Job Discussion Forums

rachel6jm · Joined: 30 Jul 2009 Posts: 7

I have been researching organizations that place and provide amenities for individuals interested in tesol. It's hard to know based on a website whether or not an organization is reputable or not. One organization that I think might be legitimate is the Council on International Educational Exchange. I was just wondering if anyone had gone abroad to teach through this organization and what their experience was like (good, bad, ect?). Any additional information on this or similar organizations is also appreciated. Thanks.

nickpellatt · Joined: 08 Dec 2006 Posts: 1522

My experience is only a few years in China, so I just googled this organisation and looked at their China program.

It reads quite well initially ... and then I saw it was homestay with locals ... that could be really dicy and difficult in China, but for the very brave and adventuous it could be great...so I kept reading.

I then came to the prices pages... http://www.ciee.org/hsabroad/gap/china/dates.html

I was interested to note the cost for 10 months is over $20,000 dollars!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

short programs for 2 - 5 months cost $12,975!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

This also excludes flights to and from China! This is just crazy ... and with prices like this, I would guess only the foolish and very rich would look at such programs.

There are quite reputable companies in China that will give you free food and accom in exchange for 2-3 hours of day of conversational classes...they will charge you the total fee of $000000 for this.

I initially went to China on a volunteer program .... they offered one months orientation, support and training ... then a placement, accom, and food ... the cost of which was �600 for 3 months, or �800 for 6 months.

With $20,000 you could probably live quite a luxury life, not have to work at all ... and travel around China almost at leisure for a year. I havent looked at the other programs they offer around the world. This one program is just insane, and I would run a mile from it. Its represents really bad value for money.

Im going to send you a link to one of the programs I have mentioned. I am going to work in this part of China later this year, and I am hoping my son (who will be 18 soon) will come and join me there for some of his gap year...Ill send you the link OK

rachel6jm · Joined: 30 Jul 2009 Posts: 7

I think you're looking at the study abroad programs, which generally would be very expensive. I was asking about the teaching abroad programs they offer...

http://www.ciee.org/teach/china/fees%2Ddates%2Ddeadlines/

That's the link to the program fees they charge for teaching abroad. Tell me what you think.

Justin Trullinger · Posted: Thu Aug 06, 2009 7:58 pm Post subject:

THis isn't really a program for people interested in TESOL- it's more of a gap year volunteer experience.

Apparently, a gap year volunteer experience for people with a pile of money.

If TESOL is what interests you, you can do a lot better. Especially if you happen to have $20K.

How bout this- if you're interested in latin America, come on over, and for $20K you can stay in my house for a year. I'll find you a job (heck, have my job- with your $20K I sure won't need it), cook your meals, take you on trips, set you up on dates with my local friends, teach your Spanish, whatever you like...only half-joking here. THe money they're charging is a lot more than teachers make in a year in most of the world.

I looked round the page, and they seem to have the same prices everywhere in the world. Good business for them, but I can't say I'd recommend it to anybody in particular...

Best,
Justin

rachel6jm · Joined: 30 Jul 2009 Posts: 7

I'm still unsure of where $20,000 is coming from. I see that they charge a hefty fee to STUDY abroad with them through the GAP program, but that is totally separate from their teaching english as a second language programs.
Teaching through this program is not on a volunteer basis and costs nowhere near that much. Are people having trouble navigating the website?

nickpellatt · Joined: 08 Dec 2006 Posts: 1522

You can blame me for that...when I looked at the website, I couldnt find a teaching program, so assumed you were looking at the gap / exchange program, hence the comments and link I posted.

Your link does take me to another part of the website.

However, someone who charges a crazy amount of money for a gap year program, is likely to be similar when it comes to a teaching program...and they are expensive.

To take a job as a teacher in China ... you have to pay them $1900. They also do state they dont offer jobs in the main cities, due to visa regulations ... visa regs are pretty much the same in all cities....so I guess they are going to ask you to work on an illegal visa in a less desirable location.

That may not be the end of the world...but its not the sort of service you would expect for $2000. I would ask them about the type of visa you will be working on. It doesnt sound like the offer a legit working visa for you.

I would ask this question. The only legal visa is a Z visa. Regardless of what they tell you...every other visa is illegal for working...and there is a risk (however slim) or deportation.

Finally...the TEFL course they offer is quite good ... but it would not be recognised as meeting the industry minimum standard...so thats a bad sign also...a company offering sub standard qualification programs.

Finally ... the option most people take...is look online, contact schools, find jobs. This costs $0.0. There isnt really a need to pay a fee to find a job. Whilst they may offer some support in country ... id be sure its not worth paying $2000 for it.

nickpellatt · Joined: 08 Dec 2006 Posts: 1522

Ill just add a quick post ... I didnt have the time to add this early today as I was due in class.

I have emailed this agency asking them to confirm the visa status. The only legal visa is a Z visa ... and this is then converted into a FEC (foreign expert cert) in country. This is the only legal working visa for teaching in China. Many people do use other visa types ... and many have had no problems, BUT ... there is still a risk if you work on an F visa. When an agency is charging so much for the placement...it isnt unreasonable to expect them to secure the correct visa.

I have also asked them to confirm the details on the TEFL training they provide. It would appear to be an online course, and then an opportunity to volunteer in EFL somewhere.

This could be less than the accepted minimum entry level qualification of 120 hours instruction, which is normally in-house. The minimum teaching practice component is normally 6 hours teaching, observed by trainers, who will give feedback. This is generally regarded as the minimum.

However, in China (and some other places in the world) TEFL certs arent always needed, so whilst decent training is helpful in giving you an idea on how to teach...it may not always be a pre-requisite to finding work.

I SHOULD ADD THOUGH, that course providers or agencies who offer sub-standard courses or training, will be fully aware of the fact their 'qualification' will not be recognised around the world, and in many schools and colleges. Those who claim otherwise, and state their course is the one to take, are making spurious claims at best...and at worst, just outright lying.

It will be interesting to note their response...which I will share here.

Justin Trullinger · Posted: Fri Aug 07, 2009 3:58 pm Post subject:

Okay, I gotcha. It is true that study abroad, an area I'm familiar with, costs a lot, wherever you go. Even so, this is a gap-year program; no academic credit, some volunteer work, no university credit, no real academic work. It's not exactly study abroad, though the price tag looks like pretty steep study abroad.

But now I see the program the OP was talking about- for $3500, you can't stay in my house for a year. Wink

That said, though, they're charging you $1000 extra for an online course that doesn't meet industry standards to be considered a qualification. (Each program available costs $1000 more with TEFL cert.) THere are a lot of legitimate onsite quals you can do for not too much more.
From their website:

nickpellatt · Joined: 08 Dec 2006 Posts: 1522

They replied to my email (as mentioned above).

They do guide you through the Z visa process...so that is good.

They ignored my direct questions about the TEFL course, and didnt answer my questions with straight answers...so I have asked again, wanting them to confirm their certificate offers observed teaching practice with feedback..again, I will update with any response...their evasive answers so far would suggest its not a worthwhile/recognised course