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Whatsername8
Joined: 04 Sep 2013
Posts: 3
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 Posted: Fri Sep 06, 2013 6:49 pm Post subject: Hi! Looking for advice on the best TEFL certificate options! |
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Hi! I am a 23 year old graduate in Art Education (B.S.) hoping to teach overseas within a year. I do want to become certified before I go jumping into any foreign countries (I've never left the US...), and am looking for a 100 hours or more certificate that offers actual classroom experience (teaching someone to be a teacher with just online courses?? ARE THEY CRAZY!?). I have looked into the CELTA, which seems to be the most prestigious of them all, but I really want practice with younger students - not just adults - and they don't seem to offer that unless you drop another few thousand dollars and take the TEYL add on, which doesn't have the best reviews. Are there any widely-accepted certificates that primarily focus on teaching to ages 5-18? I am even considering traveling abroad to get my certification, it'd be an excuse for some bonus traveling! I have some savings that I've been holding onto since before college and I'm thinking that I would feel good about spending it on a certification that would give me a good experience and open doors to better schools. I hope I'm not being naive about the importance of getting certified. My top three countries are the moment are South Korea (because of pay/benefits), Thailand (have heard amazing things from people who spent time there, although I heard the pay's not great), and Turkey. Any advice would be so much appreciated, thank you!!  |
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santi84
Joined: 14 Mar 2008
Posts: 1317
Location: under da sea
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| Posted: Fri Sep 06, 2013 6:58 pm Post subject: |
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In your position, I would just find a job that requires the degree as a requirement and drop the certificate. Take a grammar book and a copy of Children Learning English by Moon. You probably aren't going to deal with explicit grammar like second conditionals and phrasal verbs (except during a fun game).
I have a 250 hour university certificate and about 220 of those hours were focused on adult learners. It didn't really translate to teaching children. |
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nomad soul
Joined: 31 Jan 2010
Posts: 11454
Location: The real world
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| Posted: Fri Sep 06, 2013 7:11 pm Post subject: |
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| Whatsername8 wrote: |
| Are there any widely-accepted certificates that primarily focus on teaching to ages 5-18? |
| and wrote: |
| I have some savings that I've been holding onto since before college and I'm thinking that I would feel good about spending it on a certification that would give me a good experience and open doors to better schools. I hope I'm not being naive about the importance of getting certified. My top three countries are the moment are South Korea (because of pay/benefits), Thailand (have heard amazing things from people who spent time there, although I heard the pay's not great), and Turkey. |
If you want certification that will "open doors to better schools" worldwide and yield better pay/bennies, consider getting a teaching license in your home state and focusing on teaching art in an international school setting. That also will allow you to utilize your degree in art education. |
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coledavis
Joined: 21 Jun 2003
Posts: 1838
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| Posted: Sat Sep 07, 2013 12:13 pm Post subject: |
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| Equivalent to CELTA is Trinity. Some schools offering the Trinity may have adolescent as well as adult classes. |
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Whatsername8
Joined: 04 Sep 2013
Posts: 3
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| Posted: Sun Sep 08, 2013 3:18 am Post subject: |
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| nomad soul wrote: |
| Whatsername8 wrote: |
| Are there any widely-accepted certificates that primarily focus on teaching to ages 5-18? |
| and wrote: |
| I have some savings that I've been holding onto since before college and I'm thinking that I would feel good about spending it on a certification that would give me a good experience and open doors to better schools. I hope I'm not being naive about the importance of getting certified. My top three countries are the moment are South Korea (because of pay/benefits), Thailand (have heard amazing things from people who spent time there, although I heard the pay's not great), and Turkey. |
If you want certification that will "open doors to better schools" worldwide and yield better pay/bennies, consider getting a teaching license in your home state and focusing on teaching art in an international school setting. That also will allow you to utilize your degree in art education. |
Do I have any options besides the DODEA? I've looked into teaching in their international schools but all of the job openings ask for 5+ years of experience. |
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nomad soul
Joined: 31 Jan 2010
Posts: 11454
Location: The real world
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| Posted: Sun Sep 08, 2013 4:55 am Post subject: |
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| Whatsername8 wrote: |
| Do I have any options besides the DODEA? I've looked into teaching in their international schools but all of the job openings ask for 5+ years of experience. |
You'll likely have to gain those years in a US-based DoDEA school first before contemplating overseas posts. For (non-DoDEA) international schools, take a look at the websites for Teachaway and International Schools Review. Also do a basic Internet search on international schools jobs. |
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Professional TEFLer
Joined: 09 May 2013
Posts: 77
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| Posted: Mon Sep 23, 2013 12:14 am Post subject: |
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| Do the CELTA, amigo. Costs a lot more than a certificate but well worth it based upon its POWERFUL reputation. |
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