Job Discussion Forums

watl1 · Joined: 18 Feb 2009 Posts: 10

Hi all

My partner would like to spend a year in China teaching English. We have chosen this country as the rules regarding degree requirements are not as strict as other countries in Asia.

We have no TEFL experience and did plan on doing the Trinity TESOL. However, my partner has not been accepted due to his lack of education beyond high school.

We are only interested in a course that is over 100 hours in length and that has an element of teaching practice.

Can anyone recommend a suitable course in the UK (London area)? At the moment, the only one that seems to fit the bill is the i-to-i 120 hour one (http://www.i-to-i.com/tefl/weekend-tefl/course.html).

Any advice would be appreciated.

Thanks

Louise

Chancellor

Chancellor

Justin Trullinger · Posted: Thu Mar 12, 2009 3:09 pm Post subject:

I'd also do some re-applying. Maybe the Trinity center you applied to had a full course and made an excuse? Maybe your significant other did something to give the wrong impression in an interview?

There isn't a degree requirement for the Trinity cert that I know of. I did the same cert some years ago, and not everyone in our group had been to college.

Keep looking and get a decent qualification. THere will be a way.

I'll also seconf Chancellor's comment- start looking for ways to get a degree. Sooner or later, not having it will be a barrier to getting where you want to be.

Best,
Justin

watl1 · Joined: 18 Feb 2009 Posts: 10

Thanks all for your replies Smile

Yes, I knew the i-to-i course was part online but, as it inolved more than 100 hours of study, albeit online, I thought this would be acceptable to some organisations as it does have teaching practice. However, if I'm completely wrong with regard employers' requirements, please let me know!

Also, thanks for the links - I'm researching the courses one by one now Smile

I think a degree is definitely the way forward, so I've registered to start a distance psychology course in October and my partner is now looking at a few courses as well. He's going to call Trinity direct and speak to them regarding his chances before he applies for the same course with different colleges.

Fingers crossed!

BenE · Joined: 11 Oct 2008 Posts: 321

Hi I've just done the CELTA and I'm just starting work now after finishing it. (I'll give more info about that once I've finished my first few weeks)

Can you compare a 100 hr course with 60 hours done online to the CELTA? No I really don't think you can.

The amount of time I had to put in OUTSIDE the 120 hours of teacher time on the course to make sure I was prepared and I studied the material and did research to compliement what I was doing face-to-face with the teacher would make the CELTA a lot longer if you included that element as well.

I personally am a strong supporter of the CELTA (ok! having done one) because the 120 hours IS 120 hours of being taught and getting feedback on what you are doing. Self study is an assumed part of it and you can't avoid doing the extra 3-4 hours a night self study required in order to get through the course.

i to i might well be a good introduction to the EFL world but I don't really see it as a comparable qualification.

spiral78 · Joined: 05 Apr 2004 Posts: 11534 Location: On a Short Leash

watl1, just to clarify the 'teaching practice' i-to-i includes is not on actual students - it's really an insufficient approach to basic training.

Chancellor · Posted: Mon Mar 16, 2009 2:19 pm Post subject:

Justin Trullinger · Posted: Mon Mar 16, 2009 3:00 pm Post subject:

I'll second what others have said. Even if you found a good i to i course, and I'm not sure that you have, that organisation is so well known for their short, distance, not-good courses, that the name "i to i" on your resume would hurt you.

Best,
Justn

Chancellor · Posted: Mon Mar 16, 2009 3:23 pm Post subject:

liv · Joined: 10 Mar 2009 Posts: 8 Location: London

Just thought I'd add my two cents...
I'm a newbie looking to get my CELTA/TESOL qualification and teach abroad. I went along to an i-to-i seminar at the weekend (it was free so I thought I'd check it out).
When I asked about observed teaching practice at the weekend course (the only practical, non "distant" component of the I-to-I course, I was told that over the weekend you actually only get to teach your peers for ten minutes! This is regardless of how many of the online hours you do. Ten minutes to me seemed like a ridiculous amount of time and personally for me would in no way prepare me for a classroom of education-hungry students.
I personally would rather spend the extra money and get a TESOL/CELTA or other generic teaching course which will give me the confidence to know that I have had my teaching abilities critiqued. At the end of the day, it seems that the i-to-i course will just cost more in the long run. I also am of the belief that not just anyone should teach, as much as I want to teach, I also believe that the students I am teaching should benefit from the best possible teachers, therefore the assessment in the longer courses for me seems like the best way to ensure that you're actually helping rather than hindering the people you go on to teach.
Just my opinion...

Chancellor · Posted: Mon Mar 16, 2009 7:32 pm Post subject:

KoreaLifer · Joined: 19 Mar 2009 Posts: 8

Just to play devil's advocate,

I can see taking a CELTA if you plan to teach adults in a Europe, a CELTA training center, or nation that follows the British system, but in all honesty, there are few places around the world I know of where it helps you earn more than jobs without it. In fact, most nations that are willing to accept a CELTA and pay you more money for having it don't pay well anyway (or are restrictive places where most wouldn't want to teach -- like Saudi).

The CELTA is an excellent course for hands-on training, but it's very expensive, and in my opinion, over-marketed. If you plan on teaching in the EU, then it's a good feather in your cap, but it will not secure you a true job in a state school (nothing noteworthy I'm aware of, anyway). In the USA, your resume will meet the rubbish bin with just a CELTA and no proper state certifications.

If I were you, and cared about becoming a true licensed educator, I would consider completing a full 2 to 4 year teaching degree program from a proper university. In Canada, you can complete a teachers college program in a year or so. At the very least, an MA/TESOL will be worth far more and pay dividends in the future.

If you have no confidence in your teaching ability, and need the help, then a CELTA can be a quick/intensive way to learn. It's very expensive, however, and the (don't take this too negatively) inbred trainers can be somewhat stuck on themselves and their methods.

Justin Trullinger · Posted: Fri Mar 20, 2009 5:26 pm Post subject:

Chancellor · Posted: Fri Mar 20, 2009 5:45 pm Post subject: