Job Discussion Forums

[tara_lee_anne]

Hello all

I am new and not quite sure if anyone has asked this question already, but I will ask anyways! My mother took the Global Tesol program by correspondence and then moved to Mexico. It was not long after she moved there that she landed at good job at a private school. Has anyone else taken this course either the "in class" version or by correspondence? I would love to hear some feedback on the course and how easy you found it to get a job, as well as if you have had any problems with this company. Thanks a bunch!

[ebritton]

I've spent several weeks researching the Global vs. CELTA decision and, for me, I've decided to pursue the Global professional diploma program (600 hours), including the 60 hour practicum. My reasons are that it allows me to do the fundamentals course and the praticum in class, but the specialities can be done by distance. After the fundamentals course and one specialty they give you a certificate so you can start working at that point if you want to, and then continue to upgrade your qualifications through the distance portion. I think the 600 hour diploma that includes 60 hours of practice teaching will make a person very competative. CELTA happens to not be very accessible to my locality, and since I'm not interested in working in the English speaking countries or Europe, it won't give me any advantage. So, in my case, Global is the choice.

Just the same, CELTA is clearly one of the best choices out there, high quality and very well known, so for other individuals it may be a better way to go.

[tara_lee_anne]

I've been doing alot of thinking about the courses they are offering and have decided to go with the 600 hour course as well, and maybe upgrade to the 700 hour course later. Go figure, you are from Campbell River? I grew up in Courtenay! lol

[TESOLman]

I took the Global TESOL course 2 years ago and have had no problem landing jobs, and I don't have a degree, and I'm old, like we're talking dinosaur era ( according to my grown children).

[chachee99]

My TESOL course through Global College begins December 1 and I must admit I am kind of excited about it, but the only thing that bothers me is I don't know how recognizable the certificate really is. One negative aspect about this course is it lacks in-class training, mainly due because a majority of it is done online through correspondence.


If anyone has any information, good or bad, about Global College please send me a PM. I want o benefit myself by taking this course, not become another sucker who wasted their money on a second rate TESOL program.

[spiral78]

Global TESOL has a heavy focus on "how to get a job".....and with their cert., you probably CAN land a job in Asia or South America. However, as you're already aware, any course without supervised teaching practice is not going to provide the best preparation. Further, better employers in many places (please note the qualified statement!) prefer 'name brand' certs or, at minimum, those that are done on-site and with supervised practice. With a GT cert, it is possible that the better employers (depending on where you want to go) will not feel that you are the best qualified candidate.
A good option might be to research among the 30-day intensive courses available abroad. They generally offer teaching practice and a chance to experience the culture from a relatively safe base. Further, you can make local contacts through a training school that can benefit you later - and these courses are often priced about the same as a GT one.

[omeletteman]

I took the Global TESOL course 4 months ago, and a month later, headed of to China. I didn't get the job because of the certificate (got it through friends of a friends friend (confusing?)) so I don't know how much it will help you in getting a job. BUT, I did find it helpful, if I hadn't taken it, I probably would have gone crazy my first day here. It definately got me in the right mindset to start. Most of what I know about teaching (very little), however, I've learned just from, well, teaching. I'm sure there are better options out there, but for $1000, and five days of class, it was worth it.

[snowangel]

I took my ESL cert from Global TESOL. I took the in-class option and I am glad I did. Yes, we did spend a bit of the time on how to get a job, but we also spent time on actual teaching skills and class room management. The $$ spent on it were very well worth it. As far as its image in the field goes, it is an ESL Certificate by a reputable company, and I have not heard of any place that does not recognize it. However you will find places that want you to take theirs... regardless of which certification you have.
Good luck and have fun. Remember that an ESL certificate is not substitute for research.

[tarzaninchina]

I took Global TESOL's professional certificate in early 2003. They will often look at that before any post-secondary degree. Gives you a little more monthly cash.

Getting experience in China is not a problem, so I didn't do more than 240 hours. As for the specializations, Business English is pretty tough and only worth it if you have a few business books to back you up. Otherwise, it won't do you much good when you actually go job-hunting when stacked up against someone with post-secondary business education as well. Adult and Children English seem similar and most things can be obtained from the main book. Tourism English is pretty good. I'd also recommend Medical English if you're also a first aider as there are many hospitals looking for teachers. Grammar might be worth it.

Practicums aren't really useful if you're heding to Asia because it won't get you all that much more, especially for what you spend. Then it's a matter of years of experience, or at least that's what I've found.

I found Global TESOL very good, but they don't set you up all that great in terms of expectations. I found the in-class program will give you a good taste and will let you know very clearly if teaching English is something you want to get into.

[mistahmojoryan]

I took the Global TESOL 120hr foundation course earlier this year. I haven't done any teaching yet (just getting to it now) but like a couple people mentioned, I found the in-class course beneficial. It gives a general idea of what to expect in the classroom and how to get a job BUT there's no substitute for real world experience. It was a good $1000 introduction to the field of overseas teaching but I still feel totally unqualified for a job. I think my best option after Global TESOL is still to go overseas and go through a 2 or 4 week practicum program which will cost me another grand.

Bottom line is, I don't regret taking the "abbreviated" Global TESOL course but I'm still unprepared and need some experience. (How I go about this is why I signed up for this board! )

Best of luck with it!