***Upcoming blended course start dates: December 15th to March 6th or February 2nd to April 24th***
What’s the part time, online blended TEFL Toulouse course?
It is as identical to the in-class course, but based on watching videos given by Jonathan Davies, the Director of TEFL Toulouse, and completing exactly the same worksheets as the in-class trainees. There are also regular quizzes and assignments to do.
Of course the huge advantage of this course is that you can watch the videos again and again, until you feel you have really absorbed the theory.
Crucially, 6 hours of observed teaching practice are included, 3 where you teach from your own home (online or inviting friends around – as you prefer) and 3 where you teach in class with us here in Toulouse.
You get Certificates in TEFL from TEFL Toulouse as well as from IATQUO the accrediting body, upon graduation.
The online element of the course takes place over 12 weeks, so can be fitted around work or family commitments. You’ll need to spend around 15 hours a week on the course.
There is plenty of support and one to one tutorials with our trainers, so you will also be working directly with human beings, regularly.
The online work involves filling in the usual worksheets as you watch the videos, doing quizzes, writing tasks and participating in peer forums where you share ideas with a handful of other trainees doing the course at the same time as you.
At the end of the 12 weeks, you come to Toulouse for one week to teach your remaining 3 x 1 hour observed teaching practices. We provide several options for “weeks in Toulouse” and can help to set up well priced and comfortable accommodation for you for that week.
You’ll be watching videos of Jonathan, the in-class course director
Any time, anywhere, days off and no accommodation costs!
The blended course can be done any time of day, anywhere and on any laptop of desktop computer. If you’re too busy on a Monday and Tuesday, you can always put in more hours the next few days, as the deadlines are weekly. You’ll save on accommodation in Toulouse too if you don’t already live here. You’ll just need to have printed off the worksheets beforehand.
Who is the blended TEFL course for?
The course is intended for those who would like to attend our in-class course and benefit from 6 hours of observed teaching practice and lifetime job guidance, but simply cannot spend 5 weeks full time in Toulouse.
What exactly will I need?
- A printer or very regular access to one (eg at work)
- A small group of friends or colleagues of roughly the same level of English to teach. 3 people is fine.
- To buy some secondhand coursebooks which we will recommend
- A (homemade) whiteboard to write on if you would like to teach your first 3 lessons in person rather than online. Minimum 50cm by 80cm. Can be an artist’s pad or flipchart etc. And pens to write on it.
- A phone or laptop with recording facility
- To be able to spend a week in Toulouse full time after the 12 week course (10am to 6.30pm Monday to Friday)
- Reliable internet connection to watch videos.
- Computer skills sufficient for typing, having online tutorials ( Zoom, Teams etc)
Do I still get the TEFL Toulouse and IATQUO certificates in TEFL?
Yes – the content and requirements are the same as the in-class course, so you still get the same qualification. There is no mention of the course being “blended” or “online”.
Do I wait until the end of the 12 week theory part before coming to Toulouse for teaching practices?
Yes. You need to book your “teaching practice” week in Toulouse well in advance, but that shouldn’t be a problem, as you won’t be coming to Toulouse for at least 3 months after you begin the online training.
I can’t come to Toulouse at all. Can I do all 6 teaching practices by Zoom with your trainers observing me?
Sorry, no. You can do the first three of your lessons as “Zoom” lessons (or teach them in person in your home and send us the recordings), but we have to see you standing up in class and teaching at least 3 more in order to gain TEFL Certification. That’s why you need to come to Toulouse for a week.
Do I get plenty of lesson planning help from you?
Of course. We excel in lesson planning help, lesson observation and sensitive, positive feedback. For each lesson you teach we will give you at least 40 minutes lesson planning help. This a combination of zoom tutorials and us commenting on the lesson plan you send us.
Can I do the blended TEFL course in less than 12 weeks? I’ve got a lot of free time.
No, sorry. The course will be “drip fed” weekly to you, with weekly deadlinels. This is because you will be working with the other online trainees who started when you did, sharing ideas, and progressing at the same rate. In that sense it’s also the same as the in-class TEFL course, just stretched out.
How do I learn the TEFL theory on the blended online course?
The great thing about the TEFL Toulouse blended course is that you watch condensed “lecture” type videos of the in-class theory sessions. Most videos are about 40 minutes long. You watch the videos and complete the worksheets as you watch. The beauty of the blended course is that you can watch these videos again and again – something that the “in-classers” don’t get.
Do I also do the same work as the in-class TEFL trainees?
Yes. You will complete the same worksheets as the in-class trainees, but as there is less time spent on class discussion, you will also answer quiz questions and contribute to forum discussion questions. The latter brings the course even more in line with the in-class course where you share ideas with your “classmates”. You’ll also do the same grammar tests (you do these when in Toulouse for your teaching week), write the same essays and do a “one to one teaching” project. It’s as similar to the in-class course as it can possibly be.
Do I get tutorials like the in-class trainees do?
Yes, you get weekly one to one tutorials (just you and one of us) so that you can ask any questions and get help preparing your lessons. You can sign up for them on calendar. In fact you get much more one to one tutorial time on the blended course than you do on the in-class course!
How often are the start dates for the blended course?
There will be around 5 possible start dates a year, to be published as soon as we can. We will offer more start dates as we get increased demand.
How do I watch my peers teach their practice lessons?
We have over 10 hours of videos of trainees like you on the in-class courses doing their teaching practice, and you watch those, filling in the same “peer feedback” forms.
Of course why not ask the other people on your blended course to share videos of them teaching too?!
I need to get qualified sooner – I can’t wait for over 13 weeks!
We suggest that if you really want to get TEFL qualified with us in just a month or two’s time, you find a way of coming to our 5 week in-class course, by organising childcare perhaps? Where there’s a will, there’s a way!
Are you sure that 6 teaching practices will be enough for me to feel confident and get a TEFL certificate?
We may need to see more than the 6 teaching practices with us, to be awarded TEFL Toulouse and IATQUO Certificates in TEFL. It does happen. You can purchase more sessions at 80euros each in case you need them. This fee includes lesson planning help, observation and feedback.
Can I get funding in France for the TEFL Toulouse blended course?
France Travail should be able to finance the TEFL Toulouse blended course. But bear in mind that if you are unemployed and free during the day, the best option is to come to us for 5 weeks and do our in-class course and get working more quickly!
If you work in France, you should be able to use your CPF credits to pay for the course and top up with personal payment if necessary. Please note that CPF credits and and France Travail funding can’t be combined.
Just contact us.
Can I choose any dates to come to Toulouse for my teaching practice part of the course?
We will offer you several options well in advance, but no, you can’t come when you like. This is because it will be tricky to timetable you in for teaching practice while we have an in-class TEFL course running! But of course contact us with any timetable limitations, and we will do our best.
How is the TEFL Toulouse blended distance learning course better than other courses?
- You follow the course in the same order as the in-class trainees, which means there is a progression in complexity and a build up of the tools you need to do your teaching pracice. Many online TEFL courses have you go through chapters in a book eg Chapter 1: grammar, Chapter 2: vocabulary, Chapter 3: classroom management….. In-class TEFL courses don’t train teachers in this way, and so blended courses shouldn’t either.
- There are 6 hours’ of observed teaching practice included. Our highly qualified, experienced and supportive trainers watch you teach your zoom lessons and your in-class lessons. Some TEFL courses say that they offer dozens of hours of teaching practice – but it turns out that you have to set it up – and it’s not observed anyway! It’s how they can offer courses for just a few hundred euros.
- Videos are better than a book or TEFL manual! And you can watch the videos again and again.
- Use of our training centre while you are in Toulouse for your teaching practices
- Plenty of one to one tutorial time and lesson planning help from our trainers, as well as detailed feedback on your lessons
- We are experts in classroom teaching. Many online courses only deal with online teaching and can’t mould you into a classroom teacher.
- You will be working with the same trainers as the in-class course -all highly qualifed and experienced, and mainly with Jonathan Davies the in-class course director.
- You get our lifetime job guidance – we are experts on teaching English in France
- You can add professional development courses to strengthen your qualification
What if I have to cancel a teaching practice that I’ve set up with you?
We need to be strict here. We will have set up the “TP” for you in terms of staffing, timetabling and even telling students to attend (in the case of your lessons here in Toulouse), so if you cancel any single teaching practice lesson, you will need to pay an 80 euro fee for us to set up another one. If you cancel the whole week of teaching practices there is a 150 euro fee.
You do need to get yourself organised in advance. If you do have to change the date then tell us as soon as possible.
How long is the feedback after each lesson I teach?
We will send you a detailed report of your lesson, showing all the highlights and suggestions. YOu can then of course discuss this report in tutorials.
Now I’m torn! Should I do the TEFL Toulouse blended version, or the in-class TEFL Toulouse course?
Given the choice between an online blended course or onsite TEFL course, we always recommend our onsite, in-class one, if you can possibly keep 5 weeks free to do it. There is no replacement for being in class, doing 6 in-class teaching practice lessons, and bouncing ideas off your peers in every theory session.
That said, we are amazed by how efficient the videos are proving to be. The blended trainees say how invaluable it is to be able to watch each video again and again. Not just the theory input videos, but all the demo lessons and peer observation lessons too. We’ve watched some very impressive videos of lessons of people teaching their family and friends around the kitchen table too!
It’s also less intensive of course, so will suit you if you aren’t in a hurry to get qualified.
Do I need a degree to do the online blended TEFL course? What level of English do I need?
Our TEFL course (online and in-class) is pitched at degree level, so while you don’t need a degree, you need to have university entrance qualifications (eg A- levels). You’ll need to have a C1 (advanced) level of English if you’re a non native speaker. Just apply – we will see all of this on your app form.
Can you help me with accommodation for when I come to Toulouse?
Of course! Leave it to us, or find your own place to stay with Airbnb or equivalent. Just make sure you have peace and quiet etc etc. It’s a busy week.
How do I apply?
Just press any of the orange buttons here on this page. Fill in the form fully and mention that you want to the online blended course where asked, at the top of the form.
How much does it cost?
The course will cost you 1650 euros – all taxes and materials included as well as lifetime job guidance – and the 3 teaching practice days at TEFL Toulouse, and certificates from us and IATQUO upon successful completion.
Any hidden extras? Exam fees etc?
There are no extra fees. You’ll just need some extra money to buy a handful of books we’ll recommend you get hold of. You’ll need the money to stay in Toulouse for a week and to get here and back.
Just be aware that any teaching practice lesson you cancel or don’t pass means you have to book another one for 80 euros.
I’ve still got questions…
We are here to help!