Job Discussion Forums

trillian584 · Joined: 20 Apr 2010 Posts: 14

So, my university has a ESL certificate program, but it's a little pricey (about $6000 for 18 credits). The woman who runs the program pointed me toward TESOL's online certification program, which runs around $1000 and takes 6 months (vs. the year it would take from my uni). Anybody have any words of wisdom?

description of their program:
http://tesol.org/s_tesol/sec_document.asp?CID=2047&DID=12648

my only worry is according to their FAQ (http://tesol.org/s_tesol/sec_document.asp?CID=2047&DID=12649) is that they're not accredited. But TESOL is apparently a pretty well respected organization internatioally? So, i guess my question is despite their not being accredited, do employers still respect credentials from them?

thanks!

Justin Trullinger · Posted: Sun Apr 25, 2010 4:24 am Post subject:

A couple of thoughts- "TESOL" is not a proprietary term (no copyright) so you need to be clear in your mind that not everyplace you see this acronyms is offering the same, or equivalent, programs.

The one you link to, offered by Teachers of English to Speakers or Other Languages, Inc, is unusual, compared to bog-standard online teaching courses in two respects.

1) It is offered by a respected organisation. Bear in mind, though, TESOL, inc, is respected as a networking and publishing organisation. (I know a lot of people are extremely excited if they can get an article in TESOL quarterly.) But it is not well known as a training organisation. Frankly, I did a double take when I followed your link, as I didn't know that TESOL inc offered any training at all.

2) Unlike many distance course providers, they are honest. They told you in their FAQs that the course isn't accredited. It looks to me like this course is intended to be taked for your own learning, especially if you're a practicing teacher without a lot of training. It isn't, in the usualy sense, a qualification, since it isn't accredited.

So it may be a perfectly good course in its own right, but the TESOL course you're looking at is unlikely to get much recognition from employers. The 18 credit course from your university isa lot more expensive for a reason.

If you're looking for an in between, from a financial point of view, you might consider doing an intensive certificate program (often four weeks, though pretty intense) somewhere. Usually these cost between $1000 and $3000 in tuition, though other expenses add on to this.

Best,
Justin

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

That was a good explanation, Justin!

trillian584 · Joined: 20 Apr 2010 Posts: 14

...which makes me wonder why the director of the program at my uni recommended it in the first place.

Anyway, the problem with the program here is that it's really geared towards K-12 teachers that want additional certification to teach ESL in their schools. Not to mention it's a year long program and costs around $6000 ($333-ish per credit).

I'm really not thinking about teaching ESL as a career, so I can't really justify spending that much time/money on something I may do for maybe 5 years at the most. At the moment i'm considering it as a practicable way to travel and live in a foreign country.

A quick google search yields several places in DC (close enough for me to commute) that offer TESOL certificates, but i don't really have any way of knowing who's completely shady and who's not. And as far as i can tell there are no trinity/CELTA schools anywhere near me, so that's a problem.

http://www.transemantics.com/tesol.html
Looks legit, but i'm a little wary of the extreme basicness of the application form and the fact that they want the $1750 tuition right away.

anybody know of anything else in the DC area?

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

You might want to consider another route altogether: 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.

It's only one option - there are also obvious advantages to taking a course from home. However, this approach might also offer reasonably-priced alternatives to what is available in your area, and help you to define where you want to (and can) go to start teaching.

Justin Trullinger · Posted: Mon Apr 26, 2010 2:17 am Post subject:

+1, Spiral.

I'd add that spending a few thousand dollars to learn to do something you might do for 5 years doesn't seem a lot to me.

Remember, you're hoping to get a professional salary (for the country where you are) for doing this...

Best,
Justin

naturegirl321 · Joined: 04 May 2003 Posts: 9041 Location: home sweet home

Many courses have you pay part or all of the tuition up front. If you're not sure about it, then do as much research as you can at your local library, teach for ayear and then do the course if it's something that you want to do for longer. You could even do a masters eventually.

Justin Trullinger · Posted: Tue Apr 27, 2010 12:14 am Post subject:

trillian584 · Joined: 20 Apr 2010 Posts: 14

Justin Trullinger · Posted: Tue Apr 27, 2010 2:59 am Post subject:

The application seems appropriate for what the course is- a not accredited course to learn about teaching.

It's not an app that would work for an academic program, say, that could be taken for college credit.

But it's not that kind of a course anyway.

Best,
Justin

Justin Trullinger · Posted: Tue Apr 27, 2010 3:05 am Post subject:

PS- a lot of courses want payment upfront. Doesn't seem odd to me.

Look at the application- if you apply, you will be accepted. So ask all your questions, do your research, and only apply when you're sure you want to take the course.

And if you're going to take the course- might as well pay.

Best,
Justin

coledavis · Joined: 21 Jun 2003 Posts: 1838

Online certs are just not respected by employers. So they are very poor investment. It would be better to pay out for a decent course. CELTA and Trinity are the best bets because they are reasonably well-regulated and recognised as such by employers.

trillian584 · Joined: 20 Apr 2010 Posts: 14

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

Do you want to teach abroad? If so, have you thought about attending a course in the country where you want to work? It's an option....

cleonar3 · Joined: 03 May 2010 Posts: 7

I am looking into the NOVA's TESOL program in Mananas or Woodbridge. I am concerned that a community college certificate won't be respected though (but I think it would be better than an online course!) There are always TESOL certs. from universities like American or George Mason, but they cost around 3,000 USD.

Concerning the CELTA and Trinity, I've heard they are great courses, but if you take another TESOL course that has the same UK accreditation, I don't see why it would be any less respected (other than not being well-known).