Job Discussion Forums

[Bruins05]

Can anyone recommend a good online TEFL program?

In several months I will be living in Spain (probably Valencia), looking for teaching jobs. Currently, I'm looking into getting an accredited TEFL/TESOL certification. While I know that CELTA courses and other on-site programs are more highly regarded than online certificates - and as such, will lead to more job offers and better wages - I've decided to go the online route to save some cash...and I think some limited experience that I already have will help replace some of what's lost in an online course...I took an extensive "Introduction to Teaching English as a Second Language" course that was part of a Linguistics minor at UCLA, and through that class taught 2 20-hour ESL courses for international students...so hopefully with my BA, limited experience and a TEFL certificate I can find some jobs.

But it seems there's dozens of online TEFL or TESOL certification programs that all seem to be "accredited" by somebody (unfortunately never the same people), and �internationally accepted and recognized.� With the broad range in prices ($200 up to $800), and the differing amounts of information available about each course, it's really hard to evaluate them. Since there is no one objective body that evaluates, regulates, or approves these courses, it occurs to me that while some of the programs may be good, well recognized, and widely accepted, some of them may also just be a scam where they send me some official-looking piece of paper for $200!!

I've been reading up on some online programs (below). Has anyone taken these courses (or know of other good ones)? Does anyone know if one of these particular programs is well-recognized by employers, or is one at least better than the rest? Any help would be greatly appreciated!

Some of the courses:

Global English (www.global-english.com)
Bridge-Linguatec online (www.teflonline.com)
OnlineTEFL (www.onlinetefl.com)
ICAL (www.teacher-training.net)
The International TEFL Corp. (www.teflcorp.com)
International TESOL Teacher Training (www.tesolonline.com)
International TEFL Teacher Training (www.teflonline.net)
Norwood English (www.norwoodenglish.com)
London Teacher Training College (www.teachenglish.co.uk)

I know there�s more out there�I welcome any and all suggestions�thank you all!

[Moore]

It's always good idea to have a look to see if a topic has already been discussed: this was a similar one just two months ago.... http://www.eslcafe.com/forums/job/viewtopic.php?t=30376 ....this has also been extensively discussed on the general forum too: online certificates are almost worthless - quite frankly even a lot of non-online ones aren't worth too much either. What a "real" course will give you is real classrom experience with feedback from experienced teachers, along with observation of experienced teachers in the classroom. If you're going to bother then go for a real, CELTA certified certificate, otherwise I'd recommend going out and using you money to buy a good smart set of clothes, a nice haircut, a book on TEFL teaching, maybe do a bit of voluntary community teaching in your area (there are always immigrants in need of lessons) and that will be just as valuable.
Language schools are looking for:

a) a native speaker who is well-presented, articulate and personable
b) some experience
c) decent certification

They will often accept the first two, but frankly, some online qualification is not likely to cut much ice: save your money and spend it on something useful, and then when you do have enough cash, then get a proper certificate that will get you into a decent job in Asia (for example)