Job Discussion Forums

wanderbeast · Joined: 04 May 2012 Posts: 3

Hello!

I'm currently teaching in Thailand, and I'd like to move on to a new job when my contract is finished. I don't have TEFL certificate, but it seems to be a requirement for many jobs that I'm interested in and I don't want to limited my options. It would be far more convenient for me to take an online course, but I've heard that online courses aren't worth it because many schools only recognize certifications with a classroom component.

I'm wondering if my one year of experience plus an online certificate would be enough for most schools? Or is an online course still a poor investment?

Thanks for your help!

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

A lot depends on where in the world you want to go. Online certs are considered sufficient in some places - and in others, not.

Basically, having taught for a year without any training plus an online cert won't be considered sufficient in many places because you would lack any observation of your teaching by experienced teacher trainers, with feedback on how you've done. Simply having taught for a year is no guarantee to a prospective employer that you've done it well, you see Very Happy

Again, though, in some parts of the world, certification isn't important, so knowing where you want to go is vital for giving good advice in your situation.

nomad soul · Joined: 31 Jan 2010 Posts: 11454 Location: The real world

I concur with Spiral. Plus, even with an online cert, you'd still be limiting yourself if you want to continue moving up the TEFL "food chain" to better job prospects.

tttompatz

coledavis · Joined: 21 Jun 2003 Posts: 1838

If you want to be in a serious school, e.g. where they take teaching seriously rather than making money out of crowd control, then don't do the online cert. Serious schools ignore it as a matter of policy.

Gringo Greg · Posted: Wed Aug 22, 2012 7:34 am Post subject:

Ditto the advice here. Let me add this: invest in yourself. If you plan on teaching for awhile and lack a degree, then you need every paper you can get to show your teaching skills, a certificate will do this. The price of a quality certificate will pay for itself in terms of a)better teaching opportunities and b)better teaching experience.