Job Discussion Forums

MeiMei · Joined: 06 Feb 2006 Posts: 35

Ok Here is the question of the day. I am interested in teaching in China

Do I Need TEFL to get a job

Will TEFL allow me to make more money in China

Should I take a course and is I to I a good course to take.

Thanks for your help

Richard.

tedkarma · Posted: Fri Apr 07, 2006 1:26 am Post subject:

Most people in China teach without a certification of any sort, though I imagine it might help you make the short list for the better jobs - and perhaps better pay.

I would hesitate to say that a TEFL Certification promises better wages anywhere - though it probably does by virtue of granting you more opportunites (eligible for jobs that will require certification and those that don't).

Should you take a course?

My opinion is that students pay a lot of money to sit in your class - so isn't it fair that you learn how to teach them properly?

Take a look at "How to Choose a TEFL Course" for some guidance on selecting a course that is appropriate for you.

http://phuketdelight.com/TEFL.htm

stillnosheep · Joined: 01 Mar 2004 Posts: 2068 Location: eslcafe

No you do not need TEFL certificate to teach in China.

If you can afford it then the four week Celta or Trinity training - available for between US$1400 (Thailand) and US$2850 (Canada) is top quality, internationally recognised and well worth it for the training, observed lesson practice and confidence that it will give you.

If not then any training is better than none but beware sharks.

paulmanser · Joined: 28 Nov 2005 Posts: 403

if not celta/trinity then cot or UK university, anything else IS shark, buyer beware buyer beware.

tedkarma · Posted: Sun Apr 09, 2006 3:20 am Post subject:

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

stillnosheep · Joined: 01 Mar 2004 Posts: 2068 Location: eslcafe

Only Trinity or Celta currently enjoy general international recognition. Other courses may be as good but few people who matter, including most employers, have heard of them.

laconic · Posted: Sun Apr 09, 2006 10:44 pm Post subject: Curious

paulmanser · Joined: 28 Nov 2005 Posts: 403

TRINITY AND CELTA are only internationally recognised because their the two oldest going TEFL certs.

Basically, longs your cert is from college of teachers,c elta, trinity, any UK/USA university your be fine, anything else I would email the private lang schools in the country that your heading for.

CELTA/TRINITY are only mentioned for Europe, Asia doesnt ask for such qualifications normally.

mlomker · Joined: 24 Mar 2005 Posts: 378

paulmanser · Joined: 28 Nov 2005 Posts: 403

I done a online TEFL cert ages ago. I only did it to get a introduction in the TEFL world, plus the fact that it is a part of i to i placement scheme. I will be tkaing a 4 week TESOL cert this May 26th till late June in Prague accred by the college of teachers.

I wouldnt dare go into the TEFL world withotu 4 week cert jsut like I woudlnt withotu a BA degree. For Poland that is, since China has too great of a demand, going by my homework.

MELEE · Posted: Wed Apr 19, 2006 9:55 pm Post subject:

Justin Trullinger · Posted: Wed Apr 19, 2006 11:08 pm Post subject:

Still, a well respected MA is a better reccomendation than one that isn't, wouldn't you say-

I have a recent recipient of the SIT TESOL Certificate on my staff, and she's pretty great. I have no doubt that she would be if she'd done a different course, though. Some people just are.

As many of you know, the organisation I'm working for is going to be offering this certificate in a few months time- and everything about it looks pretty good to me. Because it's through an accredited US university, teachers have the option to do it for US accepted continuing education units, or professional development credit, which was one selling point to me. Another was small course sizes- when I did my Trinity course, there were so many of us that they had trouble finding students and classroom space. I like the idea of a group of no more than 12, so all can be highly involved.

It's true that it's not as well established, or as widely known, as CELTA or Trinity- but I guess people I respect who hire teachers have learned to look at course content rather than brand name. The content of this course, in my opinion, is at least as good as any other four week intensive.

About SIT MAT grads being crazy...well, I've worked with a few myself. Only a couple were completely nuts...nuts with a respected degree, though, which might still be better than unqualified and crazy. I've heard it's a very demanding course, but don't know alot about the content or structure.

Here in Quito, fully half the applicants I get have online qualifications. More than half of walk-ins. What makes me a little angry at the industry is that these online companies do such a *BEEP*ing good job at publicity, these people really have no idea that neither I, nor many people in the field, think their cert is worth the paper it's printed on. Sad.

Best,
Justin

MELEE · Posted: Thu Apr 20, 2006 12:09 am Post subject:

Oh! I really should have mentioned, I've also worked with a couple of SIT certificate graduates, and they have been good in terms of teaching knowledge. I think the SIT Cert is on par with the CELTA and Trinity Certificates.

The SIT MA is really "touchy feely" if you know what I mean.