Job Discussion Forums

[MattElz]

I returned to the US after 15 months in Japan and am considering teaching overseas again in another 1-2 years. I have two general questions regarding location and certificate options:

1. Which countries/cities are relatively well-suited for someone who takes mild antidepressant medication and would benefit from semi-regular counseling?

2. Career schools in the US often require a short intro certificate (ex. TESOL) -- which of the online programs are reputable and reasonably priced? I realize that the practicum is missing from most of these programs, but short of that, which ones can your recommend? (I already know about the Jeff Mohammed certificate, but what are some others I might consider)?

[tedkarma]

It's difficult for people to recommend the better of things - that they don't recommend - it you know what I mean.

That said - I do believe that any training is better than no training.

From what I have seen of these programs - and I haven't seen a lot - I would look for something that gives you VERY SPECIFIC instructions about how to use instructional activities - and very specific reasons why - and very specific ideas about how to adapt them to a variety of circumstances.

Because of their brevity and medium - most of the programs (again, from what I have seen) are VERY general - and don't really give you much help in learning how to find, use, and adapt different kinds of activities for different ages, levels, purposes, etc.

So - when looking at their syllabus (do they even have one? Will they let you see it before you pay?) look less for things that might seem important (theory, methods) and go direct to IN CLASS specifics. But, this is, in fact, just the opposite of what I have seen in these programs.

Just my opinion - I am sure others will weigh in with different ideas.