View previous topic :: View next topic |
Author |
Message |
brokenarm22
Joined: 15 Aug 2010 Posts: 35
|
Posted: Thu Aug 19, 2010 7:31 pm Post subject: How valuable is a TEFL certificate from Thailand? |
|
|
I have read some countries don't care about it. Is it worth paying 900 for it?
What say you, ESL members? |
|
Back to top |
|
 |
laconic
Joined: 23 May 2005 Posts: 198 Location: "When the Lord made me he made a ramblin man."
|
Posted: Thu Aug 19, 2010 8:02 pm Post subject: |
|
|
It might be valuable in Thailand if you want to work for a school that requires a TEFL certificate. There is no Thai government requirement for such a document in Thailand, though. Also, not all schools in Thailand require a TEFL cert.
Any tefl training program is only as good as the trainer imo and so I would choose carefully and ask a lot of questions before you decide where to spend your money given the very large number of tefl providers in Thailand. |
|
Back to top |
|
 |
brokenarm22
Joined: 15 Aug 2010 Posts: 35
|
Posted: Thu Aug 19, 2010 10:28 pm Post subject: |
|
|
laconic wrote: |
It might be valuable in Thailand if you want to work for a school that requires a TEFL certificate. There is no Thai government requirement for such a document in Thailand, though. Also, not all schools in Thailand require a TEFL cert.
Any tefl training program is only as good as the trainer imo and so I would choose carefully and ask a lot of questions before you decide where to spend your money given the very large number of tefl providers in Thailand. |
Thanks for the input. I guess what I am wondering is, would a school in a country outside of Thailand even care about that certificate from TL? |
|
Back to top |
|
 |
tttompatz

Joined: 06 Mar 2010 Posts: 1951 Location: Talibon, Bohol, Philippines
|
Posted: Thu Aug 19, 2010 10:41 pm Post subject: |
|
|
brokenarm22 wrote: |
laconic wrote: |
It might be valuable in Thailand if you want to work for a school that requires a TEFL certificate. There is no Thai government requirement for such a document in Thailand, though. Also, not all schools in Thailand require a TEFL cert.
Any tefl training program is only as good as the trainer imo and so I would choose carefully and ask a lot of questions before you decide where to spend your money given the very large number of tefl providers in Thailand. |
Thanks for the input. I guess what I am wondering is, would a school in a country outside of Thailand even care about that certificate from TL? |
In most of (all of?) Asia = no. They largely ignore or are indifferent about your TEFL cert. and/or where it was from as long as you meet the (country specific) immigration requirements for a work visa.
Some employers MAY ask for one but again, as long as you meet the immigration requirements for your visa they USUALLY won't worry about the brand or country where you took it.
Would it be beneficial for you to have a TEFL cert = yes. It is a lot better than being dropped into a classroom cold in a "sink or swim" scenario.
IF you are looking at working in Europe after you are done (as in you have a passport from an EU country), spent the extra coin and get one of the "branded" Trinity/CELTA certs.
. |
|
Back to top |
|
 |
brokenarm22
Joined: 15 Aug 2010 Posts: 35
|
Posted: Thu Aug 19, 2010 11:00 pm Post subject: |
|
|
tttompatz wrote: |
brokenarm22 wrote: |
laconic wrote: |
It might be valuable in Thailand if you want to work for a school that requires a TEFL certificate. There is no Thai government requirement for such a document in Thailand, though. Also, not all schools in Thailand require a TEFL cert.
Any tefl training program is only as good as the trainer imo and so I would choose carefully and ask a lot of questions before you decide where to spend your money given the very large number of tefl providers in Thailand. |
Thanks for the input. I guess what I am wondering is, would a school in a country outside of Thailand even care about that certificate from TL? |
In most of (all of?) Asia = no. They largely ignore or are indifferent about your TEFL cert. and/or where it was from as long as you meet the (country specific) immigration requirements for a work visa.
Some employers MAY ask for one but again, as long as you meet the immigration requirements for your visa they USUALLY won't worry about the brand or country where you took it.
Would it be beneficial for you to have a TEFL cert = yes. It is a lot better than being dropped into a classroom cold in a "sink or swim" scenario.
IF you are looking at working in Europe after you are done (as in you have a passport from an EU country), spent the extra coin and get one of the "branded" Trinity/CELTA certs.
. |
Well, I am American, however, I am trying to get a job in Finland next year....TEFL probably won't help, huh? |
|
Back to top |
|
 |
anubistaima
Joined: 02 Nov 2004 Posts: 110 Location: Thailand
|
Posted: Sun Aug 22, 2010 6:47 am Post subject: |
|
|
Have you been to Finland? Even the people cleaning the streets can speak English. Not only that but as an American, you'll have a really hard time landing a job there. Hiring a UK national is a lot simpler for them, paperwise. I'm planning on moving to Finland in 2012 and the only way I can actually do it is with a student visa. Universities are free, even for foreigners. And you can work on a student visa. |
|
Back to top |
|
 |
takgeyon
Joined: 19 Apr 2007 Posts: 51
|
Posted: Thu Sep 02, 2010 3:16 am Post subject: |
|
|
Tefl certificates are kind of like certifications of any kind. Once everyone's got it then it no longer means anything. I've never had a problem getting a job without one. I do however have 5 plus years experience. |
|
Back to top |
|
 |
|