Job Discussion Forums

[Katja84]

Hello! I've just finished my first TESOL course but am keen on more, and wonder if you know of any good courses that would be suitable. The course I've done is a one-year level 2 university module from the UK (where 1 is the easiest and 3 leads to a qualification of some kind - I got to skip level 1 because of previous teaching experience). The course was divided in two parts, teaching and the English language, and whereas the first part got a bit tedious after a while (most other students had never taught before, so the discussions were a bit dull) I would still much like to improve on my own knowledge of grammar, phonetics, language components and how to teach them. Do you know of any recognized courses that focus specifically on this? Are there any good online courses out there or can you assume they will not be recognized by schools? Are there any recognized TESOL courses in China that focus specifically on what it's like to teach Chinese students?

Also, to those of you that have done CELTA, are these courses focused entirely on teaching or on how the English language functions as well? I know CELTAs cost about as much as one of my years of university despite being only four weeks long, so are they actually value for money or can I learn most of it on my own if I'm not out for the qualification?

Any information or suggestions appreciated

[Anda]

Um, when you go for a job, they look to see if you have a four year degree for immigration, an English teaching certificate plus experience. Other than that they look to see if you have a masters.

Nothing like experience as you can be applying to teach say 4 students or have a hall with 220 students in front of you, like I had a couple of weeks back. What you can do one place you can't do at the next. Most of modern university teaching methods think you will have a small class well equipped with unlimited ability to photocopy.

Now here in China it is going to take a long time to pay off any extra course on the wages being paid here.

[Katja84]

[SnoopBot]

Katja, if you really want to be considered a professional teacher (teach in western countries and get professional certification license) Do the B.Ed program with a TESOL flavor in a content area such as Language-Arts.

This might not get you those great paying jobs in China but it can bring some better teaching jobs in the future.

Once you get these qualification nobody can take it away. Again, you might be overqualified for the General Mill Chinese job, but if a better position comes up in your future , it might be yours.

If you have a 4 year degree, getting your M.Ed in TESOL with another certification is the best way to go.

Getting TESOL certs with No degree will not help you for better jobs. Of course you will be a better teacher because a good TESOL cert program is intensive.

Also having an unrelated degree + tesol cert makes you a better teacher in TESOL but the Chinese employers don't know what a TESOL cert really is. Your pay will be the same as the BA in Basket-weaving.

However, having a REAL TEACHING degree does matter.

Again, my teaching degree often got me more work from my primary university (often unpaid) along with tedious flagship activities.

However, this might not happen to you, I did get a higher private wage, often above 200 RMB an hour up to 400 RMB for technical/business courses.

So there is no real shortcut for this, I spent 2 years doing my MBA then enrolled directly into the MAEd program which was 3 years. I spent a total of 5 years of study at the graduate level.

I am glad I did it and got it completed while I still had the chance. I can teach in the USA (University) if I chose to do this, or stay in China or go to other countries for experience.

I feel the field of ESL is being saturated right now, and those that can shine above the 4-week TEFL wonders or backpacker types will have the edge over others in the future.

Qualifications are good, add a really good personality and excellent teaching ability = a win/win situation for your students, the school and for yourself.

[Anda]

Katja84 I don't know what country you come from but in Australia you can do a certificate in Linguistics at the University of Southern Queensland by distance Ed. or on campus. If and I mean if you go on the do a masters in Linguistics then you have a masters in Education but this only works with the masters degree. You need to finish 8 units for the master�s degree provided you have a bachelor�s degree now / currently.

[Katja84]