Job Discussion Forums

[purple octi]

Assuming one has all other neccesary requirements (BA, native speaker, etc), does a TEFL certification actually help one snag a better paying job in China? Even if the certification is primarily online, with one 20 hour module in person?

Does anyone know anything about i-to-i certification?

I don't have a lot of teaching experience but from what I read online, it seems that a TEFL certification will help to seperate you from the pack. However, it is never specified if this means an online tefl or a CELTA course. thank you!

[Anda]

Funny, an English teaching certificate can assist you to get a job a little depending on how big a fool is employing you, as what can you learn in one hundred and ten hours? Most however want two years or more work experience as this is where you learn. However in the end you will get judged on how you handle your classes and if your student�s marks go up or down in exams; this is what helps to separate one from the pack in the real world.

[MGreen]

Yes and No, if you've a BA, you already have one foot in the door. The TEFL/ TESL/TESOL/CELTA certificates give you that extra push (puts you ahead of the backpackers and people w/o degrees). I'm not talking about the ability to teach but just what an employer wants.

I'm not sure if employers here know the difference (or care) between an on-line certificate or not, a 1 week course or a 4 week course. I think most just want you to have that paper so that they can tell the students they have a qualified teacher on deck.

A TEFL certificate is just the general term that refers to any course that trains you in teaching English to non-native speakers.

[purple octi]

thank you both your information.

so if i understand your comments correctly, there really won't be much of a difference between an 80 hour TEFL course and a 100 hour TEFL course in terms of finding a job? What matters is that I have the actual certificate to bolster my resume?

[MGreen]

[quote]so if i understand your comments correctly, there really won't be much of a difference between an 80 hour TEFL course and a 100 hour TEFL course in terms of finding a job? [/quote]

For China

[quote]What matters is that I have the actual certificate to bolster my resume?[/quote]

And hopefully some basic understanding of SLA, pedagogy, and methodology

[Anda]

It is good to have on your resume but don't make a big thing out of it when you present yourself to an employer as it is no big deal. In fact without teaching experience here in Asia I would advise you to be polite and downplay yourself not overplay on what you have. Even those with experience let their resume do the talking about qualifications etc. You need to be firm however about your pay and conditions no matter what you have to offer or they will use you.

[arioch36]

Maybe five percent of the schools will ask you if you have a tefl, and most of the schools that ask you if you have a cert will hire you anyways. Some schools that are in true partnership with, say, an Australian partner for certification of students might actually care.

BA is the standard

Whether you need it for your self is another issue

[Lorean]

With regards to teaching ability: TESOL cert is better than nothing, but not by much. As another poster already pointed out, what are you going to learn in a 100-hour cram course?

Some schools seem to prefer a TESOL cert. One school I worked for offered a whole +400 RMB a month for the TESOL certified. Factoring in the cost of the TESOL cert, it would have taken me 17 months just to break even.

I saw one school advertise a position requiring one of: TESOL cert or TWO years experience. Possibly to get through government regulations.

Regardless of TESOL, you will have no problems finding a competitive salary.

[drakis]

[malu]