Korean Job Discussion Forums

[marktoronto]

After finishing teaching for 1 year in Korea, I would like to teach english in another part of the world. I've noticed a lot of schools require not only a university BA, but also a TEFL certificate. My question is: do all 120 hour TEFL certificates hold the same weight? Is there a particular cetificate that would mean more worldwide or can I just get one by completing an internet course? Also, can someone recommend one in Toronto?

[kimcheeking]

not all certificates are worht the paper they are printed on. I would recommend the Cambridge CELTA or Trinity courses. They are guaranteed to be recognized worldwide and there should be courses available in the Toronto area.

[Skarp]

Trinity courses are slightly better and more practical in general - Cambridge ones can be more prestigious sounding but are harder (more academic) and no better.

If you are doing a course make it easy for yourself - get the books they recommend and read them/do the tasks in them at least one month before teh course starts.

Clear away ALL personal stuff and do not have ANY distractions during the course - it will be full time, 60+ hours a week.

Don't fight the course content - just accept it - it's what they want and mostly it does make sense but it will be strange and your mind will rebel against the material.

Expect to get bad feedback on your observed teaching. Experience in Korea or most places will not help you - just do what they tell you.


People who are flexible and work damn hard find TEFL certs straightforward and rewarding. But most people are neither so the course can be stressful and 'just a rubber stamp'.


Good luck doing the cert - don't go for the cheapest place either, try and get a recommendation from a past student. I would recommend teh Language project in Bristol UK. By no means cheap but a well put together course that will be worth the money. Avoid any course that costs less than 800 pounds - you won't get value for money.


Skarp

[waterbaby]

You may find the following threads useful:

TESOL/TEFL/CELTA certificates

1. TESOL Certification in Thailand
2. TESOL Online
3. Benefits of Getting CELTA Certified in Thailand?
4. TESOL Certification
5. Low Down on TEFL International? Whats the scoop?

[OiGirl]

I am looking for a CELTA, TEFL, or similar certificate program. I do not want to do an online course. I want to do it in Korea, in the summer, preferably outside of Seoul. I would also be more interested in a Young Learners certificate.

Any suggestions?

[Ghostinthemachine]

Skarps advice is excellent, you'd do well to follow it. It's a lot cheaper to do the course in Ireland tho'. I did mine in The language institute of Ireland on Kildare st., Dublin 2. They provide a RELSA TEFL certificate that is highly regarded in europe (equivalent to the British RSA one). There were four english students on my course cos even tho' they had to pay for accomodation it was still cheaper to doing it in England (800 pounds sterling as opposed to 300 euro)

[OiGirl]

It sounds like a good program, but I am looking for one in Korea.

[The Lemon]

Skarp's advice is good except for one part:

[OiGirl]

Thanks for the ongoing information. I don't really care which certificate I get. I just want the paper. I am a licensed ESL teacher in several states in the US.