Job Discussion Forums

robin8989 · Joined: 06 Oct 2009 Posts: 13

I have been searching for a full 120 hr with practicum,TEFL course in the Raleigh NC area, on site and cannot find one. That took me to the online/onsite combination courses I have seen in teflinstitute and titc....anybody have any experience with the combo? I am not really interested in doing any on line but still find little choice in this area if I want to begin soon. I am very willing to go abroad but cannot until 2010. any thoughts out there? thanks

Justin Trullinger · Posted: Thu Oct 08, 2009 4:27 pm Post subject:

HI and welcome to the boards!

The jury is still pretty far out on the combined (Sometimes called blended learning) programs. It seems to me that it's an idea that could work well, but I'm sure quality varies. The idea's new enough that it's hard to get good info.

We've got a thread going on this in the general discusion forum at: http://forums.eslcafe.com/job/viewtopic.php?t=75752 Come on over!

Another option, if you'd prefer an onsite course, might be to do a little more saving and then do a fully onsite course when you move. Means it'd take you a month longer to get started working, but a lot of people do this and find it to be worth it.

Bes,t
Justin

spiral78 · Joined: 05 Apr 2004 Posts: 11534 Location: On a Short Leash

There are lots of very good reasons to take a course in the country where you want to start working, if at all possible.

Training in-country offers you a great chance to get your feet wet in the country/culture while you still have a support system � they usually arrange for your housing during the course, airport pickup, and local orientation. Your practice teaching students will really be representative of those you�ll be working with when you start. You can be sure that your certification will be recognized by local employers, and a training centre can give you invaluable contacts and advice regarding reputable local employers.

robin8989 · Joined: 06 Oct 2009 Posts: 13

thanks, two good replies.
interesting comment about the blended courses. needs some more exploration.
my interest is really with on site courses outside the states, however I am ready to do some work now because I have the time, I am unable to completely leave my work right now, so thought I would make good use of the next few months. probably will not be able to happen.
will likely want to work in latin america, and are you suggesting that if I take a TEFL onsite in Russia that it is unlikely that I would be welcome in Mexico, Peru, Chile?
any thoughts about international TEFL programs in countries with a language other than the one you will eventually focus on? I am thinking , if I am actually going to pay this $$$ why not go someplace OTHER than where I will end up and possibly where I have already been?

Justin Trullinger · Posted: Thu Oct 08, 2009 7:43 pm Post subject:

robin8989 · Joined: 06 Oct 2009 Posts: 13

thank you thank you
I did go over to the other thread..... interesting stuff. I posted there. you may see it,

best back
Robin

spiral78 · Joined: 05 Apr 2004 Posts: 11534 Location: On a Short Leash

if I take a TEFL onsite in Russia that it is unlikely that I would be welcome in Mexico, Peru, Chile?

No, a reputable cert will be recognised elsewhere. In this scenario, though, you'll likely want to shell out for a name-brand version, rather than a reputable, but local one. Prague, for example, has some places offering quite decent 'generic' certs, and they are recognized regionally, but in L.A., for example, employers won't know the names and may prefer CELTA or another of the big names.

Mr. P · Joined: 25 Sep 2009 Posts: 32

If you have time now and just want to get acquanited with the topic, you might consider taking an online course before taking a 1 month on-site course in the future.