| View previous topic :: View next topic |
| Are Online TEFL certificates valued in China? |
| Yes |
|
44% |
[ 8 ] |
| No |
|
55% |
[ 10 ] |
|
| Total Votes : 18 |
|
| Author |
Message |
Chronos
Joined: 27 May 2013
Posts: 17
|
 Posted: Sat Oct 12, 2013 10:08 pm Post subject: |
 |
|
I wouldn't say that an online certificate is worthless. If you can find a position that doesn't require it, then good for you. On the other hand if a position asks for it, you would be better off having it.
It wont give you any extra benefits aside from opening the door to places that want some sort of certification. In some places it is also required to get the visa. Like everyone else likes to say "This is China" so anything goes.
CH |
|
| Back to top |
|
 |
FreakingTea
Joined: 09 Jan 2013
Posts: 167
|
| Posted: Sun Oct 13, 2013 3:23 am Post subject: |
|
|
| I also did the ONTESOL one, and the tutor was pretty helpful. I didn't exactly need it to get my current job, as I think I'm the only new FT (of five) that has one. As online certs go, though, I think it was a good one and it helps me actually do the job. Without it, or reading up on TEFL stuff, I'm sure about a third of the activities I do would be falling flat because I wouldn't know how to introduce target language or give my lesson plans a logical progression. I could be way better with a CELTA, but I'm pretty sure all that extra work/money would be wasted on uni oral English. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
roadwalker
Joined: 24 Aug 2005
Posts: 1750
Location: Ch
|
| Posted: Sun Oct 13, 2013 4:26 am Post subject: |
|
|
| I'm sure my uni oral English classes rarely look like the lessons we did in Tefl training, but it's nice to have that background in your back pocket. You may end up in a language school where the communicative approach is king. And you could work extra hours while at a uni, (save it, A____) and be ready to jump right in to a lesson, impressing the right people and opening more doors to more lucrative jobs. I'm not very ambitious myself, but it's nice to have options. Some online Tefl courses are likely pretty good, but nothing prepares you for live teaching like live experience. I'd recommend paying more for a in sitio course with an evaluated teaching component. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Non Sequitur
Joined: 23 May 2010
Posts: 4724
Location: China
|
| Posted: Sun Oct 13, 2013 4:31 am Post subject: |
|
|
'(save it, A____)'
Nice one!!
 |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
FreakingTea
Joined: 09 Jan 2013
Posts: 167
|
| Posted: Sun Oct 13, 2013 7:27 am Post subject: |
|
|
| roadwalker wrote: |
| I'm sure my uni oral English classes rarely look like the lessons we did in Tefl training, but it's nice to have that background in your back pocket. You may end up in a language school where the communicative approach is king. And you could work extra hours while at a uni, (save it, A____) and be ready to jump right in to a lesson, impressing the right people and opening more doors to more lucrative jobs. I'm not very ambitious myself, but it's nice to have options. Some online Tefl courses are likely pretty good, but nothing prepares you for live teaching like live experience. I'd recommend paying more for a in sitio course with an evaluated teaching component. |
All good points. In terms of getting a more lucrative/genuine teaching job in China, is getting a CELTA, say, next summer, worth it? If I move to Europe I'll need it regardless, but I'm wondering if I should wait until that point.
And how does one go about getting extra work while at a uni? There are a few language schools around, but they look like fairly small chains that don't normally hire foreigners. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Non Sequitur
Joined: 23 May 2010
Posts: 4724
Location: China
|
| Posted: Sun Oct 13, 2013 8:37 am Post subject: |
|
|
| FreakingTea wrote: |
| roadwalker wrote: |
| I'm sure my uni oral English classes rarely look like the lessons we did in Tefl training, but it's nice to have that background in your back pocket. You may end up in a language school where the communicative approach is king. And you could work extra hours while at a uni, (save it, A____) and be ready to jump right in to a lesson, impressing the right people and opening more doors to more lucrative jobs. I'm not very ambitious myself, but it's nice to have options. Some online Tefl courses are likely pretty good, but nothing prepares you for live teaching like live experience. I'd recommend paying more for a in sitio course with an evaluated teaching component. |
All good points. In terms of getting a more lucrative/genuine teaching job in China, is getting a CELTA, say, next summer, worth it? If I move to Europe I'll need it regardless, but I'm wondering if I should wait until that point.
And how does one go about getting extra work while at a uni? There are a few language schools around, but they look like fairly small chains that don't normally hire foreigners. |
The small ones are OK and will market you to the wealthier parents.
Just wander in on a Saturday morning and talk.
BTW I found the commute a problem as it really is a charge on the private income that you generate.
That said I would rather go to a school/classroom environment, as you are less likely to be stood up by students. I recently taught a 2 hour Sat morning for 5 students over a semester. I got paid even on days when 3 students didn't show.
Keep in mind also that class hours are clock hours at these schools - not cruisy 45 min class hours. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
roadwalker
Joined: 24 Aug 2005
Posts: 1750
Location: Ch
|
| Posted: Sun Oct 13, 2013 8:40 am Post subject: |
|
|
What usually happens is some student you know or one you don't know will call you and ask you directly or indirectly if you want work. They are getting paid or doing a favor for some school. If you don't want to wait for that call, you could see your FAO office and discuss with them. Check your contract: does it say NO OUTSIDE WORK! or does it say 'No outside work without permission.' Go from there. Other Chinese or foreign teachers often know about opportunities too.
I don't do side work but it presents itself from time to time and I turn it down. Others at my school take as much as they can. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Non Sequitur
Joined: 23 May 2010
Posts: 4724
Location: China
|
| Posted: Sun Oct 13, 2013 8:53 am Post subject: |
|
|
| roadwalker wrote: |
What usually happens is some student you know or one you don't know will call you and ask you directly or indirectly if you want work. They are getting paid or doing a favor for some school. If you don't want to wait for that call, you could see your FAO office and discuss with them. Check your contract: does it say NO OUTSIDE WORK! or does it say 'No outside work without permission.' Go from there. Other Chinese or foreign teachers often know about opportunities too.
I don't do side work but it presents itself from time to time and I turn it down. Others at my school take as much as they can. |
Correct. Work will come looking for you like as not. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Harbin
Joined: 19 Feb 2013
Posts: 161
|
| Posted: Sun Oct 13, 2013 1:56 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| Toast wrote: |
| Whether the Chinese teaching environment will actually allow you to implement much of what you've learned (not likely) is a different story, however. |
I agree with this for the most part. At my center, the small classes (4-10 people) are more than happy to go along with real EFL lessons. But step into a 30-40 person English Corner -- composed of the same students from small classes -- and watch your industry standard lesson plan go up in flames because the students want watch a foreign clown for an hour.
Nothing in an online or name brand EFL course will prepare you for the realities of the large group mixed classes that are a common part of working in China. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Non Sequitur
Joined: 23 May 2010
Posts: 4724
Location: China
|
| Posted: Sun Oct 13, 2013 6:13 pm Post subject: |
|
|
'Nothing in an online or name brand EFL course will prepare you for the realities of the large group mixed classes that are a common part of working in China.'
So true! |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Andrew108
Joined: 17 Mar 2012
Posts: 20
|
| Posted: Fri Nov 29, 2013 11:18 am Post subject: |
|
|
I've noticed a few universities are asking for some type of TEFL certification. Would an online cert suffice? I'm thinking I might just go for something like the INTESOL 220 hour course that has a notional equivalence with CELTA?
If universities are asking for TEFL certification are they distinguishing between CELTA/Cert TESOL and online course providers such as INTESOL? |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Toast
Joined: 08 Jun 2013
Posts: 428
|
| Posted: Fri Nov 29, 2013 12:06 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| Andrew108 wrote: |
| I've noticed a few universities are asking for some type of TEFL certification. Would an online cert suffice? |
Yes. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Kysorb
Joined: 30 Jul 2010
Posts: 253
Location: Beijing
|
| Posted: Fri Nov 29, 2013 12:50 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| Non Sequitur wrote: |
| I never felt that my cert was a key factor in GETTING A JOB, but I do feel it was useful to me as a framework on how to DO THE JOB! |
I agree with this 100%
My online TEFL didn't matter at all to employers. However it sure was a lot easier to "shine" early on at my company compared to the people who had no idea what they signed up for.. In general most people will find jobs at training schools who do not have very good training programs. These types of courses do help keep you afloat in the early months especially if you are at all concerned about your ability to do this type of work. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Kysorb
Joined: 30 Jul 2010
Posts: 253
Location: Beijing
|
| Posted: Fri Nov 29, 2013 1:02 pm Post subject: Re: Value of online TEFL certificate in China |
|
|
| Wiganesi wrote: |
Do you think maybe it could secure you a higher wage?
|
It is my personal belief that nothing will get you a higher starting wage. I have seen No Degree, BA, MA, and PhD all working for the same wage... the fact of the matter is this industry does not suffer from lack of applications it is not unusual for 1 well placed job advertisement to yield a school 100+ applicants.
The people with requests are quickly eliminated. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Bud Powell
Joined: 11 Jul 2013
Posts: 1736
|
| Posted: Fri Nov 29, 2013 3:52 pm Post subject: Re: Value of online TEFL certificate in China |
|
|
| Kysorb wrote: |
| Wiganesi wrote: |
Do you think maybe it could secure you a higher wage?
|
It is my personal belief that nothing will get you a higher starting wage. I have seen No Degree, BA, MA, and PhD all working for the same wage... the fact of the matter is this industry does not suffer from lack of applications it is not unusual for 1 well placed job advertisement to yield a school 100+ applicants.
The people with requests are quickly eliminated. |
Are you trying to convince me that someone with 2 MA's in English Language and over fifteen years experience teaching in the U.S. and China is at a disadvantage compared to someone with no degree but with a certificate? |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
|
FAQ
Search
Memberlist
Usergroups
Register
Profile
Log in to check your private messages
Log in
