Job Discussion Forums

Ledie · Joined: 21 Jun 2004 Posts: 24 Location: Toronto, Canada

So, is the i-to-i online tefl a good course? Confused

Should I do the 40 hour course or the 60 hour course?
I want to teach in Taiwan, will having this certificate make a difference?
Is there a better online course or is this one the best?

Thank you for your advice! Wink

Sekhmet · Joined: 05 Apr 2004 Posts: 329 Location: Alexandria, Egypt

It might be a good idea to do a search on this one. Personally, I've posted my feelings about i-to-i before, so I know there is information out there!!! The gist was - don't do an online course. Ok, maybe in Taiwan it is acceptable, but not in the best schools. I don't know anything about how this kind of thing works in Asia, but from what other posters have said (along with personal experience), online certs aren't worth the paper they're written on... Wink

I did the i-to-i online course. It was very well organised, and the grammar section was very informative, but there was only one observation lesson, and that wasn't the whole lesson, just excerpts. How will you know if you want to teach unless you've tried it?

Find yourself a nice little course with teaching practice. Preferably 120 hours or more is the way forward. But in order to be accepted in any of the places I've applied for, it has to have observed teaching hours.

I have issues with i-to-i in particular ever since I went on a volunteer placement with them. Before arriving in China, we had little or no information, and we had to dig for that. Once we arrived, it was a different story, but I have a sneaking suspicion that was mainly due to the Chinese staff... Very Happy

So my advice is, if you absolutely MUST do an online course (and it really isn't a good option) then don't choose i-to-i unless all you want to do is brush up on your grammar...

Sonnet · Joined: 10 Mar 2004 Posts: 235 Location: South of the river

I did their combined online & weekend intensive course just over a year ago now. It's a ridiculously short time in which to learn anything, so don't expect it to make you an expert. I actually found the online section more informative than the 'real' course - both should really be supplemented by something with much more teaching practice, of course.

As an absolute toe-in-the-water intoduction to the world of EFL, I don't think it's a bad choice. Expect to have to undergo more training if it whets your appetite enough to make you serious about EFL, though. As a quick intro and way to get a job in some unscrupulous Asian country and cut your teaching teeth, I'd say there are plenty worse than i-to-i out there!

hbeaton · Joined: 24 Jun 2004 Posts: 4 Location: saskatchewan

The extension division at the University of Saskatchewan offers a 4 week summer intensive TEFL certificate program. They also offer the same program online, over 13 weeks .The two courses needed for the TEFL can be used as credit toward a CERTESL.
I spoke with them regarding distance certificates not being acceptable in some places and they indicated that they are willing to speak with anyone regarding the validity of the distance program.
Heather

Sekhmet · Joined: 05 Apr 2004 Posts: 329 Location: Alexandria, Egypt

The best thing to do if you're not sure if your cert will be accepted in a certain country is to get in touch with employers in that country and ask them!!! I'm not saying that all distance courses are bad, but you really can't tell if you want to be a teacher until you try it. One person on my TEFL course was really enjoying herself up to the point when she started theaching practice, and then she realised that being in front of a group of people is challenging, and not much fun. Last I heard, she wasn't doing TEFL...

Why not find a 4 week course with observable teaching practice, classroom hours with a real teacher (who you can ask questions there and then) and be able to exchange your thoughts with other trainees??Online certs are ok if you want to rush through the training and get to a job, but if you have no teaching experience, you might well find out the first time you walk into a classroom in a foreign country that you have made a mistake...

So please, think VERY carefully before you choose an online course!!!!

mjed9 · Joined: 25 Oct 2003 Posts: 242

I did the I-to-I course and it was not necessary for getting a job in Taiwan. It does not secure higher money either. Taiwan is still an amazingly easy country to find a job. You can do this in two ways. Either find the job before you come here or just turn up. (Please don't use an agent).

My humble advice would be not to bother. If you are serious about getting qaulified do a recognised course. In a nutshell save your money!