Job Discussion Forums

[teflsweet]

have a TEFL. currently work for Berlitz (in the US). want to leave the US.

thinking of taking the TESOL in one of several overseas locations because they offer job placement promise and i feel that it would better my chances. i am a little scared to run off to another country without a job lined up.

am i going overboard on the qualifications/certifications here?

thanks in advance for your replies!

[GambateBingBangBOOM]

You have one initial certificate in teaching English language. You are thinking about getting one more initial certificate in teaching English language. Are you sure you'll learn anything new? Is this one going to be significantly longer in duration and cover areas you haven't already in your other certificate?

Do you have a degree? That's the main qualification that counts.

[Glenski]

Funny to think that a couple of certifications is "overkill".

People have master's degrees and PhD's, plus certification, plus supplemental training, and they still feel like they need more. Some actually do need more.

Depends on what job you are looking at. How about you?

What other experience and education do you have?

And, where are you planning to teach?

[denise]

Two qualifications might be redundant, but certainly not overkill. They are still entry-level qualifications.

Where are you thinking of going? With the certificate and experience that you've already got, you can probably find decent jobs without going through a job placement program. I know how you feel about not having a job lined up beforehand, though... It's nerve-wracking for me, too.

d

[Justin Trullinger]

Have a "tefl."

Thinking about "the TESOL."

Mind my asking which cert you have???? Or which one you're considering????

Those acronyms are just descriptions, just letters on a cert. For us to know anything at all, we have to know WHICH TEFL you have. Who was the course provider? WHat kind of course?

Might be redundant. Might not.

Many "tefl"s are bogus online quals with no practical element. If you have one of those, then it would be far from overkill to get a decent entry level cert. (If "the TESOL" that you are considering is in fact, a decent entry level cert. Without knowing which TESOL you're considering, of course we have no idea.)


Best,
Justin

[naturegirl321]

I' don't think that you have to worry about overkill. YOu'll have to get more certs and more experience first.

[teflsweet]

i earned a TEFL cert at santa barbara city college, so it's legit/accredited.

i was looking at cambridge for the TESOL.

from what i can tell, they all seem to cover the same information no matter which acronym they use, but i have heard people say that the TESOL is more "recognized" internationally. they also offer additional training to be considered a specialist in TOEFL prep, business english, and early childhood.

all in all, it's over 150 hours in additional training, without adding on the specialist stuff.

[teflsweet]

oh, and i do have a BA. in photography.

[naturegirl321]

How many hours was your tefl cert from Santa Barbara? I'd say your next step would be a PGDE or an MA or a DELTA

Also, training is one thing, now you need experience.

[teflsweet]

well, the SBCC cert was 108 hours plus observed teaching.

again, i am working at a conversational language school now (Berlitz), and i know that there is a degree of prejudice against farm schools like that, but i have to to get started somehow right?!

if i can get a chain school to get me to my country of choice, could i look for (additional) work once i get there, or would that put my work permit in jeopardy?

[teflsweet]

PDGE or DELTA?

those are things i haven't heard before. can you explain?

[Glenski]

What country(ies) are you interested in? Your fear of looking for additional work while working there may not be justified.

[teflsweet]

I am especially interested in Turkey. I have read that it's a great blend of middle eastern and european culture.

[naturegirl321]

DELTA is like a CETLA; but higher. PGDE is post grad dip in ed