Job Discussion Forums

jeans · Joined: 05 Oct 2004 Posts: 1

I have looked over earlier posts but cant quite find the answer I need. I want to get a TEFL cert. and realize that doing it online is not the best way. However, my goal is to mainly volunteer as I live in the Baja all winter and can volunteer in the schools, and volunteer on my other travels. I dont see myself seeking actual paid employment. My main goal is to learn how to teach ESL. I am a mental health counselor and I know how to listen, but to teach and talk????? that is another issue! I am looking for recommendations for an online class. I live north of Seattle and I see a class called Oxford in Vancouver BC that takes place on the weekends. Any rec. where one can actually learn and get something out of it would be greatly appreciated. Esp with online classes. Thanks!

sojourner · Posted: Wed Oct 06, 2004 6:37 am Post subject:

Jeans,

As I have mentioned in earlier postings to Dave's various forums,it is best to do a recognised,high quality course,such as CELTA or Trinity.Neither course can be done online.

However,if you are adamant in wanting to do an online course,then why don't you contact Jeff Mohammad,who frequently posts to Dave's Teacher Training Forum ? Apart from being a CELTA instructor,Jeff also runs his own online or distance learning TESL course.Short of doing an actual CELTA course,Jeff's own course would definitely be worth investigating,especially considering his many years experience as both an ESL teacher and a teacher trainer.

Regards,

Peter

Dragonsaver · Joined: 12 Oct 2004 Posts: 41 Location: Dalian, China

I am from Canada and have been looking into the Oxford seminars as well. They are taught at various Universities across Canada. The foundation course is 60 hours and that is taught in class. The second level courses are taught as correspondence courses.

I am currently thinking of taking their course. Next week I am going to speak with some ESL teachers and see if they know about the course and if they think it is good. I will let you know what I find out.

It is not as expensive as the CELTA course which is what attracts me, however, I will check it out and let you know.

Kent F. Kruhoeffer · Joined: 22 Jan 2003 Posts: 2129 Location: 中国

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Kent F. Kruhoeffer · Joined: 22 Jan 2003 Posts: 2129 Location: 中国

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

However, to add a little comment to Kent's list, I would be somewhat wary of a number of these, having heard some bad reports. The onlinetefl.com one in particular. I actually did that course, and although the course itself was good from the knowledge side, it gave little or no infromation on how to be a good teacher. Sure it was great if you wanted to brush up of your grammar....
Just take online courses for what they are - some of them are quite good (I'm actually doing my Diploma by distance at the moment), but some of them are completely useless.
The best thing to do, as people have said, is to do a taught course. Also. make sure your course has observed teaching practice, in front of a real class, as part of the deal, otherwise it's not worth it. How do you know you'll enjoy teaching until you've tried it??

Kent F. Kruhoeffer · Joined: 22 Jan 2003 Posts: 2129 Location: 中国

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aoxomoxoa21 · Joined: 24 Nov 2004 Posts: 6

So can anyone give a recommendation for an online course based on personal experience. I am currently travelling and will soon look for work, so online is my only option. Neither do i have the cash for a full course.

One question though...is an online diploma really worth much more than simply showing up and smiling a lot?

Guy Courchesne · Joined: 10 Mar 2003 Posts: 9650 Location: Mexico City

aoxomoxoa21, if you have no experience teaching, then you shouldn't take an online course only and expect there to be a job for you, particularly in Brazil. I know the costs are higher on an onsite course, but the practical teaching is invaluable considering employment opportunities later.

If you have no choice but to take an online course, I would recommend doing some volunteer teaching in Brazil or an internship abroad right afterwards.

aoxomoxoa21 · Joined: 24 Nov 2004 Posts: 6

Thanks for the reply Guy--

Unfortunately a decent onsite course would suck up pretty much my entire travel budget, and my reason for looking into teaching english is hopes of augmenting my meager budget because I hear Brazil is not all that cheap (at least not compared to Bolivia, which works quite well with my means). If I could find something to carry me through a couple months, even if I still had to live out of my own pocket as well, that would be fine. No, I don't have teaching experience, but I do have a BA in English Lit (just graduated last May), if that does anything. I hear a lot about people just showing up...but I assume that requires a decent resume? And I can't really do any volunteer because i wouldn't be able to afford living in brazil that long. Do you think I could fnd something that might work out, or am I just gonna show up, get frustrated, and end up half broke? Any recommendations? Any idea if I'd have better luck in Argentina or Uruguay?

Guy Courchesne · Joined: 10 Mar 2003 Posts: 9650 Location: Mexico City

your degree is your saving grace. Otherwise, I would have said it's unfair to paying students to get a teacher who's not trained. You might luck out just by showing up, though Uruguay is your best bet then, or Sao Paolo Brazil for it's size.

Argentina is tough on everyone right now, especially if your budget is low.

Kent F. Kruhoeffer · Joined: 22 Jan 2003 Posts: 2129 Location: 中国

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morningthunder · Joined: 08 Nov 2004 Posts: 28 Location: UK

I've also been looking at doing an online TEFL, and I'm not 100% convinced any of them are worth the asking price. My background is that I taught English at high school and uni level in China for a year and a half and I'm thinking of returning. So, I have teaching practice, but no formal training.

I would really just like to learn a bit more about the theory behind teaching, especially concerning speaking and writing, and get some fresh new ideas for lessons etc. If I decide not to do the course, I was wondering if anyone knew of any good books about TEFL? As I see it, an online course is essentially self-study anyway, so why not side-step the cost by just buying a book and studying yourself?

Any ideas appreciated.

MT.

moonraven · Joined: 24 Mar 2004 Posts: 3094

Kent wrote:

"As with most endeavours in education, you'll get out what you put in, and that goes for an onsite course as well as an online one."

True. But trying to do something on the cheap also means that you will probably end up with a cheap course--in all senses of the adjective.

If you want to be a teacher, rather than read books about TEFL, why not read books about teaching? I have found Paulo Freire's books to be worth their weight in gold.

Kent F. Kruhoeffer · Joined: 22 Jan 2003 Posts: 2129 Location: 中国

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