Job Discussion Forums

jterry · Joined: 27 Aug 2009 Posts: 4

Thank you, Chancellor and coledavis, for the thoughtful responses and information.

I could almost swear that I saw something earlier on the TEFL Institute website about how their program has been approved by the University of Chicago and some other universities. I went back to the site looking for that information or any other mention about whether the program is "accredited" and I seem to have trouble pulling that up again. I suppose I could speak to a representative/advisor from the TEFL Institute, but I'm not sure if she would still give me the most honest information, due to obvious business reasons.

In the past weeks, I have spoke to one such person on the phone, who did happen to assure me that their professors are of university-level quality.

I've also been looking for job boards in places I would like to teach to see if particular certificates are required to land jobs there.

I am assuming this is the best way to approach this sort of time/money investment?

Chancellor · Posted: Fri Sep 11, 2009 7:37 pm Post subject:

Cubic09 · Posted: Fri Sep 11, 2009 10:47 pm Post subject:

Many of the posters here have asserted the benefits of obtaining an ESL qualification in the country in which you wish to teach. The OP has indicated a particular interest in teaching in Japan.

In my humble opinion, this route involves a great deal of risk and expense...what really are the benefits of this? Many of the posters assert that studying in the teaching country enables you to get a feel for the teaching methods and job opportunities in the country concerned.

But what if there are few job opportunities there? Many of these threads describe the dearth of opportunities in Japan at present, so to up sticks and move there, and having to pay for an airfare and living costs on the off-chance that you will find full-time work seems like an exercise in futility. Why would you give up gainful employment in your home country to 'take a punt' in a country you have never been to before?

I would be interested to hear of the experiences of the posters who do assert the advantages of this approach, and whether they have done this themselves with any success. Of more interest would be hearing from those who have adopted that approach recently, in today's flooded ESL market...particularly in Japan.

Glenski · Joined: 15 Jan 2003 Posts: 12844 Location: Hokkaido, JAPAN

Cubic09 · Posted: Sat Sep 12, 2009 3:22 am Post subject:

Cubic09 · Posted: Sat Sep 12, 2009 3:24 am Post subject:

I've just read in another thread that the OP has a job interview soon, so good luck! Wink

coledavis · Joined: 21 Jun 2003 Posts: 1838

This is slightly off-topic, but food for thought. I've just been in touch with another school in Russia. They say that they've had quite a lot of experience of getting native speakers, with certificates, who just can't teach. Now I don't know if this means TEFL course takers of all stripes, or just ones who haven't had good trainers. But I think one can take it as an indicator that just getting any old scrap of paper and being able to teach properly are incompatible. Don't just think about being able to get that first job. Think of the misery of not being able to do it very well. That misery will be borne by all parties, teacher, students and employer. Going on a good course is not a rip-off. To be fair, it doesn't guarantee that you will be good, but it at least sets you good standards to attempt to maintain.

And agreeing, with a previous contributor. The representative of a course will of course say that his or her course is university standard (University of Neasden? I don't know the American or other foreign equivalences.) Do not take the course provider's word for it.

jterry · Joined: 27 Aug 2009 Posts: 4

coledavis · Joined: 21 Jun 2003 Posts: 1838

Up to you. You've been told which qualifications are most asked for by employers. In the meantime, an apology from me. I was saying that the Trinity qualification is preferred for working with younger children. I gather that this is out of date and that Trinity is, like CELTA, primarily about adults. Sorry again about that inadvertent misinformation.

Chancellor · Posted: Wed Sep 23, 2009 6:44 pm Post subject:

ssjup81 · Posted: Mon Sep 28, 2009 6:00 pm Post subject:

Well, my mind has changed again, and I'm applying for the semi-intensive CELTA certification program at St. John's University in Manhattan, New York for the November 2 - December 18 group. I know I mentioned how I didn't want to do so because of the money since I'd have to borrow, but I decided to just accept the offer from my family. I'm in the "pre-interview stage" right now. Hope I manage to get the full interview after this screening.

So how as "pre-interview screenings" for the rest of you? Are most pretty similar? Pretty much a test to see how well you can explain certain concepts?

Chancellor · Posted: Mon Sep 28, 2009 7:44 pm Post subject:

jdl · Joined: 06 Apr 2005 Posts: 632 Location: cyberspace

The best method for getting certification as a teacher is to enter a recognized teacher education program; that is, enrolling in the Faculty of Education at a recognized university. The praxis exams as I understand them are designed by ETS, a testing service, for use by Faculties of Education and the counselling function of a university to gauge competency and aptitude for entrance into the Faculty of Education. Get the teaching degree if you want credibility as a career teacher. Short cuts and quicker/cheaper avenues to certification often leave one short of the mark .... quickly.

ssjup81 · Posted: Tue Sep 29, 2009 4:48 am Post subject: