Job Discussion Forums

[Cubic09]

Has anyone completed one of these qualifications before? I'm finishing my undergraduate studies and am considering taking this course over the summer term at Victoria University here in Wellington: http://www.victoria.ac.nz/lals/degrees/cert-tesol.aspx

The course involves the fundamentals of ESL learning, and also involves weekly teaching to student volunteers who are learning English themselves.

The reason why this course interests me over the CELTA and Trinity qualifications (which I would otherwise do) is that it is eligible for government loans and allowances. The vast majority of TESOL courses are not, primarily because of their short duration (typically four weeks).

If anyone has had any experience of such a course through a university or polytechnic, I would love to hear from you.

[Cubic09]

Hmm, I'm not sure that this forum gets all that much action...I've posted it under the 'Newbie' thread also just in case.

[celticbutterfly]

I did the DipTESOL at Victoria waay back in 1995 and found it a really excellent course. Many of the faculty are still the same, and there are some world leaders in their field there (Paul Nation is one - brilliant guy). The Cert is part of that Diploma, so if you wanted to continue after the Cert you should be able to do the Diploma. The one problem with doing a non-CELTA TEFL course, I find, is that your qualification won't be recognised as being 'as good', if you are applying for jobs in other countries. Sure, this may be Govt subsidised, etc, but if you want to go overseas to teach English you really should save up and do the CELTA or Trinity. Of the two, the CELTA is the most internationally recognised. Before I did my Masters Degree, I sometimes had trouble convincing future employers that my Diploma was any good! If you are seriously considering ESL as a career, then the DipTESOL is half of a Masters degree in Applied Linguistics - something to think about if you want decent jobs (universities, high paying jobs - all of them require Masters Degrees).

So, in summary:
1) staying in New Zealand to teach immigrants? This Cert should be enough
2) staying in NZ to teach at EFL language schools? You might need the Diploma instead of the Certificate, probably the CELTA to start with.
3) going overseas to teach in China / East Asian cram schools? This Cert plus a university degree MIGHT be enough, but recommend CELTA and a degree.
4) going overseas to make a career in teaching English? CELTA, DipTESOL and Masters would be a pretty good mix.

[Cubic09]

[celticbutterfly]