Job Discussion Forums

[milesjq]

Hey all!

I live in the center of Michigan, and my only option for on-site certification
is in Windsor, Ontario, right across the bridge from Detroit. (At least so far as I know)Others locations are New York, Chicago, L.A., etc. (A LOT FURTHER)

I foresee some difficulties crossing the border so frequently, so I am thinking about getting certification online, though I know it will not be as good.

What type of certificate should I be looking for. Is 100 hours adaquete? If I volunteer tutor, will this help replace the lack of real teaching experience I would receive with an on site course, especially as seen by prospective employers? Which are good names?

Or, should I deal with the risk of unseen complications and delays involved with driving back and forth between the U.S. and Canada twice a weekend for a month?

Any thoughts or suggestions?

[Guy Courchesne]

Did you try checking into Sault Ste Marie Ontario? Not sure if that's closer, but Oxford Seminars might offer something at Algoma U.

[danielita]

You might also want to look at Oxford Seminars in London, Ontario (it is 1 hour by car from Port Huron) Here is a list of dates and locations: http://www.oxfordseminars.com/Pages/Teach/teach_dates.php

Global TESOL also offers a session in Ann Arbor in May:
http://www.globaltesolusa.com/ann_arbor.asp

I don't know how good either courses are (got my TESL elsewhere) but those might be closer for you...

D

[milesjq]

Thanks guys.

Ann Arbor is really close for me. BUT, how will I know if it is a good course or not? They certainly all say they are. What should I look for?[/quote]

[Dragonlady]

deleted

out of date

[RyanS]

Oxford Seminars is almost a scam. Its not worth the money, I took it and really found it to be a joke. Everyone who takes it gets a certificate theres a lot of time wasters they use in the course. There was peeps who missed classes and were only there for like 4 of the 6 days and they got a certificate. Its definately not worth the 800$+ dollars. I don't know what to expect of other courses but if they are anything like this that would suck. All this shit is not put to any standard governmental or otherwise. The teacher was decent but the course materials was junk.

[milesjq]

Good, thanks.

I have found an on site course that is in a realistic location for me, with around 50 hours, almost all in class, some of it supervised teaching. Also it has a job guaruntee that looks sketchy. For example, if I don't have a job in 6 months after sending out 30 resumes, letters, etc., in three different countries, they will refund my money. No mention of contract specifics: salary, duration, hours, etc..

OR... I could take an on line, 100 hour course, much cheaper.

Either option could be supplemented with one on one and group tutoring (independently) for 5 months, 2 hours a week.

Which would an employers prefer. Which would prepare me more?

[rlloydevans]

Different courses are better than another but it does depend on what you need.

For instance, for me getting into ESL I had loads of experience teaching adults on a variety of professional situations - with the attendant training and experience in course and class planning and classroom management. I also had an excellent grounding in the English Language. Thus, all I really needed was basic information on the specific requirements and dynamics of ESL Learning, and of course, an appropriate certificate. I was therefore able to take a very cheap online course, learned everything I needed, and got my certificate. Of course, my potential employers recognize the certificate I had for what it was - a cheap substitute for the real thing - but with my experience and other qualifications the quality of my certificate has not been a real issue.

If you have no real teaching experience, and in particular if you do not have an outstanding grounding in the use of English (including, I'd advise, a strong grasp on the differences between British and American English) then you'd best take a strong program in person. Jus't getting a certificate will get you a job, but it won't prepare you for giving quality instruction to your students.

That's because you can just wing it, but the students will know, and they won't learn as well. They won't want to stay with you and it will be tough to keep classes going because the students will gravitate to effective teachers who know what they are doing. That means schools will be parsimonious in scheduling you classes until you can show you can do it. (sorry, had to add one $3.00 word in there - parsimonious - giggle).

So look for the one that gives you the education you need. That should be your first priority. Then, find the best alternative of those choices.

Best of luck!

[Cdaniels]

[rlloydevans]

[Cdaniels]

Sigh, OK I'm ranting a bit. Sorry rlloyd. In some locations, if an applicant doesn't have credentials specific to education or TEFL, it's possible that immigration won't grant a work visa to teach EFL.
Otherwise, experience counts for a lot more. I would encourage volunteering over course shopping. You would even get more useful info from dating someone with teaching experience!

[rlloydevans]

[tesolitis]

would it be really very hard for would-be teachers to ascertain correct spelling in this forum?

[rlloydevans]

[ls650]