Korean Job Discussion Forums

[sluggo832004]

I just cant see myself paying $500 or more for a 100 hour TEFl certificate.

Im not saying that its not important, but it just seems like a way to make a quick buck off teachers. For the people who have a TEFL certificate, were you glad you paid for it?


I guess any training would be better than no training at all. But it seems like its way overpriced. I could be wrong though.

[omgitsmax]

I guess it would also depend on where you want to teach. If you are doing epik the pay grade is based on certain qualifications and a TEFL will put you up one bracket in pay (depending on what kind of qualifications you have) so in that sense it makes sense cause you make something like 200k won more a month with the tefl cert

[710]

Considering if I were to want a job in any other field, I would probably need to get a four year degree in that field and pay tuition for that four years, I think it�s a small price to pay� There are ones for a lot cheaper too�

500 and maybe a month at most isn�t much considering you get a bump in pay that will pay for the cost in five months�

I belief Seoul jobs require it as a minimum if you don�t have a degree in English or Education�

[Epik_Teacher]

Look at the ONTESOL 100 hour program. It's $275 and done by Coventry House, same people who do the CertTESOL. Has a 20 hour additional practicum that can be done anywhere in the world.

http://www.ontesol.com/tesol-accreditation

[Otherside]

If you pay good money for a qualification that carries some weight (eg. a CELTA) I don't think you can feel hard done by. If you're just planning on teaching for a year or two, I'd consider the el-cheapo Online option, and weigh the cost vs the bump in salary, and see whether it's worthwhile.

I got the CELTA, I'm proud to put it on my CV, and I learned a lot. Unfortunately it doesn't carry much weight in Korea for most jobs, and I even had to argue with my old PS, that it was "As good as a TEFL".

[nathanrutledge]

I did an El Cheapo (nice one) online course and yeah, it helped. I had already done a year in class here and taking the online course gave me lots of new ideas, helped me write more organized lesson plans, etc. And like others said, it will pay for itself in a few months, unless you do a CELTA, which isn't worth any more here in Korea, but from what my friends who have taken it said, they learned a ton. So do el cheapo, it will help. do a celta, it will help here and abroad. you can't go wrong doing things that help improve your ability to do your job.

[Epik_Teacher]

[ddeubel]

I think it really all depends on your needs. If just to get a pay bump - do the cheapest possible. If for a pay bump and your own benefit, do some homework and find a suitable course.

If however, you just want to be a better teacher, there are options for PD online and off. I'll be offering a cheap $150 course later this year once I get resettled. Based on the modules and readings I've collected HERE. All free.

Basically, the course will be about watching the modules, doing some readings, completing an online test for each module, creating a material/plan for the module and posting/discussing on our forum. Certificate at the end. All self contained.

Cheers,

DD
http://eflclassroom.com

[young_clinton]

[sksahni87]

I just signed up for an 100 hour online course that is $190. Its worth it, because you'll learn and get a nice increase in pay.

[ippy]

From a more cynical standpoint:

Even if you learn nothing, or even if you don't really care, you can guarantee that having a tefl on your resume will open more jobs in teaching as a foreign language than not having it. You will also give the impression that you have made a commitment to the profession to any prospective employer. And as the dude said above, what's that? 100 hours and $190. Almost laughable! If you don't have one and plan to stay longer than 1 contract (or get a job in a different country where you will only have your resume and a cover note to get your foot in the door), you're a fool to yourself

[ticktocktocktick]

Even if you're not interested in teaching long term, it's still worth it for the pay bump in a PS. Some hagwons might pay a little more too. I did a 140hr online course, as opposed to the slightly cheaper 100hr course. It helped me with open class planning, and gave me a few ideas, but nothing groundbreaking.

[lovebug]

i paid about 1300 euro for a 120 hour course in prague. 3 years of teaching later, it was worth every eurocent.
if you're working in public school, there's the pay grade difference, but i also think there's a confidence you can have in the classroom that many coteachers will really respect. if they know you have some great ideas and experience, it will be less likely that they'll treat you like a parrot. a lot of new teachers spend the first few months learning the ropes, especially in areas of classroom management and giving directions. i was able to get right in there and hit the ground running. it's really paid off.
i would say that a lot of my experience with TEFL had to do with my many hours of observed teaching. many don't include that.

best of luck!

[Louis VI]

The CELTA was challenging and skills building in a boot camp intensive peer review environment that was worth it completely just in terms of the lesson planning and teaching strategies. It's not a question of need or want but of usefulness. It's very useful.

The online courses, however, are a different kettle of fish and I have nothing to say on that matter.