As part of the course, you will take part in a practice teaching experience where you observe an experienced trainer teaching English to speakers of other languages and then actually plan and deliver at least 6 hours of English as a Second Language (ESL) lessons. This is so that you can demonstrate that you have the skills required to put the theory of the course into practice. Your teaching will be observed by a qualified ESL teach who will be able to provide you with feedback and support to help develop your teaching ability. You will be required to do a minimum of 20 hours practical placement which involves a minimum of 14 hours observation and a minimum of 6 hours practice teaching.  At the end of the course, we want you to feel confident in your ability to teach when you enter an ESL classroom.

During your practical placement you will get to:

• Observe teaching strategies and techniques

• Gather lots of ideas for your own lessons
• Know the ESL students that you will be teaching and get an idea of their current English proficiency level/s and their needs.
• Test what delivery style works best for you and the ESL students you teach.
• Apply what you learn in the course to real life situations.

If you study the course via class delivery, practical placement will be arranged for you. Alternatively, you may like to find your own suitable placement organisation (this will need to be approved by your trainer).

If you study the course via distance learning, it will be your responsibility to find a placement organisation, however LTi or your course facilitator may be able to assist you to find a suitable Practice Teaching situation by way of suggesting institutions to approach etc. In some cases you may need to be willing to do things such as:

• Travel some distance each week to the organisation that you will be doing your practical placement with.

• Take some time off from work each week or for a short period sometime during your enrolment, in order to attend your practical placement.
• You may need to allow for travel and accommodation costs if suitable situations are only located a significant distance from home.