I started a Graduate Diploma of TESOL as a qualified English educator with fourteen years of teaching experience. The course equipped me with the knowledge of new teaching methodologies, such as genre pedagogy and text-based approach, both of which apply Halliday’s Systemic Functional Grammar. The programme has significantly transformed my attitude towards teaching a language from a traditional, textbook-based approach into working with authentic, multimodal texts whose lexico-grammatical features are set in context. Apart from extensive theoretical study, I had an opportunity to develop advanced research skills and undertake a professional experience placement comprising both in-classroom teacher observations as well as delivering my own lessons at an Australian college. I highly recommend Graduate Diploma of TESOL at AIBT/ARI not only to prospective English teachers but also to the experienced ones who would like to move up to the next level of their career.

The Graduate Diploma of TESOL is a new course designed to deliver dynamic teaching approaches, planning and theories. The best part of this study is the analysis of Systemic Functional Linguistics developed by Australian linguist Michael Halliday. It was a wonderful experience of learning under the professional and encouraging lecturer Irma Kuci and to have guidance of Dr. Peter Mickan. I feel privileged to be the part of AIBT. Furthermore it helped me to enter Masters in Flinders University. Thank you.

Studying TESOL with Irma at AIBT is a rewarding experience. The one-year-long course equipped students with a series of linguistics tools that can be easily transformed and used in teaching practice. I can also foretell that if I explore further in the field of education studies, the knowledge and academic training received from AIBT will just come in handy. Apart from that, as an English as a second language learner myself, it was an exciting extra bonus that my English language skills got improved throughout the numerous classroom discussion sessions and academic writing drills. By the end of my TESOL study, I scored an average 85 in PTE academic test with each band over 80, a result I attempted to achieve but failed to secure during the past two years! Truly grateful!

I started studying Graduate Diploma of TESOL in 2020 while I was working as a special education support in an Adelaide primary school. This course is well-structured and covers many important aspects of English language teaching. I have learned different language teaching approaches and my favourite one is text-based approach. Halliday’s Systemic Functional Grammar is another useful theory I learnt from this course. This course also helped me develop a better understanding of how English as a language is taught in Australia. In addition to that, the knowledge I learned from this course is also helpful for my work as a special education support. I used text-based approach and follow teaching learning cycle to help my students learn English. Besides, this course from AIBT also offers opportunities for practical observations and practice teaching in real classrooms, which is beneficial for me to apply the theories into practice. Another great experience I enjoyed in this course is the positive and active classroom interaction. Every student has opportunities to speak and share options and experiences as well as to interact with the tutor and other students in the class. I highly recommend Graduate Diploma of TESOL at AIBT for anyone who would consider English teaching as a career or to develop their language teaching skills.