Job Discussion Forums

spiffy · Joined: 23 Oct 2008 Posts: 13

I'm thinking of taking a 100hr online Tesol test and after a fair bit of research, ITTT seem to be the most professional for my budget. Specifically I'm thinking of taking the 100hr course without instructor. Which they have told me can be used for visa requirements in countries like Korea and Indonesia. Has anyone ever taken a course with them before? Or have any other advice for me?

Justin Trullinger · Posted: Wed May 13, 2009 2:41 pm Post subject:

Keep researching would be my best recommendation.

TESOL isn't a test.

I don't know anything about Indonesia, but- for Korea, the only relevant visa requirement is that you are from a "native English speaking country" and have a university degree. If you are in that category, Korean law allows you to be issued a visa to teach English. If not, it doesn't.

It wouldn't make any difference if you have the ITTT cert. Or any other cert.

Personally, I would be hesitant to do business with anyone who gives you erroneous information about the usefulness of the certification they're pitching.

THere are live threads here on SeriousTEFL and i to i. Check them out- they aren't the same program you're looking at, but they are a pretty in-depth discussion of online TEFL/TESOL certs in general.

Best,
Justin

spiffy · Joined: 23 Oct 2008 Posts: 13

From what I've heard it is also possible to work in Korea and Taiwan if you have a 2 year degree and teaching certificate. Either way I just want to make sure my certificate is recognised in all countries which they said it is.

I also looked at serious TEFL but they don't currently have a 100hr course and from looking at their website I don't really get any good feelings about them. Any other recommendations? Or anyone who has taken the ITTT course before?

Justin Trullinger · Posted: Mon May 18, 2009 4:13 pm Post subject:

A couple of things-

ITTT makes a big deal, on their website, about the fact that their course is the ONLY online course accredited by IATQuO.

From their website:

spiffy · Joined: 23 Oct 2008 Posts: 13

Ok I do agree with you, they should have more accurate information on their website, and it is quite a turn off to me that they don't. But arn't all the online courses pretty much the same? I remember seeing similar things in SeriousTEFLs FAQ section. One thing comes to mind that they say ESL schools do not care at all if your tefl cert is 60 hrs or 100 hrs which according to the general opinion on here is absolute rubbish. Also, isn't a partially accredited course better than one that isn't even that? Sad truth probably is that all these online tesol programs are a bit dodgy but they are the only thing that can suit me and budget.

Anyway, as SeriousTefl is not 100 hours its pretty much out of the question... Do you, or anyone have any other recommendations? I've looked through other posts on here but so far ITTT seem to be the best. What I'm really looking for is a cheap and easy 100hr online course that could be used to apply for visas in countries that require a teaching cert. I've already been teaching for over 3 years so practical experience isn't important for me.

cherrytop · Joined: 02 Apr 2009 Posts: 6 Location: Australia

Hi Spiffy,

I am currently undertaking the 100 online TEFL course with ITTT (with a tutor). The whole course cost me about AUD $480. As you may already know, there are 20 units, each covering a different subject. I am currently up to unit 12. For me, it has been great so far. I am currently in my last semester of my 3 year economics degree as well as working two part time jobs, so I find the flexibility great. I would really recommend you pay the extra money and get a tutor, I am so glad I did as I think the feedback you get is important. I really don�t think the idea of sitting an �exam� without having feedback along the way is a good idea.

For each unit your tutor will email you a PDF file (usually consisting of around 12 or so pages of reading per unit) and then you will have a work sheet to complete, there are usually around 8 or 9 questions per work sheet and one work sheet per unit. Once completed, you email the worksheet back to your tutor and you will get feedback within 24 hours. The questions are quite comprehensive and are required to be answered in detail. As it is a 100 hour course this allocates 5 hours per unit. I have so far averaged around 3 hours per unit, give or take. I have found the work challenging, however I feel that it has all been really relevant and I hope it will come in useful.

My personal opinion, which I think is shared by many people on Dave�s, is that without the 6 hours teaching component, this course will of course not be regarded by employers as highly as a course that does. However, I personally didn�t need a TEFL certificate to get a teaching job in China. I chose to take the course for my own personal development as I want to prepare myself as much as possible before starting in August, and one of the 4 week TEFL programs wouldn�t fit into my life at this point in time.

Hope this helps!!
Cheers.

Justin Trullinger · Posted: Tue May 19, 2009 2:36 pm Post subject:

fladude · Joined: 02 Feb 2009 Posts: 432

With a name like ITTT, I think it's a joke.

TTT is a legal smear for third tier toilet used to insult people who went to low ranked law schools / diploma mills. Someone probably thought they were being clever with that name.

Although that said, I "think" China accepts online TESOL classes in at least some of the institutions. So if you are going to China and nowhere else it might be ok.

munchkin · Joined: 27 May 2009 Posts: 23 Location: USA

In Korea this 100 hr online course gets you 100,000 more won a year and puts you in a category 1 if you have 2 yrs teaching experience with programs like GEPIK, EPIK And the like.

Justin Trullinger · Posted: Mon Jun 01, 2009 3:55 pm Post subject:

Chancellor · Posted: Mon Jun 01, 2009 4:02 pm Post subject:

BenE · Joined: 11 Oct 2008 Posts: 321

*sigh. Every time I log on to Dave's I see another post with some other TEFL course professed to be the greatest thing ever and you don't even need to do any teaching!!

Come on people get some common sense. 120 hours of teaching from an instructor and 6 hours assessed teaching is key here. Anything else and qutie honestly you are insulting anyone who pays money to be taught by you.

Justin Trullinger · Posted: Tue Jun 02, 2009 3:00 pm Post subject:

ESL Hobo · Joined: 23 Oct 2008 Posts: 262

I took the ITTT course 2 years ago and it has helped me to get 2 jobs that I wouldn't have been considered for otherwise. I have a BA degree and
20 + years experience but not having a TEFL certificate was holding me back.

I did the online course without a tutor and it really helped. The first job I got with it required a TEFL certificate and even though it is only a 100 hour certificate it got me the job.

Of course having a CELTA or doing a fully fledged TEFL on campus would have been better (but there is no way I could afford it), I took the course for $300 bucks online and it was worth every penny of it.

Also, at any time in the future I can go to Thailand and add the 20 hours onto it by doing the teacher practicum part, and they will upgrade my Certificate to 120 hours.

So don't be put off by what people say who haven't done the course with ITTT and have no first hand experience using their Certificate.

If you're a guy on a budget, I'd say go for it!

Justin Trullinger · Posted: Thu Jun 18, 2009 11:27 pm Post subject:

Glad it was helpful to you, Hobo.

How do you feel about the fact that they misrepresent themselves on their website?

For me, the fact that they demonstrably aren't straightforward in their advertising doesn't make me want to spend money on them.

Even if they worked for you.

Best,
Justin