TEFL course

Claire121

I would like to teach English abroad and was wondering if anyone knew of a decent TEFL course - not one of those weekend ones but one lasting a month or so, where you actually learn to teach? And also if anyone knows some reputable TEFL companies in Europe and Asia?

Eoin

Claire121 wrote: »

I would like to teach English abroad and was wondering if anyone knew of a decent TEFL course - not one of those weekend ones but one lasting a month or so, where you actually learn to teach? And also if anyone knows some reputable TEFL companies in Europe and Asia?

Swan Training Institute on Grafton Street do a 2 or 4 week course, presumably full time.

Heisenberg.

This post has been deleted.

magooly

The Scientist wrote: »

The thing that set me off it was that it really doesn't do much for your Career

Not necessarily true imho, several of the group I was in Korea with (2002) are now full time primary teachers here at home, the TEFL experience earning them a place on the postgrad course they would never have got with their primary degree.

In my own experience it was one of the most interesting and rewarding years of my life, would do it again in a heartbeat.

worknplay.co.kr
englishspectrum.com

Claire121

I don't really have a career, so I thought it was a good time to do this until I had a better idea of what I wanted to do. I have a languages degree and I've always been interested in linguistics and language learning so I think it would suit me..........sick of being stuck in a thankless job and getting abuse all the time while my brain rots away, and I've been told I'm a natural teacher. It's a fairly respected job, isn't it? Would look better than random office work or waitressing on the CV? I haven't decided yet if I want to go into tourism, business, translation etc.

AARRRGH

Do you have a degree? If so, make sure you do an ACELS recognised TEFL course: http://www.acels.ie/search.htm

magooly

Claire121 wrote: »

I don't really have a career, so I thought it was a good time to do this until I had a better idea of what I wanted to do. I have a languages degree and I've always been interested in linguistics and language learning so I think it would suit me..........

TEFL teachers I know are doing it for the same reasons you quote, self dicovery, life experience and a new challenge. You have an aptitude for languages and will have no trouble learning either Korean or Japanese within 12 - 18 months with a little effort so thats another CV plus. (Korean being significantly easier but Japanese will open more doors).

Claire121 wrote: »

It's a fairly respected job, isn't it?.

Well respected in the host country yes, not here

Claire121

Yes I have a degree.

Why is it not well respected here?

AARRRGH

Claire121 wrote: »

Yes I have a degree.

Why is it not well respected here?

If you have a degree, make sure you do an ACELS course. It takes a while (about a year part-time) but its a "proper" teaching qualification which you can use in Irish schools.

Also, a lot of people have done the two week/one month TEFL course. Having an ACELS qualification (which really is just an excellent TEFL qualification) will make you stand out from the crowd.

Claire121

I definitely wouldn't have time to do a year long course; I'll be leaving the country in the next couple of months most likely. I heard the month long course is usually enough for most things, even teaching in Ireland but that was from colleagues and nowhere official! I assume the weekend ones are pretty much a waste of time, but in a month full time, you could learn a good bit?

magooly

yes OP you are spot on there, weekend courses are mostly a wast of time

Ive heard of a month long CEFL in Galway that is v hands on and ideal but expensive at 800 yoyos or so. Honestly in my application in Seoul I claimed I had a TEFL but I was already there (World Cup) and it was the norm to bluff but if you are uncomfortable with that then you have the option now.

Dont be at yourself

Japan is crying out for English teachers, and TEFL isn't a requirement.

The Japanese government run the JET programme, and they recruit thousands of young people from all over the world to work in Japanese high schools. You missed this year's deadline, but they'll be taking applications for next year in the coming months.

There are a few more companies too: Interac and Berlitz are similar to JET, and there are also private conversation schools like Nova, Aeon and Geos who are all looking for English teachers - conditions may not be as good as with JET or Interac though.

Claire121

I wouldn't mind paying 800 or so for a decent course that would actually teach me something. I know you can bluff, but I think I would feel much more comfortable and confident in myself having had a bit of proper training before standing in front of a class!

I actually applied for JET a year ago but found them very awkward - even though I live in Dublin they made me go over to London for the interview because I have a British passport, and they keep you waiting quite a ridiculous amount of time before you know if you got in or not. In my case, I was an 'alternate', so that meant an even longer wait and possibly not going at all - I wasn't in a position to be in standby mode all summer, so I had to turn them down. I wouldn't rule out reapplying, but I'd prefer to have a job confirmed sooner than that. Are Interac and Berlitz similar with their application process?

Dont be at yourself

Interac and Berlitz are more relaxed than JET in terms of application procedure I think. You have to jump through a lot of hoops for the JET programme.

I've been teaching English as a foreign language for the last year now, and I didn't have any prior experience or a TEFL qualification. Standing up in front of a class of 40 students is not as daunting as you may think, and most companies have a great support network and on-the-job training.

The 800 euro could be better spent elsewhere. Taking a language class yourself in Korean, Japanese or Chinese would probably help you in the classroom more than a TEFL qualification.

Claire121

Would it always be possible to bluff though? Surely some schools will want the certificate? And don't you need around a months TEFL training to teach in Ireland?

Dont be at yourself

It's not bluffing - TEFL is not a requirement to teach English as a foreign language. It is recognised, and advantageous, but it not a requirement for most language schools.

I can't really speak for requirements for teaching in Ireland though.

Claire121

Has anyone had experience with Tiger English? Are they reputable/legit?

I'm still thinking about whether to do the TEFL course or not. Apparently if it's accredited and a month long you're qualified to teach English in language schools in Ireland as well, which is handy, but there doesn't seem to be any courses starting in August, hmm.......