Job Discussion Forums

DebMer

Does anybody know about this program? It's a one-month program for $500, and claims to be accredited. I haven't seen the course for this price before. http://tefltaxcomexico.com/default.html (And am I allowed to post that link here?)

Guy Courchesne · Joined: 10 Mar 2003 Posts: 9650 Location: Mexico City

They are accredited by http://www.tefltesolcertification.com/

Dig a little deeper on that... Wink

AGoodStory · Joined: 26 Feb 2010 Posts: 738

I would proceed VERY cautiously. This "school" has been around for only a few months--since Sept 2011. It seems to be just this one person, Cathleen Howard, who has decided to train teachers and print certificates. (Sorry, but the "internationally recognized" is a joke.) So it all comes down to her ability as a trainer. As far as I can tell she has absolutely no training or education in either TEFL or in teacher training, although she does appear to have experience teaching EFL. At first glance she does not appear qualified to do teacher training. (Doesn't necessarily mean she isn't capable of doing the job, of course.)

I would give this a miss, but if you want to look into it further, I would suggest investigating her credentials/experience much more closely, and getting contact info for people who have been through her course. You could also get names of employers who have hired her graduates. Ask for a detailed course syllabus; ask about what facilities and resource materials are available to trainees. To my mind it is a distinct disadvantage to have only one trainer on a course--most people will benefit from having more than one person's experience, training, personality, etc.

And the $500 course fee is now $700. I find it a little suspect as well that the same course is offered in a 2-week format "Same as our standard 4-week TEFL course, but you finish the course in half the time, only 2 weeks." Ummm. . . no. A 4-week on-site TEFL program is already an intensive course. She may offer a 2-week course, but it can't be "the same as" the 4-week course!

The other thing I would question is the meaningless accreditation. The "tefltesolcertification" site is suspiciously similar to the course website, and is underdeveloped in some of the same ways. If it doesn't convince me, I don't see why it would convince potential employers.

Guy Courchesne · Joined: 10 Mar 2003 Posts: 9650 Location: Mexico City

Very good analysis...

Enchilada Potosina · Joined: 03 Aug 2010 Posts: 344 Location: Mexico

EFLeducator · Posted: Fri Feb 10, 2012 7:50 pm Post subject:

BadBeagleBad · Posted: Fri Feb 10, 2012 10:25 pm Post subject:

You would be better off doing a SEP recognized Teacher's Diploma course. It is superior to most TESOL certicates, and the good ones are run by universities like the UNAM and Universidad Panamericana. They offer a more indepth look at teaching TESL as well as more practice hours and observed teaching. The course at Panamericana is taught in English, and costs around $800 US, which you can pay as you go. It has the advantage of being recognized by the Mexican Education Secretary, which will allow you to work in some schools that you wouldn't be able to otherwise. As of last September it is a requirement to work in SEP recognized schools in Mexico City.

BadBeagleBad · Posted: Fri Feb 10, 2012 10:27 pm Post subject:

DebMer · Posted: Fri Feb 10, 2012 11:42 pm Post subject:

True, BBB, but my current job requires TESOL or equivalent, and I don't think they'd recognize the Teacher's Diploma. As far as I know, it's not known NOB.

Basically, I can keep working without my cert. until the time the department is audited. Our director said at that point, those of us who don't have it will be let go. An audit could come soon or in 10 years - nobody knows when. So I'm looking for options, and it looks like the most likely scenario for me will be an online TESOL, unless something else comes up. Not ideal, but I'm having a hard time finding a viable alternative. I guess it will have to do. At least I'll have the work experience to put alongside my online TESOL cert. on a resume.

DebMer · Posted: Fri Feb 10, 2012 11:43 pm Post subject:

DebMer · Posted: Fri Feb 10, 2012 11:46 pm Post subject:

Thanks, y'all. I'm new enough in the certification hunting process to be ignorant of what to look for. I appreciate your insights, and I agree with you.

BadBeagleBad · Posted: Sat Feb 11, 2012 6:20 pm Post subject:

BadBeagleBad · Posted: Sat Feb 11, 2012 6:22 pm Post subject:

MotherF · Posted: Sat Feb 11, 2012 8:43 pm Post subject:

There is a SIT course in Oaxaca City--I'm not sure how much it costs, but you could take a few days before or after to have a look at some of the small towns where the SUNEO universities are located since I know you are looking at those as long term options.

DebMer · Posted: Sat Feb 11, 2012 10:35 pm Post subject: