Job Discussion Forums

[purple octi]

Hello All,

I hope to teach in China in fall 2008. I am currently overwhelmed by all the possible routes of TEFL certification available.

I have a BA in English and Psychology and I hope to substitute teach to gain some hands on practice for the next 6 months before heading to China. However, I would also like to gain some theoretical and additional hands-on experience before going abroad. I looking into more local options, including online courses, as going abroad or taking off a month of work is not a financially feasible option for me.

Will employers in China recognize an online TEFL certification as a bonus on a resume? Or must it be a CELTA type course?

I am looking into i-to-i courses, mainly the 100 hour course which includes a 20 hour weekend module. Does anyone know pros or cons of this course or have a better suggestion?

Thanks, this newbie is more than a little confused.

[Super Frank]

With a degree you should be alright. The on-line certs mean you have no teaching experience at the end of the course I pressume, and this is the drawback of on-line certification. However most month long courses only give you 6-10 hours teaching experience, which is enough to help if you are very nervous and get you through the initial fear.
You could try going to a local college in the evenings and explaining your situation to them and see if they will let you observe any language classes, but this may not be possible.
China is an open market, you will find work easily with your cv, you just have to be positive and not show that you are overwhelmed.
Language mills may be a good place to start as you will be teaching children, in a university you may not feel confident that you are giving the students what they expect. You need a bit of a tough skin in the first few months as doubts about your own performance play on your mind.
Or you may love it, have plenty of bluff and be the best thing since instant noodles.