Teacher Discussion Forums

Hi

I`m considering to take the online TEFL-course back in Norway before I go looking for jobs next year.
Does anyone know if the online course gives the same qualifications as the ordinary classroom-course?
If not, any major difference?
Does anyone know the i to i TEFL-course, whats their reputation like?
(the one found at i to i.com)

Philip

I take it you mean a CELTA type course, rather than the Aussie on-line MA which is tempting me.

Either way, people look down their noses at them. Since TEFL is a crazy world though, It can still take you places.

Don't know the i-to-i one you mention.

All the teacher training courses I've ever done had a practical component. Presumably an online course can be completed without actually having to go through through the whole nasty business of teaching a few classes and having them observed and commented on.

As a department head, I'd be very wary of anyone who called themselves a qualified teacher but had never taught a class.

i to i seems to stand for one to one. This is an old concept of one person teaching another and is based on a different ideal than teacher training courses. It was started by a woman who wanted to make a difference in the world and she wanted it to be a personal difference. It is more of a volunteer mentality than a professional one. You teach what you know and are there for the people you teach in all sorts of ways other than just teaching English. It is now a well-known organization and I think you could easily get a position through them. I am not sure that you could get a paying position though with these qualifications but it would give you valuable experience to see if you are suited to travelling and teaching so you could decide whether you want to continue your education.