TEFL recommendations?

PotentRodent

Hi all, first time on these forums here so i apologise to any mods if this is the wrong section for my question.

Im looking to do a TEFL course and move over to Spain in the near future.

Had my heart set on doing the one down in Dunloughaire until i heard through word of mouth --from a few people i know-- that the TEFL course there in question; "could be better".


I initially was intending on doing the online one; which i believe only does one weekend of practical hands-on? But to be honest, i would really prefer to do it predominantly classroom based, as-per my way of assimilating information. :rolleyes:

Im wondering if anyone has done a classroom based TEFL that they walked away from feeling it was well put together.

Even if you dont know, i would very much appreciate any advice from those of you that have pursued a TEFL or any other type of English Teaching certificate. What were your experiences?

guitarzero

Thinking the same recently. I'm wondering what is the minimum qualifications you need to do TEFL in Spain. Does anyone have any experience of teaching TEFL there and what course, if any, was required.

pow wow

Thread moved to Teaching & Lecturing

There are a few TEFL threads there already and you'll probably get a better response.

dapto1

Check the CELTA/CELT thread.

Dionysus

PotentRodent wrote: »

Hi all, first time on these forums here so i apologise to any mods if this is the wrong section for my question.

Im looking to do a TEFL course and move over to Spain in the near future.

Had my heart set on doing the one down in Dunloughaire until i heard through word of mouth --from a few people i know-- that the TEFL course there in question; "could be better".


I initially was intending on doing the online one; which i believe only does one weekend of practical hands-on? But to be honest, i would really prefer to do it predominantly classroom based, as-per my way of assimilating information. :rolleyes:

Im wondering if anyone has done a classroom based TEFL that they walked away from feeling it was well put together.

Even if you dont know, i would very much appreciate any advice from those of you that have pursued a TEFL or any other type of English Teaching certificate. What were your experiences?

I surmise the place in Dún Laoghaire is where I and at least another regular here did our ACELS. I've recommended it to several people who have gone on to do it there, although a certain teacher there when I did it definitely made it more stressful than it should have been. I remember on the last day, when the owner spoke with us all about Teaching English as a career and a business (excellent talk, by the way, and a very charming guy), he hinted about having problems with a certain teacher. The director of the school wasn't much better in the sense that he was loyal to the teacher in question and students suffered. In addition, if I recall correctly it was about 4 months before we all got our ACELS cert. It was an unnecessarily stressful time. Plenty of room for management to be more efficient and empathetic with ACELS students, and less tolerant of teachers whose personal difficulties are taken out on ACELS students.

There was another teacher there, however, who was absolutely lovely. Great craic. She, and the owner, really sold the place.

kingofburt

Myself and my girlfriend were in the same situation as you last year, couldn't figure out the best way to get a TEFL qualification. We decided to take a chance and move to Spain and do the the CELTA qualification here, which is easy to do in most of the large cities.

We both found it to be a really good experience. By studying in the city we were able to meet people easily, both fellow course mates and the guinea-pig students. We also had the advantage of being able to apply for jobs while still doing the course, which is quite a big advantage as most schools will bin C.V.s that don't have a local address and contact number.

We did the CELTA with International House and for the most part found it very beneficial and informative. The fact hat you get monitored teaching practice really is invaluable as you can go into a job with some confidence and knowledge of how to structure a class. They also prepare you for common problems you will encounter and how to cope with unexpected questions or disruptive students. I would happily recommend International House as a course centre.

As for the online TEFL, very few, if any, schools will hire you in Spain because of it and you can get a job in an "alternative teaching method" school without it so it really has no benefit from an employment viewpoint.

There is a lot of work here for English teachers as it's such a great place to live, but also a lot of competition for the good jobs which will be advertised and filled in September and early October.

Good luck with whatever course you do and hopefully I don't meet you in an interview competing with me for a job!:D