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Am I employable after a weekend TEFL course?

 
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Elisha7



Joined: 15 May 2014
Posts: 3

PostPosted: Wed May 21, 2014 7:51 pm    Post subject: Am I employable after a weekend TEFL course? Reply with quote

Hi everyone,

I'm currently thinking about getting a TEFL qualification in the hope of teaching in South America (in particular Chile).

As I don't really have the time or money to enrol on a month long CELTA course, I'm thinking about booking myself on a weekend standard TEFL course in the UK and possibly an advanced one which is a further two days.

These are the courses: http://www.uk-tefl.com/standard-course

Would I struggle to find a job with this qualification?

My background:

BSc in Psychology from the University of Birmingham
I've held one voluntary position teaching English in an Orphanage in Cambodia but this was back in 2007.
I'm currently working in London as a mental health support worker for the National Health Service

I'd be grateful for any advice you can give me!
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nomad soul



Joined: 31 Jan 2010
Posts: 11454
Location: The real world

PostPosted: Wed May 21, 2014 8:33 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

A TEFL cert course that entails 120 hours of instruction (e.g., CELTA) is preferred or often required by employers worldwide. So, yes, you'll be limited to those employers and/or countries in which a quickie weekend TEFL cert (or none at all) is acceptable for legal work purposes.

Since you're currently working, why not continue to do so until you've saved up enough money for a proper TEFL course?


Last edited by nomad soul on Wed May 21, 2014 8:48 pm; edited 1 time in total
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Elisha7



Joined: 15 May 2014
Posts: 3

PostPosted: Wed May 21, 2014 8:47 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Thanks for your reply.

I thought it sounded too easy...

The UK TEFL trainer I'm looking at also offers a 120 hour online course which you can combine with some face to face teaching too. Would open up my options?

Do you know which countries wouldn't be off limits to me?
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nomad soul



Joined: 31 Jan 2010
Posts: 11454
Location: The real world

PostPosted: Wed May 21, 2014 8:59 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Elisha7 wrote:
The UK TEFL trainer I'm looking at also offers a 120 hour online course which you can combine with some face to face teaching too. Would open up my options?

Do you know which countries wouldn't be off limits to me?

Then you're limited to those jobs where you can work with an online TEFL cert. Some employers accept them while others do not. Again, the operative word is "limited."

Let the job ads guide you as to what's required. Obviously, if you're continuously seeing ads in a particular country that state a 120-hour (onsite) TEFL cert/CELTA/Trinity CertTESOL... is required, then very likely, you'd be hard-pressed to find employment in that country with anything other than that.

You might consider doing a CELTA or at least an equivalent TEFL cert in the country you plan to teach in.
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Sashadroogie



Joined: 17 Apr 2007
Posts: 11061
Location: Moskva, The Workers' Paradise

PostPosted: Wed May 21, 2014 8:59 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Any job you can get with these online rubbishy courses you can still get without. Don't waste your time or money. Even on the so-called 'advanced' ones...
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Elisha7



Joined: 15 May 2014
Posts: 3

PostPosted: Wed May 21, 2014 9:10 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Thanks Nomad Soul and Sashadroogie.

I think you're both right. I'd rather save up and do the CELTA rather than waste money on a quick course that isn't going to get me anywhere.

Plus, I want a qualification that allows me to feel confident when I step into a class for the first time. I'm guessing it's going to be pretty nerve-racking anyway!

Nomad, I think it's a good idea to do the course in the country I want to work in. I'm looking at courses in Chile now.

Thank you both for your help!
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suphanburi



Joined: 20 Mar 2014
Posts: 916

PostPosted: Wed May 21, 2014 11:00 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

The bottom line...

Weekend courses are usually rubbish and usually a waste of time.

You have a degree (even through it is not education related).

In those places where you can get legal work (Europe, Asia, central and south America (where most employers don't get you legal anyway)) an education to a first degree is often the requirement and the TEFL is not.

Will you find work = yes.
Will it be well paid = no.
Will a weekend TEFL help = not for the job search or the pay packet.
Will it help when you get dumped into a class and told "teach" = yes, it is better than nothing (at least you might have some ideas).

.
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