20-Hour Online Practicum – Tips & Insights by Graduate Eunice from Kenya

In this article, we’ve had a chat with World TESOL Academy graduate and practicum participant Eunice from Kenya. She’s shared with us her exclusive insight of what it’s like to participate in our free 20-hour online practicum.

Hi there! My name is Eunice Njanja Ngatia. I am from Nairobi, Kenya—a beautiful country in East Africa, but I’m currently working and living in Doha, Qatar.

I have been teaching English for the past 2 years, and I recently completed World TESOL Academy’s 20-hour Online Teaching Practicum. During my time in the practicum, I gained a wealth of knowledge and insights that I’d like to share with my fellow educators who may be considering applying for the practicum.

Let’s take a look together!

Eunice’s interview:

💬 What made you decide to pursue an English teaching career?

The decision to embark on a journey into the world of English teaching is one that stems from my profound love for languages. For me, teaching English is an act of connecting individuals from diverse backgrounds and cultures through a shared medium of expression.

As an English teacher, I see myself as a facilitator of this exchange, guiding my students along their language journey. It is a calling that allows me to not only spread knowledge, but also to inspire and be inspired by the endless possibilities that language learning brings.

My journey as an English teacher started when I was working as a nanny for a Russian/Japanese family with two beautiful little girls. During my time with them, I was tasked with teaching them English in preparation for starting school.

It was fun tutoring the girls, and their progress motivated me to pursue teaching English as a career. Since then, I have been teaching English to people of all ages.

💬 Where do you currently teach, and how did you find your current teaching job?

I am currently volunteering as an online English teacher with Global Virtual School (GVS) and one-on-one online English tutor with Paper Airplanes. It is an organization that collaborates with individuals affected by conflict and assists them using their guided curriculum.

I was browsing the internet looking for places I can put my skills into action as an up-and-coming English teacher, when I came across an organization called Paper Airplanes. I applied, got matched with two amazing students of various levels and that has been life changing. Best decision ever.

💬 What kind of teaching qualifications do you possess?

I now have my 120-hr TESOL/TEFL certificate and 20-hr Online Teaching Practicum certificate from World TESOL Academy. I’m currently also pursuing their 60-hour TEYL certificate (Teaching English to Young Learners) and 70-hour TEAL certificate (Teaching English to Adult Learners).

💬 Would you recommend others to pursue teaching certifications like TESOL/TEFL?

Oh yes! Embarking on a career in English teaching is a decision that I wholeheartedly endorse for numerous compelling reasons. English teaching certifications like TESOL/TEFL can lead to competitive job opportunities and the potential for career advancement. For these reasons, TESOL/TEFL is an attractive option for individuals seeking professional growth, international experience, or a meaningful career in education.

I believe that the rewards of English teaching extend far beyond the classroom. Witnessing the transformational journey of students as they gain confidence, master new linguistic skills, and achieve their academic and personal goals is immensely gratifying and fulfilling.

Additionally, pursuing a career in English teaching opens doors to a wide range of career opportunities, both domestically and internationally. Whether teaching in traditional classroom settings, language institutes, online platforms, or even embarking on educational ventures abroad, the demand for qualified English educators remains consistently high worldwide.

Joining the 20-hour online teaching practicum

💬 How did you find the 20-hour online practicum, and what made you decide to apply?

Well, I had just finished my 120-hr TESOL/TEFL course with World TESOL Academy, and I saw that they had a free 20-hour online teaching practicum that one can take part in. I was so excited that there was a way to practice what I had learned throughout the course. It was an amazing opportunity, and it was free if you had completed the 120-hr TESOL/TEFL course with World TESOL Academy.

Unfortunately, the first round was already over by the time I was ready to apply, so I started my preparations for applying for the second round. Thankfully, I got lucky and gained a space on the second round.

Most online TESOL/TEFL courses do not offer an online teaching practicum, so I was super excited that I get to teach actual students online, and you get a free certificate after you are done with the practicum. Who would miss out on such an amazing opportunity? Not me, of course. Hahaha. Joining the practicum was the best decision and I loved everything about it.

💬 Can you walk us through your lesson preparation process during the practicum?

Primarily, you need to have all the necessary tools to use while teaching online, like a laptop, headset, internet connection and anything else you might need as an online teacher.

As soon as you are accepted into the practicum, you get to meet the instructors, and they walk you through the complete process. They send you all the information that you need to start teaching, including a Google Drive with all the teaching materials. You also get to meet the other teachers in the practicum via Zoom.

GVS (Global Virtual School) provides a pacing guide that makes it easy to follow in lesson planning. The Google Drive they provide has all the necessary materials that you get to go through prior to your lessons.

This includes:

• The Zoom link to your classroom.
• The designated level that you’ll be teaching.
• The country where you students will be located.
• Contact information of the coordinators at the centers (who will help while you are teaching).

Based on these details, you’ll then need to prepare a lesson plan for each week, which must be submitted every Monday.

💬 Can you give us a glimpse of how a lesson is conducted in the practicum?

The practicum lasts for 10 weeks, and each lesson is about 2 hours, in which you are supposed to cover the lesson materials with the help of the provided pacing guide. You get to meet your students who are overly excited and shy at the same time, it is a beautiful moment, one that you will never forget.

Each week, you are expected to study the provided materials so that you know what you will be teaching that specific week. Usually, you get your Zoom login details a day before your lesson, and 10 minutes before your lesson, you log in to the classroom to make sure everything is working properly and that you are ready to teach.

This is when it’s time to apply everything that you learned during the TESOL/TEFL course. Students are typically very eager to know more about you. They will often have a lot of questions, and are just excited to have you as their teacher.

At the end of the lesson, you provide the students their homework, which you will review the next time you have a class. So, have fun and enjoy the journey.

💬 How has the practicum helped develop your teaching skills?

Participating in the online teaching practicum has been a transformative experience.

It has helped me shape and develop my teaching skills in many ways:

• I have been able to explore various teaching techniques and approaches, as well as how to adapt these to meet the unique needs of my students.
• One of the most significant ways the practicum has influenced me is by fostering a greater sense of creativity and flexibility in lesson planning.
• While teaching in the virtual classroom, I’ve also discovered the power of multimedia resources, and how to implement interactive activities to provide meaningful learning experiences for my students.
• The practicum has also honed my technological proficiency and adaptability, equipping me with the skills to navigate various online platforms, troubleshoot technical challenges, and integrate digital tools into my lessons.
• It also allowed me to develop a deeper understanding of how students thrive when they feel valued, seen, and encouraged to actively participate in their own learning journey.
• I also got plenty of opportunities to practice essential soft skills such as communication, adaptability, and empathy – qualities that are crucial for building meaningful connections with students.
• Lastly, the teaching practicum has made me realise the importance of ongoing reflection and feedback. By connecting with peers, mentors, and students, I have gained valuable insights into areas of strength and opportunities for growth, enabling me to adapt my approach to better meet the needs of my learners.

These are just some of the many gains I’ve received by participating in the practicum. Overall, it has helped me become a more effective teacher in both virtual and traditional classroom settings.

💬 Did you encounter any challenging teaching moments during the practicum? How did you overcome them?

Oh yes, I did. I can recall a few instances, for example, holding a student’s attention is one of the most common challenges for online teachers. As we have limited control over the students’ physical learning environment, it can sometimes be challenging to maintain their attention. Luckily, the practicum has coordinators that can help you with that.

I have learned that to keep students interested and focused, make sure to involve them as much as possible, and try to make the lessons more engaging to pique the student’s curiosity. Lastly, use teaching aids such as puppets, toys, and realia to add more fun to your lessons.

Technical issues such as poor internet connection are almost inevitable when teaching online, and they can easily disrupt your entire lesson plan if you are not prepared. To prevent and handle technical issues, make sure to communicate with your fellow instructors and coordinators ahead of time if you anticipate any potential issues. Also, make sure to have backup plans in place. Test your equipment before each class and have a backup plan ready in case of technical difficulties.

While online ESL teaching comes with its own unique challenges, I believe that with the right type of preparation, you can overcome these challenges and create a positive and effective learning environment for your students.

💬 Do you have any special memories from the practicum that stand out?

Absolutely! During a recent session, I had the joy of witnessing a remarkable breakthrough moment with one of my students. This student had initially struggled with expressing themselves confidently in English, often feeling overwhelmed by the language barriers.

However, on this day, something magical happened. As we were practicing conversations about their favorite hobbies and interests, I noticed a newfound sense of enthusiasm and determination in the student’s voice. With each sentence they crafted, I could sense their growing confidence and pride in their ability to communicate effectively.

What made this moment truly special for me was not just the witnessing their progress in language proficiency, but also the joy I felt when seeing the genuine sense of accomplishment that radiated from the student’s face.

At that moment, I felt an overwhelming sense of pride and gratitude for the privilege of being a part of my students’ language learning journey. It is moments like these that remind me why I became an ESL teacher in the first place – to inspire, empower, and witness my students flourish and succeed as they pursue their dreams.

Looking ahead towards the future

💬 Do you feel that the practicum has prepared you for a future as an ESL teacher?

Yes, the practicum has been an invaluable journey that has not only equipped me with essential teaching skills and knowledge but also instilled in me a profound sense of confidence and readiness to thrive as an online ESL teacher

Overall, I’m very satisfied with how the practicum has helped nurture my passion for teaching and reinforce my commitment to making a positive impact on the lives of my students.

Whether it’s celebrating their achievements, providing guidance and support, or simply sharing moments of laughter and learning together, the practicum has allowed me to discover the profound joy and fulfillment that comes from being an ESL teacher.

💬 What’s next in store for you? How do you see your teaching career evolving?

Ah, what an exhilarating question! I am filled with boundless excitement and anticipation for the next chapter of my teaching career, and the opportunities that lie ahead.

Armed with the experiences, insights, and lessons learned from the practicum, I am confident in my ability to inspire, empower, and shape students from around the world into lifelong learners who are passionate about language, culture, and personal growth.

In terms of specific professional development goals, I am dedicated to lifelong learning and my professional growth. Whether through advanced certifications, attending conferences, or collaborating with fellow educators, I am committed to staying at the forefront of educational innovation and best practices.

As I embark on this thrilling journey ahead, I am fueled by a sense of purpose, driven by a passion for teaching, and emboldened by the limitless possibilities that lie on the horizon. The future is bright, and I am ready to seize it with unwavering enthusiasm and determination!