Job Discussion Forums

[nmalec]

I want to know where is a good place to get an internationally recognized TEFL certificate. I'm looking for the 120-hour course. And, of course, both affordability and quality are desired. Also if you know a few places I absolutely shouldn't go, I'd like to know that too. Also tell me why the place is good or bad. Thanks!

[tttompatz]

[GambateBingBangBOOM]

Go to any *real* university that employers can look up and see exactly what courses/units/modules were required. Not cheap, but it's career training (as in- you are looking at doing this as a CAREER).

Or go with a CELTA.

Either way, you will probably eventually want to get a masters in Applied Linguistics or TESOL, so if you go the university route, you should probably look at a university that has a certificate level that you can use as half of their masters degree.

[tttompatz]

IMHO...

MATESOL or MA Applied Linguistics are fine if you want to work in academia (become a university lecturer) but are substantially overkill and not of much help for the basic grunt work in ESL (teaching kids). [been there, done that, got the MATESOL]

A basic TESOL of some flavor with 120 hours of course work and at least 6-10 hours of real classroom experience with real students (not just practice with your classmates on the course) is more than adequate for employment in most countries. Some countries also require a Bachelors degree of some flavor as a visa requirement.

Beyond that, if you plan to continue to work with kids then continued professional development along the lines of a PCGE with ESL endorsement, B.Ed with ESL endorsement or a DELTA (even though it is geared toward teaching adults) are much more useful in practical terms of being a teacher.

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[Chancellor]