Job Discussion Forums

moonraven · Joined: 24 Mar 2004 Posts: 3094

Don't worry about it. I don't have a TEFL certificate, yet am constantly being offered jobs to train teachers in TEFL certification courses....

Roger · Joined: 19 Jan 2003 Posts: 9138

Du sagst es schon richtig in deinem englischen Titel: "anmassend"...

A guy that thinks he knows everything and investing in furtther education is a waste of his resources is "arrogant"...

Glenski · Joined: 15 Jan 2003 Posts: 12844 Location: Hokkaido, JAPAN

vespertine · Joined: 29 Mar 2005 Posts: 35

Knowledge of multiple languages and how they function deepen your knowledge in how languages function overall, and thus make you a better English teacher.

Girl Scout · Joined: 13 Jan 2005 Posts: 525 Location: Inbetween worlds

You don't need a TEFL cert. to teach in Korea, Taiwan or China. You only need a BA. Have you actually read the job advertisements for these countries or even tried to apply to any yet?

You need an MA to teach at the university level in Taiwan. Otherwise your qualifications are enough to get a job in almost all of Asia.

sigmoid · Joined: 21 Jan 2003 Posts: 1276

Listen to moonraven and girl scout. A TEFL certificate is usually an option for people who have no teaching experience/no confidence. Many if not most schools in many countries will look at the whole package you offer, not just whether or not you're 'certified' Laughing

tedkarma · Posted: Wed Apr 20, 2005 10:44 pm Post subject:

NJI,

I think you are right - in a general sense - if you wish to continue teaching in an informal sense. (note that you said, " informal english teaching ")

And, I also think that you might truly be a "great" teacher - so how about being a "fantastic" teacher?

I don't think that you really have to go get a TEFL, most people in your situation wouldn't. But, if you wish to stay in TEFL as a career - then you might consider how to make the most of it over the long run. And, as with any career, sharpening the skills and polishing the resume WILL pay off in the long run.

Though I have been overseas since 1989 - I still work on improving my skills. - just recently finished a Cambridge IGCSE "Business Studies" accreditation - to enhance my MBA. Business English and teaching business courses - just a sideline really - but, at 53, I like to keep improving my skills. They all, in their own unique way - enhance my M.Ed. and PGCE and yada yada yada.

All I am really trying to say is that - if you really end up loving this career and loving working overseas - then keep improving, continue adding to your resume - and you might be surprised what comes your way. And what a great life you can create for yourself.

You could, btw, complete a good TEFL Cert in Thailand for less than half of the price you suggested in your original post.

Does that do it? (You said, "Somebody please help me with this rather arrogant/lazy attitude I have.")

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

Besides, $3000 is an exorbitant sum to spend on a 4-week TEFL Certificate. You can easily find 4-weekers for half that cost!

JZer · Joined: 16 Jan 2005 Posts: 3898 Location: Pittsburgh

Justin Trullinger · Posted: Thu Apr 21, 2005 1:05 am Post subject:

Alright, You're arrogant. But there was no need to call names. ("Idiot." "german" Smile

)

But seriously, no problem with getting your feet wet, sans certificate. There's work out there, and you'll find some.
But I don't understand your aversion to teacher training either- you have no teaching qualifications at all, yet seem to feel it would be a waste to get any. Hmm...employers will probably not take you as seriously as someone who has made an investment in real training.

Regards,

Justin

sojourner · Posted: Thu Apr 21, 2005 10:04 am Post subject:

Ted K,

In your posting, you mentioned something about a "Cambridge IGCSE". Out of curiosity, I did a Web search and learnt that it is equivalent to the GSCE. I'm a little confused as to why someone, with an MBA, would want to be enrolled in the IGCSE. Maybe, one of the Cambridge "International Diplomas in Business Studies" would be more suitable for you. Like you, I am also continuously upgrading my qualifications - one of the two units I am doing for the final leg of my MA (Applied Linguistics) is "Language for Specific Purposes", a subject that would be most useful for the teaching of Business Communication, EAP, etc. Anyway, many thanks for advising us of the existence of the Cambridge CIE - and good luck with your studies.

- - - - - - -

Njitalian,

Sorry for hijacking your thread, with respect to my message to Ted !

It could be argued that the one month courses are a bit over-rated (and expensive !). Also, in your case, you may already have some basic ideas as to "how to teach". When I did my CELTA training, about four years ago, there were several teachers who had already been working in China for a couple of years; but they all said that the course provided them with some good insights regarding such things as the teaching of grammar, etc. We also had a couple of well-experienced primary and secondary teachers in our group - they were also appreciative of what they learnt in the course. If you are adamant that you will NOT be enrolling in such a course, then at least read some books by Jeremy Harmer and Jim Scrivenor regarding the TESL process. You would also find "How Languages are Learned", by Patsy Lightbown and Nina Spanda most interesting.

It's all very well regarding yourseslf as a "natural teacher"; especially if that is also the opinion of others who have observed you giving lessons. But in the world of TESL, formal qualifications are absolutely essential. In fact, in all professions advanced degrees are essential as evidence that a practitioner is proficient in one's calling and has a mastery of the required body of theory - the opinions of friends regarding one's (supposed) "natural ability" is simply not good enough in the real world !

If you want to be regarded as a true TESL professional, a CELTA may not be good enough. Why not consider doing a proper teacher training course, such as the UK's PGCE or Australia's Grad.Dip.Ed. ? It's possible that at some institutions, you might be able to specialise in TESL. Also, you would learn about classroom management, as well as the theory/psychology/philosophy of education. Some of the most lucrative jobs in the ESL world (eg HK's NET programme) often regard such a qualification as essential.

But as a "starter", you could enrol in a CELTA - especially, if you're keen to get a job almost immediately. After all, a Dip.Ed. involves 12 months of f/t study. If you are contemplating teaching in East or SE Asia, you'll find that in Thailand, CELTA courses are considerably cheaper that what you'd pay for in Nth America. And as Justin said, having completed some training could, in the eyes of many prospective employers, be evidence that you, indeed, take teaching seriously.

Peter

moonraven · Joined: 24 Mar 2004 Posts: 3094

JZer: The moonraven forgets nothing.

University of Massachusetts, Amherst, 1972.

The point was that a TEFL certificate is not necessary. It is helpful for folks who have never taught--just to give them a little taste of what being in a classroom is like--and that's all. That it "certifies" their teaching is a ludicrous misapprehension, as most of the folks I have supervised whose claim to teaching fame was a TEFL certificate couldn't find their butt with both hands in the classroom.

Justin Trullinger · Posted: Thu Apr 21, 2005 4:50 pm Post subject:

I think that on the newer TEFL courses there is an input session on finding your butt... Very Happy

I just liked the image!

Justin

JZer · Joined: 16 Jan 2005 Posts: 3898 Location: Pittsburgh

moonraven · Joined: 24 Mar 2004 Posts: 3094

I think you have a learning disability. You never get the point of anything, and you just keep repeating the same stuff over and over and over.

I did NOT suggest that the OP could get a job training teachers.

I DID suggest that he/she did not need a TEFL certificate to get a job teaching EFL.