Job Discussion Forums

[Omeo]

Does anyone know just how difficult most of these teacher training courses are? Anyone know the failure rates? Right now, I'm looking at Bridge-Linguatec, INTESOL, and Via Lingua and I don't want to just assume that if I take a course I'm necessarily gonna pass it. As a whole, are these courses relatively easy or what? Thanx in advance.

[tedkarma]

The content of most courses is not all that difficult. What people do find difficult is the amount of work that needs to be done in relatively short period of time.

If you have a reasonable level of intellect - you can and will master the theory and application but will feel pressed for time almost all the way through most courses.

It is important to take the course with an open mind, do the things your trainer tells you to do, and do all the assignments as instructed. If you have serious disagreement with theory or method - it is best to just smile and keep it to yourself until the course is done. Hey! Just like most classes at most schools!

If you have been reasonably successful in the academic world - you can pretty much assume you will pass the course. ALL these organizations are in the money-making business and while they do want to maintain a standard, they don't want to start failing everyone either - or no one will come in the future.

[Chris_Crossley]

Alternatively, one could, if there is a chance of so doing, undertake a part-time course leading to a certificate, since the intensity experienced during a short (say, four-week) full-time course would then not exist, and so you would have much more time to get to grips with the theory and practical side of such a course.

My Trinity College Certificate in TESOL course was taken part-time at my local adult education centre over 31 Fridays, and it was certainly handy to have as much time as needed to do assignments and prepare for teaching classes of adult students.

Of course, the thing is that, even if one does a part-time programme like the one I did, one would be subject to the intensive pace of preparation and teaching full-time on a daily basis once one enters the job, so a full-time course would certainly give you the experience of the pressure that TEFLers are under when they are in a job.

As mentioned, though, the content of such a programme is not too difficult to digest, but it is the practical teaching side that really sorts out whether you are deemed good enough to go into the classroom or not.

Having said that, in the past, I worked alongside people who had no TEFL or teaching qualifications of any kind, but they managed nonetheless to work hard and be as good as, if not better than, those who could (and still can) wave that piece of paper in potential employers' faces. Some of them even gained TEFL qualifications back home after working at my school, so, clearly, the experience was a real motivator for them.

[Gregor]

Oh, man, what a blast from the past.
Yeah, Omeo, the courses you are looking at are reputable (except I don't know INTESOL, but I reckon it's the same sort of thing), both are intensive and very trying, but you won't fail either of them if you are into it and do what you're told and keep the pressure on yourself.
The ones who fail are the ones who are just NOT up to the academic standard at all (which is not that high - post high school, baccalaureate education level), cannot hack being in front of people or being observed or who don't take it seriously.
I mean, yes, they do want you to pass and they will do what they can to help you do so. Any good teacher would. But in the end you will have to demonstrate an understanding of the principles they are trying to teach you and at least the ability to improve over time as a classroom instructor.
But relax. They are not going to insist that you are the mack daddy teacher of all time before they give you the certificate. They just want to be sure that you will be trainable, with little difficulty, in a new teaching environment.
You'll do fine if you just believe what they say, and what they imply. What they say is that it's a difficult, intensive course. What they imply by their ads ("Teach English All Around The World!!!!!!!") is that they expect you to pass the course.
Don't forget either one of those things. They are equally true, and equally important. And you'll be fine. And probably be a decent teacher in the end.
Let us know how it goes.

[Omeo]

Don't get me wrong; I don't expect to fail the course. I think I'm hard-working, enthusiastic, and smart enough to do it. (Although I may do that part-time option to take the pressure off if I can handle the living expenses). Do they let people retry if they fail or do you have to pay for another course and start all over? Again, I don't expect to fail; I'm just asking on the odd chance that it's not as easy as it sounds.

[Gregor]

Of course it would depend on the course provider,
But I very seriously doubt they'd leave you swinging in the breeze if you failed. That would be bad for business.
My course offered to let the failed student do the next course for free, if there was a space, and for 50% discount if the student had to reserve a spot (no point in losing a perfectly good slot on a full course).
Don't go by me, though. My course was New World Teachers and they are now defunct.
But as long as you ask, check on those courses about their fail policies and let us know. I for one would be interested.

[Omeo]

Hey, everybody. Thanx for the responses so far. I've got a related question, here. I was telling a friend of mine about my English teaching plans and she said, "Don't you have to have really good grammar and punctuation for that stuff?" Now, I haven't read anything on this site that would indicate that-seems like you just need to be a good native speaker-but, again, I don't want to assume. Do these certification courses require you to have really good grammar and punctuation? Do you have to pass some kind of entrance exam or something or do you just need to be a good native speaker. I know my grammar and punctuation aren't perfect, but I'm pretty confident they're good enough. I'm just asking to be on the safe side.

[Gordon]

No one has perfect grammar, but you should still study it. Also go into every class well prepared. Be prepared for any related grammar question that might be thrown at you by students. Don't be afraid to say you don't know the answer, we are human after all. Tell them you will give them an answer next class and look it up and/or ask around.

[Guy Courchesne]

[fluffyhamster]