Job Discussion Forums

argonfly707 · Joined: 31 Aug 2005 Posts: 46 Location: Taiwan

I am currently going to be taking the Oxford Seminars English Course (TESL). My first question is there any difference between TESOL and TESL. After the course I am looking to teach in China or Taiwan in November. To help me out I also have a College Diploma. I would like to work in a safe environment. I also would prefer no snow for a year. Please let me know of any places that would fit this category and any other experiences.

Thanks for your time

voodikon · Joined: 23 Sep 2004 Posts: 1363 Location: chengdu

a tesol is a master's degree; a tesl, i believe, is the same as a tefl, which is a four-week certificate. if i'm correct in the latter; the answer is no.

for no snow, try south of the yangtze.

Mysterious Mark · Joined: 15 Dec 2004 Posts: 121

TESOL: Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages
TESL: Teaching English as a Second Language
TEFL: Teaching English as a Foreign Language

Some people say "tee-sol" while others say "tessle", but the point is that these terms are synonymous. It's only a master's degree if there's an M, as in MA-TESOL.

I recommend browsing the archives of these forums to familiarize yourself with the warning signs of bad people and situations. My advice to anyone new to the field is not to a sign a contract of more than six months unless there's a very good reason to do so. An employer who wants a one-year contract might settle for a six-month contract with your explicit intent to renew it.

Don't take any Chinese person's description of a location at face value. People might say, "Oh you're from Canada, the weather here will be no problem for you," or "You will find it very warm here in the winter... because there is very good heating!" It shouldn't be too difficult to find the average monthly temperatures for the nearest major city on the internet. Pollution, dust, and heavy rain are also worth considering.

Good luck!

jeffinflorida · Posted: Fri Sep 09, 2005 5:13 am Post subject:

I thought about a tfl/tesl program but talked to others already in China and decided it was NO advantage to get a certificate. The Universitys I spoke with only cared about a degree - and, oh yes, WHITE SKIN.

If you have a college degree - no matter what subject - you can get a job teaching English here.

If you do not like snow then stay to the south of China. Fujian provence on east coast and south from there.

bdawg · Joined: 25 Feb 2004 Posts: 526 Location: Nanjing

I'll second Mr. Florida. I paid 1200 CND for my 1 month TESOL diploma. After I explained to my employer what it was, I recieved a 200RMB raise Crying or Very sad

Don McChesney · Joined: 25 Jun 2005 Posts: 656

And the TESOL Diploma sure is pretty impressive. It even gets gold stars for your subjects. Definitely worth the money just for the certificate to photocopy (in colour) and send on.

argonfly707 · Joined: 31 Aug 2005 Posts: 46 Location: Taiwan

Thanks for the info guys. I still think I will go ahead with the course as they have a teacher placement afterwards which I think will help a lot.

jeffinflorida · Posted: Sat Sep 10, 2005 1:13 am Post subject:

Kepp in mind that what you learn in the course will most likely have no direct connection to what you actually do in a classroom.

Life in a Chinese classroom is not even close to "Book Learning". You can not be prepared for what you will experience.

I work in a university and the quality of work and input from the students is generally very poor. I have also done many side contracts and one of them was teaching primary school to 1st 2nd 3rd graders. In 1 class the kids were actually throwing stuff at me and fighting with each other - this is in Quanzhou, not The Bronx.

The course may give you some insight but will not really prepare you for what you REALLY will get.

As far as teacher placement, you are paying for this service when you can find your own jobs pretty easy and save some money.

Have fun and don't forget to pack some deoderant.