Refresher courses for English teachers

For comparison

In the UK, Norway, and Denmark, teachers undergo professional development on the basis of universities. In Finland, Austria, Spain, Italy, Sweden, special private companies are responsible.

In some European countries, such as Germany, teachers can contact churches, banks, and even publishing houses. In Ukraine, according to new requirements, a teacher must find an opportunity to improve his knowledge annually for 30 hours. The right to carry out activities for additional education has shifted from institutes of postgraduate teacher education to private trainings from award-winning teachers (Global Teacher Prize) or the so-called Associations of Heads of Educational Institutions in different cities. It is also allowed to go abroad to gain new experience or watch webinars from foreign coaches.

In Russia, advanced training is currently implemented as follows:

1. On the basis of higher educational institutions.
2. In various research institutes, institutes for development and postgraduate education.
3. On the basis of public funds-partners of universities.
4. Based on pedagogical and educational-methodical portals.
5. In private organizations with accreditation (federal or international).

Within the framework of the federal project "Teacher of the Future" by 2024, it is planned to create a unified network of centers for continuous professional development in all cities of Russia. In 2021, it is planned to create more than 60 centers of professional excellence (CNPPM).

Some important facts about the courses

It is legally stated that the teacher is required to take courses at least once every three years. The law also states that additional professional education can be of two types:

1. Advanced training in the framework of current professional activities - from 16 hours.
2. Retraining (obtaining another specialization) - from 250 hours. Relevant for those who work as a teacher without specialized education.

However, in order to demonstrate the success and positive dynamics of English proficiency among students, the teacher must identify their problem areas and work with them on their own. So, you can additionally take digital literacy lessons or use multimedia technologies and platforms in the lesson.

Within the framework of the program created by the state order “ I am a teacher ”, you can undergo diagnostics and determine areas that need improvement:

• emotional burnout,
• digital competencies,
• functional literacy,
• competencies of a successful teacher.
• Also, on the basis of this program, free courses on such important topics:
• Conflicts and bullying in the school environment.
• ADHD in children: recommendations for the teacher.
• Assessment for learning.
• How to start teaching remotely.
• Dealing with difficult behavior: principles and tools.
• Functional literacy: developing at school.

Of course, these directions are devoted to the general direction, but, nevertheless, it will be useful for teachers of English. What to choose for a subject teacher, whose subject is English, we will describe below.

Goals of professional development

There are several options that depend on the chosen goal of the teacher.

Teacher certification, obtaining a category

If a person plans to pass an attestation commission, apply for a higher position or receive a higher category, then the following directions will be suitable for him:

• Active teaching methods in English lessons in the context of the implementation of the Federal State Educational Standard.
• Increasing the effectiveness of an individual approach in foreign language lessons.
• Preparation for the Unified State Examination / OGE in English.
• Design and implementation of the educational process in the context of the implementation of the GEF SOO.
• Teaching a foreign language in the context of the implementation of the Federal State Educational Standard.
• Development of a lesson on technologies of active methods in the context of the implementation of the Federal State Educational Standard.
• Theory and methods of teaching.
• Distance teaching of a foreign language.
• Formation of the professional competence of a subject teacher in the context of the implementation of the Federal State Educational Standard.
• Integration of English into general and additional education.
• Modern methods for solving linguistic and methodological problems in learning English.
• Active teaching of English, taking into account the Federal State Educational Standards LLC and COO.
• Innovative approaches to the organization of the educational process in the classroom.
• System-activity approach in English.

For comparison, you can see what topics are popular abroad:

• work with native speakers of other languages ​​- the United States of America, Canada, Australia,
• work with gifted children - Germany, France,
• inclusive education - Switzerland, Denmark, Portugal,
• organization of the educational process and discipline - the Netherlands,
• psychological self-development – ​​Finland,
• Neuropsychology, counteraction to bullying - Ukraine.

It should be noted that the courses are paid. The cost depends on the number of hours. There is training for 36, 40, 72, 108, 144, 300 hours, and prices start at 800 rubles. As a rule, after completion, a person receives a diploma, certificate or certificate with the seal of the organization, the decoding of the name, the indicated number of hours and the full name of the authority that issued the document.

Working on professional status, moving abroad

If a person wants to upgrade his knowledge, get an official basis for working as a teacher abroad, or significantly improve his professional status in Russia, then he should consider:

• CELTA (Certificate in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages) - obtaining new practical skills and fresh knowledge that are in demand in the modern education system around the world.
  CELTA is popular and prestigious, but it has a number of disadvantages:
  • Some part of the program may have to be completed face-to-face, which means that travel and accommodation in a city with an accreditation center will be required.
  • Must have teaching experience and the opportunity to try out new information in your class. Thus, this is a course for practitioners.
  • It should also be borne in mind that you need to know English at the C1 / C2, otherwise you simply won’t be able to pass the introductory interview and fully understand the material.
  • In addition, another limiting factor may be the cost of the order of $1200.
• TKT (Teaching Knowledge Test) is a teaching practice in a modular format. Suitable for those who work with schoolchildren and students and want to obtain an internationally recognized qualification. Dividing the course into three parts with separate fees may be more convenient than CELTA. The total price starts at $155. The exam is taken offline at a registered Cambridge English. Difficulties are associated with the laboriousness of the process, which implies full dedication and careful completion of all tasks.
• CELT-P or CELT-S depending on the age of students ( CELT-P for children under 11 years old, CELT-S for students under 19 years old) is a development for educators who want to reach significant heights in their careers and get the most out of their students. Cost from $400. Modular courses that include online classes and elements of optional classical classes. Evaluation and title is assigned after confirmation of the successful application of the acquired skills in practice.
• TEFL / TESOL (Teaching English as a Foreign Language / Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages) - online training from 6 to 8 months with the issuance of a certificate for the right to teach.
  The key difference is in the fundamental nature: there are sections devoted to teaching children, teenagers, adults, people of different specialties, remote and private lessons. In addition, the applicant will get acquainted with modern methods: Communicative Method, CLIL, ESP, EAP, Business English, Online Teaching, K-12 Classes, English For Kids.
  Thanks to the international accreditation of the issuing body, a document on the completion of these courses can serve as the basis for obtaining a work visa in a number of countries.
  An important plus is the ability to complete the initial list of modules, as well as select the required number of hours (from 120 to 250). Courses are held in English, which will also confirm your level of language proficiency. That is why presenting a TEFL/TESOL will help you become a teacher for international students in China, Korea, Japan, Thailand, Portugal, Italy, as well as in the USA, England, Australia or Canada.
  Courses start at $129.
• Delta (Diploma in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages) is a course for experienced international teachers who want to climb to the top of the career ladder. It is necessary to enhance competence, to obtain the most complete knowledge. Cost from $250.

It can be summarized that each person can engage in additional education, based on financial capabilities, time resources, and the goals pursued.

Features of additional education

Conventionally, advanced training can be divided into:

• Short-term (up to 72 hours), thematic training on a specific issue. As a result, the participant will receive a certificate or certificate.
• Medium-term (from 72 to 500) includes seminars, conferences and is aimed at accelerating the acquisition of certain skills. Upon completion, a person passes an exam or professional work receives a certificate, certificate or certificate.
• Long-term (from 500 to 1000 hours) - an in-depth study of current problems in the work profile. Upon completion, the applicant becomes the holder of a diploma.

In addition to these options, educators can also look at these possible ways to improve their skills:

1. Conferences, rallies, symposiums, master classes.
2. Trainings, intensives.
3. Video lectures or online lessons.
4. Contests, olympiads and competitions.
5. Case study, brainstorming.
6. Mentoring, coaching, tutoring.
7. Project teams.
8. Independent study of problematic issues.

We wish you rapid career growth!