TEFL/TESOL

Author
Discussion

K12beano

Original Poster:

20,854 posts

276 months

Sunday 12th February 2012
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Has anyone taken a TEFL/TESOL course? Are you now teaching? If so, what course would you recommend - or not as the case may be?

There seem to be several different providers out there, and I can't see any overall difference in what's on offer.

ETOPS

3,688 posts

199 months

Monday 13th February 2012
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I'd suggest one of the larger companies which will place you initially.

Many of my colleagues wives/girlfriends have done this out here, and the ones who were placed by their school are way ahead, because it seems like once you have some experience, many doors open, and the prospects become much better..

AJS-

15,366 posts

237 months

Monday 13th February 2012
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I did a year of teaching without one here in Thailand. Of the people I know who did do TEFL/TESOL courses it didn't seem to make a great deal of difference in terms of employability/pay, however other countries and certain schools are more selective.

My suspicion would be that it depends on where you want to teach.

Cybertronian

1,516 posts

164 months

Monday 13th February 2012
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I did a TESOL course a few years ago but never actually got into teaching with it. I still keep in touch with a lot of my peers and a lot of us agree that if we were to go back and do it again, we would most likely go and do a CELTA course instead.

I primarily wanted to go teach in Japan though sadly, their economy simply meant that there weren't enough jobs to go around and the schools that were hiring were employing those who were already set up and ready to go in the country. The high living costs and low-ish pay also meant you're living on borderline poverty. Contrast this with friends of mine who have taught in China and Taiwan where the costs of living are much lower, and they were living like kings (and able to save regularly too).

Another friend that's teaching in Indonesia was recently promoted to director of studies after only 2 years of being a TESOL teacher, so opportunities are definitely out there so long as you're not too fussed about where you end up teaching. Best of luck!


v15ben

15,801 posts

242 months

Tuesday 21st February 2012
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I did a TEFL and currently teach in South Korea. I did a 120-hour course which was mainly online, but also had a face-to-face element. I didn't need the course to get the quite cushy job I have now, but it helped me get onto a higher pay-scale working in a public school here.

I'd say CELTA is what is needed should you want to pursue a career in TEFL. The better paying and usually more professional schools ask for this level of qualification quite often. Saying that, I know plenty of people out here earning good money and living a good life with no form of TEFL qualifications at all.

K12beano

Original Poster:

20,854 posts

276 months

Tuesday 21st February 2012
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Thanks for your contributions, folks! All good food for thought.

Mikeyboy

5,018 posts

236 months

Tuesday 21st February 2012
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TEFl is useful is you want to teach in somewhere like Europe or Japan but in the more developing countries its less useful.
I taught in Spain a few years back without TEFl but my wife did have it. She found it easier to move around than I did but that was about it.

K12beano

Original Poster:

20,854 posts

276 months

Sunday 15th January 2017
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Nearly five years on.

Finally got around to starting a course!