Job Discussion Forums

roman510 · Posted: Tue Aug 18, 2009 6:09 pm Post subject: Which Cert Course is best?

Hi, I am a senior at a university in California majoring in English, I want to get certified to teach abroad there is so many of them that I dont know which one is best.
-I recently went to an information session for Oxford Seminars and it seems legit, however I have seen a number of negative responses regarding it, is there any feedback from somebody who has taken that program?

GambateBingBangBOOM · Joined: 04 Nov 2003 Posts: 2021 Location: Japan

See if your university or another nearby university has a postgrad certificate in TESOL / TESL / Applied Linguistics. It will take a year, and make sure it's one with a practicum.

Oxford is a little below the going rate for 'good' when it comes to initial qualifications. CELTA is the name brand for initial qualifications.

deena · Joined: 06 Sep 2009 Posts: 12 Location: israel/canada

Does anybody know anything about the Ontesl course for TESL Canada certification?

Would appreciate any info about this TESL provider.

Thank you.

15yearsinQ8 · Joined: 17 Oct 2006 Posts: 462 Location: kuwait

you'll get more employability with a state certification in education which will take another year
short of that , the CELTA is widely recognizable abroad

do some substitute teaching and have them documented

deena · Joined: 06 Sep 2009 Posts: 12 Location: israel/canada

15yearsinQ8 - thank you for your reply.

Frankly, I'm nearly 49 yrs old so the whole idea of credential evaluation and then having to go back to complete studies to be awarded the coveted provincial teaching certification just to to end up subbing at the very best - just doesn't seem the right path to choose at this point . I know that teaching esl to adults is also not amazing pay but I don't know what other way to go at it at this point.

GambateBingBangBOOM · Joined: 04 Nov 2003 Posts: 2021 Location: Japan

deena · Joined: 06 Sep 2009 Posts: 12 Location: israel/canada

Thank you all for your replies.

No, Ontesl provides a distance and brick and mortar TESL course which is recognized by TESL Canada. This means that the certificate is recognized in every province in Canada except Ontario despite the fact that the course is in Toronto Ontario - how weird is that...

Yes, I probably should go back and get my masters but it's too dear both in time and money at this point and from what I hear, even teachers with a masters are finding it hard to get jobs. The competition is fierce.

So are you all saying it is a waste of money to do a TESL Canada certification course? I'm returning to Canada from abroad with a B.E.d and a teaching diploma from outside of Canada. I have no interest in teaching anywhere except Canada. How about just getting a job NOT in the teaching profession?

Thank you everyone for your time and advice.

GambateBingBangBOOM · Joined: 04 Nov 2003 Posts: 2021 Location: Japan

Why don't you contact the school board and find out if you can use the qualifications you have to teach in Ontario (or another province) right now (without going back to school at all)?

It's not a waste to do a TESL Canada certificate if you live in a province where the requirements to teach are no higher than the TESL Canada certificate (i.e. any of them other than Ontario or Quebec).

I've heard BC is nice...

Chancellor · Posted: Tue Oct 20, 2009 3:03 pm Post subject: Re: Ontesl for TESL Canada

Chancellor · Posted: Wed Oct 21, 2009 8:06 pm Post subject:

Lucas · Joined: 28 Dec 2009 Posts: 2

Just to clarify everything, there are three different ESL industries in Canada. The biggest one consists of private ESL schools that service international students. Canada has one of the biggest ESL industries in the world, which is also one of the highest paying industries in the world, with wages ranging from $16 to $25/hour. A TESL Canada certificate is required to work in this industry and most ESL schools are located in Toronto and Vancouver, so a TESL Canada certificate is definitely accepted at Ontario's ESL schools. TESL Canada has different levels but ESL schools require a minimum of a TESL Canada Professional Standard 1 certificate. Any TESL Canada level is also equivalent to Trinity and CELTA worldwide. Ontesol's 250-hour course with practicum, which is recognized by TESL Canada Professional Standard 2, is actually an extended version of Coventry House International's Trinity CertTESOL 5-week program, which is recognized by TESL Canada Standard 1. So anyone who wishes to take an advanced course and become a great teacher does not have to spend over $2,000 for a Trinity or CELTA.

The second industry consists of government programs (ei: the LINC Program in Ontario) that offer ESL classes to immigrants. In Ontario, a TESL Ontario certificate is required to work for LINC because the program requires a minimum of a 250-hour certificate and a 50-hour practicum. Although wages are higher at the government run programs, there aren't many positions available so we never bothered in getting our 250-hour course scrutinized and recognized by TESL Ontario.

The third (and smallest) industry consists of colleges and universities. CHI and Ontesol have some graduates teaching at colleges and universities across Canada, but this industry doesn't have any fixed minimum standards. It truly depends on the location and the candidate.

Happy holidays!
Lucas from Coventry House International and Ontesol.
www.ontesol.com

eslteachernyc · Joined: 16 Feb 2010 Posts: 5 Location: NYC

I would definitely not do the Oxford Seminars course - any decent school won't accept it. You need to do a 120-hour course like the SIT TESOL, CELTA or Trinity. I did the SIT TESOL course and would highly recommend it.