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corporatehuman · Joined: 09 Jan 2006 Posts: 198 Location: Mexico City

I�m starting to teach private classes, and had a question from a parent whether or not I could give some sort of certification. I told her no, because I�m not a school, but then I was wondering if there is a way to give a certificate to someone. Maybe there are online exams you can register and use, and if they pass, they get some sort of degree? Anyone know?

Chris

Ben Round de Bloc · Joined: 16 Jan 2003 Posts: 1946

I imagine you could print up and give almost any type of original certificate that you wanted to. However, getting anyone to recognize it would be another matter. One thing that you might be able to do is connect yourself to a well known system that's already in place. For example, if the Cambridge exams are given in your area, you might prepare your students to take those exams. If they passed, then they would receive well recognized certificates through that system.

Prof.Gringo · Posted: Wed Feb 28, 2007 6:51 pm Post subject:

Maybe I should start printing up my own certs, diplomas and degrees... Actually, many "schools" do just that. Take a look on-line at the number of places offering "life experience" and other diploma mill gimmicks. I think that here in Mexico SEP accredits most schools and verifies their curriculum. There is also accreditation through UNAM, the Secretary of Labor, and some others, I think.
If you wanted to print up certificates as a form of recognition for students progress with you that would be OK as long as you made it clear that it's just a diploma that you have personally issued and that it may or may not be accepted. I think that's similar to what many language schools do. You would also need to have a standard test to be able to give a fair and objective measure of a student's level of English

jillford64 · Joined: 15 Feb 2006 Posts: 397 Location: Sin City

My school gives a certificate to students at the end of the basic, intermediate, and advanced levels. It is signed by the owner of the school, but doesn't have any official value; it just makes the students feel good. The students can take their certficate from the advanced level course and submit it with an application to the SEP to get an official document that says they have acheived a certain level of English. Many employers required this SEP certification of proficiency in English.