Job Discussion Forums

[dogma]

I have searched the various threads here on online TEFL programs but I never found any substantial advice.

I would REALLY appreciate the names of a few good schools or programs.

(I know that many of you are against the idea of an online cert, but please resist the urge to proselytize� as this is my best option. Thanks!)


Peace, Dogma.

[tedkarma]

Not everyone can afford the "full Monty" of a full blown TEFL course. No problem - most people will agree that SOME training is better than NO training at all.

So, while you can't do the full thing we should support your wish to get some training.

As you are seeking a farily limited program look for something that gives you some METHOD ideas - how to go about structuring a lesson and some ideas for games and actitivies that support your lesson. Those would be the most useful ideas.

[Kent F. Kruhoeffer]

^ We have dogma and karma on the same thread.


Here's a concrete recommendation for an online certificate course

which also offers the option of video-taping your lessons to

satisfy the practicum requirement of many employers.


English International is managed by CELTA trainer Jeff Mohamed, who

also posts on the Teacher Training Forum here at Dave's now and then.


He's also a published author Amazon.com and is

both well known and well-connected in the field.

i.e., I would feel good about learning from him.


His experience with the CELTA syllabus

is an added bonus for his students, imho.




http://www.english-international.com/











Thailand teaching and travel resources available here :::: The Master Index Thailand ::::

[nolefan]

I know a few folks that took the i-to-i course and were quite happy with it.

[dogma]

thank you all for those words of advice. (and not a single sermon! )

i ordered that book by jeff mohamed 'teaching english overseas' off amazon.

also, i thought i-to-i looked good, too. but then i read a few posts here that said they were a scam. thats why i have been a bit perplexed...

please continue if you have any other thoughts on the matter.

p.s.: karma ALWAYS trumps dogma. unfortunatly for me...boo hoo.

[mlomker]

[tedkarma]

I agree that Harmer's book is a good place to start. Chapter 4 - Learning and Teaching - is a good place to start with method - and is worth the price of the book.

[Calories]

Reading Jeremy Harmer = The Oxford Seminar in TEFL without paying for the job placement program or getting the peice of paper that gets you the residents permit and foreign experts cert. well, that's if you don't have a degree.

[Marnie]

I appreciate the information about English International. I have been researching online TEFL courses for about two months now, with a certain amount of frustration because there are so many and I am not necessarily able to make a good decision because I am new to the TEFL field.

However, let me ask you a question please. I was about ready to sign up for English Internat'l's online course when my son convinced me otherwise because he felt their website was very unprofessional and showed a lack of investment in the website that he believed would be indicative of the quality of the program.

And, I have not been looking at TEFL websites long enough to know whether this is true or not.

So, do you know anyone who has taken his program?

Has your experience been that in this area the sophistication or quality of the website does not necessarily reflect the quality of the program?

And, I know, what am I doing listening to my son! Because in computer matters he is light years ahead of me and generally knows what he is talking about, despite of course my vastly better general knowledge and education!

Thanks for any response you and or anyone else can give me.

Marnie

[Kent F. Kruhoeffer]

Hi Marnie


It's true, Jeff's webpage is a bit on the dull side.


Having said that, let me add this personal observation:

In my experience, there is no reliable correlation between

the 'flashiness' of a website and the content of a given course.


In fact, I'd actually go one step further, and say that

the slickest websites often conceal very slick scams & cons.

I could give examples, but would rather stay out of court.


With Jeff's page, what you see is what you get.


By all means, consider other courses, but don't be fooled

by a website's flashing banners or animated graphics.










Thailand teaching and travel resources available here :::: The Master Index Thailand ::::

[dogma]

at the same time, a dodgy website even looks more like a fly by night affair.

also, the thought of spending hours on that website is too much to handle.

so basically i have honed it down to two programs (using the very helpful website teslreview.com, see below). ICAL and i-to-i seem to have the most intuitive interface and have the best overall reviews from ex-students.

afterwards i plan on getting the Jeff Mohamed books for supplimenting my training.


http://www.teslreview.com/providers/index.htm

peace, dogma

[acwilliams]

Kent F Kruhoeffer wrote:

[dogma]

Not to sound too negative, but I just tried to navigate the Jeff Mohamed site it wasnt easy going. It was (relatively) difficult, in fact, just finding what courses he offers and the prices. And I still don't even know exactly how the course works, e.g. materials, videos, books, online format etc..(?)

I still think getting his books as a supplement is the best idea (personnally speaking, of course).

I would love to hear from someone who has actually taken his course...

are you out there?

[Marnie]

Thanks to both Kent and Dogma. Appreciated the information from Dogma re i-to-i and ICAL. But, especially appreciated Kent's take on the equation between website slickness and the quality of the instruction.

You have both helped me in making a decision.

Marnie

[dogma]

You're welcome Marnie, but I just a newbie here like you!