Job Discussion Forums

[cpiers47]

First of all, I must qualify my question. Like others, I'm looking to complete an online course for TESL certification. Before the collective groan - I have 4 years experience teaching high school in the states (including work with non-native English speakers) and am looking for certification to boost my credentials and open options. But, like others, there's no time for a trip somewhere for a course.

My question: What is the best level of certification to get? I see that online certification includes options for different hours, etc. I'm looking for a course that will be accepted in the majority of international teaching situations.

Thanks in advance.

[Sgt Killjoy]

You're going for an online one. In reality, most jobs that will take anybody with a 4 week certificate(non CELTA) will also take a warm body who also happens to be a native English speaker. Ok, maybe that's a little over the top, but you get the idea. If you got teaching experience, a 4 year degree and an online tefl certificate, you will not find many doors closed to you that would be open to someone who completed an in person TEFL.

In choosing an online course, see how much your budget will allow you to spend and start narrowing down the choices. In your case you need a certificate and it doesn't have to be the one with the most accolades, just one that teaches you.

[Justin Trullinger]

Maybe you'd consider international schools? With your experience, teaching, in English, in one of the many international schools worldwide would be open to you in many cases.

I'd honestly skip the online cert in that case- it's not what they look for...

If you're interested in teaching English specifically, though, I'd really recommend that you look into ways you could do an onsite course. If you've no time for a trip somewhere, perhaps you could look for courses in the country you're considering relocating to?

I agree with the Sarge; there are plenty of places that will take you for having a pulse. But these aren't necessarily the best places to work. The better places to teach English want to know that you have some idea how- and I'm not convinced that an online course will help you convince anybody of that.

The question of online qualifications has been done a lot on this board. (Check out this one if interested: http://forums.eslcafe.com/job/viewtopic.php?p=560715#560715 )

I know that it angers some to hear some of us insist on the superiority of onsite programs- but for what it's worth, imo, with your background, you probably don't need an additional cert to get started teaching overseas. If you decide to do one, though, I would recommend doing a respected onsite program. More expensive, less convenient, but you get a lot more for your money.

Next best to doing the onsite course would be to do...nothing. Honestly- your resume would look more credible in a lot of circles without an low-end cert. Unqualified may look better than looking like a sucker. Which is, unfortunately, what a lot of online cert providers are taking people for.


Best,
Justin

[naturegirl321]

I've heard that the one by Jeff Mohammad is good. I'm sure there's a few other good ones as well.

[Sgt Killjoy]

I've heard the same about Jeff. I guess he is doing something where you video tape your demo lesson. Great idea, it gives the course a bit of better feedback.

[ddeubel]

I'd second Justin's comments and in particular those about online certification for those quite "qualified" in the "school of hard knocks" way.

I really can't endorse any particular online program but what I would look for would be good recommendations (just like when looking for a school to work at), timely responses, appropriate cost, an interactive forum with others doing the course and also practice testing for mastery of material before any final test.

DD