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MamaBird
Joined: 13 Dec 2009
Posts: 1
Location: United States
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 Posted: Sun Dec 27, 2009 7:13 pm Post subject: Advice on how to start? |
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Hello everyone, I'm looking for some advice on building credentials so I can get a good placement teaching ESL.
I have a B.A. in Psychology, worked for ETS as a Research Assistant, and have no actual teaching experience aside from a minor in education. How do I stand thus far?
I am interested in getting the TEFL certification, but want to know what others think about an online course versus in-class. Online would be better for my schedule, but I read somewhere that some places require in-class studies for certification. Is this true?
My goal is to be set up in a good way so I can be desirable for schools in other countries. I would prefer to teach adults. I'm interested in teaching in Thailand, maybe asia, or maybe even Germany. What I really want is an incredible experience in a really great place for the outdoors.
Can anyone reply with some advice on how to set myself up for some success? The in-class courses are expensive, but I will take one if it gives me a definate, tangible, leg-up on the competition.
Best to everyone,
Craig |
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ssjup81
Joined: 15 Jun 2009
Posts: 664
Location: Adachi-ku, Tokyo, Japan
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| Posted: Sun Dec 27, 2009 10:19 pm Post subject: |
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IMO, an online TEFL type course is a bad idea. When it comes to any type of teaching, it's better to be in a setting where you're actually using what you're learning with live people. Seems that online, you're learning the mechanics of how to teach it, but won't have a way to apply it.
IMO, you'd be better off in the classroom where you'll have real students to work with.
Also, how many hours is the course? You need 120 teaching hours for it to count as being certified. |
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Glenski
Joined: 15 Jan 2003
Posts: 12844
Location: Hokkaido, JAPAN
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| Posted: Mon Dec 28, 2009 3:10 am Post subject: Re: Advice on how to start? |
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| MamaBird wrote: |
| I have a B.A. in Psychology, worked for ETS as a Research Assistant, and have no actual teaching experience aside from a minor in education. How do I stand thus far? |
Minimally qualified like so many newbies.
| Quote: |
| I am interested in getting the TEFL certification, but want to know what others think about an online course versus in-class. |
Discussions on this forum and others abound! Most will say that online is better than nothing, but that in-class certs are better overall for the obvious reason of providing face to face practice.
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| My goal is to be set up in a good way so I can be desirable for schools in other countries. I would prefer to teach adults. |
That would usually mean a conversation school or a business English agency. The former are much easier to get into, but you may have to teach children there, too.
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| I'm interested in teaching in Thailand, maybe asia, or maybe even Germany. |
Germany is probably out, as you are American. Others will confirm whether you can get a work permit there, but I think not.
As for Thailand or asia[sic], I won't be pedantic to say that Thailand is actually part of Asia, but I would like to ask what other countries in Asia interest you? It's a big place, and requirements vary.
If you're interested at all in Japan, I can tell you that you are qualified for entry level jobs here even without certification, but the market is terribly flooded with teachers right now.
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| What I really want is an incredible experience in a really great place for the outdoors. |
I don't understand this statement. What does "for the outdoors" refer to?
| Quote: |
| Can anyone reply with some advice on how to set myself up for some success? The in-class courses are expensive, but I will take one if it gives me a definate, tangible, leg-up on the competition. |
Simple answer: get the certs if you are serious about teaching. More complicated answer: learn what situations you will face in the various countries you are interested in. |
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