Korean Job Discussion Forums

Duke · Joined: 02 Feb 2007

Is this program worth going through? Some say that the certification is not recognized everywhere. Is this true?

I was looking over the program and it said that the certificate was free. However, there is a 500 dollar fee for training. I am a bit confused. If I go through this course I want to make sure it is worth it. Has anybody completed this program and experienced sufficient results?

I know that Trinity would probably be a better option as far as quality goes. I would mind spending some time in Thailand and saving some money though. Thanks.

pest2 · Joined: 01 Jun 2005 Location: Vancouver, Canada

Yeah, it wont be as useful in Europe, maybe... It's not as useful for getting a job teaching business English over there, despite that the content is supposed to be exactly the same.

However, it doesnt seem like employers here in Asia know the difference... I did TEFL international last year and then earned the money back and then some here in Korea this year because having it meant a 200$ per month pay raise at my public school job.

bassexpander · Joined: 13 Sep 2007 Location: Someplace you'd rather be.

I have a BA.

I didn't need a certification from TEFL International, or CELTA for my university job. I didn't need a TEFL International certificate for my university job.

I didn't need ANY certification.

You don't need a CELTA (or a certificate from TEFL International) in Korea -- especially if you are going to teach kids. Can you learn something taking the CELTA? You bet. I knock the CELTA a lot, but I like the British Council's website for Task-Based Learning activities.

The rule of thumb I tell people to follow goes something like this:

If you are....

... in Korea for just a year or two, and have no plans to teach elsewhere after, don't bother with any TEFL certification.

... in Korea for 3 to 4 years, plan to move on and teach in another country, or stay working a public school job, get a low-cost, approved TEFL course (many are below $400, and can be done via distance. Just make sure they are over 100 hours). If you plan to move around the world and teach in countries that respect the British system, then get a CELTA. All of these certifications (including the CELTA) are useless in the USA.

... in Korea for 5 or more years, you should get, or make plans to get, some kind of teaching certification or an MA in Education/TESOL. You could get a CELTA, but if you've been teaching for more than 4 years, I'd say it's a waste of money.

Remember, the CELTA costs about US $1,500 to $2,500, depending on where you take it. The full TEFL International course is going to be similiar in price (it was last I checked). Korea is naturally much more expensive for the CELTA. One could almost say they gouge you here (when they even offer it), but maybe it's the extra cost of buildings or something -- who knows. Don't forget to factor in flight costs, housing costs, and lost work costs for up to 5 weeks. Any flight costs you'd save by taking it in Korea are squashed by the high price of taking it here (unless prices have changed that I'm not aware of).

I added it all up, and found that I'd be out over 4 million won if I took the CELTA, counting lost work time. Even at a 100,000 won per hour raise for having it, that will take you more than a few years to recoup the costs at a public school job.

Not worth it, given my situation. Neither is TEFL International.

By the way, CELTA now has a long-term course that you can do over several months. I'm not up to speed on what that entails, so I can't comment. I'm sure you'll pay just as much for the base costs, as if you did the full 5 week CELTA.

Remember: MANY OF THESE CERTIFICATES ARE ONLY ACCREDITED BY THE COMPANIES/GROUPS THEY ARE OFFERED BY.

Would you seek medical care from a doctor who is only a doctor because he passed his own accreditation to become a doctor, and therefore certified himself? Now how about paying that doctor $1,500 to $2,500 for medical care which you don't need, and missing 5 weeks of paid work in the process?

Again, I work at a university, and I didn't need a CELTA or a piece of paper from TEFL International to get my job here. You don't need one to work at a hagwon, either.

Young FRANKenstein · Posted: Fri Nov 02, 2007 7:24 pm Post subject:

Duke · Joined: 02 Feb 2007

Thank you for the help.

ddeubel · Joined: 20 Jul 2005

I hope a cost effective, basic TEFL course will arrive on the scene. I'm talking online 100 hours (but you could do it in 60-70 if you are experienced in teaching and knowledgeable a little) and a weekend onsite with workshops and practice teaching. $600-700 dollars total.

Would be a welcome and necessary development given that Koreans spend so much money on English education and this would provide some accountability. I'm really stunned that no large organization has undertaken this and it has been left for the BC or international organizations to do....

An even better approach would be an open education course. all units with video online and can be taken by anyone. You just pay to attend the course and get a certificate but completion of the online stuff would be a prerequisite.

DD

pest2 · Joined: 01 Jun 2005 Location: Vancouver, Canada

tob55 · Joined: 29 Apr 2007

ddeubel Wrote:

halfmanhalfbiscuit · Joined: 13 Oct 2007 Location: Seoul

Employers will more than likely not know what they(quals) are,nor will you recoup the cost in any great hurry.

pocariboy73 · Joined: 23 Jan 2003

Check out this interesting link for some details about TEFL International:

http://www.teflwatch.org/300/tefl-international-joins-the-hall-of-shame/

expat2001 · Joined: 28 Jan 2006

I have a TEFL and it is almost useless. These days , it seems the only company; in korea , that cares about TEFLs is KEPIK.
From my experience , those that have any sort of TEFL view it as a waste of time and money.
The guy who owns the company "BRUCE" is a sleeze. At one time TEFL use to promise a job upon completetion. However when a student asked about the job placement , BRUCE replied , sure kid , I can get you some work , however the reason I can get you the job is cause no one lese in thailand is stupid enough to work for this company.
To make matters worst , when asked about the salary , BRUCE replied 22000 bant a month.We later saw that same job for 27000 baht a month
If you are serious about teaching , then get a real degree from a real university. None of those on line uni s.I have a few friends that got screwed from those