TEFL Course - Job Opportunities?

A19B1C12

Hi,

I was wondering did anybody here ever do the online TEFL Course and if they did what opportunities they got out of it?

I'm doing it at the moment and I'd love to know are there any jobs going in Ireland with it as opposed to having to travel abroad during the summer!!

Any ideas people??

Thanks!

Biggins

Sorry johnb03 - this might not be the best place to ask.
I wish you luck though.

Try here: http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/forumdisplay.php?f=433 or here: http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/forumdisplay.php?f=832

The King of Moo

Unfortunately from what I know, to get work in a language school here you'd really need to do the full four-week course in a school here, and do pretty well at it too.

I'd recommend the full course though, I did it and it's very in-depth and comprehensive if you do it at a good school.

UglyBolloxFace

I hate to say it but the reality is this - between a person with an online TEFL cert and a person without, you would be equal in the eyes of an employer. This is because the online TEFL courses are basically a waste.

I know this because I've recently purchased one too. (did you buy it on Groupon?). And only after I parted with my money I did some research and discovered it's a waste - an employer will take on someone anyway, regardless of whether they have this online cert or not.

mackg

I guess you could become a non-stick frying pan

Posy

I think you also have to have a college degree in conjunction with the TEFL to teach in Ireland.

The King of Moo

Posy wrote: »

I think you also have to have a college degree in conjunction with the TEFL to teach in Ireland.

Yeah that's true, you need the equivalent of a B.A or higher, if I recall.

The online courses aren't bad for teaching abroad, especially Asia, and even more especially in Korea where often schools don't even look for a cert as long as you can speak English!

The downside of that can be that you'll often end up doing "dictionary classes" where you basically call out a Korean word, then call out the English word for it, and repeat this for an hour or two!

martomcg

You need a CELTA or CELT qualification to teach in Ireland which is a 4-6 week course that costs alot more than TEFL. The concept of TEFL is to teach english as a foreign language (funnily enough!) so its geared towards those leaving Ireland to teach in a non-native english speaking country!

A19B1C12

Could you advertise English grinds??

Thats awful - I'm doing it but if I'm not going to get anything when I'm finished whats the point?

martomcg

Use it to travel and get outta here! Spend some time teaching in Asia or the UAE! Asia is awesome!

Posy

You'll find more detailed info in the teaching and lecturing forum I'd reckon. There's a good few TEFL threads if you have a read through.

The King of Moo

johnb03 wrote: »

Could you advertise English grinds??

Thats awful - I'm doing it but if I'm not going to get anything when I'm finished whats the point?

I think many schools here don't recognise them because so many people do them that they'd be flooded with applicants, and most importantly, they don't include teaching practice.
The longer course is much more difficult to complete and do well in, so they know they're getting someone fairly competent if they passed the course with a good grade.
Unfortunately the online courses are generally easier to pass.

The online courses are fine for teaching abroad where they're not looking for someone with teaching experience, rather someone to teach pretty basic stuff, often to young kids.

The full 4-week course is quite expensive but it's very useful, especially in terms of the teaching practice. I did six hours and I can't imagine having started work without that practice.

kandr10

martomcg wrote: »

You need a CELTA or CELT qualification to teach in Ireland which is a 4-6 week course that costs alot more than TEFL. The concept of TEFL is to teach english as a foreign language (funnily enough!) so its geared towards those leaving Ireland to teach in a non-native english speaking country!

Once the course is recognised by acels, you're fine to teach in ireland. The aim us usually to go abroad. There are some jobs in ireland but would tend to be parttime and unstable (cos if student numbers drop they dont need teachers). Its a lot easier to get a job in ireland if you have experience abroad.

starbelgrade

johnb03 wrote: »

Hi,

I was wondering did anybody here ever do the online TEFL Course and if they did what opportunities they got out of it?

I did a TEFL course & went to China to teach. One night I met a lovely Chinese girl there a bar.

We got chatting & really hit it off. After a few drinks, I invited her back to my place & she said "yes".

When we got back, we started kissing & things were really heating up, so I asked her if she wanted to go upstairs & we'd have a nice 69.

She replied, "It's too late in the evening for me to be cooking."

Biggins

starbelgrade wrote: »

...She replied, "It's too late in the evening for me to be cooking."

DOH!
I shoulda seen that coming! :pac:

Posy

Posy wrote: »

You'll find more detailed info in the teaching and lecturing forum I'd reckon. There's a good few TEFL threads if you have a read through.

No there's not... It's centered on Korea which is basically a package tour place for teaching. No info or place to ask about other countries. It's a headwrecker that ESL doesn't have a place on this site. My forum request got good support but got turned down.

OP, get the fek out of Ireland and travel with it.. Best thing I ever did was start teaching in Vietnam.

biko

Biggins wrote: »

Sorry johnb03 - this might not be the best place to ask.
I wish you luck though.

Try here: http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/forumdisplay.php?f=433 or here: http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/forumdisplay.php?f=832

You will find plenty of TEFL discussions there OP.
Or simply http://www.boards.ie/search/?subforums=1&q=tefl