Job Discussion Forums

smiliegirl · Joined: 07 Mar 2007 Posts: 16

I'm planning a move to Santiago in Sept. 2007. I'd like to get my TEFL certification taken care of here in the States. Since I am working FT, I need to do my certification online. I've researched quite a few companies, but does anyone have recommendations for companies to use or not use? And why?

Thanks,
Andrea

Justin Trullinger · Posted: Fri Mar 09, 2007 2:47 pm Post subject:

Hi SmilieGirl,
Welcome to the board, and good luck in Chile! (Beautiful country, lovely people.)

But I'm afraid my advice may not be what you want to hear. Most online TESOL/TEFL cert programs aren't worth much at all. And even if you find one that is, future employers will still see that it's an online cert, know that most online certs aren't worth much, and...you see the problem.

The reason for this is the fact that most online courses, due to practical reasons, are unable to offer a teaching component, which is what employers are looking for. There are a few courses that do offer this, but it usually involves finding your own students, videoing them, sending a lot of documentation, finding a local tutor...really, it becomes more trouble than just doing an onsite course. Which is what I would really recommend.

All the best,

Justin

Mike_2003 · Joined: 27 Mar 2003 Posts: 344 Location: Bucharest, Romania

I second that. It's really worth making the sacrifice to do a practical course. It'd be like taking an online driving test or something. The practicum is really what makes the certificate worth having and the feedback from the trainers and other trainees is invaluable.

Mike

smiliegirl · Joined: 07 Mar 2007 Posts: 16

Thanks for the advice. It is (of course) not what I wanted to hear. Crying or Very sad

My schedule and money does not allow for extensive onsite certification. My hope was to try and do some volunteering locally (NYC) with an English literacy program (a supplement to ESL) to get some practical experience. Suggestions?

Andrea

MELEE · Posted: Fri Mar 09, 2007 7:31 pm Post subject:

The British Council resently started offering online prep courses for the TKT. The disadvantage is there is no observed teaching practice which IMHO is the key element of any TEFL course, more hours of observed (and assessed!) teaching practice the better. But the advantage would be having the Bristish Council name behind the course.

mlomker · Joined: 24 Mar 2005 Posts: 378

nickpellatt · Joined: 08 Dec 2006 Posts: 1522

Slightly off topic - but closely related too - For Justin or anyone else...

How valuable is experience Vs online certs/weekend taster courses etc?

For example if the OP spent a summer working with a language school (in the UK we have lots of exchange programs), or if one did one day in a school a week.....would that carry any weight?

OP - I did two online courses via i-i. Both courses were interesting, the tutor was helpful and prompt in marking my work, but by the same token, the value any employer is likely to place on these is minimal.

MELEE · Posted: Mon Mar 12, 2007 4:51 pm Post subject:

This is kind of out there, but I find it interesting that the OP said, Santiago, and everyone assumed Chile. Probably, but it reminds me of a lesson in my high school Spanish textbook where a Spaniard was working in Madrid (double shifts to save up for his family), while his very pregnant wife was with her mother in Santiago (de Compostela). She goes into labor and phones him, he rushes to the airport and says he need the next flight to Sanitago. If boards the plane and falls asleep. He wakes up, looks out the window and is very suprised to see the ocean below.
Smiliegirl could be moving to Chile, or Cuba, or Spain, or just about any Spanish speaking country. Laughing

dessiato · Joined: 06 Feb 2007 Posts: 9 Location: Portugal

good point, I am sitting in Portugal and automatically thought of Santiago da Compostela!

mlomker · Joined: 24 Mar 2005 Posts: 378

MELEE · Posted: Mon Mar 26, 2007 4:19 pm Post subject:

I think those of us who are Latinophiles would give very different advice for someone heading to Santiago de Cuba, than we would give to someone heading to Santiago de Chile. Wink

mlomker · Joined: 24 Mar 2005 Posts: 378

MELEE · Posted: Mon Mar 26, 2007 5:21 pm Post subject:

No, the English doesn't change, but the job opportunities do. A TEFL cert, espcially an on-line one, is not going to get you a job teaching English in Santiago de Cuba.

smiliegirl · Joined: 07 Mar 2007 Posts: 16

To clarify, I was referring to Santiago de Chile. Thanks!

naturegirl321 · Joined: 04 May 2003 Posts: 9041 Location: home sweet home

If you only want to do TEFL for a while, you could start with an online programme and thensee if you like it. Maybe after six months or a year, you could do a face to face course.

Also head to your local library and read up. They usually have lots of good information.