Job Discussion Forums

[suenaswain]

Hi--quick question for anyone nice enough to answer...

I have two years' experience teaching ESL to adults in NYC through a volunteer placement at Columbia University. I also have an MA and six years of professional experience in a corporate setting in NYC. Would that suffice in most instances where a cert is required? Or would I still need a cert for most decently paying jobs? i.e. Dubai, business English, etc.?

Thanks!

[nomad soul]

Use the requirements per the job ads as a guide for what's needed. However, you don't need a TEFL cert if your MA degree included a semester or quarter-long ESOL practicum.

[spiral78]

Is your MA related to teaching?
Volunteer work on its own is not usually rated, because there are no quality assurances (having done the job doesn't guarantee that you've done it well). A good TELF cert course includes supervised practice with feedback from qualified instructors.

[scot47]

It would have done 30 or 40 years ago. Things have moved on and the "Diploma Disease" is now universal. Certification is needed.

[dragonpiwo]

I'd avoid this game now. All the well-paid jobs are drying up as the oil price crisis has nobbled the Gulf states.

Unless, you are wealthy, getting into this game is madness these days.