Job Discussion Forums

[StephenNZ]

HELP.. Due to all the great advice on here, I have decided that the Trinity is the course I would like to do.. but a couple of questions please..

1) I would like to take one in Thailand, but cant seem to find a provider.. like to know if there is one there..

2) I have read a lot of comment here on the pass rate (Or fail rate) of those doing the CELTA.. But what is the pass rate of the Trinity.. I dont want to spend a month and a couple grand on doing the course, only to find I don't pass.. How hard is it??

3) Also, I was thinking that seeing as I am not even sure that I will enjoy the job of teaching.. given that I have no personal frame of reference to know if I would be suited to it, or would enjoy it.. teaching, and more so, teaching children is so far removed from my 35 years of sales and business ownership...

that I am thinking maybe I should just try and get one of those short term jobs i see advertised on here to teach conversation English.. were no experience is often mentioned.. Maybe in a less desirable location, where they have trouble attracting all you pros.

I figure that might give me a taste of the Asian culture, and an insight into the work. Then, if I feel it is something I would like to do longer term, I could then do a course..

Your thoughts would be greatly appreciated..

If it helps, check out my other post for some background on me... http://forums.eslcafe.com/job/viewtopic.php?t=54209&start=0&postdays=0&postorder=asc&highlight=

Thanks in advance for what i am sure will be some constructive feedback ..

[Kent F. Kruhoeffer]

^ Hi


The Trinity TESOL is not available in Thailand, but the SIT TESOL is.

It's just as good, maybe better - depending on who you ask.


For a complete list of TEFL course options in Thailand,

click here and scroll down to the FAQ in Part IV.

[StephenNZ]

Hi, Thanks Kent

[Kent F. Kruhoeffer]

Yes, you may be so bold.


I have absolutely ZERO interest, financial or otherwise

in any TEFL certificate course - in Thailand or anywhere else.


My suggestion is based soley on what I know about the SIT TESOL program,

and from talking to people who have completed it, some of them here at Dave's.


If the dates don't work out, look into the CELTA - it's available at 3 different schools.

[StephenNZ]

Thanks for the advice.. Perhaps you would be so kind as to answer some of my other questions in my original post.. particularly that I was a bit worried about being able to pass the CELTA course..

1) I have read a lot of comment here on the pass rate (Or fail rate) of those doing the CELTA.. But what is the pass rate of the Trinity.. I dont want to spend a month and a couple grand on doing the course, only to find I don't pass.. How hard is it??

2) Also, I was thinking that seeing as I am not even sure that I will enjoy the job of teaching.. given that I have no personal frame of reference to know if I would be suited to it, or would enjoy it.. teaching, and more so, teaching children is so far removed from my 35 years of sales and business ownership...

that I am thinking maybe I should just try and get one of those short term jobs i see advertised on here to teach conversation English.. were no experience is often mentioned.. Maybe in a less desirable location, where they have trouble attracting all you pros.

I figure that might give me a taste of the Asian culture, and an insight into the work. Then, if I feel it is something I would like to do longer term, I could then do a course..

Thanks again in advance..

[Kent F. Kruhoeffer]

^ Sounds like a reasonable strategy, imo ...


to test the waters before diving into the deep end.

There are plenty of jobs that don't require a TEFL cert.


re: the CELTA pass/fail rate, I'm not the best one to ask.

If you follow their game plan and do what they ask you to do,

I don't think you need to worry about failing; that's my gutt feeling.

If you look around here and on the general forum, you'll find more info.





Good luck with whatever you decide.

[coffeedrinker]

ELS base has several tefl course diaries: http://www.eslbase.com/diaries/
They are written by trainees in different courses (including one trinity at least) and it strikes me as a great resource to be able to compare the different courses and get an idea of what they are like. Sure, nothing is perfect, but I don't think I have come across anything like this before.

I think you could probably ask the school you'd be looking to attend what their pass rate is...but that's not necessarily an indication of how hard it is if they don't accept everyone who applies.

I have a celta, and one thought that I've had after seeing other comments at Dave's is that it is not necessarily that the content of the courses is hard, but people vary in how much they can/will adapt to the methods taught. It is hard to spend a lot of time preparing a lesson, have it not go well and realize that, and then sit around and get feedback from the coursemates and trainers who observed you. My guess might be, with the celta anyway, that more than people failing, people either get frustrated with that aspect of it and quit, or stay on the course but kind of ignore the feedback and if they fail, it's for that reason.

I don't know how far these comments would apply to the trinity, but I don't know if the different courses are actually all that different, so it may.

These are of course just my impressions. I did one celta and that's it I'm not a trainer and while I of course would like to believe the qualification I have is okay, I don't, like, make a profit when someone takes a course. I can see the argument for taking a job that doesn't require a course as well (though I still think a course of any kind would help you have a better idea of what to do in class, even when it's not required).

[Justin Trullinger]

If you'd like more info on the SIT course, feel free to PM me with an email address and I could send you some stuff.

(I have no interest, financial or otherwise, in the course in Thailand. But the SIT course in Ecuador is a different matter... )

Best,
Justin

[nickpellatt]

I have just been doing some casual summer work with EF, short term teaching positions....and whislt they do like teachers will experience and/or qualifications, it isnt essential.

I am fortunate because my hometown in the UK does host lots of foreign language students....if there is anything similar to you...it might be worth getting in touch with them.

Even working as an activity leader...means whilst you may not teach, you will get some time in that environment, which may give you the answers you seek with regard to liking the TEFL/EFL work place