Job Discussion Forums

[weshh1]

Hey everyone,

So I found out that my University offered a TEFL certificate program a bit too late while in undergrad. It's now a few years later and I'm thinking of giving the Graduate TEFL certificate program a go.

It's basically 12 credits (4 courses), most likely takes 2 semesters to complete. The classes also count towards a MA in TESOL, something I am considering switching over to (currently enrolled in MA in Special Ed.).

I'm wondering how a graduate level TEFL certificate from a solid University stacks up against CELTA? (In terms of resume boosting/ job applicant desirability.)

I see for a lot of available jobs that require a CELTA they also say or TEFL equivalent. Will this certification function as a TEFL equivalent?

[Shroob]

[adaruby]

[VietCanada]

You need to consider where you would like to work. Europe, Germany in particular likely requires CELTA or DELTA, some North African countries require a B.Ed. or a masters. Either must be relevant to the teaching subject. International schools also follow this. Most countries only require a BA or BSc. Some or maybe just a couple need some kind of teaching certification and that can be an online TEFL or TESOL. 100 hours.

If you've never taught then a TEFL or TESOL with actual teaching practice in which you are observed and you observe others is a good idea.

The CELTA is pretty brutal and so it's hard to recommend that to anyone without significant teaching experience, relevant education and a serious masochistic streak. It's questionable whether those same qualifications and a TEFL or TESOL with the same classroom experience has any higher value. It's probably better to do a masters in linguistics or TESOL at that point in your career. In fact if you have a bachelors then the next logical step is always a masters or a BEd. Minor certs are really just a waste of money. They will not get you to the best paying jobs which are international schools. And maybe on to university positions. IMHO

Are you looking for a career or a fast way to make a few bucks? Very few.

[weshh1]

Shroob: I honestly am not sure whether it contains observed teaching practice. It sort of seems like it does not from looking at the classes. I will post them here. I had a feeling that that would be a pretty critical element to its importance. But yes, if I do go for the MA in TESOL... might as well get the certificate. One of the grad courses I've already taken counts towards the MA in TESOL. If I go with MA with thesis, I only need 27 more credits (24+3 credit thesis). If I do not go with with thesis, I need 33 more credits. Not THAT much in the scheme of things, but I'm thinking I may rather get a feel for teaching abroad to see if it is something I am that passionate about.

adaruby: I am still chipping away at the online tefl certificate. It was such a good deal 69$ groupon and there was a 10% off deal on groupon!!! I'm applying to EPIK so if it does the trick for that I am happy. I won't put it in bold on my application or anything but just mention it under certificates/awards or something.


VietCanada: I have a couple years teaching experience (intern, teaching assistant, substitute) but mainly in special ed. Some experience with teaching esl and K-12 students while substituting. I would go for the CELTA in Chiang Mai but I am a bit nervous about the brutality of it. I don't mind a heavy workload and teaching practice for a month. My main concern is with the amount/intensity of grammar involved (breaking down sentences, morphology, syntax, phonemes, tenses, etc.). I think I will do fine on the flexibility, receiving criticism and modifying my style to fit with the CELTA way. More details on the brutality would be appreciated



Update: I just got an email back and I guess I do have to apply to the certificate program for the courses to count.... or something like that. So as it stands right now, probably shying away from taking classes towards the MA in TESOL/tefl cert this semester.

[nomad soul]

[weshh1]

Thanks Nomad!

It does have a ESOL practicum option for one of the classes. Here is the list.

"Select any four of the following 12 courses.

TSL 5345 Methods of ESOL Teaching (3 credit hours)
TSL 6940 ESOL Practicum (3 credit hours)
TSL 5940 Issues in TEFL (3 credit hours)
TSL 6142 Critical Approaches to ESOL (3 credit hours)
TSL 6250 Applied Linguistics in ESOL (3 credit hours)
TSL 6350 Grammar ESOL (3 credit hours)
TSL 6440 Assessment Issues in TESOL (3 credit hours)
TSL 6640 Research in Second Language (3 credit hours)
TSL 6252 Sociolinguistics (3 credit hours)
TSL 5380 Computer and Technology for ESOL (3 credit hours)
TSL 5601 Second Language Vocabulary Learning (3 credit hours)
TSL 6642 Issues in Second Language Acquisition (3 credit hours)

Though the courses may be taken in any order, it is recommended that TSL 6940 ESOL Practicum be taken near the end of a program of study (if that course is included)."




A good bit of these are core requirement courses for the MA in TESOL.
I'd hope that at least a few of these courses had a supervised/observed teaching practice component to meet the min. 6 hour requirement. I'm not sure though.

The class I took last semester that I thought would count but does not (TSL 5085: Teaching English Language Minority Students K-12) had 15 hours volunteer/observation in ESOL classroom or under ESOL endorsed teacher supervision. I completed this component last semester (I volunteered to work one on one with a new ELL student from Guatemala in a mainstream 5th grade classroom under an ESOL endorsed teacher). I could have my professor and the ESOL endorsed teacher confirm this but it is not a class that counts towards the certificate.

[Sashadroogie]

[Sashadroogie]

[weshh]

Thanks Sasha, seems like it is demanding but doable. I just don't know about the intensity of the grammar portion.

[spiral78]

[Sashadroogie]

[rtm]

[adaruby]

[nomad soul]