Teacher Discussion Forums

English Training Centre (Birmingham)
Eurolink/Training Link International (Sheffield)
Intesol (Knutsford, Cheshire)

Can anyone give me any advice/lowdown/comment on the relative merits, performance etc. of these UK-based TESOL/TEFL distance learning training schools?

I've researched quite extensively into various distance learning/online schools (to try and avoid the cowboys) and these three seem to come out top - all of them offering a Level 2 teaching certificate course of at least 150 hours (for a reasonable price) and all of them accredited by either ACTDEC or the College of Teachers (or in the case of Eurolink/Training Link, both accrediting bodies).
The courses are also eligible for the Teaching Practice Portfolio Scheme (run by ACTDEC) which awards a recognised Certificate of Teaching Practice Development after completing a four-month development practicum whilst in a teaching job [see the link http://www.traininglinkonline.co.uk/teaching.html]

If anyone out there has experience/knowledge of these schools (whether good or bad) I'd be very grateful to know as I will make a final decision on a course provider soon with the intention of starting a course in March 2005.

Many many thanks

Graham Hadley

Have you had any useful information about the above courses yet? Which did you decide to go for?

I'm very interested in the Eurolink diploma - anyone got any advice about it?

Hi Beef

RE: online/distance learning TESOL training

After a lot of research into the 3 schools I mentioned in my previous posting (and some others) I decided to enrol with INTESOL and have now just started the course. INTESOL were the best on virtually all my criteria and were the friendliest and most helpful. Also the most cost effective (as it includes the College of Teachers certificate, which for the other schools you have to pay around £100 extra for).
I received the whole course in full after enrolling (which was a simple process) and having looked through it am very pleased with it as it is well written & presented. I chose the on paper/by post option (by CD Rom/email its £25 cheaper).
The other winning factor is the option of an additional 1 week residential teaching practice cert which none of the other schools offer (better than an in-work portfolio practicum I think). It only costs around £200 and you don't have to do it immediately after the distance learning cert course (even up to a year later) so it gives you time to save up for it if you want to do it.
The Eurolink/Training Link course is still good although more detailed/heavy than I think it needs to be (fine if you want more depth). I found the staff not quite as friendly either.

So, all in all, INTESOL is the online/distance learning TESOL course provider I would definitely recommend.
Well, hope this helps with your course decisions.

All the best for the future,

Graham Hadley