The Language House TEFL

Zombies in Prague – Zombie Walk

chriswestergaard — Tue, 08 May 2012 02:16:29 +0000

As if you needed another reason to believe that Prague is coolest city in the world. We proudly present the 5th annual Zombie Walk
Check it out here http://www.chicagotribune.com/videogallery/69809076/News/Zombies-take-over-Prague

Free ESL Lesson – Advanced – Discussion/Reading – Manifest Destiny

chriswestergaard — Tue, 17 Apr 2012 23:53:54 +0000

Here’s a new ESL lesson (requested by Lon) for advanced students, with reading – Manifest Destiny

http://teflpragueandabroad.blogspot.com/2012/04/esl-lesson-manifest-destiny.html

Pierre Erasmus

chriswestergaard — Sat, 07 Apr 2012 22:23:37 +0000

Has taught in Prague, Georgia, South Africa
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I often give myself credit, for introducing a friend to his current wife.
Nowadays, I give the Language House credit for where I find myself – Cape Town, my hometown, doing what I love: Teaching English as a Foreign Language.
After completing the course in 2008, I lived, worked ,and lets not forget partied in Prague for 18 months.
I found myself teaching at a pre-school and also at a local Language School. Little did I know, that the practical lessons and real-life skills I had picked up at the Language House, would guide me along smoothly in the monhts to come. (still so useful till this very day)
Upon my return to South Africa, it bit me hard – TEFL was for me.
Travelling the World along with Teaching, is a lethal combination, so…
After some research and a bit of luck, I signed up to teach kids in the very obscure, but beautiful country of , the Republic Georgia. I got accepted and was off for an adventure of a lifetime. With limited resources and the odds against me, I would always think back to what I had learnt at the Language House – virtually making lessons out of thin air at times.
The hands-on approach I had received on the TEFL course, after just the 1st week, truly is a wonderful tool.
I taught kids from grade 1-12 at a Public School, gaining a lot of experience with teaching the Alphabet and seeing kids go from zero to hero! It was amazing!
My contract finished in December 2011 and back home I went. With a positive attitude and confidence in my teaching ability, my resume made it to a local College. I applied to teach Asian students, got the job and the rest is, well, history!
Well almost, except of course, that I will never forget the good times, great friends and gifted staff of The Language House!
I’m very happy how things have turned out and it all started back with the Language House.

Amy Molnar

chriswestergaard — Sat, 07 Apr 2012 21:52:23 +0000

Has taught in Prague, Honduras, and the United States
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“Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn’t do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines, sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.” – Mark Twain

I can honestly say that making the decision to move abroad was the best decision of my life. When I started getting serious about living abroad, I got on the internet and googled “teach and travel”. Not having the funds to simply travel the world, I knew teaching would provide the opportunity to really soak in the culture of a place, as well as offer a home base for future travel. I didn’t know much about Prague at all, but I was in awe at pictures I saw and after some research realized that teaching jobs were plentiful. Before even being accepted to the course, I started telling friends and family that I was moving to The Czech Republic. I found that SAYING it out loud made it real and held me accountable to actually DO it.
I found the Language House TEFL course to be an amazing experience. Even though I already had a bachelor’s degree in education, the course was hugely beneficial to me, providing so many hands-on, practical teaching strategies that I could actually use in the classroom. More importantly, the course is A LOT of fun! The trainers at The Language House are engaging and down to earth, but also really push you to be your best. The support network amongst graduates is fantastic and you’ll find that after your Language House experience you’ll have friends all over the world.

After two wonderful years in Prague, I decided to move back to the states and save up a little dinero, with the goal of eventually moving to Latin America. My boyfriend and I (who I met through the Language House I might add) are currently living in a small city in Honduras, where we are enjoying endless strings of 80 degree days and patiently waiting for our mangoes to get big enough to drop. (We recently signed a two -year contract to teach at the top international school in Honduras, so looks like Honduras will be home base for a few more years!)
None of these things would have been possible had I not had such a positive start to my time abroad, thanks to the Language House. Please feel free to contact me if you have questions about life abroad, Prague, or teaching in Central America. And Language House friends, get over here to Central America to visit!!

How to Check Legitimacy of TEFL Reviews

chriswestergaard — Sat, 07 Apr 2012 19:39:54 +0000

Here’s a great way to check if a TEFL course is Legit. Read up on Chris’s TEFL blog for more information http://teflpragueandabroad.blogspot.com/2012/04/tefl-reviews-and-testimonial-scams.html

New Blog Entry Motivation in the Classroom

chriswestergaard — Sun, 23 Oct 2011 18:33:32 +0000

Chris offers his ideas on how to effectively motivate students in the classroom. Excerpt and link below.

The concept of motivation and motivating your students is really TEFL 101, but we should nevertheless go over it briefly. It’s really easy for everyone to nod their heads and say ‘yes motivating students is important’, but actually doing it and doing it consistently and effectively is a different matter.

Lauren Labarre

chriswestergaard — Wed, 21 Sep 2011 07:50:23 +0000

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I honestly don’t know where the idea came from, and I surely didn’t give it much thought, but I decided to move to Prague in March of 2009. This decision was one of the best I have made yet, and helped me get to where I am today. After finishing the Language House TEFL course, I did a short stint in Morocco volunteering at a school in the small town of Errachidia. Even though it was short, I fell in love with it quickly and I was able to meet other volunteers from all over the world. I then went back to Prague, where I worked at Park Lane International School for a year and a half.

During my time in Prague I made some amazing friends who I am still very close with today. I even ended up flying back to the States with one of them! Upon my return I applied to SIT Graduate School in Brattleboro, VT. Based on my experience with TEFL and my international work in Prague and Morocco, I was accepted immediately for a Masters in International Education. SIT is an astonishing place with a lot of open minded people who all have unique international experiences to share, as well as incredible professors who share the goal of creating social change and responsible global citizenship.

The choice to move to Prague has not only led me on a path I am extremely excited and passionate about, it has given me confidence and experience to finally find a career choice that I love. The Language House provided such an amazing and close-knit community of people all over the globe, I know once I finish my program I will see all those people again in another part of the world!

Mike Hatcher

chriswestergaard — Wed, 21 Sep 2011 07:34:14 +0000

Has taught in Prague and South Korea
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Hello Everyone
My name is Mike Hatcher and I took the amazing TEFL course at THL in Prague in October 2010. Coming into the course I had 1 year experience teaching from South Korea and was thinking I wouldn’t learn all that much. But the amount gained from the course was overwhelming! Also had one really amazing month while doing the course!

I am now working for the top school in South Korea, CDI or Chung Dahm Institute. Since I have been working here I have had so many epic adventures and new experiences. Every single day seems like a dream out here and I have the TLH to thank for all of this. I have been offered Head Instructor position at my school and I’m one of the strongest teachers there all thanks to the training received at The Language House TEFL.

The Language House is more than a school it is a place that gives you the keys for all the doors overseas. I am living a dream everyday and am thrilled with what I gained from TLH.

Kaitlyn Barron-Shashok

chriswestergaard — Sun, 18 Sep 2011 13:53:40 +0000

Has taught in Prague and South Korea
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In my third year of undergrad, I was desperate for a change. So while a lot of people went off to study abroad, I figured I’d take the semester off and do TEFL instead. I had been to Prague once before, and I could not wait to get back there.

In February of 2008, I got my TEFL certificate and stayed in Prague teaching until it was time to go back to finish my BA (more like be forced to go back- thanks mom!). I got my degree in 2009 and in February of 2010 I returned triumphantly to Prague.

For the next year and a half I worked for a family- who lived on a huge farm outside of the city- teaching their two little kids English. Not exactly your typical TEFL gig, but I defiantly got the job in part because I was TEFL certified and already had teaching experience. My job was basically to create my own English kindergarten in their house, and teach the kids (who only knew a few words when I got there) to speak English. I am pleased to say that both kids (aged 5 and 8 now) are pretty close to fluent!

In two weeks I’ll be getting on a plane to Korea, where I have a job at a private language school awaiting in Ulsan, a southern costal city. I can’t wait to see a new part of the world and experience a totally different culture!

I’d like to go back to school and get my Masters in Teaching someday, but I still can’t imagine settling down in one place for good. My TEFL degree allows me to support myself and travel around the world, knowing that there is a network of other graduates almost anywhere I go.