Job Discussion Forums

mbumpas · Joined: 20 Oct 2010 Posts: 9

Has anyone taken a course through Anglo Centres TEFL? I'm interested in their 150hr online course (a live course isn't an option for me at this time) but am unable to find any reviews from students. I was interested in this course because it was accredited by the College of Teachers and also ACTDEC.

Any help would be greatly appreciated!

Justin Trullinger · Posted: Sun Oct 24, 2010 10:15 am Post subject:

This course?

http://tefl.anglocentres.com/online-tefl-certificate-coursedetails.php

It's always helpful to post a link if you ask about a course, so we don't have to wonder if we have the right one.

Best,
Justin

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

Course Evaluation
You progress will be continually evaluated. There are no exams. As you continue to improve in your teaching abilities your grade will continue to evolve to reflect your professional growth. Final grades are based on where you are at the end of your training and are given as either A+, A, B+, B or C.

This bit seems dodgy to me. How do they assess your 'teaching abilities' when there is no classroom or students? They might be able to assess what you know in the abstract about teaching - if they're able to give effective on-line tests (do those exist?).

This course can be supplemented at any time with a Teaching Practice Certificate. This includes a two-week stay at our centres in Tarragona, Spain where you will have the opportunity to learn about planning lessons and teach real classes of students. After this you will earn your Advanced TEFL-TESOL Certificate which will make of you a very strong candidate for any teaching position

This is certainly hyperbole. This may make a successful candidate a contender for whatever newbie level jobs are around, but certainly not for 'any teaching position.' Zero chance such a grad would be hired where I work, for example.

All our students and graduates can benefit from our Lifetime Job Guidance Program. Whilst no organisation can guarantee you a job at the end of your course, at Anglo Centres TEFL we work with you all along until you have found the job you are looking for, wherever that may be.

This is nicely worded, but the 'wherever that may be' can't be entirely true. They can't get non EU member citizens work permits for most of the EU, for example, or get their newbie level qualified candidates into lucrative ME jobs. So the 'wherever' could be misleading to a naive newbie.

Teach with Anglo Centres after your course!
If you would like to live and teach in Tarragona you have the opportunity to work for Anglo Centres. We recruit new teachers every year for our Adult, Young Learner and Business English courses.

Priority is given to our graduates so you may well end up teaching at one of our centres!

Perhaps. But do keep in mind that if the newbie in question is not from an EU member country, the natioal laws of Spain will preclude the graduate from getting a legal work permit there in almost every case. I would trust this course more if they made the limitations clear.

Overall, I'd be a bit worried about these claims that seem unlimited.

mbumpas · Joined: 20 Oct 2010 Posts: 9

Sorry about that Justin, yes that's the correct course.

Thanks for the help! Due to my work schedule I'm limited to an online only certificate. I've been trying to find an online school that offers the best education and has a reputable name worldwide but it seems like the more research I do, the farther I get from finding one.

Thanks again!

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

has a reputable name worldwide but it seems like the more research I do, the farther I get from finding one.

That's because the supervised teaching practice with real students is considered key to reputable employers in many parts of the world.

You might consider taking a course in the country where you want to start teaching, if at all possible. It's not usually more expensive, and taking this route can provide you with a useful bridge into the country/culture.

Training centres usually do things like arrange for your housing during the course, airport pickup, and local orientation. You can be sure that your practice teaching students will really be representative of those you'll be working with when you start, and a good training centre can also give you invaluable advice about reputable local employers.

I don't know where you are thinking of going, but it's an idea to consider.

Justin Trullinger · Posted: Sun Oct 24, 2010 3:24 pm Post subject:

Spiral's really said it all about the course- too much hyperbole in the advertisements tends to mean that they make promises they don't intend to (be able to?) keep.

Also, throughout the website, they say again and again that trainers are well qualified, but never once mention what qualifications they hold. Suspicious.

I understand about the work schedule- but if you're having a hard time finding a good online cert, it's no coincidence. Most aren't good.

You say that you can't do an onsite course, but I'd say this- stay in the job a little longer, keep saving, and then take a month to do a good onsite course.

In most parts of the world, this is what your competition will have done.

It may not make you a strong candidate for "any teaching position," but it will give you a place to start.

Best,
Justin

mbumpas · Joined: 20 Oct 2010 Posts: 9

Thank you all so much for the advice. I guess I'll look more in to finding a way to make an on-site course work so I don't limit myself. Thanks again!

natsume · Joined: 24 Apr 2006 Posts: 409 Location: Chongqing, China

Where are you? That will help us help you as well.

I took an onsite course associated with UC Berkeley that was specifically designed for working people, all classes being offered nights and weekends. They allow 5 years (!) to complete a 17 semester unit program (I did it in under two at a very relaxed pace).

mbumpas · Joined: 20 Oct 2010 Posts: 9

I'm in Arlington, Texas, right outside of Dallas. I've found courses in the Houston area but not around my area except for Oxford Seminars which I haven't heard any good reviews about.

I'm not sure if it matters but I plan on working on an island with good scuba diving (a passion of mine). I'm still battling through locations trying to figure out where. I know it's highly competitive but that's my goal.

Chris Westergaard · Joined: 14 Mar 2006 Posts: 215 Location: Prague

In my opinion, and this is coming from a TEFL course owner/provider that I'll keep unnamed, take an actual 4-week course with as much teaching practice as you can.

If you are investing the amount of money and time to move abroad and teach for at least a year, you want the training, network, post course support and all of the extras that come from actually being trained.

Remember, you will be asked to do a demo most of the time for your potential employer. They will know immediately if you have been actually trained or not.

You wouldn't take a swimming class without some of it being in an actual pool, why would you take a teaching class that never had you actually teach.