Job Discussion Forums

[Mr. TRN]

Does anyone know anything about Oxford Seminars, they offer TEOSL certificates, and are the certificates from Oxford of any value in SAUDI??
thx

[johnslat]

Dear Mr. TRN,

Here's a thread from the General Discussion on Oxford Seminars:

http://forums.eslcafe.com/job/viewtopic.php?t=26492


I doubt that the certificate they offer would be of much value in Saudi. It's a 60 to 80 hour course, and, from what I've read, there's no real classroom experience teaching practice.

http://www.teflcoursereview.com/oxford-seminars/

I know that in the ME, at least in my experience, such "certificates" are generally not given much, if any, weight.

Regards,
John

[Mr. TRN]

thx johnslat

[With Malice Toward None]

Mr. TRN,
When you get a cert make sure it's 100 hr with at least 8 observed lessons. The others are just papers. Good luck.
WMTN.

[Griff-James]

CELTA certificates are internationally recognised.

If you do the JET scheme, the Japanese Gov will pay the course fees.

You are guaranteed a job at the end of the course as well.

[johnslat]

Dear Griff-James,

I take it you're advising the OP to do a CELTA instead of Oxford Seminars.
There's certainly a BIG difference between the two:

CELTA:
"The most widely recognized TEFL certificate in the world. An intensive 4-week, 140-hour course that will qualify you to teach English in classrooms across the globe.
The CELTA course is an intensive training program that includes teaching practice with real language learners, classroom observation of experienced teachers, and several written assignments. The course is designed for candidates with no previous English teaching experience, but is also suitable for those who have some experience but no formal training in the TEFL field."
Cost (in the USA) about $2,500

Oxford Seminars:
During the 60-hour in-class course, you will be exposed to a variety of concepts which include: interactive language teaching, principles of second language acquisition, multiple intelligence theory, classroom management techniques, detailed lesson planning, long-term unit planning, how to teach oral communication skills, listening and comprehension strategies, creative ways to incorporate English grammar in a classroom setting, teaching across age and proficiency levels, teaching in a multicultural setting, testing and evaluating ESL students and making effective use of ESL teaching materials and resources.

Our 60-hour course is priced competitively at $1095. We offer various price deductions including an early registration discount, discounts for registering with a friend, and savings for registering at an information session."
(They give you no classroom experience which is required by many schools.)

You get - or don't - what you pay for in the case of these two.

Regards,
John

[veiledsentiments]

No competition... do the CELTA.

VS

[Griff-James]

I think the JET SCHEME is the way forward for you.

Because you want to make money by working in KSA.

You'll need a recognized and respected qualification AND overseas experience.

Better to get the qualification free and an easy and relatively well paid job in Japan to gain experience first.

[tacomaboywa]

[Griff-James]

Google: JET Scheme Japan Embassy.

[tacomaboywa]

[Sheikh Abdullah]

Although I am a rookie at this, I do have a TEFL/TESL from Oxford Seminars. I have been able to repeatedly get job offers from all over Saudi. I chose to work in Madina because of the importance of the city. I didn't really worry too much about the pay, it was more about traveling, experiencing a foreign country, and a spiritual uplift. I would recommend the CELTA because it is definitely the best out there, but if you don't have the time, try Oxford.

Best to you in your endeavors,

Abdullah