Job Discussion Forums

[ssizz345]

I'm a double Linguistics/Chinese major who is graduating soon and I plan to go the ESL route to China when I get my degree.

My current university only offers TESOL certification in a postgraduate program with the university. After searching online I found a website (www.tesolcourse.com) where I can get a certificate in 100 hours far cheaper than it would be to take it through my school.

I am interested, any posters here have experiences using these type of websites and if they're recognized by public and private institutions in China?

[nickpellatt]

Some places may insist on some kind of TEFL cert, and may accept an online version...in fairness though, this type of employers will often accept you without any cert too. I dont think TEFL certification is required in China in the same way it is in some other countries.

Standard qualifications for China include a white face, native speaker, Degree ... and then a TEFL cert is a distant 4th.

I was told by a prosepective employer I needed a TEFL cert of any description, and I then spent about �200 on a course with i-i. The course, on reflection, was a waste of money. Anyway ... the employer accepted it and gave me a job, so it seemed worthwhile. I then went to house share with another teacher, who had no certificate, less experience than I, and fewer qualifications. Turns out I didnt need to waste the money.

Especially as I came back to the UK after the job and discovered the i-i certs I had arent actually recognised pretty much anywhere, so to continue working in the UK I had to take a recognised certificate. I would have been better off saving the money I wasted with i-i and taking the recognised cert first.

I really wouldnt recommend an online cert. Waste of money ... and they offer little in the way of training or real knowlege. The places that accept them may be just as likely to accept a photoshopped clip art home made cert IMO.

[alter ego]

If and whenever possible, do an on-site course where you're actually working, interacting, and processing information with others; you'll learn more and have more (educational) power during your TEFL career.

[ssizz345]

Thanks for the advice. I've looked at TEFL training centers in China that offer TESOL training.

It looks like I'll have to bite the bullet and pay for a more legit certification

[ssizz345]