Whitney WilliamsInterviewed in 2019
Whitney Williams is the Co-Founder of TEFLPros, a provider of high-quality digitally based TEFL training. She began her time overseas by studying abroad twice while in college. From there she made the move to living full-time in Bangkok, Thailand, teaching English and eventually training and mentoring new teachers. These firsthand experiences in the industry led her to co-create the TEFLPros 120-Hour Digital TEFL Course, which she now runs with her Co-Founder Jocelyn Pollak.
Where was your first travel experience and how has it left a lasting impact on you?
When I was growing up, my family didn’t travel much. An annual trip to the beach was about as far as my parents would venture. So in high school, when the opportunity to join an art history trip to Europe came about, I jumped at the chance! The languages, the culture, the food – I loved it all.
As students on the trip, we were responsible for navigating ourselves around each city, being respectful of local customs, and partaking in local traditions and activities. It was great exposure to what I like to call “being a traveler, not a tourist”. I am forever grateful to the teachers who orchestrated that trip because they prioritized being a thoughtful, observant, and adaptable traveler. These are skills that have always held me in good stead over my life as an expat. They are the skills necessary to be a good citizen of the world.
What inspired you to Co-found TEFLPros?
TEFLPros was born out of a need.
For several years I had been teaching English and training new teachers at a school in Bangkok, Thailand. Over time, more and more incoming instructors were arriving with an online TEFL certification. These teachers often required a heavy investment in resources, in other words, retraining from the ground up! Understanding that well-meaning people were being sold sub-par products, I sought to find a solution to this growing issue.
This is where TEFLPros was born – at the intersection of in-person and online TEFL training. Jocelyn and I spent over two years writing, producing, and accrediting a course that is truly the highest quality digital experience on the market. We essentially bring the classroom to you.
With over 50 hours of video, much of which is filmed in real TEFL classes, we help our participants learn the practical skills needed to be successful in the classroom. Our goal is to provide a TEFL course fit for the modern, digital learner that doesn’t compromise on quality. We believe that we achieved this goal with our 120-Hour Digital TEFLPros TEFL Course.
Why should a potential participant choose TEFLPros?
Our participants choose us because they want a quality course, in an online format, and they are seeking a course run with integrity. Jocelyn and I have done the work and ‘walked the walk’. We’ve lived overseas for over a decade each, taught the night shift, proctored exams, trained new teachers, been mentors, laughed with our classes and consoled our colleagues.
Life as a new teacher abroad can be a rollercoaster and it is comforting to know that your instructor and guides have been in the trenches and can relate to your struggles, fears, and apprehensions. We are not a massive, nameless, faceless corporation – we are two women who want to use what we’ve learned to help others on their own journey.
Our participants value that difference. They enjoy the process that we have created which guides them step-by-step through building their skill set for the English language classroom. Our course is ideal for anyone seeking a down-to-earth, practical approach to teaching English overseas.
Describe the characteristics of an ideal participant.
The ideal TEFLPros participant has a few standout traits. First and foremost is a willingness to do the hard work to become a good teacher. So often in this field we come across people who devalue the role a teacher plays in the classroom. They may feel that teaching the language is no different than knowing the language. Ideal participants take their future time in the classroom seriously, even if they only plan to complete a one-year contract before returning home.
Secondly, our ideal participants have a learner’s mindset. What we mean by this is that they put themselves in their students’ shoes. They are able to self-reflect and adapt to what a learner in their class truly needs.
Finally, an ideal participant is courageous. Living and working abroad is not for the faint of heart. It takes a certain level of gumption to actually get on that plane and get a job overseas. Our ideal participants are the ones actively engaged in that process. They are excited for the adventure ahead!
What is your best piece of advice for a prospective participant?
My best piece of advice is to simply do the work. Being a teacher, especially overseas, is an incredible experience. But it takes hard work. Take the time to do it right. Your future self and your future students will thank you.
What do you hope participants take away from your programs?
My hope is that participants on our course come away with an accurate perspective on what it takes to be a teacher and what it means to be a good teacher. Whether they were or weren’t expecting lesson planning to take so long, or they never realized that classroom management still exists in adult language classes – as long as they finish the course with a better understanding of the profession then they came in with, we are doing something right. Ultimately, our goal is to create a growing pool of caring, committed teachers who want to put in the hard work on the front end so that they can actually contribute something positive during their time abroad. The world is in need of TEFL professionals who are going into the job with a positive mindset about what is required of them.
What questions do participants often ask you, and how do you typically respond?
There are often a lot of misconceptions around the TEFL industry. We spend a lot of our time dispelling these myths and untruths. Here are a few common questions we regularly receive:
Q: Do I need a degree in teaching to work abroad as an EFL instructor?
A: No, you don’t. A four-year degree in any subject matter is acceptable along with a TEFL certification. Some countries require a Bachelor’s degree and some do not. It is always best to check for your specific country. We help our graduates navigate this process.
Q: Do I need to be fluent in the native language of my future students?
A: While this can come in handy, it is by no means a prerequisite for your work overseas. In the classroom your students will be speaking in English. Also, just by living in another country and doing day-to-day activities, you will be using and learning the native language.
Q: Do I need to secure a job before I move overseas?
A: No, you don’t. While it might sound scary to move without a job in place, many schools prefer to meet their teachers in person for interviews. Schools want to see that you can follow through and make the move abroad. They also want to vet you before putting their students in your hands.
What hopes do you have for the future for your organization?
At TEFLPros, we are consistently striving to improve how we serve our audience. My hope is that TEFLPros continues to offer the highest quality digital TEFL training on the market. In broader terms, my hope is to create a growing pool of TEFL professionals who do meaningful work in the world of language learning.
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