Teacher Discussion Forums

I've been lurking for a while, and am now hoping to get some advice from you experts. I've been working for 4 years as a full-time English teacher in a small, privately-run school in Europe teaching Business English. Before this I had several other years experience teaching English to kids, teenagers and adults in France and the UK. I'm British.

I've recently been given a wonderful opportunity, as the owner of the school wants to retire and is offering to give me the school. We'll work together for a few years in partnership, then it'll be mine - no cost involved.

Here's the crux of the matter. I have no TEFL qualifications, but I do have a degree in French and English, and a PGCE in French and English as well as now more than 10 years teaching experience. My PGCE included a TEFL module. I'm confident my teaching abilities are up to scratch, but I'm interested in doing some TEFL Management training and would like some advice about which to do. There are none available in the country I live in, so I would be looking at something on-line / distance learning, and there seems to be so much. I don't need the qualification for anything other than my own peace of mind and use, but I don't want to waste my time (or the school's money!)

Any tips would be greatfully appreciated. The one that comes up most often in searches is this:http://www.englishteflcentre.com/etc9.htm
Anyone know anything about it?
Mermaid

Hello,

Have you thought about a postgraduate degree? Surrey University in England has one - MSc in ELT Management. Check it out at:

www.surrey.ac.uk/ALRG

I know you've said you want to do a proper distance course (and seem to be gearing up to doing one), but if, for whatever reasons you don't end up doing one, the bits and bobs here
http://www.eslcafe.com/forums/teacher/v ... php?t=2494

might help you continue sleeping more easily. You might have spotted that thread already, but if you hadn't, as I say, it might have something of interest.

BTW I'm not suggesting that ELT management is an area to take lightly, I think there are (or should be, for those who don't care enough!) many skills and areas of required knowledge and expertise involved in it, and it's likely that not all of these can be acquired simply from reading a book or some website's advice - better to ask experts with the experience, than risk your venture going all going pear-shaped due to a lack of hands-on training and actual pressure beforehand! But reading a book or two would still be better than nothing, eh!

Hope it all goes well for you, and that your clear commitment is rewarded by everything being rewarding for all involved.

for your suggestions. I don't think the Masters is really what I want - I'm more interested in immediate practical advice, but some of the books on the other thread look good. I've also found out about these if anyone else is interested.

http://pers-www.wlv.ac.uk/~le1969/msig/fart.htm

http://www.ihlondon.com/courses/ttedmansa.asp

http://www.ihes.com/bcn/tt/idltm.html

I haven't decided what I'm gonna do yet - I've ordered a couple of the books so far.

I'll let you know if I find anything to recommend
Mermaid

The Monterey Institute for International Studies has a program like what you describe. I know they offer a certificate in conjunction with the Master's, I don't know if they offer just the certificate by itself. If so, you could probably finish in one semester.

I don't know about distance learning. You'd have to ask.

Their website is www.miis.edu.

Dear Mermaid
you have found the link for the International Diploma in Language Teaching Management (IDLTM) course - 2 weeks face to face in Barcelona and 8 months online. I am following the course myself as a participant and getting a lot out of it. Please email us on [email protected] and I'll be happy to answer your questions.
all the best
Jenny

The Open University do a range of distance and online courses, avilaobe across Europe. I have just done Management and Leadership in Education, and although based on UK case studies the info proved invaluable in Asia. It is part of thier Masters in Education programme. You can work towards MA/Med applied linguistics or other courses.

www.open.ac.uk