Job Discussion Forums

[Chancellor]

[katheriner]

Hi all -
I just wanted to hop in at the end of this discussion - I'm swaying in favor of TESOL for the convenience of it. So I wanted to clarify Chancellors last comment where you have found out the on-site TESOL course IS accredited by Trinity College - (then you say, 'at least that's what they say') - well, what else can anyone go on?
(If anyone was saying it on their behalf, and it wasn't true, - I'm thinking that the 'real' Trinity would come down on them like a ton of bricks, with their online lawyers and shut them down.)

Also the TESOL with Trinity College accreditation is advertised on many reputable sites, including the Canadian accreditation site - so it must be true, wouldn't you think? - and then you say you don't know of any online course accredited my Cambridge or Trinity??? after doing all that research.

I am not trying to be 'clever' in pointing out this contradiction - but I am also interested in doing TESOL for the same reason that 'Littlebird' is interested - that is, you can do it online at home, anywhere you are, and don't have to attend a specific school in a specific location.

I am currently already teaching in Korea and want to get a formal qualification for the role as well as sharpen up my skills. (I think I am doing already quite a good job with the formal education I have and with my natural class-room persona, however there's always room for improvement).

Thanks for all the effort you have put into this discussion.
- from Kathy, currently in Korea

[Justin Trullinger]

Chancellor will be here in a few minutes I'm sure, and knows more about the programs in question than I do.

But here's what I think you're missing, Katheriner. Ontesol has a variety of programs. The one where you go to their center, and take the whole course there, is Trinity TESOL cert accredited.

[Chancellor]

[katheriner]

Okay - I get it - ONTESOL is a completely separate course - but still looks okay to me in terms of accreditation and authenticity, for those who have to look at an online option.

[Chancellor]

[jdl]

Here is a link which you may find helpful. It summarizes the qualifications for an accredited ESL teacher in 4 Western Canadian Provinces. Contacts to various accredited training institutions are also noted. Some employment information is also linked.

Note that ESL is treated here as a career path and therefore assumes some time investment.

Loads of info here. I am sure other Governmental jurisdictions have similar sites.

http://www.gov.mb.ca/labour/immigrate/eal/teachers/become_teacher.fr.html

[Chancellor]

[katheriner]

Hi Chancellor - I didn't know you had actually done the course yourself. I would love to do the practicum but I don't know how 'practical' it will be, (excuse the pun). Keep in mind, I have just completed 3 degrees after 6 1/2 years study at Auckland University (incl. MFA), so I did have to get off the study-cycle at some point and get a real job.

It's amazing how a broad educational background can be utilized in the classroom and I'm absolutely convinced that ticking the 'right' educational boxes doesn't always an effective English Language Teacher make, (if I can be so bold as to say that). But, that said, I would still like to tick more of the right boxes in the language field, because I need to know in my own mind, that my pupils will gain a depth of knowledge, in all aspects of English Language, at every opportunity from me. Which is why I'm having this conversation with you and seriously considering my options.

[Chancellor]

[Justin Trullinger]

[echidna_of_doom]

My aunt has a masters in lingustics and over a decade in experience - when she applied for a TESL job in Ireland, they told her explicitly that if she did not have her CELTA, they could only pay her 30 Euro an hour.

[Chancellor]

[spiral78]

Well...wait a second, Chance....

Did you know that government-sponsored US and Canadian jobs in our field require an MA earned within the past 12 -15 years max? There have been so many advances in the research in this time period that an MA earned more than 15 years ago, unless the job candidate can prove ongoing professional development, is considered (by some reputable institutions) outdated???


This is also true in my own professional working context - we're not rewarded for stagnation

Not to imply that the person in question had done this - but simply that there IS a legit scenario in which an MA would need to be supported by something like a CELTA. No kidding!

[Chancellor]