Job Discussion Forums

Viktor87 · Joined: 08 Jan 2009 Posts: 13

I am planning on getting an online TEFL certification. Yes, I've heard most of the arguments in favor of classroom-based courses, but currently don't have the time or money for one.
Could anyone recommend an online course? Whatever their drawbacks, there must be some that are better than others. I currently have my eyes on either ICAL or Norwood English.
Any opinions on either of these, or another suggestion?

Thanks,
Viktor

cks · Joined: 12 Jul 2005 Posts: 144

Sorry, but I do not think any of us are going to recommend anyone to take an online TEFL. I know that my language school immediately hits the delete button when they see a resume with an online TEFL. You can teach in Korea without any certification as far as I know.

naturegirl321 · Joined: 04 May 2003 Posts: 9041 Location: home sweet home

China too. they don't require a TEFL cert. And tehre's always Peru!

Chancellor · Posted: Thu Sep 03, 2009 1:09 pm Post subject: Re: Online TEFL Recommendations?

Justin Trullinger · Posted: Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:58 pm Post subject:

My recommendation, for what it's worth, is what you expected.

Don't do it. If you feel you MUST teach without doing a real qualification, go somewhere that you can teach without any cert. Korea has been mentioned. Parts of Latin America are open to this as well.

At least then, hirers will know they're dealing with an unqualified teacher.

cks · Joined: 12 Jul 2005 Posts: 144

[quote="Viktor87"] but currently don't have the time or money for one.

I would like to know how many of us had time and money to take a TEFL course? I worked 2 jobs for 8 months without a single day off to save money to move abroad. We went through the sacrifice and so we are employed at reputable schools and living our dreams.

naturegirl321 · Joined: 04 May 2003 Posts: 9041 Location: home sweet home

I lucked out. I had worke dduring uni, was supposed to go to Venezuela, but they had a coup, so I cancelled my flights and visas, went to the Czech Rep with money I had saved during uni, and got a job straightaway in china.

coledavis · Joined: 21 Jun 2003 Posts: 1838

The arguments for the good courses are good arguments. In terms of having a decent life elsewhere, you are wasting such time and money as you have by doing an online course. It is suckering you, playing on your desire to get something decent for next to nothing. You say that you have seen the rest of the advice elsewhere; I suggest that you follow it.

Viktor87 · Joined: 08 Jan 2009 Posts: 13

"It is suckering you"
Heh, well I suppose in that regard it's not different from anything else- I don't know of many businesses that put the well-being of their clients above profit. And don't you think that $2000+ for a month-long course (classroom TESL) is likewise a bit of a ripoff? The price isn't determined by what is "fair" in either case, but what they can get away with.
What if (in addition to what I said previously) for a number of reasons, I don't have physical access to a TESL on-site location in my area? For example, the college campus closest to where I live doesn't offer such classes, and there are other constraints on me as well, like lack of a car.
What then? Is Online TESL worse than no TESL at all?

santi84 · Joined: 14 Mar 2008 Posts: 1317 Location: under da sea

Dancing Monkey · Joined: 23 Aug 2009 Posts: 79

I recommend the "i-to-i" online TEFL certificate. www.onlinetefl.com

I've heard "good" things about the Bridge Linguatec (?) online certificate.

Like what most of the others typed, you would probably learn more in a 1 month CELTA course, as well as get some classroom experience, but, "i-to-i" basically covers the same topics. If you are so inclined, you could read more about the topics on your own.

I'm sure certain countries will only accept a CELTA or Trinity or whatever well-known certifications there are, but, here in China it really doesn't matter. My colleague has a CELTA and I have an "i-to-i" and we are paid the same.

It is somewhat true what NatureGirl wrote about TEFL certificates not being required in China, but, not completely. I'm sure you could find a job somewhere without a certificate, but, it seems to me that most of the better schools and most of the larger training centers/language mills require some sort of TEFL certificate.

Unless the person hiring you is a foreigner, they won't know the difference. For example, I was once told that my JD degree wasn't good enough; they "required" a BS!

When I first came here 5 years ago that wasn't the case, but it is now, especially in the big cities. Most job advertisements clearly state - BA/BS or higher degree, TEFL certificate and usually 2 years experience.

If you're interested in China, I wouldn't waste your money on a CELTA.

The way I see it, my job here is to facilitate conversations in English. It is not my job to "teach" anything other than vocabulary as well as correct mistakes. Grammar and the reason why they are wrong is not my department.

Good Luck!

santi84 · Joined: 14 Mar 2008 Posts: 1317 Location: under da sea

Viktor, do you still want to teach in the Middle East?
Ref: http://forums.eslcafe.com/job/viewtopic.php?p=721940&highlight=#721940

"i-to-i" online certificate (or any online certificate) will NOT be worth a piece of toilet paper there (which is 1 pound Egyptian, I believe). If you are headstrong on this (which it appears you are, reading that other post), perhaps China is your only option, if that.

Viktor87 · Joined: 08 Jan 2009 Posts: 13

I've considered i-to-i, but haven't done enough research about it at this point. I'll have to check it out- thanks for the tip!
I've had job offers from China, actually, without any sort of certificate, but I was really hoping to go to Japan instead(I have a background in Japanese studies, so it's a bit closer to home), and then ME, after I gain more teaching experience.
I've read enough to know that many countries take teachers with online certificates- some with no certification at all. I know that in Thailand, for example, people sometimes claim to have certification without having it and easily get jobs- a disreputable course of action, certainly, but it reflects the atmosphere in regard to certificates in this particular country- it's a formality. I actually have a funny story I heard from a friend- someone they know went to teach in Thailand and sent the school a copy of their college diploma. The school rejected it, saying it was fake since it wasn't written in English (it was in Latin). So this person took the diploma, translated it and photoshopped an English copy which generally mimicked the style and typeface. The school (or perhaps another school he sent this to) accepted it as genuine, and he was hired.
There are many ways to improve your ability to teach; a certification is one of them, and certainly even an online certification is a step in the right direction. Santi84, it seems you are jumping to conclusions about me. I'm sure you meet many people in the TESL world who are out to make a quick buck at the expense of gullible foreigners; I'm not like that. I have taught before and genuinely care about my students. What we have been discussing are entry requirements; however, the effort I make toward my students is not something determined by a piece of paper.

Dancing Monkey · Joined: 23 Aug 2009 Posts: 79

Vicktor,

Based on what I've read on this website, if you eventually hope to teach in the Middle East, you will probably need a Masters in TESOL/TEFL/Education.

Ideally, you can find a job in Japan with an online TEFL certificate and then study online for the Masters. In about 2 or 3 years you would have experience and a Masters degree.

Salem State College outside Boston, MA advertises here on Dave's. (Homepage) You might want to check it out too.

Good Luck!

santi84 · Joined: 14 Mar 2008 Posts: 1317 Location: under da sea

I'm not jumping to conclusions. I am not doubting that you have a real, genuine interest in teaching the English language. If you wish to work in Japan (and especially the Middle East), the i-to-i or other online certificates will not be sufficient. A true and legit MA degree obtained online is not even accepted in nearly all of the Middle East.

So even if you don't want to spend the money/time right now for a basic industry standard (100 hours + observed practicum) such as CELTA, you might find that you are shooting yourself in the foot when you want to go places (Japan or Middle East) that will require it.

*Note on Japan, I am not 100% sure, but it seems that you can get hired through programs such as JET without any TESL certificate. However, if you do have a TESL certificate, it needs to meet the 100 hours requirement. So if Japan is your goal, it is either no certificate or go for the full 100 hours. The point is not to waste your time on something that will be of no use when you eventually work towards the Middle East (which will very likely require an MA).