Job Discussion Forums

[whio]

I�m going to China next February. And I want to do a TESOL certificate before I go.

Now I know that I should do CELTA or Trinity, and that everything else is no better than toilet paper, blah, blah, blah...
But I haven�t got the time for CELTA, nor the inclination to fork out $3,000

So my two options are:

1) Teach International. $NZ1,500
120 hours total. 40 hours of which is actual in-class training/practical, the rest is online.
Teach International is a company that operates in NZ & Aus and specialises in this particular certificate.

GOOD:
- Its course seems to have a good reputation here, and because it churns out so many graduates, its name is fairly well known overseas, including at the school in China where I am going.
- It also has a really good network/support system for its graduates.

BAD:
- There is no actual teaching of International students. You just present to your fellow course-mates. They do say that they offer to help you find locations for further teaching practice.
- A large part of the focus is on the process of finding a job. I already have a job lined up...

2) Total English. $NZ1,500
??? hours total. 30 hours of actual in-class training/practical. And then another week of optional teacher observation and teaching practice.
Total English is a private language school. They also offer CELTA & their certificate is like a condensed version of CELTA.

GOOD:
- Its course involves teaching actual International students at the school.
- They are NZQA approved (which basically means they are registered with the government here in New Zealand)

BAD:
- Because they operate on a smaller scale & seem more exclusive, I�m not sure that their name is as well known, so it may not be regarded as highly outside New Zealand

Basically, I get the impression that within New Zealand Total English is superior. But in China, Teach International may have a slight edge even if it is better known largely as a result of being a �diploma-mill�

I still need to find out more info on each course.

But I thought I�d see if any of you have heard of either course or have any advice. I know that there have been one or two posts about Teach International on here before.

Or you can just tell me how wrong I am, etc...

[lily]

Hi Whio,

Teach International has the option of teaching International students - after the course they can line up an "experience" teaching job for you at one of the local language schools - in a major centre of course. Email them and ask. You don't get paid for this (I think) but could be good experience.

I have done the TI course, and a SMALL part was focused on finding a job. They did a run down of countries that you could work in plus a little bit on what to put in your CV, what to say or not say etc.

PM me if you'd like a bit more detailed info.

All the best,
Lily

[ChinaEFLteacher]

ok, you asked for it! i've been called unprofessional, but that's caus' i tell the truth.
it sounds like you've got a school, now do they require you to get your TESOL or is it just for your own pleasure?
i came to china with a b.a., no exp. whatsover, and toughed it out until i figured out how to do it. talking to others leads me to believe the courses help you to get started but only experience will a teacher you make.
you can probably pick up most to that tesol stuff online for free, so it seems to me that it boils down to whether you need the class to give you confidence and a cert. showing you're qualified. otherwise, save your $ and do it yourself.

[whio]

OK, thanks for the advice. Keep it coming...

That�s good to hear about Teach International.

As for whether or not I need a TESOL qualification:

The school doesn�t require me to have anything.
If I do have one I�ll get paid an extra 500 RMB per month. Which will be a help as I won�t be making big money.

But my main motivation in doing a TESOL certificate is to gain a bit of confidence/experience before I leave.

I agree that nothing will compare to the actual experience of teaching. But a TESOL course will at least provide me with a starting point.

[Magoo]

Whio, perhaps you're just planning to come to China for the one contract/year, but there is a distinct danger that you'll fall in love with the place (or a local ) and decide to stay. Then you might find that that bit of paper gives you more scope in finding a better position. Experience IS the real training ground, but you can't wave that in someone's face as effectively. As to which course, I'm not so sure that most Chinese schools are too interested in where you attained your certification, as long as they have something to make employing you above board. My first school didn't even ask for proof of qualifications (and I know for a fact that they didn't check with my alma mater). My 2nd school only checked when the PSB had a clampdown. Welcome to China

[ContemporaryDog]

That's 8500 yuan a month. Bleeding nora, I've done the CELTA and am making less than that.



I need to clearly find a better job...

[lowes13]

Hi Whio

Perhaps I'm repeating the other posts but here's my opinion; teaching here is all about self confidence and self motivation so if you have them you can do the job with or without a qualification behind you. Having said that it all comes down to economics so ask yourself is teaching going to be your career or is it just a stint. If it is a career then the investment is worthwhile and will pay off long term with better prospects etc but if not then its money spent that you probably won't recoup here in one year. During my very short time here I've met people of all ages who are teaching and apparently teaching well enough to hold down a job; the majority of these people are qualified and the other's say around 30% have no qualifications or experience whatsoever but a great deal of confidence.
I would say that without a qualification anyone with confidence and the dedication to put some effort in to their job can be useful here. The jobs open for un-qualified people are usually in the Conversational English area and with preparation most people can put together an interesting class for their students.