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hollyt
Joined: 28 Apr 2014
Posts: 2
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 Posted: Wed Nov 12, 2014 2:35 am Post subject: TEFL certification/Job chances/General questions |
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Hello. I have been contemplating trying to get an english teaching job abroad for almost a year now. I graduated from college this last spring. During that spring I started an application/interview process with Interac (Japan) but it's on hold right now. I wasn't sure that I wanted to do it and I felt like I needed some more training.
I know Trinity's TESOL is all that in the international sphere, but I was wondering what people consider "similar programs" to Trinity's, not just in the literal similarities of the program structure, but in reputation? And in the ability to translate the certificate into jobs. I live in Arkansas, USA and there is a one month intensive on-site program here that is 150+ hours and CEA certified. There is also a community/internship kind of experience associated with it. It's associated with the University of Arkansas. It seems like the best option for me as I can't really up and move just yet and want to have a certificate before I go anywhere abroad.
I know not all jobs require a certificate, but I can't imagine trying to get a teaching job abroad without some training in teaching english. I actually have been a substitute teacher for almost a year now at a Montessori school and teach only small children, but I always wish I had more training so I could be a better teacher.
I am most interested in East Asia, especially Japan. Will the TEFL certificate give me a leg up? I also am pretty good at speaking and reading Japanese, if that helps me at all in the job search.
I appreciate any advice! |
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nomad soul
Joined: 31 Jan 2010
Posts: 11454
Location: The real world
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| Posted: Wed Nov 12, 2014 2:50 am Post subject: |
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| Keep in mind, the TEFL cert you're considering focuses on adult learners. Ditto for the CELTA and SIT TESOL. That said, responses to your questions may depend on what teaching situation you're interested in. Do you want to teach children in an international school or public school? Or is your target group adults in either language school environments or in universities? Additionally, what is your degree in and do you have a teaching license? |
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suphanburi
Joined: 20 Mar 2014
Posts: 916
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| Posted: Wed Nov 12, 2014 3:19 am Post subject: |
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A TEFL will get you a leg up in Korea with the EPIK program where it is a requirement ( http://www.epik.go.kr ) and as an ALT in Japan with the JET program ( http://www.jetprogramme.org/ ).
For the remainder of Asia or SE Asia, entry level jobs do NOT "require" a TEFL cert. although it is nice to have one under your belt when you get dropped into a class with the simple instruction being, "Teach".
If you are looking at more than a "gap year" in EFL then get a cert.
CELTA is well though of (globally) as is the Trinity cert TESOL and the SIT cert TESOL (probably top 3) but their focus is primarily adult learners. A generic TEFL working with kids might suit you better for most jobs in Asia.
If your thinking is longer term then a proper teacher certification program with an emphasis on EFL/ESL will serve you well and get you beyond the entry level jobs.
Above the entry level "language academy" stuff you start to get into career paths with remuneration packages (salary and benefits) that are between 2 and 5 times what EFL teachers make.
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rtm
Joined: 13 Apr 2007
Posts: 1003
Location: US
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| Posted: Wed Nov 12, 2014 5:52 am Post subject: Re: TEFL certification/Job chances/General questions |
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| hollyt wrote: |
| I know Trinity's TESOL is all that in the international sphere, but I was wondering what people consider "similar programs" to Trinity's, not just in the literal similarities of the program structure, but in reputation? And in the ability to translate the certificate into jobs. |
As others have mentioned, CELTA and SIT TESOL are the other two major certificates that are comparable.
| Quote: |
| I live in Arkansas, USA and there is a one month intensive on-site program here that is 150+ hours and CEA certified. There is also a community/internship kind of experience associated with it. It's associated with the University of Arkansas. It seems like the best option for me as I can't really up and move just yet and want to have a certificate before I go anywhere abroad. |
It sounds like a good program. You might want to check to confirm that the program is actually offered by the university. Often, short-term course providers that do lower-quality training rent space at reputable universities in order to make the certificate seem more reputable. This is a strategy that Oxford Seminars uses a lot.
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| I know not all jobs require a certificate, but I can't imagine trying to get a teaching job abroad without some training in teaching english. |
I commend you for wanting to get training before you begin teaching. All too often, people don't consider the realities of the job, and set out to begin teaching without any training. They often regret this once they are in a classroom, standing in front of a group of real students who expect to learn something.
| Quote: |
| I am most interested in East Asia, especially Japan. Will the TEFL certificate give me a leg up? I also am pretty good at speaking and reading Japanese, if that helps me at all in the job search. |
A certificate will likely help you in Japan, but possibly only a small amount. Many employers in Japan don't know about certificates, and most probably won't know about brands. That said, with as flooded as the market in Japan is right now, having a certificate might help you stand out. In terms of employer preferences, Japanese language ability will likely not be important for most entry-level jobs in Japan. Some employers (particularly eikaiwa) actually prefer teachers who don't speak Japanese, as it encourages the students to speak English. Japanese language ability might be preferred by some ALT dispatch companies, however. In terms of actual teaching, Japanese language ability will be useful for explaining things to lower-level students in Japanese, or understanding their questions, or even just understanding some of the reasons that they make the mistakes that they do. |
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nomad soul
Joined: 31 Jan 2010
Posts: 11454
Location: The real world
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| Posted: Wed Nov 12, 2014 6:32 am Post subject: |
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| rtm wrote: |
| hollyt wrote: |
| I live in Arkansas, USA and there is a one month intensive on-site program here that is 150+ hours and CEA certified. There is also a community/internship kind of experience associated with it. It's associated with the University of Arkansas. It seems like the best option for me as I can't really up and move just yet and want to have a certificate before I go anywhere abroad. |
It sounds like a good program. You might want to check to confirm that the program is actually offered by the university. Often, short-term course providers that do lower-quality training rent space at reputable universities in order to make the certificate seem more reputable. This is a strategy that Oxford Seminars uses a lot. |
The OP is referring to the TEFL cert course offered by Spring International Language Center (http://www.uark.edu/depts/silc/ark/index.html) at the U of Arkansas, and in no way is it like mediocre Oxford Seminars. The Center runs the U of Ark's Intensive English Program, which is accredited by the CEA. It's a sound program. |
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hollyt
Joined: 28 Apr 2014
Posts: 2
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| Posted: Wed Nov 12, 2014 7:46 pm Post subject: |
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| nomad soul wrote: |
| Keep in mind, the TEFL cert you're considering focuses on adult learners. Ditto for the CELTA and SIT TESOL. That said, responses to your questions may depend on what teaching situation you're interested in. Do you want to teach children in an international school or public school? Or is your target group adults in either language school environments or in universities? Additionally, what is your degree in and do you have a teaching license? |
My degree is in environmental science. The only teaching background I have is from my current teaching job. I don't have an exact target age group right now, but I do know that I prefer older children. I have no experience teaching adults (or teenagers for that matter) so it's hard to say whether that's what I would want to do or not.
Time-wise, I'm not sure how long I want to stay abroad, but I do know I want to try more than a year and less than a lifetime. So I guess I'm thinking some sort of mid-range timespan. I haven't exactly figured out my long-term career goals. I just know I love learning languages and I'm interesting in learning how to teach them. And learning more languages by living somewhere else.
Just out of curiosity, what kind of qualifications do you need to teach at the college/university level? I'm assuming a degree in teaching.
Also, yes, I am referring to the Spring International Language Center program here at the U of A. I know it is a good program in terms of training. I was just wondering how it ranks in regards to other programs or if anyone has ever even heard of it or the CEA. The total cost including tuition and other fees for the program is almost $2000. I keep hearing that most TEFL certificates are $200-300. Is that just because this one is better quality, you think, or something else? Or maybe that average $200-300 is just wrong. |
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rtm
Joined: 13 Apr 2007
Posts: 1003
Location: US
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| Posted: Wed Nov 12, 2014 9:43 pm Post subject: |
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| hollyt wrote: |
| Just out of curiosity, what kind of qualifications do you need to teach at the college/university level? I'm assuming a degree in teaching. |
It depends a lot on the country. In Japan (which you mentioned earlier), an MA in TESOL or Applied Linguistics is required, and often Japanese language ability (at least N2) and a few academic publications. For China, I've heard that one needs only an undergraduate degree in almost anything. I think an MA TESOL/AppLing is usually required for universities in Korea. I'm not sure about other countries. Usually, teaching degrees (e.g., B.Ed., M.Ed.) focus more on teaching in k-12 settings, whereas MA TESOL degrees typically focus more on teaching university students/adults.
| Quote: |
| I keep hearing that most TEFL certificates are $200-300. Is that just because this one is better quality, you think, or something else? Or maybe that average $200-300 is just wrong. |
There is a wide range of TEFL certificates. Some can be done in a weekend. Some can be done in a couple weeks online. Others, like the CELTA, are about a month of full-time work. Some universities offer TEFL certificates that can take up to a year of full-time study. In general, it seems that you get what you pay for. The quicker, cheaper ones often seem to focus more on how to get a job rather than how to teach. |
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nomad soul
Joined: 31 Jan 2010
Posts: 11454
Location: The real world
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| Posted: Thu Nov 13, 2014 12:28 am Post subject: |
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| hollyt wrote: |
| Also, yes, I am referring to the Spring International Language Center program here at the U of A. I know it is a good program in terms of training. I was just wondering how it ranks in regards to other programs or if anyone has ever even heard of it or the CEA. |
Be aware that TEFL certificates (including the brand names like CELTA, SIT TESOL, etc.) are entry-level teaching qualifications intended to give new teachers the basics of TESOL. So don't concern yourself with the ranking of TEFL certs---instead, focus on the course content. A credible TEFL cert should entail a minimum 120 hours of in-class training and include supervised/observed teaching practice with a classroom of real English language students. This teaching practice component is especially what the better employers worldwide want to see in a TEFL cert---that your classroom teaching abilities have been supervised and assessed by a seasoned, highly-qualified teacher or tutor. This is why cheap online and/or quickie certs aren't accepted everywhere, despite their course providers' claims.
In terms of the Commission on English Language Program Accreditation (CEA), they accredit English language programs in the US and internationally but not cert programs that train teachers in TESOL. Regardless, the instructors at Spring International are quite qualified to provide teacher training. If you have questions about their course, give them a call. |
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Chris Westergaard
Joined: 14 Mar 2006
Posts: 215
Location: Prague
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| Posted: Fri Nov 14, 2014 1:35 am Post subject: |
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I'd like to reiterate what others have mentioned and also add a few things.
1. Make sure to find out what the TEFL course offers in terms of job assistance and visa assistance.
2. Ask them to provide you with some recent graduates who have been successful finding work in their desired countries. |
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nomad soul
Joined: 31 Jan 2010
Posts: 11454
Location: The real world
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| Posted: Fri Nov 14, 2014 1:50 am Post subject: |
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| Chris Westergaard wrote: |
1. Make sure to find out what the TEFL course offers in terms of job assistance and visa assistance.
2. Ask them to provide you with some recent graduates who have been successful finding work in their desired countries. |
FYI: Although they offer some job assistance, Spring International Language Center isn't a for-profit language school. It operates the IEP at the University of Arkansas providing EAP courses for foreign students slated to enter university as well as offering teacher training (http://cavern.uark.edu/depts/silc/ark/). |
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