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Applying to jobs. Include easily got certification or not?
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Shanghai Noon



Joined: 18 Aug 2013
Posts: 589
Location: Shanghai, China
PostPosted: Fri May 20, 2016 8:38 am    Post subject: Re: Applying to jobs. Include easily got certification or no Reply with quote
seyz wrote:


Thus, should I include this certification if an application asks for one?

Thanks


I'll just cut the crap. Yes you should. It's a legal requirement to work as a teacher in China.
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ttxor1



Joined: 04 Jan 2014
Posts: 119
PostPosted: Fri May 20, 2016 11:04 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
seyz wrote:
One thing this discussion has generated is a debate on whether having a “certification” will in fact make you a better teacher.


It depends on the certification / qualification, what you put it to it and take out of it, and whether the skills/knowledge will transfer to your next teaching job. For example, I did my CELTA in SE Asia, where the students were mainly refugees. While I learned a lot from the course, and I do think it made me a better teacher, I was aware that some of the teaching methods wouldn't work as well with students in the Gulf who were paying to be in the class, taking the class to enter a degree program, in large classes or with those who expected different teaching methods because of the educational system in their country. Not to mention that some methods work with some students and some methods don't work with any students (perhaps especially those who are paid to be in the class, don't want to be there at all or just aren't academically inclined in general).

Ultimately, it doesn't matter what we think about certifications / qualifications / experience. If the employer decides they're necessary or valuable, then they are. Include the certification and if you get hired, the employer thought that it was valuable / makes you a better teacher. If you don't get hired, why not ask your contact the reason for not getting shortlisted / hired and update us? If the reason is because of the certification, that would give us a somewhat definitive answer on the certification that you took and help other prospective applicants of that certification of its worth.
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santi84



Joined: 14 Mar 2008
Posts: 1317
Location: under da sea
PostPosted: Fri May 20, 2016 11:28 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
In the past, resume convention meant a one-size-fits-all strategy, with a tailored cover letter. These days, customized resumes seem to be the expectation by some employers. The answer to your question, IMO, would be "maybe" Laughing If a - any - TEFL certificate is legally required or expected for employer or visa purposes, include it. If not, don't bother.

Here in Canada, the market is tight but you wouldn't necessarily be excluded based on your educational background. However, your certificate wouldn't belong on a resume and would raise eyebrows. In China, it matters. When in Rome, or China, or Canada, right?
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RedLightning



Joined: 08 Aug 2015
Posts: 137
Location: United States
PostPosted: Fri May 20, 2016 1:50 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
The entire debate boils down to whether or not you buy into the system.
For the time being, include the certification you have-it's better than nothing.
*Play the game
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spiral78



Joined: 05 Apr 2004
Posts: 11534
Location: On a Short Leash
PostPosted: Fri May 20, 2016 1:53 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
santi's advice is spot-on.

If you were applying in my region (Europe) leave off the cheap cert. It wouldn't do anything positive for your application.

Ditto North America.
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fluffyhamster



Joined: 13 Mar 2005
Posts: 3292
Location: UK > China > Japan > UK again
PostPosted: Fri May 20, 2016 2:49 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
RedLightning wrote:
The entire debate boils down to whether or not you buy into the system.

This.

I bought into it literally, but could never buy (believe) that much of it figuratively. Does that make it a waste of time and money? No (it may get you jobs), but also yes (it really doesn't necessarily help you teach much better, and comparisons to clueless uncaring droning strawmen are always spurious, to say the least!).
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