Job Discussion Forums

[lowes13]

These questions go out to all of you who currently hold a certificate or diploma in TEFL, TESOL etc.

Having a qualification is obviously beneficial from a teaching standpoint however the investment can be substantial for many people. The gap year student is probably not going to invest in a qualification unless he/she is seriously considering teaching as a career move. The average adventurer is, probably, also not going to pay out for any sort of teaching credential but the individuals who come here and decide to stay on as teachers may well seriously consider it. Given the salaries in China and the cost of Western training organizations fees it means that the investment is relatively high in order to become qualified. So what is the pay back time; is it ever paid back in a financial sense or is the student taught the real beneficiary?

Some questions to consider:

Most job ads require a degree in any discipline and there are also, sometimes, remarks to the affect that a TEFL or TESOL qualification would be nice. Is it only nice or is it truly valued!

Has having the qualification made a difference to your salary?
Is there tangible evidence that you earn more because of your qualification bearing in mind that there are many people out there being employed with zero experience or qualifications?
Do you feel there are more options open to you?

Which course would you recommend to newcomers?
Do you feel it makes a difference to employers whether it�s online only, online plus a short residential phase or completely residential course?
How much weight does the Cambridge or Trinity accreditation add to the qualification in terms of employer interest?
What training establishment or organization would you recommend?

My thoughts are:

It certainly would benefit a persons immediate teaching skills as well as improve a newcomer�s confidence which in turn is beneficial to the students.
Financially I doubt it adds more than 500RMB to the monthly salary in which case it would require 10 months of work to cover the cost of an average course, $600. If we look at courses such as CELTA or Trinity TESOL then we can expect to pay $1500 - $1800 and need 2 years plus to recoup the cost.

What are your thoughts and experiences?

[lowes13]

With the start of next term getting closer and the plethora of enquiries from prospective employees wanting to come to China I�d like to give my post another airing if I may.

Many people who are seriously thinking about coming over to this country will, no doubt, have many questions and one that is commonly asked relates to qualifications. I feel that with some input from those with TEFL or TESOL certification the info given will help a great many people in their decision making. So once again what has your qualification meant to you in real terms and what are your recommendations?

Cheers

[randerso]

There have been so many posts on this lately. My coworkers and I at my Uni range in certification from nothing/no experience to TESOL with 5 years experience to CELTA Trained. We all get paid the same amount - and no one here outside the FT's (not even all of them) recognize nor value the prior training we have (or don't have).

I'd still say that in China, at least, prior training is only good for the teacher. It will help you feel more comfortable in the classroom for your first month or two. My opinion is still that there is no better training than a classroom and your students staring at you expecting something magical. Of course, if you are interested in educational theory, academic ESL debates or even higher level grammar topics - then intense training would be helpful. But, let's be honest, most ESLers are not in it for that. And China may be one of the last bastions for non certified teachers. I'm not suggesting that it's ok to come here and slack off, but you definatley don't need to spend a lot of time or money getting qualified - most places only want a Bachelors degree in something.

As to lowes13's questions:

Most job ads require a degree in any discipline and there are also, sometimes, remarks to the affect that a TEFL or TESOL qualification would be nice. Is it only nice or is it truly valued! {Not valued in the sense that you'll get a heck of a lot of extra pay. Maybe a Master's degree will get you that or a DELTA, but not a CELTA or any kind of TEFL/TESOL}

Which course would you recommend to newcomers? {If you really want to get something, I'd try taking a 60 or 120 hr TEFL or TESOL course in person wherever you are now. Online will also do for your employer - in China - but a lot of the online courses are unrealiable}

Do you feel it makes a difference to employers whether it�s online only, online plus a short residential phase or completely residential course? {In my opinion, any certification in the eyes of your employer is a face-saving technique that they can publish in the pamphlet or brag to the parents about. The content is not all that important yet.}

How much weight does the Cambridge or Trinity accreditation add to the qualification in terms of employer interest? {Cambridge and Trinity mean everything in Europe. Try getting a good or legal job without one! But here, besdies the prestige of the Cambridge name, employers don't know that these programs are real and of a great standing. If you are staying in China, save your money. Unless you want some really good training that will serve to imporive your ESL career.}

What training establishment or organization would you recommend? {As for what to recommend, that depends a great deal on where you are. If you are in a western country I'd try looking in the paper - usually schools advertise. Or you could try a local community or technical college. If you are already in Asia and cannot physically get to a training, I can recommend from personal experience that Canadian Global TESOL does a reliable and fairly encompassing online TESOL.}

[tw]

[tw]

Saw this in a job ad:

[randerso]

I think most of the confusion on this topic comes from one simple issue: The law does not even require Foreigners in China to have a BA to obtain a work visa, let alone any kind of TEFL Training. Hence, you do not legally need anything other than a high school diploma to teach ESL in China. Yes, the trend for better educated/qualified teachers is growing, but that is based purely on supply and demand. Certain provincial gov'ts may also have started regulations about FTs with TEFL for public school education - but once again, this does not reflect on the National Government Requirements. I'd say that the time has come when Chinese Parents/students (and therefore the schools they attend) will start to demand better qualifications. That is why some schools (in bigger cities and usually more expensive or of a higher brand name) will ask their teachers to have some sort of training.

The argument on how much you should invest in your own attractiveness on this scale will depend entirely on the individual. A person with a MA in Education and a CELTA will be very desirable, and will have the edge in Beijing and Shanghai - but will also likely be highly disillusioned with how the school system actually works, and the FTs place in that system. Someone with no ESL training fresh out of high school will most likely find it harder to get a job and will have more problems in the classroom in the beginning. Sadly, if you are white and a Native Speaker, that seems to satisfy many schools in China. I'm not saying it's right or productive for masses of unqualified FTs to pour into China, but it is still possible. And the time on that free ride is running out.

As I've said before on other posts; if you are a first timer that only wants to take a year to try something different, having any ESL training is not essential - but you will most likely get a crap job and it will be easier for your FAO to mess up your life here. If you want to do this with a level of professionalism or you would just feel more comfortable with a degree of control (or even a clue) in the classroom, take a short TEFL course or an online course. If you want to really make this your career or want to stay in ESL for a while, then take nothing less than a CELTA. DELTA or an MA can follow.

Newbies: Think about what you want to do and prepare accordingly!

[tw]

[tw]