Job Discussion Forums

Fergie · Joined: 10 Feb 2015 Posts: 34 Location: The Middle Kingdom

I was looking to take a TEFL course and I of course I want one that will give me a certificate that recognized and accepted all over the world.

There are no less than at least 50 TEFL training companies advertising their courses are all "certified" and "accreditted" but by who? What international body decides what is acceptable or are they all just using a sales pitch on us?

Even the biggest online TEFL giant out of the UK gives certificates that are not recognized in China and I am told the SAFEA TEFL certificates are worthless outside of China. So what's the real deal here?

nomad soul · Joined: 31 Jan 2010 Posts: 11454 Location: The real world

esl_prof

Walsh · Joined: 19 Feb 2015 Posts: 24

nomad soul · Joined: 31 Jan 2010 Posts: 11454 Location: The real world

Walsh · Joined: 19 Feb 2015 Posts: 24

So then what TEFL. TESOL, or CELTA certificate would you want to have and why?

spiral78 · Joined: 05 Apr 2004 Posts: 11534 Location: On a Short Leash

CELTA. Because it's the one that requires no explanation; almost every reputable employer almost everywhere will recognize this one as the standard for entry level gigs.

esl_prof

esl_prof · Posted: Tue Feb 24, 2015 2:49 pm Post subject:

Walsh · Joined: 19 Feb 2015 Posts: 24

nomad soul · Joined: 31 Jan 2010 Posts: 11454 Location: The real world

esl_prof · Posted: Wed Feb 25, 2015 10:36 pm Post subject:

Unfortunately, SIT TESOL isn't currently doing anything in Asia. Most of their courses are in the U.S. and Latin America, and a handful of them are in Europe. If you're committed to doing a course in Beijing, your best bet would be to go with one of the CELTA sites (I believe there are two). Assuming SAFEA checks out (and we've told you what to look for), that may be an option as well. If you're still not sure after checking them out, play it safe and stick with CELTA. It might cost a couple hundred more up front but, frankly, that's nothing over the the course of several years of TEFL income. Consider it an investment, not an expense.

natsume · Joined: 24 Apr 2006 Posts: 409 Location: Chongqing, China

For what I've increasingly felt is an inextricable reason, my "generic" TEFL certificate had only 4 hours of supervised/observed/assessed teaching practice with real students in a classroom setting.

It is from UC Berkeley, which is probably a plus, but this irks me whenever I hear the industry standard with the magic number of "6 hours" thrown around.

My MA offers a 3-unit internship for those without experience. I have plenty of experience, and I will be teaching EAP writing courses during the MA, but I still wonder if I should push for this. Any thoughts?

esl_prof · Posted: Thu Feb 26, 2015 4:00 am Post subject:

wangdaning · Joined: 22 Jan 2008 Posts: 3154

Laugh at Berkeley and their 3 unit courses. I graduated from there so not a hit on you.

Honestly, it will be as good as any of the others. A teacher who wants to learn and teach will do it. No manner of conditioning will help. A telf/celta/whatever might help someone who is unsure, but being here I can say it is not necessary. I know, people will say don't mislead, I am really not trying to. Some people need it, it helps direct them into a good rhythm. Most don't, and class control can be easily learned. These programs teach a few theories, it is all available for free. How you execute the stuff might help, but anyway I will drop my rant.