UG TEFL programme 2021
Teacher-training programme for undergraduates
FORM’s teacher-training course comprises 3 modules (TEFL 101, English for Academic Purposes, and Translation and Editing) and totals 120 guided learning hours and 20 hours of practice over 6 months online and offline and is open to undergraduates on Russian-language degree programmes who wish to spend their year abroad in Russia.
The courses prepare trainees to apply a range of methodologies, tools, and practices in teaching and translation roles both online and offline, namely:
- Corporate training
- 1-1 tuition for ESP learners
- 1-1 tuition for IELTS candidates
- Translation and editing
Once completed, trainees who have demonstrated a degree of aptitude during courses + practice will be eligible for paid work placements (online and offline) as tutors, markers, or translators.
Trainee profile, incentives, and outcomes
All trainees are UK students on Russian Studies degree programmes from UK/US universities who wish to improve their Russian during their year abroad, while at the same time developing professional skills for teaching and translation, editing, and copywriting projects.
Trainees receive:
- 80 hours of training in TEFL
- 20 hours of training in EAP
- 20 hours of training in translation, editing, and copywriting
- Full visa support during training and practice
At the end of the training cycle, each trainee will have developed a portfolio of teaching materials; be able to show evidence of their ability to assess, teach, and evaluate learners; and be eligible for online/offline opportunities in tutoring and translation.
Impact on Russian
Form is a collective of teachers of English as a foreign/second language, Russian teachers of English, undergraduates who are seeking to improve their Russian, and recent graduates who are interested in starting their careers in Russia.
Form’s teacher-training course offers the opportunity for undergraduates to:
– reflect on the language through the lens of teaching and translating
– gain experience using their Russian in professional contexts
We encourage trainees to make the most of their time in Russia by joining local community groups where they can practice their Russian while engaging in activities such as sports, discussions, and events.
Course overview
|
TEFL 101
80 hours Core module |
English for Academic Purposes 20 hours Elective |
Translation, editing, and copywriting
20 hours Elective |
| 40 x 2-hour seminars | 10 x 2-hour seminars | 10 x 2-hour seminars |
|
Methods and approaches Audio-lingual and grammar–translation Task-based language learning, dogme and CLL Suggestopedia, Michel Thomas and Pimsleur The silent way, the natural and growing participator approaches, and TPR Contexts and tools Exploring the roles of tutor, teacher, Teaching online Vs offline 1-1 Teaching online Vs offline groups LMSs, sites, apps, corpora Classroom practices The affective filter Grading language and setting the tone Error correction and giving feedback Managing vocabularies Managing level disparity Managing motivation Drills Materials design & Resources Groups Vs Individuals Designing games Designing for fluency and Designing for grammar Designing for receptive skills: Listening, reading, and watching Designing for productive skills: Housekeeping Rus Vs Eng: language, learning styles, cultural differences CEFR levels Can-do statements Conducting needs analyses and level placements Course design Syntax & Morphology Russian Vs English grammar Teaching grammar through function and skills Dealing with emergent grammar Strategies for determining answers to grammar-related issues |
Academic English Introduction to Finding and Speaking Exam format Band descriptors Conducting the exam Grading Writing Exam format Band descriptors Conducting the exam Grading Reading Exam format Band descriptors Conducting the exam Grading Listening Exam format Band descriptors Conducting the exam Grading |
Industry State of the industry and finding your niche Know your customer, context, and how to google effectively Overcoming the impostor complex: resources, sources and how to use them Tools and resources CAT tools: a boon or a bane Common pitfalls, things to watch out for Cultural differences and adding pitch/value Practice Pre-translation, text analysis, getting started Translation Editing/redrafting |
Additional information on modules
Trainees must complete the TEFL 101 module and at least one other module (EAP/IELTS or translation. They may, if they wish, complete all three modules.
Once trainees have completed the TEFL 101 module, they will be able to start paid teaching (general English)
Once trainees have completed the EAP/IELTS module, they will be able to start paid IELTS work (marking and speaking exam). Trainees must complete TEFL 101 before they start the EAP/IELTS module
Once trainees have completed the EAP/IELTS module, they will be able to start paid translation and editing work. Trainees must complete Teaching 101 before they start the translation module.
Training cycles and requirements
All trainees must commit to staying in St Petersburg for a minimum of 6 months
Placements start from July
During July and August, trainees complete TEFL 101, and one or both of the other modules
From September, trainees will be eligible for work, conditional to successful completion of the modules
Trainer bios
Glyn James
Glyn is a teacher and materials designer who has been working in Russia since 2010. During that time, he has worked and designed curriculums and courses for a number of language schools, companies, and individuals.
Glyn specialises in developing materials for groups using a range of methodologies and classroom approaches.
Shelly Cornick
Shelly is an English-language teacher and content creator who specialises in preparing people to take the International English Language Testing System tests, which are used to verify a person’s level for migration/academic reasons.
Shelly is the founder and managing partner of My IELTS Classroom, an online IELTS preparation service based in the UK.
Konstantin Petrenko
Konstantin is a translator, editor, and interpreter with 25 years of experience in the industry. As Head of Editing at Bizness Linkerz, a Moscow-based translations agency, Konstantin leads editing, redrafting, and translation projects for the business community.
Konstantin is also a member of the International and Media Relations team at The Gorbachev Foundation.