i don't know what i expected for a training course... possibly because the only practical training i have ever received was driver's ed (which you may have guessed by now if you have ever sat on the curb for 25 minutes while i parallel parked how little i got out of the course). but this TEFL course was the real deal. basically, we lived in a classroom or teacher's workroom (8 am to 11 pm or when they finally kicked us out) for the last 4 weeks and were trained to talk less as a teacher and get students talking. something that as a permanent student worried me since i know my classmates wandering eyes when asked a direct question. but, it really is quite amazing to see it in action. you treat students as if they actually know the answer and suddenly they begin to speak. comparing it to any foreign language i have taken and how persistent i was to keep my lips sealed i am amazed at the fluency of even lower level students.
jeremy and i have had about 10 hours of observed teaching and rigorous evaluations and feedback sessions. essentially, this last month has also served as a working interview. and, as of yesterday we received the school's decision to award us a "highest pass" and offer to start working immediately which is quite a bit sooner than our anticipated start date (January 10th) that had kept us living pretty meagerly just in case. i have never been so happy to be employed 1. because i like this job 2. because i get free czech lessons 3. they're already predicting snow here and its hard to choose between a few dinners and a coat.
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