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Nezu
Joined: 25 May 2010
Posts: 1
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 Posted: Tue Mar 06, 2012 3:41 am Post subject: 120-Hour TEFL Advanced Certificate Online Course-good idea? |
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I am looking into teaching English abroad and getting Tesol certified.
I already have my undergraduate degree in English Education as well as a license.
I came across a groupon for a $79 (originally $600) 120-Hour TEFL Advanced Certificate Online Course from TEFL express saying their program will provide me with a TESOL Advanced Certificate.
I am curious whether anyone has been exposed to this program, and if there are any red-flags/disadvantages regarding online certification through this, or any similar institutions.
I have a tight budget, and limited free time - so this almost seems too good to be true - should I be worried? |
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tttompatz
Joined: 06 Mar 2010
Posts: 1951
Location: Talibon, Bohol, Philippines
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| Posted: Tue Mar 06, 2012 3:49 am Post subject: |
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Caveat Emptor.
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I already have my undergraduate degree in English Education as well as a license. |
As long as you have an anglophone passport to go with that you might as well just start applying.
That TESOL course is nothing more than a vendor selling dreams to people who want adventures in exotic places.
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sainthood
Joined: 15 Nov 2010
Posts: 175
Location: Somewhere over the rainbow
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| Posted: Tue Mar 06, 2012 12:12 pm Post subject: |
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If a Bachelor of English Education doesn't get you a job, I really don't see what a 120 hour online TEFL is going to do for you!
Also, it's seriously going to depend on what country you head to... but, most will automatically ignore it... as soon as they see the word 'online', it's all over! (many employers specifically mention "no online courses"...)
Suggestion: get a job at a nice place, save up some cash, then do an acceptable course.... may take you longer, but probably better for you! And, there will be enough positions that will take you on your undergrad alone! |
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spiral78
Joined: 05 Apr 2004
Posts: 11534
Location: On a Short Leash
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| Posted: Tue Mar 06, 2012 2:53 pm Post subject: |
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The key to reputable courses is the practicum: supervised teaching with real students. No online course will give you that.
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| As long as you have an anglophone passport to go with that you might as well just start applying |
That's a bit overly optimistic, as it implies 'worldwide.'
You would NOT be eligible for work in EVERY part of the world with 'only' a BA English. In Europe and North America, for example, most reputable employers will also want to have some idea of whether you can communicate what you know about the language effectively to students, meaning a cert course will be necessary.
I assume you are from the US? In that case, so far as the Euro region is concerned, you're eligible for legal work permits in the 'new' EU countries only (not in Western Europe) but it would be useless to job-shop in the Czech Rep, Poland, Slovakia, Hungary, etc., without a cert.
Asia is different, I believe, but those with expertise there can be more specific. Latin America, anyone?
It's simply not the same everywhere. |
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nomad soul
Joined: 31 Jan 2010
Posts: 11454
Location: The real world
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| Posted: Tue Mar 06, 2012 5:50 pm Post subject: Re: 120-Hour TEFL Advanced Certificate Online Course-good id |
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| Nezu wrote: |
| I am looking into teaching English abroad and getting Tesol certified. I already have my undergraduate degree in English Education as well as a license. |
You don't state where you'd like to teach and if you're interested in teaching adults or children. I assume the latter since you say you have a license. Be aware that the CELTA and the TEFL certs you see advertised are for teaching adults. |
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tttompatz
Joined: 06 Mar 2010
Posts: 1951
Location: Talibon, Bohol, Philippines
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| Posted: Tue Mar 06, 2012 11:11 pm Post subject: |
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| spiral78 wrote: |
The key to reputable courses is the practicum: supervised teaching with real students. No online course will give you that.
| Quote: |
| As long as you have an anglophone passport to go with that you might as well just start applying |
That's a bit overly optimistic, as it implies 'worldwide.'
You would NOT be eligible for work in EVERY part of the world with 'only' a BA English. In Europe and North America, for example, most reputable employers will also want to have some idea of whether you can communicate what you know about the language effectively to students, meaning a cert course will be necessary.
I assume you are from the US? In that case, so far as the Euro region is concerned, you're eligible for legal work permits in the 'new' EU countries only (not in Western Europe) but it would be useless to job-shop in the Czech Rep, Poland, Slovakia, Hungary, etc., without a cert.
Asia is different, I believe, but those with expertise there can be more specific. Latin America, anyone?
It's simply not the same everywhere. |
Licensed TEACHER with a degree in English Education is not a BA in English and the on-line TESOL course would be meaningless.
and yes, I meant start looking for jobs (not just entry level EFL) globally.
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spiral78
Joined: 05 Apr 2004
Posts: 11534
Location: On a Short Leash
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| Posted: Wed Mar 07, 2012 12:33 am Post subject: |
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| Quote: |
Licensed TEACHER with a degree in English Education is not a BA in English and the on-line TESOL course would be meaningless.
and yes, I meant start looking for jobs (not just entry level EFL) globally. |
Yes, at international schools, but not EFL positions. Just to be really clear, being a licensed English teacher doesn't necessarily translate into EFL positions everywhere.
Once again, where the job markets are tighter, it's important that employers know that you have a clue how to convey your knowledge of the language to non-native speakers. That is not a part of teacher education and certification in Anglophone country contexts.
At least we agree the online cert is meaningless. |
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johntpartee
Joined: 02 Mar 2010
Posts: 3258
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| Posted: Wed Mar 07, 2012 1:36 am Post subject: |
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| I've only ever seen a few TEFL certificates; none of them indicated whether or not it was online or in person. |
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spiral78
Joined: 05 Apr 2004
Posts: 11534
Location: On a Short Leash
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| Posted: Wed Mar 07, 2012 3:42 am Post subject: |
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| The kicker is whether they included the supervised teaching practice: the reputable ones do state this, as well as the hours involved and other details - the ones I'm familiar with,usually on the back. |
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