Job Discussion Forums

vanilla_face · Joined: 17 Jul 2009 Posts: 10

I've heard online TEFL certs are not worth the paper they are printed out on and the best is to get a 120 hr. course. I am currently working and I am also on a budget. I know this will hurt my chances for getting a TEFL cert, but I want to find the best for my money. I am also only available weekends. I am currently working second shift (3pm-midnight), so I might be able to squeeze something in in the morning, but that would be a grueling schedule.

I want to know how concerned potential employers are about certs for entry level work. I am looking at Asia for teaching so I know they are more relaxed, but I don't want to blow $500 on a 40 hr online course and have the interviewer say "who cares, what else do you have?". I also want a quality education. I don't want to walk in the first day of class and not have any idea of what to do because I skimped on education.

I am trying to find a school in the Chicago area and have come across a place called The TELF Institute that has onsite and online classes (120 hr, 100 hr class/20 hr. teaching). There is also a weekend course with i to i (40 hr). Are these any good or does anyone have a recommendation for something better?

Chancellor · Posted: Thu Jul 23, 2009 8:41 pm Post subject: Re: TEFL question

Justin Trullinger · Posted: Thu Jul 23, 2009 9:39 pm Post subject:

Many online certs claim to have the "correct length" of 100-140 hours. But many course graduates claim they took much less to complete. Some people repeat the mantra of "120 hours and 6 hours of practice teaching." Well, cert scammers can search the internet too, and know this is what is required by most employers. They construct courses to appear to offer this, or to offer it in a substandard way.

You need to look in more detail- Some things to look for, whether your course is distance or onsite:

Accreditation:
Many courses accredit themselves, or found organisations to accredit them. Or are accredited by travel organisations. A good course will be accredited by an organisation, such as a university, that does more than just run around accrediting TESOL courses.

Trainers:
They should be well trained. They should tell you their names and qualifications. If they won't, there's a reason. This matters- it doesn't mean anything to me that you've done six hours of practice teaching if the person observing you and giving you feedback doesn't know what they're doing. Think MA or diploma, think 5 years experience absolute minimum.

Ratio:
It doesn't matter how good your trainer is if they're training 100 participants at the same time. 1:6 is about all most trainers can handle. Even if trainers are well qualified, if they don't pay any individual attention to you, that's all.

Advertising:
Are they telling the truth? Do their claims make sense? Are they pretending to be the only course that's worth anything? If it sounds like they're lying, it's probably the case.

Price:
Get it straight, you can't get something for nothing. On site courses are more expensive for a reason. But any $199 qualification is...a $199 qualification. Why would you expect to gain a new trade from it?

It's not about "distance versus onsite." It's about good versus pile of *beep*.

Best,
Justin

Glenski · Joined: 15 Jan 2003 Posts: 12844 Location: Hokkaido, JAPAN

LITTLE PEACHES · Posted: Sun Sep 20, 2009 9:54 am Post subject:

i got my tefl cert through an online program that is certififed and blah blah blah, i did my research and found a great place that many companies take for a good certificate. After 120 hours and the 20 hours in the classrooom, i got a job placement and told them about my certificiation. The company i got certified through said they help with job placement, no they give you links and resources to get to places to apply. So if your on here, your doing lots of research and may easily find other search engines to get a job abroad. I thought my certification was very important, low and behold, I am the only person that has this certification at my job. Look around and see if you can find a job without being certified. I'm not sure if there's many, but i found one without even looking

spiral78 · Joined: 05 Apr 2004 Posts: 11534 Location: On a Short Leash

Chancellor · Posted: Wed Sep 23, 2009 6:52 pm Post subject:

coledavis · Joined: 21 Jun 2003 Posts: 1838

Generally speaking, it's a competitive market place. CELTA or maybe Trinity are usually requested and give you some chance of getting work in the places you want to apply to rather than only to the ones who are desperate for anybody.