I am interested in getting TEFL certification abroad

[FondueUSA]

I am looking to get TEFL certification abroad. I hope to do my training in a 4 week course in Thailand or somewhere else in Asia. I am currently looking at two companies which are the TEFL institute in Chicago and TEFL international. Has anyone heard anything bad or good about these schools? If these schools are crap are there some other schools that are reliable and won't screw me over? Thanks for your help. I should note I have no teaching experience and have never traveled abroad.

[Spanouse]

I too am considering doing the same thing. Though I would like to go to Prague specifically in order to do the course. Though I would like to teach elsewhere. I currently live in Spain, though I am a native speaker, from Liverpool in the UK. Though that shouldn't allow people to think I'm too native :)

I've been here for 4 years now, just looking for advice from anyone who's done the same and how easy/difficult it was for them or any advice they can provide at all. Sorry that this isn't a reply with any info you where looking for Fondue. But hopefully someone out there can help us both out.

[systematic]

Has anyone heard anything bad or good about these schools? If these schools are crap are there some other schools that are reliable and won't screw me over?

You"ll find exactly what you need to know here:
http://teflblacklist.blogspot.com/2007/ ... ional.html

[ThomasTopham]

Have you considered the SIT TESOL Certificate? In Thailand there are a number of options from these guys: http://www.auathailand.org/sit/ (disclaimer: I don't personally know these people, but they are offering the same course my Institute does)

This course is similar to the CELTA - externally assessed, 4 week intensive (very intensive!), and it involves a practical teaching component.

As far as TEFL International, I would not advise anyone under any circumstances to take a course from them. Read that blacklist link carefully.

[systematic]

Do check out what TEFL.net members have to say on this thread too (on this forum):

http://www.tefl.net/forums/viewtopic.php?f=11&t=2051

and then be sure to follow any links you are given; particularly this one;

http://miathai.com/rose_with_any_name/?page_id=6