Job Discussion Forums

[wolfman]

hello everyone

i'm about to graduate from university in the states and i'm interested in pursuiting a TEFL or TESOL or what-have-you certification when i graduate. does anyone have any basic suggestions such as what schools are the best?

to be completely honest, i don't know much about this at all. my mum got her TEFL through ITC in prague a couple summers ago and it inspired me to do the same.

i'm mostly interested in japan. the plan right now would be to go for my TEFL and then apply for JET. does that sound like a solid plan? are their good programs in japan as far as GETTING your certification? is it even that neccesary?

as i said... i don't know much about this at all

any info is much appreciated

[denise]

A training course (CELTA or not--CELTA is just a "name brand" that is not necessarily superior) should be more than 100 hours, with supervised practice teaching. Other forum members have mentioned that the trainers should have higher qualifications (an MA or a DELTA) and several years of actual teaching experience. I agree.

Normally I�d recommend doing the course in the country in which you want to teach, so that you can start to get acclimated and start your job hunt. And so you can use the training course as a resource for job contacts. In Japan, though, there isn�t really a TEFL training industry. You don�t need a certificate to get a job there in most cases--just a BA to get a visa. Are there any training programs near you in the US?

I think you just missed the deadline for JET. It is a long application process, and it only happens once a year.

I also did the ITC program in Prague a few years ago, and I can recommend it--as long as the Prague branch didn�t get caught up in the financial scandal that hit the Barcelona branch.

edit: No, a certificate isn�t really necessary (at least for Japan--it is expected as a minmum qualification in other places), but unless you have a background in teaching and feel confident that you can plan and deliver lessons of varying length to various levels, ages, and numbers of students, it`s still a good idea.
d

[Jizzo T. Clown]

You could always try a chain school--no experience required, just a degree and an upbeat personality. I may catch flak for this, but you could look at NOVA or GEOS. That'd be a good way to test the waters.

[Kaspar Hauser]

Dear Wolfman,

Forgive me for asking, but ARE YOU NUTS?

Have a look at this thread in the Newbie Forum, and when you're done, start thinking of something more sensible to do with your life.

http://www.eslcafe.com/forums/job/viewtopic.php?t=13054

And if you're still bound and determined to become an ESL teacher, at least learn how to use the shift key. It's used to make those BIG letters that you see a lot. Grown up English teachers use them.

KH

[JZer]

[denise]

Yeah, that was a very petty post.

Regarding Jizzo`s suggestions (no flak from me!)--such schools in Japan aren`t the way to go for a career in teaching, but for starters, and for the experience of living in Japan, why not?

d

[wolfman]

(two months later)

thank you for all the sincere and helpful responses.