New Course Means New Career

As the year runs by we begin to assess our career and wonder if we would be more satisfied had we went down a different career path.

Today more people are becoming proactive in changing careers to follow the path they have always wanted to go down. This has resulted in increase enrolments in Adult education all over Ireland. AONTAS, the National Association of Adult Education, estimates that 300 000 adults participate in education in both formal and informal settings around Ireland. This is for many reasons however one education contributor i-to-i, Volunteer Travel organisation and TEFL (Teaching English as a Foreign Language) provider, has noticed an increased trend in career breakers becoming TEFL qualified. "Forty five per cent of our students are over 25 years old and we noticed that many of these students had always wanted to do something for the community however over the years were unable to due to commitments. Therefore, are becoming TEFL qualified in order to help others not only here in Ireland but abroad as well," comments i-to-i TEFL Manager Noreen O’Mahony. Recognising that many adults find further education very demanding due to family, household and financial commitments i-to-i has adapted their courses to fit such lifestyles.

As the TEFL certificate involves a one-weekend course that is offered year round country wide. For a higher qualification the 80 hour diploma involves the weekend course as well modules that can be completed in the convenience of your own home. The next Belfast TEFL course is on the 25-26 March and 29-30 April at the Express by Holiday Inn. To book your spot call i-to-i on + 353 (0) 58 40050 or visit www.teflireland.com.

i-to-i also places graduates in paid teaching placements and sends volunteers abroad to do worthwhile work.

If you are still unsure about TEFL why not attend an i-to-i open day where you can get all your questions answered from a TEFL tutor. Up coming open day in Belfast is the 8 April 2006.

(CD)