Job Discussion Forums

[jen_blue]

I'm researching courses relating to Teaching English but as I have mentioned previously full-time CELTA/TESOL is beyond my means at the moment. I am enquiring about the Online/blended versions of these but has anyone got any suggestions for Good organisations/companies who offer generic TEFL courses either blended/online or even face to face.

I am in the UK; based in Lancashire if that helps at all.

Where did you complete your training?

Thanks

Jenny

[santi84]

Well, TESL was my major (or "thematic option" as they called it... ) so that took many years of full-time university course work and probably not of interest to you.

If you really can't do even the basic one month CELTA course then you might be interested in some of TESL Canada's approved online courses (which will of course require an in-person practicum although some may allow you to do them in your own city)
http://www.tesl.ca/Secondary_Navigation/TESL_Canada_Recognized_Teacher_Training_Programs/Recognized_Teacher_Training_Programs.htm
(Online courses are in green)

These are all recognized here in Canada but you'll have to double check about whether they are recognized where you want to go.

[santi84]

I just did a quick check of your post history - any of the programs that I linked will require a good 10 hours of teaching (and who knows how many dozens of hours of prep work on top of that).

Sorry, if you want any sort of recognized credential, you're going to need to find a way to put more effort into your training. I think you said you wanted to go to Korea or Latin America - I'd probably just skip certification then try and spend time/money on one that isn't going to be recognized.

[spiral78]

I agree with santi - if you can't afford the basics, and you want to go to Korea (where I think certification is still essentially optional anyway) I'd skip the thing altogether and save up for a real one later on.

On another note, and more in line with the title of your post, I really doubt too many of us 'old-timers' have anything less than a CELTA or onsite equivalent. It would be interesting to know if anyone's been in the field very long on something less.....

My personal answer would be CELTA equivalent generic, Prague, 1998.

Followed by much more in terms of qualifications over the intervening decade ++

[loerzel]

I completed an online TESOL from ITTT. I think this is one of the few accredited online options that offers courses with over 100 hours.

I chose the 120 hour online course and the certificate that you receive in the end looks the same as their onsite classes (nowhere on the certificate does it mention it was an online course).

I actually learned quite a bit and the course was pretty cheap compared to onsite(I think around $250). You can also finish at your own pace as long as it's within 6 months.

It helped me get a job and work permit in Vietnam so overall I've been satisfied with the choice.

[nomad soul]

[loerzel]

It has been over a year since I completed the course so I don't recall the details of accreditation. Here is the link if you would like to research yourself www.teflcourse.net

From others I've talked to who have completed the same course and found work in other countries It appears that the certificate would be more than of little value.

The curriculum was much more structured than I expected from an online course. Each lesson requires quite a bit of time and effort and then must be emailed to an individual tutor who carefully checks each assignment. After completion the company will help with job placement in any country.

Anyways, I'm not here to argue the validity of accreditation or claim this is the best solution. I'm sure there are better and worse options. Just wanted to give the above poster my experience with this particular company.

I feel like the course really improved my teaching methods and class organization. I wanted to work long-term in Vietnam and needed a TESOL/CELTA for a work permit. I have a good job and permit so for me the ITTT certificate was a great value.

[spiral78]

It's not recognised by most reputable employers in Europe and isn't recognised by the Canadian officials who concern themselves with such things. The standard in these regions remains on-site courses that include supervised teaching with real students.

I would be very surprised if the ITTT cert would get one anywhere (with reputable employers) in Europe or North America.

If it worked for you in Vietnam, great. It would probably be OK for Korea as well, where the OP states she wants to go.