Job Discussion Forums

[thedoctorofsleep]

I am a native English speaker with a masters degree in English. I have also taught ESL at the college level without needing an additional TESOL/TEFL certification. I am currently subcontracted as a one-on-one private instructor through a company called Global LT. In addition to that, I teach online classes through a Chinese company. I am looking to expand my options to other online teaching companies, especially ones that pay more. Some foreign companies require a TESOL/TEFL certification even to teach at home in the US part-time.

I was looking into cheap TEFL certifications that are offered on Groupon. There are some that are only $50 such as Global Language Training Kansas City. If I were planning to travel overseas in search of a full-time classroom position, then I would commit the time and money to a more established program like the Cambridge CELTA. For now, I am just seeking the extra piece of paper that will suffice the requirements for more supplemental income jobs. Plus I am a bit reluctant to jump into a $2,500 CELTA course that would require me to take two weeks off of work for classroom training, when the extra income jobs I am seeking pay an average of $15-$20 a hour.

What is your opinion of online certifications when the primary intent is to expand ones options for teaching online part time?

Here are the jobs I am looking into.
http://www.goodairlanguage.com/teaching-english-online-2/

[nomad soul]

[mikeisgood]

I don't know much about online certificates. I suggest you really research the company (Global Language Training Kansas City) offering the certificate to make sure it is acceptable/legit.

I took a $900, 60 hour course that ran on three consecutive weekends, but I didn't pick the cheapest one. If all you need is the certificate then it might be alright. Obviously your experience and education is much more attention grabbing than a TEFL certificate would be.