Korean Job Discussion Forums

[SojuQueen]

I am thinking of taking an TESL/TEFL certification course online. This course is only online with no actual class time. Does this make a difference in the value of the certificate? Is it better to obtain one that has actual class time?

[edwardcatflap]

yes

[ttompatz]

[tomstar86]

Observed class time is better if you're planning on teaching anywhere outside Korea, like Vietnam, Thailand or the Middle East, in the future with less than 2 or 3 years' experience.

If you want to teach solely in Korea, as mentioned before, just having the certificate will enable you to demand a higher salary.

I went with INTESOL, they're pretty decent.

Tom

http://waegooktom.blogspot.com

[Douglas B]

I went with Bridge TEFL Online. Decent quality materials (better than many others I investigated). I called and they told me it was the same curriculum they use in their onsite TEFL courses. Take the 120-hour program. Also, if you use them for an onsite TEFL course afterward they will discount the price of the online course from it. As someone has mentioned, online is only really valued here in Korea. You have a choice: pay $400 for the online, learn a little something, be more prepared than you would have been, and get a better job here and start getting teaching experience now. Or, throw down the $1,500 or more for an onsite TEFL and visit a cool place like Prague or Mexico or even India while you do it (incurring additional living expenses). The bonus of the onsite is that you can then work in any country in the world with it. Last year several programs in China offered onsite TEFL training while you worked 15-hour works teaching. They paid the course and living expenses and you commit to 3 months there of the teaching/taking course time. Good luck, but get it done one way or another!

[hannah851]

Employers do value practical experience - however you could always do an online course, then get some work experience at home before applying for jobs in South Korea.

It just depends on your budget - if you've got the four weeks and $1,500 to spend on a residential course go for it - if you're not so fussed and just want to get out there I'd recommend doing it online, as it's quicker and cheaper.

There's more info about what you need to teach in South Korea here: http://www.onlinetefl.com/tefl-faq/content/68/456/en/how-much-tefl-training-do-i-need-to-teach-in-south-korea.html

Good luck!

[Andyc24_uk]

If you've got 4 weeks and $1500 to spend, then you'd be far better off doing a CELTA course. It's an internationally recognised 'Gold Standard' certificate in ESL, which will be accepted in almost any country you choose to mention. Whereas the various TEFL/TESOL courses offered by a wide range of companies all over the world may or may not be acceptable, depending on the requirements of the country and/or potential employer. If you have the time and money to invest, I can see little to no argument for going for one of the inferior courses offered at a similar price.

As an analogy, It's rather like buying an MP3 player - If you've only got a limited budget, you have a small music collection and you won't be using it a lot, by all means buy a cheap, generic player. It'll be fine for your needs. But if you've got the money and you want the best features, the biggest memory and the highest quality, you'll want to buy an Ipod. You certainly wouldn't spend ~$400 on a cheap knockoff MP3 player...

[Triple007]

I used Oxford Seminars. It was only 60 hours and a little pricey, but I didn't do it for the bump in pay. I did it to have an idea of what teaching would be like. It was 3 weekends long, 10 hours a day each class. There was homework and it wasn't easy, but I feel extremely prepared now. I was already confident at giving presentations (Due to my business marketing major) but didn't have the first idea how to teach. We had presentations every class period and a final presentation. (30 minute lesson of your choosing, I taught business english.) Overall I would definitely recommend it. I also used the free teacher placement service and found a job for me and my girlfriend relatively quick. They send you to 3 of their recruiters, and you send your resume to all of them. (One was Maple Bear, didn't go with them because I didn't want to teach multiple subjects.) Our recruiter jumped through hoops for us, and got us in contact with 6 NET's at the school, and all of them recommended it! Good luck on your search!