not have experienced other TEFL courses, but if you are looking to do one, I really doubt you will find one better. I was so pleased when I finally received my certificate as Terry and Paul, whilst making us work hard, really made us feel as though we deserved it.

If you need anymore advice, please don’t hesitate to contact me on gem_dawson@hotmail.com.

Gemma Dawson

I, unlike others in my course, had been a high school English teacher in the states. I hold a Master's Degree in Education from a good university and had three years of teaching experience, so, I'll be honest, I thought parts of the course would be redundant for me given my studies. I couldn't have been more wrong. Not only do I feel that I've learned more about teaching in one month than I have in the past seven years, but I have gained cutting-edge strategies and formulas that stretch beyond the traditional realm of the American education system. I have learned how our language works, something we as native speakers don't often think about. This rigorous course focused on creativity and diversity as a means to reaching second language speakers; strategies that will no doubt prove invaluable as I work in this field.

Terry and Paul truly did inspire me each day with their broad collective knowledge about education, strong passion for their subjects, their evident professionalism, clear sensitivity, and boundless encouragement. They are what great teachers look like and they re-inspired me to achieve my best as well. TEFL Worldwide, hands down, has been one of the most challenging and rewarding experiences of my life.

If you want to learn what making a difference in the world looks like, this is where you can see it happen.
Teaching English abroad is the best way to go.
Feel free to contact me if you have any further questions.
Trisha Carlson

Among the myriad of courses available to those seeking TEFL certification, I believe that this one is truly unique. The syllabus was purposeful and well-organized and the classes were structured in such a way that we were able to really understand what it is like to be a learner of English as a foreign language.

Following the course I felt incredibly prepared for interviews and lessons --- this knowledge was backed up with a wealth of resources and ideas that I still use in my planning. Paul and Terry managed to cover an expansive range of material in a short time without making the course feel rushed or as if they were packing too many ideas into a four-week period. When I exited the program I came away with a strong understanding of what was expected of me as an TEFL instructor as well as the skills needed to succeed in this line of work.

All of this was undertaken with a great sense of humor and enjoyment on the part of our instructors who clearly enjoy their role and infect those around them with the same energy.

Elizabeth Ann Haas


Taking part in the TEFL course at TEFL Worldwide has been one of the best decisions in my life. I learned so much in an incredibly short time. Terry and Paul are wholly professional as well as enthusiastic and dedicated teachers. The input sessions were perfectly tailored to our needs and every one of them has been tremendous fun. The teaching practice component immensely helped us to test our knowledge in a classroom setting and experiment with new methods. The feedback received on these occasions was always constructive, helpful and encouraging. Moreover, these lessons were highly enjoyable and left a great feeling of achievement and personal growth as well as a sincere attachment to the students.

Thinking of teaching English as a Foreign Language? Looking for a really good TEFL training course? Look no further than TEFL worldwide. I followed their course recently after many (more than 20 years – not sure which would be better) years of teaching in the UK, and consider it one of my very best professional decisions ever.

The course is really demanding, but Paul and Terry work incredibly hard to make sure they get the very best from all of their students, while making sure it’s really good fun too, with everyone getting incredible support from Cheryl and her team, who provide superb administration throughout.

One of the things I really liked about this course was that the staff they were really approachable, and that they took a really keen interest in all their students, offering all sorts of additional help and advice if it was needed.

The school may be one of the younger ones in Prague, but it has already established a reputation for excellence, with its graduate students in demand both throughout the Czech Republic and worldwide.

If you are thinking about TEFL, I would strongly recommend the school to you. Add to all of this the superb setting of Prague, and I guarantee you an experience you will never forget.

Stewart Frazer
mcmaestro2004@yahoo.com

Ni Hao to everyone at TEFL Worldwide!!!

It's Becky and Aiman from the June course!! :) We are teaching here in Daqing, China. We arrived about a month ago and are really enjoying our time. We are in Northeast China about a 12 hour train ride from Beijing! We are teaching at the No 1 Middle School here and its great!

Our students are wonderful! I have 11-12 year olds (Junior 1) while Aiman is teaching the older ones 14-15 year olds (Junior 4). The number of students per class is crazy like 45 kids...but we are doing well and they know who's boss!!! :) We only have a 6 month contract to be safe we were unsure how much we would like China so we didn't want to sign on a full year. We are just now starting to get private lessons which is fun and good extra money! :)

We loved the course. It's really helped us so much to develop into successful teachers. We often talk about how much we enjoyed our time in Prague and would love to go back one day!

Keep us updated and on the email list for jobs!! Thanks for everything!!

We hope this email finds everyone happy and healthy!! Until then, take care!! :)

Becky and Aiman :) :) rebecca_mico@hotmail.com aaberih@yahoo.com


When I began my TEFL training at TEFLWW, I felt that with seven years experience as an Elementary School teacher in Los Angeles under my belt, the course would be a breeze. Boy, was I in for a big surprise!! In spite of my extensive teaching experience, I worked my butt off and as a result, learned far more about effective teaching techniques during those four weeks, than I did during the four years that I studied to become at teacher at my former university! This was due to the fact that the university curriculum focused on the theory of teaching with minimal emphasis on actual teaching practice. Whereas, at TEFL Worldwide, I was asked to teach a group of Czech students on the first day of the course!
Although I possesed previous teaching experience, I feel that attending TEFLWW provided me with the tools and skills to become a better and more effective teacher. After landing a job one week after graduation, I was hired by the Bell Language School. So far, I have found teaching English to adults to be an extremely rewarding and satisfying experience. After my first lesson teaching a class at T-Mobile, I received the ultimate compliment when my students phoned my employer and requested that that my co-teacher be reassigned so that I could teach them two days a week instead of one! I was both flattered and surpised that they thought so highly of me. However, I must give credit where credit is due. Whatever unique skills or talents that I have acquired as a TEFL teacher I owe to Terry and Pete at TEFL Worldwide. Their expertise and knowledge in teaching, as well as the various creative instructional techniques they used were outstanding.

Kudos, also, to the administrative staff - they are the best! Whatever questions or concerns I had were answered in a very friendly, prompt, and efficient matter. It has been three months since I graduated, and I have not been forgotten by Cheryl, the Marketing Director, or the rest of the office staff. I receive regular updates regarding teaching jobs in other countries, and was graciously offered assistance with obtaining my visa and work permit here in Prague. Prior to attending TEFLWW, I had read other students' glowing remarks and, in all honesty, thought that their comments were a bit overexaggerated...I was wrong. In my grade book, Terry, Pete, and the rest of the staff get an A+ for running such a top notch language school.

Regina Walker

If you are serious about learning how to teach English the right way, you should look no further than TEFL Worldwide Prague. I found out about this school by accident, and I am sure glad that I did. This school lives up to everything its website says and it is worth every Dollar or Crown, depending on how you look at it. Once you complete this course, you will have the confidence that you are prepared to teach English anytime, anywhere, and to anyone. The teachers, Terry and Paul, are masters at what they do and will push you to be the best you can be. They have put together an amazing 4-week course that is stimulating, challenging, exciting, and of course fun! If you want a chance to live in Prague and experience Europe, TEFL Worldwide Prague is your only answer. You will not be disappointed. Trust me!

Brian Levine
Blswinger@aol.com

Moving to Prague alone was defiantly a leap of faith. I always knew I wanted to teach, and teaching abroad was where I wanted to start. Since I was making the journey alone I wanted to make sure everything was in order properly for the trip. I researched many programs, and finally decided on TEFL Worldwide.

I will have to say that it was one of the best decisions I ever made. From the time I arrived in Prague until the time I left I was surrounded by a wonderful support system that I met through the program. I made friends that will last a lifetime, and visited many places. The skills I acquired while in the class fully prepared me to teach. After I completed the course, I got a full-time teaching job in Prague. I absolutely loved my students. The job was challenging, but I feel that the instructions Terry and Pete gave to me allowed me to feel comfortable in the classroom and teach very effectively.

I left Prague a few months ago and am now getting a teaching job in the states. I think I am going to teach ESOL at a high school in Atlanta. Attending TEFL Worldwide opened the door for me in that teaching area. Thanks again.

Best,
Jennifer Almand

TEFL Worldwide Prague is the best course to take in order to prepare to teach English in any country. The course is extremely intense and demanding but the benefits gained are well worth the work required. The course prepares its teachers to teach group, individual and business classes to any level. The instructors, Terry and Paul, possess an amazing knowledge of the English language and teaching skills that they readily pass along to their students. They have years of experience and have taught in many countries and this definitely shows in their teaching.

Throughout the course, they are extremely supportive and always willing to help before and after class, giving students constant feedback and ways to improve. The school has an incredible wealth of resources, such as textbooks, workbooks, authentic materials and music, and these are always available to the students. Terry and Paul teach their students how to effectively and realistically incorporate a wealth of different resources into each lesson to make it interesting and educational for the students.

The administrative staff is extremely informative and helps students locate jobs inside and outside of the Czech Republic before, during and after the course. TEFL Worldwide also provides its students with the unique opportunity to teach classes during the month long course. This not only allows students to put into practice what they have learned, but also allows the instructors to give constant, constructive feedback. After each practice teaching session, I received written and oral positive criticism from both instructors. This helped me to improve my teaching skills more than anything else. I noticed a vast improvement in myself from the beginning to the end of the course and felt more comfortable and confident when teaching.

Earning my certification from TEFL Worldwide Prague has been invaluable to my teaching. I learned more than I ever though possible in one month about the English language, teaching and surviving in a foreign country. I now know how to effectively prepare to teach students at any level and in any country. I would highly recommend this course to anyone who wishes to teach English anywhere. I can’t imagine finding a better course with a more well-prepared, knowledgeable and supportive staff. The month I spent studying at TEFL Worldwide was one of the best and most educational experiences of my life.

Anna Kirsch
akirsch@vt.edu

I write this open letter to anyone considering taking a TEFL course, because I think everyone who believes teaching English is something they want to do should spend a month with Paul Whitaker and Terry Prosser. Here are two men that so clearly love and respect this profession and how it should be done, that you simply cannot afford not to experience what these gentlemen have to offer. In addition to two of the finest teachers anywhere, Cheryl Pavlik will help you enter the course and come to Prague with a smile – and encourage you all the way. She’ll answer all your big questions, and the silly little ones too.

I’m sure there are many other classes that will provide you with the fundamentals of TEFL, but I can’t imagine any others that will give you such a life-altering encounter. It's not just what you can learn from them, but how you learn it. Before taking the TEFL Worldwide Prague course, I spent 15 years in a corporate environment. I traveled the world, rose up the corporate ladder, met hundreds of interesting people, participated in dozens of lectures, classes, seminars, etc... but never experienced anything akin to what these guys will give you. I always defended the ‘real world’ as the ultimate classroom, but TEFL Worldwide is the best little schoolhouse you’ll ever come upon.

You’ll learn not only more than you thought you could in 28 days, but more than you can imagine there is to learn. What’s more amazing is you don’t appreciate how much you are learning while you are doing it. Every session of every class has the obvious lessons, but more significant are the subtleties you grasp after the fact. What they teach is impressive, but how they teach it is more so. Their actions hold a value that you cannot appreciate until you are in their presence. What they teach is not so apparent as you may think until you review what just happened; then you realize that not only did you just learn something, but you just learned how to teach it to someone else.

Paul’s foreign language lessons will give you an appreciation for what it is like to be on the other side of the table from the teacher you want to be – he’ll put you in the students’ seat and show you exactly how a first class teacher performs in an unknown foreign language lesson. Terry will fool you into thinking you’ve come for an entertainment event and leave you gasping for breath when you realize the lesson he just spun on you!

Throughout the whole term, these two will impart knowledge, demonstrate methodology, coach, encourage and educate you beyond your ability to believe they could. Not only will you leave this class with a thorough and intensive understanding of TEFL fundamentals, you will have an experience worth every penny you invested and more. You will be challenged, educated, entertained, befriended and appreciated. You will leave with the most powerful tool in the world, knowledge and the power to impart it to others. These guys should charge twice as much as they do for half of what they give you, and I challenge anyone who has experienced it to question that value.

If I sound a bit superfluous in my praise, it is because this experience changed me and the way I look at teaching and interpersonal relationships. I would never have believed that so much could be given or received in such a short time and in such a manner. If you enter this class with an open mind and a desire to better yourself and your skills, you cannot help to come away with an experience that will blow you away.

Adam Seymour

I never really thought about teaching before, but I decided to give it a try because of my passion for travel and living abroad. When I enrolled in the TEFL Worldwide course I really wasn't sure that this teaching 'thing' would be for me. I was already living abroad and I had a hard time finding a good job, even with my education and experience, so I thought a little more education wouldn't hurt. It was also very hard for me to make the decision to take the TEFL course and I definitely had Cheryl work hard to get me enrolled. Within the first couple of days at TEFL Worldwide I realized that I could not have invested my money better. The instructors, Terry and Paul, must be the best teachers around. They are amazing teachers. They have a lot of international teaching experience between them which makes learning from them interesting and very enjoyable.

We all thoroughly enjoyed learning from them and agreed that we couldn't have landed a better TEFL course or instructors anywhere else. We even looked forward to coming to class every morning because of the instructors.

I was surprised to learn during the course that I actually have potential to become a really good teacher with practice. Everything I learned during the TEFL Worldwide course was useful. The course is hands-on and practical. I cannot imagine trying to teach English without it. Two of my fellow students had spent a year teaching, both in Korea. They have said that they wished they had taken this course prior to them teaching as it not only would have made their life much easier but they also would have been much more effective teachers.

I finished my TEFL course the first week of February 2004 and I started personally approaching schools with my resume in hand. Less then a week after I dropped of my resumes, it seemed that all the schools started calling at once. They either picked up a new contract or a teacher didn't show up for class etc, and all of a sudden I had enough work. One of my classmates even left the last day of class early because they had already landed a job (Poland) and others had job interviews lined up. I think that it just takes a little time and lots of resumes sent out via e-mail or personally (that way they can see you and remember you). I'm working for 3 different schools now, and also have 6 private students.

If you think that you may want to teach then I can't imagine anyone teaching English abroad without a TEFL certificate. If you love to travel and would like to make money along your travels then teaching is definitely the way to go. It opens doors to work in countries where you normally wouldn't be able to work legally. It is a wonderful opportunity to experience other countries and cultures. Prague is a stunning city rich in art, architecture and culture. It is littered with castles and cathedrals, with music and film festivals and great cafés and shops.

Lucie Bozdech

My name is Rigel Barlow and I am from Portland, Oregon – USA. After I received my degree from Oregon State University I decided to start working a corporate lifestyle. After working for a large corporation for some years I decided that I needed a change. I wanted to have a more rewarding and fulfilling career. I decided to leave corporate US to pursue a position in Europe as a Business English teacher to executives from multinational countries.

Before making a decision, I did extensive research. I wanted a school that would set me up for success. I wanted a school that is internationally recognized, and I wanted a school that would prepare and support me throughout my new career in teaching. Simply stated, I wanted the best possible school. Based upon all factors, I decided to attend TEFL Worldwide – Prague. TEFL Worldwide – Prague has the reputation of being the best. What makes TEFL Worldwide – Prague the best isn’t just the exceptional training you receive, it’s the staff that is dedicated to helping you with your new career decision.

The staff at TEFL Worldwide – Prague is committed to helping you understand the skill of teaching English. This skill will provide open doors in every direction, and will build upon your professional development. You also will meet people from all over the world. The people in the classes range from all backgrounds and cultures, sharing one thing in common – native English speaking. The experience of an international classroom in Prague is nothing but fun!

TEFL Worldwide – Prague is extremely organized and structured. It wields professionalism and experience to the highest degree. Located in the heart of Europe it is the perfect launch pad for anyone considering teaching English as a foreign language.

It is with great pleasure that I recommend TEFL Worldwide – Prague to you, yet with some regret at leaving one of the best learning experiences I’ve had.


Rigel Barlow
Now teaching in Madrid, Spain.

I arrived at TEFL Worldwide convinced I would have a magnificent holiday. I was both right and wrong as there was plenty of work - but the work itself was a pleasure with great trainers, fantastic people from around the world and excellent facilities.

TEFL Worldwide Prague was all that I imagined and more! I met new friendly people, a perfect and most competent training team, always cheerful and ready to help and support with one image in their minds - to create excellent TEFL Teachers.

120 hours of highly professional training has a great impact on any teacher's experience and skills, even if you are a good teacher you really learn how to be a better one! If you are a first-time teacher you receive the créme de la créme of first rate teaching skills in a nut shell - the rest depends on you! I can’t imagine a better way to spend free time than at the TEFL Worldwide Prague course where everyday is interesting, a lot of fun and extremely rewarding.

Aleksander Ptak

aleksander_ptach@hotmail.com