Job Discussion Forums

[izzyismydog]

I am looking for a cheap place to do my TEFL cert. I need an internationally recognized certificate and ideally I will do it in a beautiful location. I have a degree in Education and experience in TEFL so to be honest I don't care much about learning a lot- I just need the papers to take with me to Turkey so I can teach there.

Does anybody have any experience with this school or any other recommendations regarding a CHEAP TEFL certificate that meets the international standards?

PM or post.

thanks!

[tedkarma]

It would be hard to beat Phuket for location.

But, how about working on your attitude a bit - and as long as you are going to spend some money - consider picking up a few additional skills as long as you are bothering to take a course. By the time you buy a plane ticket, room and board, etc - your course fees will be only half the price anyway.

There are several reputable programs on Phuket - and all of them will work your butt off while you take them. As will any decent Cert course.

Do a google for Text and Talk (teflteachasia.com - I think), TEFL International, ECC, and God knows there's probably another one or two nowadays. Ask how long they've been on the island and if you can sit for a day and watch the lessons (really the best way to make a decision). See if you connect with the teachers and program.

Go, have a good time, enjoy the island - get your cert - and learn something new.

[kenkannif]

http://www.tefl-teach-thai.com for T&T.

http://www.teflintl.com for TEFL Int.

I tried to get the link to CC from the home page on Ajarn.com but it's a dead link!

There's others but as Ted says check for how long they've been training there etc. and try to spend time in each to make an informed decision!

[Sheep-Goats]

The only certificates I would feel comfortable calling "internationally recognized" are the CELTA and Trinity certificates.

But I've heard worlds of good stuff about the Text and Talk certificate in Puket, and plenty of good stuff about TEFL intl. And they both claim to have a good international reputation. I'm only hesitant about that second claim.

[PKB]

[tedkarma]

It's my understanding that Text and Talk always invites sit ins. Contact them and ask if they could fit you in - if you decided to attend their course. I think TEFL courses have high and low seasons (busy and slow times of the year) just as the tourist industry on the island does - though probably not at the same time.

[izzyismydog]

The prices of T&T and ECC and TEFL Int. are all the same- and that's too high for my pocketbook. Located in Phuket is also a place called TEFLPLUS that charges substantially less and sounds just as reputable as the others... but what I'm wondering is: IS IT?

Ideally we won't have to pay the price of one of those big chain schools- they all have virtually identical prices and offerings and we are hoping to break out of the chain and get a deal.

Here's the website:
http://www.teflplus.com/

Here are the claims:
* TEFLPlus is a member of IATEFL and Thai TESOL,
* Thailand's best value course (by far!)
* Fully accredited and certified by the Ministry of Education
* More actual practice classes than any other provider
* Only six trainees per course
* 4-week 125-hour course
* 20 years of experience in language training
* Numbered certificates to ensure validity

Has anybody heard of this establishment and do you know if it's a reputable company?

Thanks.

[tedkarma]

TEFLPlus aka Patong Language School is relatively new to the TEFL game. What they mean by 20 years in language training - means they've been a language school on the island for 20 years. I would suggest that training teachers is a different ball of wax. Ask if them if their teacher trainer had taught teachers before s/he came to them. I think they've been doing TEFL courses for about a year now.

Might be a good course, I don't know - have never met anyone who did their course. Nice website though!

Again, there's no reason why you might not be able to sit on several providers to see if you'd like what they do.

If the price of the course is your only criteria - then TEFKPlus may be the place for you. But, again, by the time you factor in housing, food, plane tickets etc - I still think the cost of the course itself is only going to be 1/3 to 1/2 of your total cost.

Think of this as an investment in yourself - and in your satisfaction with the career. All the same - it may well be worth asking them to let you sit in.

IF - schools say they will be too busy to let you decide at the last minute (after you sit in) when you want to come - you might try some communication back and forth. You'd be surprised by the lack of follow through by some schools - and that may give you some general notion about quality also. Or how they value their students or potential students.

BTW, being a "member" of IATEFL or Thai TESOL - means only that you joined and paid your dues. You may contact those organizations and you'll find they don't endorse anyone. I too, am a "member" of several such organizations.

[AndyinHK]

You might want to check

ajarn.com

Also, I think there is a company associated with TEFL Internaional, at least by how it looks, called ittt : teflonline.net part of this course is distance -20 units - amazingly it is the same as the PELT course. Then you can choose to do an onsite teaching practice for a week for $400 US.

Just an option...

[PKB]

So what do you all think about 4 week programs(most programs) v. 6 week programs (TextNTalk)?

I've been weighing the pros and cons. 2 extra weeks gives you more time to absorb the material and maybe a lighter schedule, but would probably mean that I wouldn't be able to spend much extra time travelling around Thailand after the course concludes and some extra living expenses during the course duration. Although being stuck in Phuket for 2 extra weeks wouldn't be half bad, I suppose.

Also TextNTalk lists a schedule of 4 or 5 days a week. Does anyone know if this is upto the students discretion or to the schools schedule for that term?

[tedkarma]

[kenkannif]

Four day week indeed, over six weeks.

[Volodiya]

A CELTA or Trinity Certificate might help you get a job if the competition were close; but most ads I read add the qualifier, "or their equivalent".

Probably any 120 hour course which includes observed teaching practice would do the trick in most instances, because of the worldwide teacher shortage- and they're often cheaper. Why? The two mentioned programs have fees for "moderation" which the school must pay to the certifying body, increasing overhead, and the cost to each trainee. I've been told (non-authoritative source) that this is about $200/trainee; or $2,000/course, whichever is greater.

Think about making your decision and registering at least 90 days ahead of the time you want to take the course, to avoid the disappointment of finding your preferred course, and dates, "full".

[PKB]

Did any of you take the TextNTalk cert. in Phuket?

[kenkannif]

No Bangkok!

E-mail Leigh at T&T and ask for referrals from completed or even current students. Most courses will do this!