Job Discussion Forums

[mashonsky]

greetings!
i am 21 yr old female, born in Bulgaria but have been living in Canada for 7 yrs now. I've graduated from high school and am considering taking a TEFL/TESOL course here but am undecided between the online version and the week long course. The online one is of course half as expensive but it does not give one the opportunity of classroom practice(the week long gives you like 2hrs), which I don't think will be a big problem for me as I am good with learning on the spot but would employers be discouraged to hire you because of that-the lack of teaching practice? I also wonder how likely it is for them to fly you over or at last front you the money, as I am seroisely lacking finances now. Since I have a Canadian passport do you think I should be letting employers know that i am not a "native speaker"? I also wonder which countries you might consider will be easiest to find well paid work in my case (meaning one in which you can save a good $1000/month, considering of course a modest way of life and no travelling). I guess it's all very relative, but any info would be greatly appreciated.
Maria

[Justin Trullinger]

Hmmm. THis one's been done to death on these boards- do a search, and you'll find lots of opinions.

Mine, and it's a common one, is that if you can, do an onsite course. preferably four weeks minimum. It's kindof the industry standard. 120 hours of instruction, or more, and at least 6 hours of supervised teaching practice.

I know, I know- these courses are more expensive. But, if you're hoping to save a grand a month, for heaven's sake, think about being prepared for what you want to do.

But honestly, with only the qualifications you've mentioned, being a high school diploma, I think landing anything so lucrative is shooting a little high. Landing a good job at all would be difficult. Do you have a degree? If not, I'd think about it. If you're a recent high school grad, your age will be against you as well- Most students expect their teachers to be trained professionals, and if you're nineteen, they won't believe that you are. Erm, which you most likely won't be, if you see what I'm saying.

Sorry if this sounds a little harsh, but know what you're getting into. There are very few lucrative jobs for complete newbies in this field. Those that do exist are in places where they work you half to death and treat you like dog *beep*. If you want something better than this, you'll need to prepare.

Best,
Justin

[spiral78]

The problem the OP will have is not age or under-education (I think you have a four-year degree in English, right?). The problem will be money.

Mashonky, you'll have to consider places like China and Korea. Europe has a very big supply of teachers, and you don't find jobs that offer airfare or that pay well enough for entry-level teachers to save so much. You can probably find something in Asia.

You can go with the Canadian citizenship, I think. Unless you've got a heavy accent or something, which you probably haven't, since you obviously moved to Canada at a young age and went to school there.

If I were you, I'd research possible recruiters in Asia, read through the Asia forums on this board, and then try to put together an agenda that will give you the specific training you will need to get the job you want. Don't go out on a limb with a course, unless you are sure it will be the course that will give you the certification an employer will want.

[mashonsky]

thanks for the info

the thing is that i do not have a degree. i think i will go with a one week 120 hr, 6 hrs of practice, tesol course they offer in Ottawa as I cannot find any 4 week courses here and the online one seems like not enough really.

[Justin Trullinger]

I hate to be the cynic, but I smell a rat.

A one week 120 hour course with six hours practice? Let's do the math, shall we? If the course doesn't include weekends, that means that you are literally studying EVERY HOUR OF EVERY DAY, without sleep. (5 times 24= 120 hours)

If it's a 7 day course, well, it allows for 48 hours of sleep (Nearly 7 hours a night), provided that you live in the center (to avoid travel time), start the course the second you wake up, and take no breaks for meals. (Or anything else, for that matter.)

And somehow, in this exhausting schedule, you're meant to be able to teach 6 hours. To whom, one might ask. What self-respecting student would want to be taught by the staggering zombie you would no doubt become? And how well could you teach, given the state you'd obviously be in?

Now I know, if you contact the course providers, they'll tell that it's not like I've said- it's not impossible, or even as soul-destroying as Justin on Dave's thinks it is. Well? How do they get 120 hours in, then? And the answer will be, they'll count your hours "studying at home," they'll count your hours out on the patio at break time, they'll count your lunch hours. They'll count hours I can't even think of, to get to that respectable sounding 120 hours total. But it isn't (cannot be) a genuine 120 hour course, if it only takes a week.

By the way, are the practice teaching hours with real EFL students? (I've heard of companies offering this kind of training that use "simulated" students, whatever that means.)

I know it's inconvenient, Maria. But if you're looking to teach, you need to think about a qualification that will be respected by the people who might hire you. Especially if you're coming into this without a degree. No degree, no teaching experience- the only thing you may have to make employers look twice at you will be your teaching qualification. And if it doesn't look legit, you won't either.

And perhaps you also are thinking about what kind of teacher you'll be. I'm sure you want to be a good one- and I question whether a one week cert is enough for that either. Even if you get a job, will you feel prepared for it?

I'm currently training as a trainer on a four week, 130 hour cert, with 6 hours teaching practice. That's four weeks, and while it's deeply enjoyable, it can be murder as well. Tomorrow is the graduation for our first group, and I, the participants, and the other trainers are all pretty tired. And remember, this cert, like all similar certs, is primarily an entry level qualification. In a way, it's the minimum to start well in this field. Now some company is telling you that you can, for a substantial fee, I presume, accomplish the same thing in a week. If it sounds too good to be true...


Best regards,
Justin

[mashonsky]

To begin with, thank you for your concern and advice.
so the course is as follows. my mistake, it's 100hrs

Part One (40 academic credit hours) - mandatory
Interactive Classroom Learning Module
Part One of both the standard and advanced TESOL certification program enables student teachers the opportunity to learn in a classroom environment.
Classroom Learning Module Timetable
Wednesday 6:00 pm - 10:30 pm
Thursday 6:00 pm - 10:30 pm
Friday 6:00 pm - 10:30 pm
Saturday 10:00 am - 6:00 pm
Sunday 9:00 am - 6:00 pm

Part Two (15 academic credit hours) - mandatory (on-line learning / at your own pace)
English Grammar for Teachers
Although many graduates will seek employment as conversational language teachers, a deeper understanding of English grammar and its role within the language is key to successful language teaching. This course was designed to ensure all graduates are both competent and comfortable teaching all elements of the English language.

Part Three (25 academic credit hours) - mandatory (on-line learning / at your own pace)
United TESOL International Specialization Program
Given the dynamic nature of English as a Second Language, we provide all our graduates with the opportunity to specialize in a particular teaching field. Upon the successful completion of the classroom learning component of our program, all teachers in training must select and complete one of the following intensive specialization learning programs. Graduates are required to complete one of the following courses, via the Internet, at their own pace.

Part Four (20 practice teaching credit hours) - optional
Self-Directed Practice Teaching
The self-directed practice teaching component of the TESOL semester program allows those individuals unable to participate in the overseas teaching practicum the opportunity to gain valuable English as a Second Language teaching practice locally. I believe they get you ESL classes in centertown Ottawa

To answer your questions, I doubt it's enough to help you be a good teacher, but with a positive and easily adapting attitude I hope that when put on the job, improvisation and the fact how fun kids-little ones!-are will help me out, learning as i go. Maybe it's too hopefull. Maybe it's not the right thing for me at all. But I guess there's only one way to find out. I would like to find a 4 week course in Ottawa but unfortunately most offered include going to another country and paying ridiculous prices for the accomodation there.
hmmm. lots to be considered. what did you find was the hardest in your first teaching experience?