Job Discussion Forums

christinepolicarpio · Joined: 29 Apr 2010 Posts: 9

Hi, any feedback about Will-Excel TESOL Certification? Their program/package seems to be too good to be true. How about Harbin? Is it a nice and safe place to study? Your information will be very helpful to me, I'm looking for a good yet affordable TEFL school in China. Please help...Thanks

nickpellatt · Joined: 08 Dec 2006 Posts: 1522

http://www.teflchina.com.cn/News/2010/0506/78.html

Is an alternative for you. I dont have first hand experience of the Harbin program you mention, but harbin gets pretty damn cold so wouldnt be for me! I have read other posts about the program though, I think there is a thread in the general forum about it.

I have mentioned the other option simply as I am working in Yangshuo where it is based and I like yangshuo a lot more than I would like Harbin. Its also really easy for a foreigner to live here. I also have first hand experience of TEFL.China as I am assisting in two input sessions on a course starting next week covering phonology, eliciting and instruction giving. Their course material is along the exact same lines that a CELTA or Trinity course offers.

daveups · Posted: Fri May 21, 2010 12:06 pm Post subject:

@christinepolicarpio

I did their course not too long ago and was very impressed. It was my first time out of the States and in China and I was very grateful for all they provided.

The course itself is very, very challenging, but absolutely worth it. When I arrived at my school after the course I was working with teachers who had been in China for 2 - 3 years. They hadn't done any training and it seemed I was a lot more knowledgeable about some aspects of teaching than they were.

I was very skeptical about the course to start. It did seem to good to be true. Check out their video testimonials (linked to on the site) for some first-hand feedback. Well over 60 videos there now.

Yes, it can get cold in the winter, but you don't teach outside. You teach inside in heated schools. Wear layers if you're there during the winter. Also, you can do your teaching term elsewhere, you don't have to stay in Harbin after the course.

You won't go wrong with Will-Excel. Strongly recommended. Good luck!

christinepolicarpio · Joined: 29 Apr 2010 Posts: 9

hi nickpellat!

Could you provide more information about the TEFL course in Yangshou? I looked it up and saw that it is located at 222 Bilian Lane. I really want to get first hand feedback about the schools that I want to go to, in order to make sure it is legit. I also sent them an email. Thanks

Rick.Goldstein8 · Joined: 21 May 2010 Posts: 2

Thank you for your feedback. I also have been looking into the Will-Excel TESOL course.

I've been corresponding with their Dean of Studies for several weeks. They've been very quick to respond to all of my emails and thorough in their answers.

I also looked into the TC course, but their price tag is a bit too high and they don't seem to be as thorough as Will-Excel. I also don't see any accreditation for TC, while WE is verified by the Chinese government (which seems good for staying in China).

Any additional info from TC grads would be great in helping me make up my mind.

nickpellatt · Joined: 08 Dec 2006 Posts: 1522

TEFL.China's website states its accredited by SAFEA, the homepage states -

All our courses are accredited and externally assessed by
the 'Ministry of Education' and the 'Department of State and Foreign Experts Affairs' in China.

All I really know is I am teaching some of the input sessions...the material is pretty much the same as a CELTA/Trinity course, which are the two most recognised certs out there. I would support it 100% not just because I am doing some work for them, but because Im sure a good performance on the course would make you a 'shoe-in' to work where I work...which is a pretty good entry level job for most grads IMO.

sharpe88 · Joined: 21 Oct 2008 Posts: 226

Imho, a few red flags to me about them...

"Teaching term" = low paid labor?

Universal recognition of their cert is questionable.

I saw some of their conversation materials and they were loaded with the "big no's" (religion, sex, politics) and were somewhat patronizing/preachy to boot.

daveups · Posted: Thu Jun 03, 2010 10:57 pm Post subject:

jedi smurf · Joined: 23 Nov 2009 Posts: 6

For anyone that has done this program, did you do the self-funded or sponsorship option? What kind of offers do you get through the sponsorship option? If you did the self-funded, was it easy to find a job before the month of training was over?

Rick.Goldstein8 · Joined: 21 May 2010 Posts: 2

After months of contemplating and research I've decided to register with Will-Excel. I paid my registration payment his morning and just received my welcome package via email!

Thanks to everyone who's contributed to this and other posts. I appreciate the first hand experience. For prospective applicants, I'd ignore the skeptics. The Dean and others at Will-Excel have been much more helpful throughout this application process than the other schools I've been corresponding with.

Thanks again!

daveups · Posted: Fri Jun 04, 2010 8:46 am Post subject:

@ jedi smurf

I was lucky enough to get sponsored. I was in a group of 10 and half of us were sponsored, which seems typical.

Of the 10, everyone not sponsored had a job by the end of week three. Some people in the group were a bit older and didn't have degrees.

My advice is to apply and see what you get. Even if you can't get sponsored, the demand in China for qualified English teachers is huge, so you should be able to get a good job.