Job Discussion Forums

scorp1968 · Joined: 06 Dec 2004 Posts: 1 Location: Chicago

There are what seems like a zillion TEFL, TESOL and TESL programs out there. Which one's are most reputable? Which ones offer job assistance?
any information would be MUCH appreciated!!! Very Happy

I have looked at the following:

Via Lingua
ITC-Training (prague, barcelona)
Bridge Lingutec

etc, etc...

Any tips from you vets? Would appreciate any comments!

cheers, Susan

Spinoza · Joined: 17 Oct 2004 Posts: 194 Location: Saudi Arabia

Ariadne · Joined: 16 Jul 2004 Posts: 960

Many universities offer a TESOL (or other) certificate program. They usually include practicums and observations as well as interactions with international students. There are requirements for admission like already having a BA and previous study of a foreign language. The problem of reputation is solved because you will probably already know the standing of the universities in your area.
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Sheep-Goats · Joined: 16 Apr 2004 Posts: 527

The CELTA is the most reputable, followed by the Trinity certificate. There's a measure of oversight with both of them.

The CELTA is also usually the most expensive one, followed by Trinity.

There are a million other certificates. Many are reliable and reputable. Many offer advantages over a CELTA or Trinity certificate for particular regions (for instance, more focus on teaching kids).

Whatever you take, the magic words are "120 hour" (or more) and "teaching practice with real students."

donfan · Joined: 31 Aug 2003 Posts: 217

There is actually a training forum on this site(see above links). You would get a lot more information there. Smile

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

The TEFL International certificate is good, even though it isn't quite as famous as CELTA and Trinity. I have had no problems getting jobs with it, including offers from England, Korea and Japan.
The course does have the "magic" teaching practice with real students (6 hours), as well as 120 hours tuition. It's very intensive, but it's good and very practical.
There are lots of courses out there - you just have to find the one that's right for you.

ls650 · Joined: 10 May 2003 Posts: 3484 Location: British Columbia

shmooj · Joined: 11 Sep 2003 Posts: 1758 Location: Seoul, ROK

Chris_Crossley · Posted: Thu Dec 16, 2004 1:38 pm Post subject: Very few CELTA holders ...

In the three years that I have been in China teaching EFL so far, I have met very few people who have the CELTA or any other kind of TEFL/TESOL certificate (I have the Trinity Certificate in TESOL).

In China, a TEFL certificate is not necessary for an expat to get a TEFL job, so one must decide if it is "necessary" to take the time and trouble to get one. Yes, there are some schools in China which want people to have a certificate, if only because it looks good on their publicity drive for new students to say that all their teachers are "qualified".

However, not all of my current or ex-colleagues hold any teaching certificate of any kind, yet that never stopped them from getting their jobs or even becoming quite good at teaching, even if they never saw it as anything as medium- or long-term as far as their careers were concerned.