Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Zyzyfer]

I'm pondering coming back to Korea for one more extended stint, but if I do, I want to do it right and learn how to teach. I checked my uni here at home, but their certification program is 6 courses, which means a full year here at home. They don't appear to offer any distance learning certification, either.

Sure, I can google some online certification programs, but if anyone has done this route and knows a good, quality program, whether it be through a commercial site or a proper university, I'm all ears. I don't mind if it's a year-long program like my university, as long as I can do it through a distance program, and reputable.

[VanIslander]

There is a distance education certificate program worth its weight in gold in Canada: It's at the University of Saskatchewan. It's recognized by the industry's national organization and meets the high standards of Ontario's mandatory certification.

It's relatively cheap and reputable. The catch is that it's a lot of work. When I looked into it I was surprised that one does as much work in six months as those run-of-the-mill Australian Master's programs. (That's why the certificate is reputable, I guess.)

You don't have to be Canadian to take it. It'd be nice to be able to say it's THE distance program in Canada treated on par with CELTA and Trinity. And Koreans I think might appreciate it, given their impressions of Canada.

Most importantly, of course, you'd learn a lot, it seems.

I'm still tempted to do it.

[osangrl]

from what ive heard TESOL is a waste of time.

If you just want the certificate go and buy one, or the CELTA in Itaewon.

[Toby]

[VanIslander]

[Toby]

[bepositive]

I can recommend a good distance learning program.
Try http://www.intesolinternational.com.

I did my course with them before coming to Korea, and was glad I did.

Cheers

Sooze

[mb2086]

You might also want to try www.intesoltesoltraining.com - fully online and validated TESOL course (once you've received your study materials which can be either paper or CD ROM).

[Bunnymonster]

Do people think that these courses will pay for themselves in increased salaries? I'm seriously looking into doing one as I'm currently teaching here and thinking about extending my trip a bit. How hardcore are they, they state 150 hours of work over 3-6 months is that a reasonable estimate of the time involved or not? I'd be happy enough to put in that amount of time especially if it would give me greater flexibility/leverage when dealing with employers.

[mb2086]

I did the course with Intesol in two months. It depends how much free time you have but you should allow up to 12 weeks, though it can be done in 6.

[Ryst Helmut]

Zyz,

Here's what I suggest:

Complete an ESOL Endorsement for the state you plan on residing in (for tuition purposes...it can be transferred wherever you end up).

TESOL Endorsements are graduate level courses that are mandated by the Dept. of Ed. for each state (usually 5 core courses), and will allow you to teach in the public school setting (secondary) for pull-out students. By pull-out, I mean LEP Ss who are in ESOL classes for half the day, the other half in your class (in whichever subject you teach). Also, if your school has no ESL program, then they'll place these students in your class. Full on ESOL educators must have more than the ESOL Endorsement (well, for FL, that is).

Also, these courses are transerrable to any state school (across America, I'd imagine) if you fancy getting your MA later in a related field, but unfortunately you are usually only allowed to transfer 6-9 credits (so 2 classes would be tossed).

The ESOL endorsement is offered totally on-line, and in most cases you can have the mandatory first/last meeting waived.

Here's the fun part....this endorsement (like the MA) does not help you become a better teacher. All it does is help you better classify Ss, place them, and create appropriate syllabi....not much on actual teaching. That is what experience is for, I suppose.

Shoosh,

Ryst

[mb2086]

Those rules don't apply in UK or if you're outside the US and not a US citizen. In the UK TESOL courses are either validated by the College of Teachers or Actdec or both or neither, unless you do a degree level TESOL. The course I did was a certificate in Educational Studies in TESOL which should be good enough to give you a jump start in the job market.

[Ryst Helmut]

[Zyzyfer]

Actually, though I am in the U.S., I wouldn't do ESL here unless I was going to be in a city with high demand for it, like New York City or something.

The clock is up; I'll explain later when I've got time.