Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Texan]

I am considering, just for the sake of nothing better to do and to pad the new education-based resume additions, getting the TESOL (et.al.) certification. Anyone have comments or opinions on http://globaltesol.com/ or recommend any other accepted and valid programs. I'd prefer to do it via correspondence/web, etc since getting up for a week or four is not feasible while working.

Thanks

[GirlFromMars]

do a CELTA (adults) or a CELTYL (younger learners)... ok u will need to take the 4 weeks off but do it at the end of your contract and you will be surprised how much you learn even if you have been teaching for a while, also if you ever want to head to europe you almost can't teach without it

if you want to do distance learning just to fill in time as you said, a lot of accredited universities offer post-graduate courses in linguistics or TESOL and it will be much more valuable and gloabally recognised than the course you mentioned

the course you mention won't have any observed teaching so a lot of schools won't recognise it, to obtain any decent teaching qualification you need to be observed and assessed

[Emma Clare]

The distance learning courses are just as well recognised as the CELTA/DELTA or TESOL courses (These are all residential ONLY courses with teaching practice)

What you need to check is the accreditation of the course This is vital and I cannot stress this enough! Just as the CELTA is accredited by Cambridge University and the TESOL (residential) by The Trinity College, London. There are only 2 officially recognised bodies that can accredit the Distance Learning courses in the UK.

See below:


The main examining body responsible for validating TESOL distance learning courses is the College of Teachers (formerly known as the College of Preceptors). This validating body was chartered in 1849 and is authorised to provide professional qualifications to teachers in the UK and abroad.

The second body responsible for academic quality assurance related to TESOL distance learning courses is ACTDEC – the Accreditation Body for TESOL Distance Education Courses.


Any other courses are evaluated ‘in house’ and are not externally regulated or assessed therefore. They will not necessarily reach the required standards as set out by the QCA (Qualifications and Curriculums Authority – These people set out the structure for the dreaded National Curriculum in the UK) Courses also need to be a cover a minimum of 120 hours of content/studying as well.

Just don’t get caught out like I did! I paid out �235 for a course that I later found out was not accredited by anyone. They told me they were accredited by a 'recognised body' and when I phoned up to verify this it was made very clear to me that the body was membership only and that they didn’t accredit courses! I’d been sold a shonky course and a pack of lies to boot!

Also, don’t forget that just because a course provider is a member of a recognised body it doesn’t mean that that body actually accredits their courses!

HuntESL.com run long-distance TESOL courses through the INTESOL ESL training provider. (Costs �395) This course is accredited by ‘The College of Teachers’ and is Internationally recognised. Also, don’t forget that if you do require some kind of practical teaching experience that you can gain a week's certified experience in addition to doing your TESOL. (See HuntESL website for further details)

Bear in mind also that doing a Long distance course means that you can work at your own pace and it will cost you about a third of the price in comparison to doing a residential course with lodging as well.

Hope all of this helps you!

[Zark]

Distance learning is better than nothing, but . . .

I don't know if it is an option for you, but most any course that you attend in person will give you a superior experience. Especially in the area of supervised teaching.

Personally, I have several certs, but the one I got in person, with supervised teaching was worth about twenty of the online/distance ones.

Just my bear opinion.

Excuse me a minute, I gotta scratch my furry back on a tree . . .

[Emma Clare]

I guess if you haven't already got any teaching experience then it's a good idea to do a residential course with the assessed teaching practice. Like I said though, you can still do a distance learning course and then do a fully assessed teaching practice afterwards. That way, you only have to take one or two weeks off work, rather than 4.

I'd far prefer to do the Trinity TESOL, but I can't presently afford to fork out �1000 to do a residential course in addition to the loss of earnings.

At the end of the day it depends on your circumstances!

[sid]

Emma, if you go on the dole you can do the Trinity TESOL for 100 quid. At least you could a couple of years back.

[Emma Clare]

Really?! Yeah, but I'd still need to feed my 6 kids somehow

[semphoon]

Hello there,

I dug this old thread up because I'm looking for a TESOL/TEFL certificate that is possible to complete 100% online AND results in a qualification backed by a university (not a company). The shorter the better.

I understand that there is a conflict here - it is very difficult to find a course that is; A) short and, B) backed by university and, C) possible to complete just online. Most accredited by a university need you to go to a classroom and teach in front of examiners. I understand that. Actually, I'm asking for a friend, but he can't take the time off work to study.

Any advice is much appreciated.

Thanks,

Jims

[semphoon]

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[umpittse]

[KuroBara]

I have a TESOL graduate certificate from my home University. It took 18 credit hours to complete, but is that good enough from Korea? If I calculate the actual hours I spent in class and doing the Practicum, I come to way over 100 hours, but the certificate itself does not say how many hours it is worth. Does anyone know if my certificate would be acceptable?