Job Discussion Forums

[jdelp]

I posted this in the Teacher Forum and did not get a response. I apologize if these are repeat or dumb questions or anything... feel free to point me in the direction where my questions can be answered more easily.

I have never taught ESL before and I have a MBA and also a Masters in Divinity with Bachelors Degrees in Psychology and Computer Science (I am just providing these for background).

I am interested in entering the ESL world because my wife and I are planning on moving to Ecuador two years from now and I would like to work on my Spanish all the while getting to know the Latino immigrant population. Plus, I just enjoy the complexities of language. I pretty much understand Spanish and I have also studied ancient Greek and Hebrew while in Seminary. I have a fair amount of teaching experience, just never under the title of "teacher".

I would like to teach ESL here in Chicago where I live. I would like to know the best way to get my foot in the door. Any ideas??? Unfortunately, my wife and I are not wealthy so making money needs to enter into the equation as quickly as possible in this situation.

I am looking at some different courses to take to get "certified", so that I would be more marketable. I am not interested in CELTA as it would be way too much monetary output, especially since it�s not offered in Chicago.

What course would you recommend out of these two?

1) TEFL Professional from the TEFL Institute.

120 hours of online and in-person TEFL training available 24/7 conducted in a virtual classroom using blackboard.com. You will cover: Teaching & Learning Styles, Classroom Physical Space, Curriculum Development, Speaking & Listening, Reading Writing, Methodologies & Approaches, Grammar, Job Placement Assistance, and Practicum of student teaching - $1,350

2) TESOL/TEFL Teacher Training Certification Course from Oxford Seminars.

Our intensive 60-hour TESOL/TEFL Teacher Training Certification Course is taught live, entirely in class to ensure students learn the most from our highly qualified instructors. Our highly trained, dynamic instructors focus on providing you with the practical classroom skills you need to become an effective ESL teacher. We cover a wide range of ESL teaching strategies. During the 60-hour in-class course, you will be exposed to a variety of concepts which include: interactive language teaching; principles of second language acquisition; multiple intelligence theory; classroom management techniques; detailed lesson planning; long-term unit planning; how to teach oral communication skills; listening and comprehension strategies; creative ways to incorporate English grammar in a classroom setting; teaching across age and proficiency levels; teaching in a multicultural setting; testing and evaluating ESL students; and making effective use of ESL teaching materials and resources. - $995

Are either of these better than the other one? Is one more widely recognized in the U.S.? Is there a comparable ($$ and time commitment) course in Chicago that would be better? I am much more interested in an in-class course as oppossed to online.

I�m really open to any advice that you can give. I am very interested in doing this for the next couple of years. I�m just not sure if it will be financially beneficial in any way. And though I am really excited about the idea of it, I'm just not sure if will work out financially.

Thank you in advance for all your help!

Regards,

Joel Delp

[naturegirl321]

HOnestly, neither. The best courses are face to face and at least 120 hours with 6 hours of teaching students.

ONline courses don't allow you practice and 60 hours aren't enough.

Find a good TEFL training provider. I did mine at the Boland school years ago and it was a good experience. 140 hours and 12 hours of teaching students. Difficult, yes, but gives you the basics and a bit more to start teaching EFL.

[leosmith]

A very cheap option would be to buy the books and volunteer to teach ESL at your local hispanic community.

[Serious_Fun]

[jdelp]

Thank you everyone for your help!

It seemed like a great idea to teach ESL for the next couple of years as a PAID occupation, but it just doesn't seem like its going to work. I know I'd really enjoy it, especially getting to know the Latino community (which I can still on my own time!!!), but it just doesn't seem like I'll be able to really make much and I will have to jump through a lot of hoops to get there. After just completing 2 Masters degrees, I don't think I'm interested in dishing out a lot of cash for something I won't be able to make a whole lot at. I hate money, but it does happen to be the reality of where I'm at right now.

Anyways, thank-you nature girl, leosmith, and Serious_Fun for your help!!!

Joel