Job Discussion Forums

[Gregor]

Jizzo,
I wasn't getting upset in particular (well, no more than warrented by the "desk jockey" crack, anyway). I'm just explaining the reality of my situation, which includes a good number of years' experience hiring and keeping or losing teachers. I now have a pretty good idea who is going to stick around and work out well, and who is going to leave early...or who is going to run.
And I agree with Justin - your experience would stack up in your favor and I'd definitely want to talk with someone with that kind of experience. But then I'm going to ask questions to help me determine if the experience you've gained was, in fact, equivilant to a certificate program.
I'm also going to be on the lookout for a teacher with quals AND experience.
I'm ALSO going to want to know - from you as well as from my own boss and the people we have helping us deal with the immigration issue - what can be done about the lack of qualifications. Because in my part of my province, we can't legally hire someone without both a degree AND a TEFL certificate.

Now, DON'T SAY IT. I know. I find that hard to believe, too. But does it matter? Whether that's the law or else just the policy of my own employer, I can't say. But I have seen them forge TEFL certificates for applicants who have degrees but no teaching qualifications. Why would they do that if not for the government?

To DKatz:
As for what kinds of qualifications I'd want on my certificate course (as a student, or as an employer looking for a course to hire teachers from). I think a TESOL diploma (or DELTA is fine, too) would be REALLY important, these days. I don't know how long that qualification has been around, but nowadays, it's pretty much the TEFL certificate standard.
The diploma says that you've done a reputable certificate course, and that you have at the VERY LEAST two years' experience in the field that you're training for (and if you have no more than two years' experience, the diploma is going to be rough going), and a minimum of a baccalaureate level of intelligence (again - I got my diploma without holding a degree, but I really had to convince them that I had the "right stuff" to get them to accept me onto the program). Those are bare minimum requirements to GET INTO THE PROGRAM. After that, you still have to earn the thing.
I don't know about other schools, but I am here to tell you that Trinity College is not giving them away free with Burrito Supremes at Taco Bell.
In addition to the diploma, I would want the head trainer to supervise and train every new trainer on the job. The head trainer should have done at least two or three courses as a gofer before being put in charge.
Trained by Trinity or by Cambridge would be bonus. But I don't think I'd insist on it.

[Jizzo T. Clown]

[Justin Trullinger]