Why complete a TESOL course? Why did I complete a TESOL course?

There are many reasons available for completing a TESOL course. You could ask ten different people and get 10 different answers and at the same time you could ask 10 different people and get the same answer ten times. The fact is, a lot of native English speakers are looking to take the TESOL course and I personally believe that it’s a great step for anyone to take. I’ve looked at numerous websites all detailing the benefits of completing a TESOL course. While the reasons vary, there is one consistent factor in all of them, that being ‘change’. The change will occur in your life and that of the person you will teach once you have obtained the skills provided by completing a TESOL course.

Do you want to travel the world and earn a living along the way? This appears to be one benefit that is enjoyed by the majority of the people that have completed the TESOL course.

Do you want to meet new people from new cultures? This benefit is inclusive once you sign up for a TESOL course, as those choosing to learn English are from different cultures.

Do you want to improve the lives of others by enabling them to communicate with the wider world? All will enjoy this benefit because that is what you do if you choose to practice the skills obtained when completing a TESOL course.

These are just a few of the reason available when I looked to find out why anyone would complete a TESOL course.

Why did I choose to complete a TESOL course?

I’ve always had a desire to study since I arrived in Egypt 2 years ago, but I had trouble settling on a topic of interest. I have met and looked up to many teachers working in various schools around Cairo, some of which were teaching here based on many years of college, honing their teaching skills, slugging it out studying and completing many assignments to get their degree. I always thought that I needed to have that degree in order to teach. I always thought that I needed at least 2 years in college to even consider the idea of teaching.

Then I had the realization that I have been studying English since I knew how to speak, which then lead me to my topic of interest. I joined up with a refugee camp soon after my realization to see if I could pass on this knowledge that I had. I thought if I could pass on anything it would be helpful. I must say it was a very enjoyable experience from day one and I could see the kids were learning and enjoying the class too. My fondest memory and defining moment in my pursuit to be an English teacher was when at the end of a class one day, one of the kids looked to me and said, “Thanks teacher”.

It was then that I knew I must to learn how to teach this language more effectively.

I searched through various websites to find the best course available and then found what I needed, applied, and I’m now very close to implementing on a daily basis, the new skills that I have learned.

The typical reasons I mentioned above as to why someone would complete a TESOL course did not start out as my reasons why I took the course, they have now become plans I intend to make, places I plan to go, and people I plan to teach. I have a foundation to build on and I plan to do so.

So whatever your reasons for choosing to complete a TESOL course, be sure that it will positively change your life and the lives of others.

Brian Hurley