Tefl.NET Forums

I'm thinking of maybe going to the Philippines or Thailand to live for a while. I'm considering getting some sort of English teaching certification in order to work while I am there. I see there are many different courses of various lengths.

What's the most respected certification that I could do in a few months or less? I see there is TEFL, and then some others.....

I didn't really like English and Grammar in high school. Are the courses very hard, or as long as you're fluent in English and are a smart person you should do fine?

I don't have a bachelors degree. I have an AS in computer animation with 10 years of experience in the game industry as an animator. Will not having a BA create problems when it comes to teaching in most countries? I know in Korea you have to have a BA.

I'm in Los Angeles, in case anyone can recommend a quality place for certification.

Thanks in advance to anyone that can help.

-Chance

krunko wrote:What's the most respected certification that I could do in a few months or less? I see there is TEFL, and then some others...

You may like to read our TEFL Training FAQ, especially its penultimate paragraph.

krunko wrote:I didn't really like English and Grammar in high school. Are the courses very hard, or as long as you're fluent in English and are a smart person you should do fine?

Some of the better one-month courses are generally considered to be quite strenuous simply because they are intensive. A detailed knowledge of grammar is not (initially at least) required, though you may have some pre-course tests to assess your understanding of basic grammar.

krunko wrote:I don't have a bachelors degree. I have an AS in computer animation with 10 years of experience in the game industry as an animator. Will not having a BA create problems when it comes to teaching in most countries? I know in Korea you have to have a BA.

A degree of some sort (not necessarily related to English or teaching) is required in some countries in order to obtain a work permit. This is a bureaucratic requirement and has little to do with the educational institute.