Certification guidance please

[janetaylor]

Hi
I am a technical communicator and IT trainer by profession and work in the IT and finance industries. In recent years I have found that I am editing technical documentation submitted to me by writers from countries such as China, India and Eastern Europe. The standard of communication is generally good, however, there are consistent problems, for example, missing conjunctions, incorrect use of capitalisation and prepositions, etc.

These are not big problems but I feel I am in a good position to help some of the writers. For example, by creating training and support material that may help overcome these problems as well as enhancing the writers' professional experience.

It would help me if I could achieve an ESOL/EAL certificate in order to demonstrate to students that I am qualified to help, also to enhance my own understanding. Is there any advice about the most appropriate course I could take, who offers it, how long it will take and how much it is likely to cost? I'd appreciate any advice other forum members can give me. Thanks. Jane

[Alex Case]

The standard for certfication is at least 100 hours of study with at least 6 hours of observed teaching practice, and it is usually taken full time over four weeks but is sometimes available part time instead. The most well known and well respected courses are the Cambridge CELTA, Trinity CertTESOL and SIT TESOL Certificate.

[matter]

TEFL/TESOL certificates such as Cambridge CELTA, Trinity CertTESOL and SIT TESOL Certificate are intended to demonstrate your fitness to teach English. They don't necessarily demonstrate your proficiency in the English language. Since you specifically mentioned an ESOL certificate (as opposed to TESOL), and since this is a TEFL/TESOL website, it's not clear exactly what you want to demonstrate.

Are you in fact looking for a TESOL certificate (as described by Alex) or an ESOL certificate?

[janetaylor]

It seems that I've come to the wrong board. I'm not specifically aiming to formally teach people English. I just find through my work that, to some extent, I am doing that. I thought perhaps having a formal and recognised qualification would benefit me, as well as demonstrating to those learning with me that I have taken the trouble of specialising in something other than technical communication.