Comments on: 6 Ways TEFL Certificate Courses Try to Rip You Off – Part 1

By: Julie

Julie — Thu, 05 Jan 2012 03:07:23 +0000

Not sure if this is the right place to ask this question…..but I am currently an ESL tutor in the US, and I love it! I was hired with an education degree and teaching certification, but no actual ESL/EFL training. I have sort of “figured it out” as I went along for the last 4 years, but I’d love to get some actual training. The problem is, the programs that I can find in the US that look at all reputable are master’s level university degrees that take several years and about $60,000! I see that taking a course in the UK looks like what I want (about 4 weeks intensive for a certificate), but will I be able to use that training in the US?

Thanks for your help.

By: David

David — Thu, 10 Nov 2011 22:02:45 +0000

I’ve been experimenting and working with some online TEFL providers this year. I don’t have many kind things to say. Old curriculum, handouts, just copy and paste, etc….

I’ll stop there. Recommend always, face to face and a trainer that actually is involved and with more than 10 years of in classroom (non teacher training) experience.

I recently started an online TEFL course just as an experiment. It was quite revealing. In 2 days, over 300 teachers signed up for the free course. Had to put a 9.95 fee because I was overwhelmed (costs me / student). But I’m working on a free model of the course. We have 30 + grads in a few weeks. You can demo at http://schooloftefl.com

I say this because with the advent of technology, these courses can be offered at a low fee and reasonable quality. This course isn’t anything special but it is all video, it also is a good prep course and several schools signed up teachers just for that reason – to use it as professional development and talking points for their staff workshops.

But the price is going to keep dropping and the quality is going to keep rising. Thank god.

David

By: Abby Peleg

Abby Peleg — Thu, 10 Nov 2011 15:25:45 +0000

Can anyone give advice on possible on-line courses which are reputable and provide a good level of learning. Negative experiences are also appreciated.

By: Alex Case

Alex Case — Thu, 26 May 2011 06:49:13 +0000

Part Five now up:

http://www.tefl.net/alexcase/tefl/t-training/qualifications/slippery-accreditation-multiple-websites/

By: TEFLista

TEFLista — Thu, 10 Mar 2011 05:05:44 +0000

The website for TEFL Plus in Phuket, Thailand doesn’t provide enough information for someone to make an informed decision about their course. Looks to me like they they are intentionally leaving out important information, so I would avoid them.

By: Irene

Irene — Sat, 05 Mar 2011 12:26:08 +0000

Hi there,

Would like to seek your advice if TEFL PLus is a recommended centre for TESOL/TEFL course? Thanks so much!!!

By: TEFLista

TEFLista — Fri, 04 Mar 2011 08:36:39 +0000

One possibility might include taking the CELTA at the International Language Centre in Paris:

http://www.ilcfrance.com/

I don’t know anything about that course provider, so you will still need to do some homework and check them out. As for a complete list of training centers for France and other countries world-wide, see these:

CELTA
http://cambridgeesol-centres.org/centres/teaching/index.do

SIT TESOL
http://www.sit.edu/graduate/tesol_schedule.cfm

Trinity
http://www.trinitycollege.co.uk/locator/course_flash.php

By: Erika

Erika — Fri, 04 Mar 2011 03:44:23 +0000

I’m wanting to do a four week program with TEFL Institute (from Chicago) in Paris, but reading all of these articles makes me feel odd about going with them. Mainly because the counselor I chatted with was really pushing me to get my deposit in early because spots were filling up. Also, I can’t find an address for the Paris location on their website, which really bothers me. I’m really kind of set on doing my TEFL certification this summer in Europe, preferably in Paris. Which programs in France are the best? I’ve googled for hours on end and I need advice!

Thanks!

By: Jamiel

Jamiel — Thu, 13 Jan 2011 07:57:39 +0000

Traveling is very expensive. That is why I am considering San Jose, Costa Rica. Its close to home and way cheaper than the CELTA courses offered in the states. I saw an ad for a teacher in Arizona that accepted the certificate with experience.

http://www.esljobsworld.com/esl-jobs/north-america/tesol-tefl-trainer-instructor.html

Do you have an opinion of the San Jose course?

http://www.institutobritanico.co.cr/esp/IhIb_FechaPreFoProCELTA.html

Thanks for your immediate response!

By: Alex Case

Alex Case — Thu, 13 Jan 2011 07:24:10 +0000

Well, you’re unlikely to get a teaching job in America with just a four week certificate, even a CELTA, anyway. The problem is that you will probably have to travel to take one as there are only (presently) eight courses in the US. And if you’re going to travel, why not take the course for less money in Prague or Bangkok, rather than Boston?

By: Jamiel

Jamiel — Thu, 13 Jan 2011 07:04:16 +0000

This has been most informative! I really appreciate all the sharing of tips and warnings. I live and teach English in Honduras, but have no certificate. I am thinking about taking the CELTA course in Costa Rica. Can it be said that EVERY location offering CELTA certification is high-quality? And what about Clarissa’s comments? Do CELTA programs have less recognition in North America?

Thanks to all again for the timely insights.

By: Clarissa at Talk to the Clouds

Clarissa at Talk to the Clouds — Sun, 09 Jan 2011 05:52:37 +0000

Great post–it really is hard to believe some of the BS that some of these sites shovel. Also, TESOL certificates run through real universities (not just on the sites of!) in the US usually match these specifications, and are fine for Asia. CELTA is impractical for a lot of people based in the US. (Just beware the tendency of all of these programs to overstate the usefulness of such certificates for teaching *in* the US.)

By: TEFLista

TEFLista — Fri, 07 Jan 2011 08:05:41 +0000

You may also want see Alex’s more recent post regarding TEFL International:

TEFLlife.com – Doubts, contradictions and downright lies
http://tinyurl.com/24zjrc5

By: TEFLista

TEFLista — Fri, 07 Jan 2011 07:00:15 +0000

Be very careful of ‘meets the requirements’ in adverts, as that doesn’t mean that the certificate will actually be ACCEPTED by the British Council. It’s all slippery language used to mislead people.

The BC requirements are:

1) that the course is 100 hours or more in length
2) that the course has six hours of observed teaching practice
3) that the course is externally validated by a RECOGNIZED examination body or university

That’s it. All quite simple and very vague. Lots of loopholes in there, too. For example, the people doing the training could be unqualified. (And one of several reasons as to why a certificate may not be accepted).

BTW, TEFL International does not meet requirement No. 3.

By: Alex Case

Alex Case — Thu, 06 Jan 2011 21:36:41 +0000

Especially in Europe, the CELTA will give you much better job prospects.

By: John

John — Thu, 06 Jan 2011 14:05:21 +0000

Hi,

With regards to which course to choose I was planning on heading to Granada to take on the 4 week TEFL International Course which offers more than the minimum requirements stipulated by the British Council in terms of teaching practice, hours taught etc. however I’m increasingly thinking that opting for a CELTA course in Barcelona or Madrid would be the better option due to the brand recognition?

I’m intending on moving to Granada at some point so I feel that perhaps attending that college would help me to find work a lot quicker but I’m unsure of the weight the course would carry with prospective employers in the future.

Can anyone advise?

Thanks.

By: sophie

sophie — Mon, 20 Dec 2010 16:29:35 +0000

ben, how are you getting on? sophie

By: Benji

Benji — Tue, 28 Sep 2010 12:19:54 +0000

Thanks Alex Case. Its funny you should say that. I went to my local pub and got chatting to an old aquaintance, by sheer coincidence, who i have not seen since school (10 years no less!) She had been teaching in Polan for two years and i told her about a TEFT course i was thinking of going on for two days. She said one thong to me, ignore everything and if you are serious pay the money approx £1000 and do it the right way and apply for CELTA.

Many thanks,

I hope this has benefitted other viewer also.

I will let everybody know my progress once i have delved into the CELTA route.
Ben

By: Alex Case

Alex Case — Sun, 26 Sep 2010 21:38:53 +0000

I can do it in two words: Cambridge CELTA

http://cambridgeesol-centres.org/centres/teaching/index.do

By: Benji

Benji — Sun, 26 Sep 2010 13:36:39 +0000

You know what, i am also very confused with this whole TEFL opportunity. I wish there was just one reliable source to find the information and recommended training bodies. I need a change in life, and i fancy working abroad in Asia why not i am 28 been puching paperwork for 7 years now since graduating…. can someone please tell me the best place to start in one sentence??? Thanks. Ben