Job Discussion Forums

djpoole · Joined: 04 May 2007 Posts: 20

Hi,

I already have my TEFL qualification, but my husband does not. He doesnt have a lot of time to do the course and has worked as a music teacher for the last ten years. So, although i can see the value of doing the teaching practice you get in the TEFL course, he doent really need it, so Im trying to find a way around this problem.

So, I have been looking at distance learning courses he could do, but are these qualifications accepted? And if so, can anyone recommend a good one?

Thanks for any help/advice.

Dani

Justin Trullinger · Posted: Mon May 14, 2007 8:36 pm Post subject:

Dear Dani,
I understand what you mean about your husband having a lot of teaching experience- but teaching practice is still the most important part of a TESOL or TEFL qualification. When you teach music, a great deal of what is taught communicated through language. When the language itself is both the medium of instruction, and the material to be learned, special attention must be paid to a lot of factors. A good TEFL or TESOL cert would prepare him for the unique challenges that it presents when you have to communicate with your students by using the material they are struggling to learn.

A good cert would make a lot of difference in terms of being ready to teach. A distance cert won't really make a lot of distance- he may find work with one, but only at a place that would be equally happy to hire him without it.

Best,
Justin

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

I think that the ACTDEC courses have teaching practice included. You might want to check them out.

tedkarma · Posted: Tue May 15, 2007 12:39 am Post subject:

Teaching practice is critical.

Most schools that require a certification will also specify a course that has a minimum of 100 classroom hours and at least six hours of observed teaching practice. They tend to discard anything less than that.

djpoole · Joined: 04 May 2007 Posts: 20

Thanks for the advice, its really helped.

djpoole · Joined: 04 May 2007 Posts: 20

I have found a course that combines distance learning and practice where I live, can someone give me their opinion as to whether this course looks ok and would be accepted by employers??

The website is - http://www.tefltraining.co.uk/

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

http://www.eurolinkcourses.co.uk/hybrid.html
Here's another one. Don't know if they're reputable or not though.

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

Justin Trullinger · Posted: Wed May 16, 2007 1:44 pm Post subject:

I was confused, though- the teaching practice section on the website says 10 hours team teaching, and 10 hours observation. How is that 40?

Best,
Justin

tedkarma · Posted: Wed May 16, 2007 11:09 pm Post subject:

Justin Trullinger · Posted: Wed May 16, 2007 11:35 pm Post subject:

Oh, you've done that too!

I was also a little put off by the "so the students won't know you're a trainee clause." Why shouldn't the students know? It's only fair...

Best,
Justin

tedkarma · Posted: Thu May 17, 2007 12:28 am Post subject: