Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Ross_Plus]

Hi All,

I am coming out to South Korea from the UK in Sept 2009. Prior to arriving I would like to do a TESOL course however as I work full-time I cannot do a four week on-site CELTA/Trinity. Therefore I am considering doing a 150hr distance learning course through INTESOL (accredited by the College of Teachers in the UK) followed by a one week supervised teaching practice (this seems to be the best one I can find).

I was wondering if anyone has completed the same course as I would like to hear how widely accepted it is and whether anyone has had any problems getting employers to accept the qualfication.

Does any one know how widely accepted the accreditation offered by the College of Teachers is in South Korea and other countries, any experiences? Also what about ACTDEC accreditation, has anyone any experience with that?

Many Thanks
Ross

[Whistleblower]

Here we go again Bassexpander.

[Ross_Plus]

Not quite sure what you mean by that post.

"Here we go again Bassexpander."

If you are indicating that the subject has already been discussed on the forum I have run searches on the College of Teachers and ACTDEC and found and few in relation to the EBC or IBC? scenario. In regards to this post I am interested to hear from people who themselves have completed distance courses through INTESOL or completed other accredited courses through the College of teachers or ACTDEC and there experience on how acepted they were.

Thanks for your time
Ross

[Whistleblower]

I was trying to indicate that this thread in all likelyhood will get hijacked by Bassexpander as he is a pro in distance learning. However, the only thing that he fails with regards to this is the fact that he hasn't done any.

[aarontendo]

Paging Dr Bassexpander...

[agoodmouse]

[bassexpander]

For your information, I am currently working on my online MA/TESOL. It will take me 3 years part-time though, because it's with a recognized state school in the USA.

Some courses include KEI-TEFL, and ITT.

For another good TEFL/TESL course, I would suggest you click on the banner for more information about the Time/Taylor course. It's partially on-site. Perhaps they will offer it after Sept. too. Click here:

http://www.asian-efl-journal.com/TESOL-Diploma.php

[Hotpants]

I don't quite know who the 'College of Teachers' are, but if the course includes observed teaching practice with feedback, and you point that out when listing your qualification on your resume, then it's good. Most full-time courses only include around 5-10 hours of observed teaching practice, so it sounds comparable.

With time, the TEFL cert will mean very little. Years of experience and a Diploma/MA will count for more in the long run when aiming for the top positions. A TEFL cert is just the start, but a very useful one, especially when most schools in Korea don't offer any teacher training.

If you're not coming until 2009, who knows what the immigration requirements will be re. qualifications anyways...

[Whistleblower]

In the UK, I done the weekend Intensive TEFL Course and it was a little expensive but nothing a good read could have achieved. If you would like an introduction in to teaching then a weekend course maybe for you but remember that a TEFL Qualification isn't really required to teach in Korea.

However, if you wish to continue to develop as a teacher and plan to stay or continue teaching after Korea then a good ESOL Course is something you should consider.

Bassexpander has good knowledge about the KEI-TEFL and other training in Korea as well as some MA in TEFL/Applied Linguistics but I think (if you are from the UK) you should consider a CELTA Course. The other courses are really good but if you wish to improve your teaching ability with feedback about classes from professional and qualified teachers then it should be suitable. But it ain't required for Korea. Yet, the CELTA Course is now available part-time, so if you can't do a 4 week course you should really consider the part-time course.

An online course is only as good as the material and you won't get any feedback about classes you have taught. Thus, I ain't a great advocate of online courses because reading a good ELT book will teach you more and it is cheaper.

Regarding accreditations, consider joining the IATEFL organisation as a member (www.iatefl.org). They have some good workshops and Special Interest Groups (SIG's) that might be useful if you have a special interest in teaching (Business, Pronunciation, Kids, etc).

Finally, I don't know much about the INTESOL Course but I am sure it is a good course if it is accredited by the College of Teachers in the UK but remember you maybe wasting your time with an online course with no teaching feedback (crucial), no face to face meetings, and not useful outside of the UK.

Good luck though and I am sure you will choose a course that is suitable.

[borisdough]