Job Discussion Forums

jleirer · Joined: 27 Sep 2011 Posts: 1

My name is Joshua and I recently graduated with a B.S in Mathematics and I am interested in teaching ESL abroad. I am looking to get TEFL/TESOL certified and I am looking for opinions about two programs I am considering.

Choice 1
www.teflkoreaproject.com

Choice 2
www.tesolcourse.com

Any comments, opinions and suggestions are greatly appreciated

Joshua

tttompatz

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

Much depends on where you want to go. I hear that certs aren't necessary in much of Asia. In other regions, the basic standard course is normally

100+ hours on-site
includes supervised teaching practice with real students (key: without a supervised practicuum, no-one knows whether you can apply theory to practice and teach adequately to start)

CELTA, SIT, and Trinity are name brands, but there are generic certs out there which fit the standard.

Again, depending on where you want to go, it can be best to get certified in the country where you want to work. There are lots of good reasons why.
A training centre will usually handle logistics like housing during the course, airport pickup, and local orientation. Your practice teaching students will be representative of those you'll be working with when you start. Fellow trainees can form your first social network, and a training centre can give you invaluable advice regarding reputable local employers.

globalcitizen1968 · Joined: 03 Oct 2011 Posts: 34

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

The modal verb 'can' implies that there is an ability - but not an obligation. Personal choice.

If you 'can' make it on your own, do feel free, globalcitizen.

coledavis · Joined: 21 Jun 2003 Posts: 1838

Look at the advertisements, here and on other sites, and see what the employers ask for: CELTA/Trinity. While other qualifications may get you a job, you have a better chance with the courses that employers have heard of and trust to some extent.

heathers98 · Joined: 18 Oct 2011 Posts: 4

I am going to piggyback on Joshua's original question, if it's ok.

I am looking for ESL teaching jobs mainly in Japan (I did get recommended to teach English in Eastern Europe or Central Asia but that's with the Peace Corp, different story). I know a lot of people say that getting a TEFL/TESL certificate is not required to teach in Japan but some recruiters (strongly) recommend it. One recruiter recommended that Oxford Seminar is the way to go. But, right now, I don't have the money to blow on Oxford or CELTA (I blew it on school). What are some recommendations for affordable courses? How about courses online? I know some say don't do it but I work weekends at my part-time job (that's when most face-to-face courses happen). What is everyone's opinion on such online programs like i-to-i or Serious TEFL? I know these questions are asked every time here and on other forums but it's confusing to read the responses sometimes.

coledavis · Joined: 21 Jun 2003 Posts: 1838

On the whole, online courses are a waste of your money. Employers don't want them as they are no replacement for experience of practising and observing practising teachers, both of which you get on serious courses. (The only exceptions are perhaps people with lots of experience teaching other subjects who want to convert to language teaching - and even then, I would have my doubts about their worth.)

If you must try one of these courses, then at least check that you will be getting plenty of teaching practice and observations. Pure online: forget it. TEFL teaching is very practical, a set of skills which need mastering. Grading your language for different levels. Listening. Blending conversational practice with grammatical understanding and lexical learning. Etc.

heathers98 · Joined: 18 Oct 2011 Posts: 4

coledavis · Joined: 21 Jun 2003 Posts: 1838

That is for you to research. Caveat emptor as my Russian greatgrandmother used to say, in her less lucid moments.

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

Unless they've changed it, the on-site portions of the Oxford Seminars programme consists primarily of a talk on 'how to get a job abroad' along with a 'practice lesson' which you deliver to your fellow trainees. Does not meet the standard for most regions of the world.

Chancellor · Posted: Sun Nov 06, 2011 9:54 pm Post subject:

Then there are the combined courses like www.ontesol.ca in which you do the coursework online but the 20-hour teaching practicum on-site. The 250-hour course (that you can do on-site or online) with the on-site practicum and a four-year degree from a Canadian university or a degree from elsewhere evaluated by a recognized evaluating agency like the one at University of Toronto will get you a Standard 2 certificate from TESL Canada.