Job Discussion Forums

[mlscion]

In February, I had started an online TESOL certificate course through ITTT. It took me about a month, but I finally completed the course and was sent the final test via email on March 25th, quite sure that I have passed the darn thing. I even got an email confirmation saying that they had received the test and it would take about 10 days to mark it.

Since then, I have applied for an English Instructor position with a school and was sent a contract. I have supplied all my necessary documents and am basically waiting to go...but I still haven't heard any word from ITTT about the status of my test and if I had graduated.

I queried ITTT and asked if I passed or if they are still grading my test. A day later, I got a terse, short reply from them stating that they had not received the test. Period. I replied and told them that they had sent me an email confirmation and had included it in my email. I explained that maybe it got lost or whatever, and then I asked if I should resend it, as I keep copies of documents. No replies from them at all.

I don't know what to do. My employer requires that I have a TESOL certificate, and I am due to leave at the end of this month. I have no proof that I even took the course! Should I explain to the school what happened? Would I get a work visa from China? I am currently an ESL tutor and volunteer teacher in my community and have a sound knowledge of teaching, good recommendations from previous employers, but I have no piece of paper to show for it, except that I'm a certified reading and literacy tutor in my city.

I'm also a bit peeved that this whole thing isn't being resolved with ITTT and it feels like I wasted $200 for nothing (which is a lot when you have little ones!). Aaargh! Should I take another course to be certified or what?

[Glenski]

I know nothing about ITTT, but if they are reputable, perhaps this is the time to deal with them live, by phone, instead of by mail if that was your initial means of "query". Otherwise, if you called them earlier, call again but ask to speak to a different person.

[arioch36]

China?

If the school was legit, the TESOL cert has absolutely no impact on getting your work permit/invitation letter. You take the invitation letter to the nearest Chinese consulate, and get your work visa, a z-visa. You must get your z-visa before entering China.

Most likely if the Chinese school accepted such a TESOL cert, they will accept you even though you don't currently have it. You can ask your school. You say you are due to leave at the end of the month? I wouldn't worry about why they haven't marked the test, I would worry about why the school has not sent you a work invitation letter!

[naturegirl321]

For many visas, TEFL certs don't matter, what matters is having a BA and being a native speaker.