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| Are Online TEFL certificates valued in China? |
| Yes |
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44% |
[ 8 ] |
| No |
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55% |
[ 10 ] |
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| Total Votes : 18 |
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Andrew108
Joined: 17 Mar 2012
Posts: 20
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 Posted: Sat Nov 30, 2013 3:18 pm Post subject: |
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| Toast wrote: |
| Andrew108 wrote: |
| I've noticed a few universities are asking for some type of TEFL certification. Would an online cert suffice? |
Yes. |
I'm looking at the University of Toronto TEFL. It's more expensive than other online courses, but does seem to have a good reputation and good standard of accreditation. There is no practicum and that devalues the course somewhat; although I do have some doubts as to the use of The CELTA practicum when it comes to teaching large groups of mixed ability. I taught for 5 years in Thailand in the university sector and know what to expect.
Anyhow, I'm coming to the conclusion that a good quality online TEFL cert does have some use and I think it probably carries some weight with prospective employers. I want to work for a university in China and then do some extra work at a language school (if possible). I guess that teaching experience backed up with a TEFL cert accredited by the University of Toronto would give me an advantage. |
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muffintop
Joined: 07 Jan 2013
Posts: 803
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| Posted: Sat Nov 30, 2013 11:58 pm Post subject: |
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| Andrew108 wrote: |
Anyhow, I'm coming to the conclusion that a good quality online TEFL cert does have some use and I think it probably carries some weight with prospective employers. I want to work for a university in China and then do some extra work at a language school (if possible). I guess that teaching experience backed up with a TEFL cert accredited by the University of Toronto would give me an advantage. |
No, not really. Well, that is to say the cert itself will not help you much, if at all. Ever. However if you learn something from the course, that may give you a leg up when it comes to doing your job well and being prepared. |
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Kysorb
Joined: 30 Jul 2010
Posts: 253
Location: Beijing
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| Posted: Sun Dec 01, 2013 12:15 am Post subject: Re: Value of online TEFL certificate in China |
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| Bud Powell wrote: |
| Kysorb wrote: |
| Wiganesi wrote: |
Do you think maybe it could secure you a higher wage?
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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? |
No I'm trying to convince you that for most TEFL jobs in China experience isn't their highest priority. At most schools who pay X they wont pay more than X because they don't care about experience really and they have plenty of suitable applicants willing to take X.
I don't think they feel they are compromising or losing anything. They won't be accepting someone who is below average, they are just not going to pay more for someone who might be above average. Average pays the bills.
Yes, sure, there are schools who do want to hire experienced teachers, but they are a small minority. |
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choudoufu
Joined: 25 May 2010
Posts: 3325
Location: Mao-berry, PRC
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| Posted: Sun Dec 01, 2013 1:31 am Post subject: Re: Value of online TEFL certificate in China |
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| Bud Powell wrote: |
| 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? |
it means that someone without 2 MA's and 15 years
experience is not at a disadvantage when applying
for positions with minimal requirements.
much as you would not have an advantage over my
cousin bubba (and his GED) when applying for the position
of 'sandwich artist' at the local subway. |
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Wiganesi
Joined: 02 Oct 2013
Posts: 46
Location: UK
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| Posted: Sun Dec 01, 2013 8:28 pm Post subject: |
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Small update to this thread on what I found:
Lots and lots of jobs now are asking for TEFL certificates, even some subject teaching jobs need them for visa reasons. I think maybe this is a recent change. |
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maj0915
Joined: 04 Feb 2013
Posts: 61
Location: China
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| Posted: Mon Dec 02, 2013 2:00 am Post subject: |
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| I have an online certification, and it has never been rejected by any of the schools I've applied to. I think it's more important in terms of being able to meet all of the requirements listed in an application than it is important where you got the certification from. However, I also had one year of teaching experience, so maybe it didn't really matter that my TEFL didn't include an in-class component. |
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Andrew108
Joined: 17 Mar 2012
Posts: 20
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| Posted: Mon Dec 02, 2013 10:25 am Post subject: |
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| I can see the value. Perhaps in the future more teachers will be tutoring online? If so, then what is wrong with an online teaching certificate? Has anyone done any online tutoring? |
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D-M
Joined: 30 Nov 2013
Posts: 114
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| Posted: Mon Dec 02, 2013 11:13 pm Post subject: |
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Teaching English online and taking a TEFL certificate online are not related.
The reason that online certificates are not accepted as recognised education or training is because they dont include any of the key component ... teaching. As a box ticking exercise they may be accepted at some places in China though, as well as being acceptable at employers with lower standards in other regions. |
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