TEFL- TheTEFLAcademy

[Goo]

Hi guys,

Giving serious thought into doing one of these courses. 120 hours and then you're able to teach English as a second language all over the world. Ideally I'd like to go to Europe and teach!

I've been reading around the internet for reviews but haven't been that successful finding the information I want..

Has anyone done one of these course, then gone on to work afterwards in another country? What are the prospects like? I know what the course provider says, but I want to hear from a certificate holder!

Any experience stories would be great!

Cheers!


This is the link to the website:

<a class="postlink" href="http://www.theteflacademy.co.uk/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;">http://www.theteflacademy.co.uk/</a>

 

[macky]

hopefully you'll get some responses off here as i'm interested in doing the course.
btw do you speak any other languages ?

 

[Tuearts right boot]

Quite a few people out here I know do it.I dont know the ins and outs but basically you teach English and you dont need to speak the students language.You just speak in English to the all the time. You could have a riot teaching them swear words and slang terminology. A fishing tackle shop I go in is owned by a Spaniard but he speaks pretty good English with a Yorkshire dialect,it's quite comical. He teacher was from Brighouse.

 

[Flying Lotus]

I'm not a certificate holder mate but I've had friends that have taught english over the world and unequivocally they tell me a TEFL isn't worth the paper it's written on. The course Iv'e been strongly advised to do is the CELTA. It seems to be well regarded so keep your options open and check it out.

<a class="postlink" href="http://www.cambridgeenglish.org/exams-and-qualifications/celta/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;">http://www.cambridgeenglish.org/exams-a ... ons/celta/</a>

 

[macky]

im sure there was another thread about this sometime ago

 

[bluwes]

There have been other threads on this previously. My lad did this course in 2006 after he finished his degree. He has been out in China for the last 5 years. He started off just as a class teacher , and now is what they call a DOS (Director of Studies) and has responsibility for three schools.

He is loving it and has a Chinese girlfriend. Only thing he misses is City.

 

[Goo]

I'm not a certificate holder mate but I've had friends that have taught english over the world and unequivocally they tell me a TEFL isn't worth the paper it's written on. The course Iv'e been strongly advised to do is the CELTA. It seems to be well regarded so keep your options open and check it out.

<a class="postlink" href="http://www.cambridgeenglish.org/exams-and-qualifications/celta/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;">http://www.cambridgeenglish.org/exams-a ... ons/celta/</a>

I have heard of this, and read similar things to what you have said mate. This is exactly why I'm looking to find case studies for the TEFL course and it's graduates.

My basic understanding is that CELTA will get you work in Europe more likely because it has a more hands on approach to class room teaching, and TEFL is mostly done online (about 75%). However this is not to say it's impossible to get work in Europe with TEFL.

What I've also been told is that, TEFL plus experience working in other countries will be worth more than CELTA on its own. Given that CELTA is about quadruple the price (circa £1k) that's why I'm more inclined to do a TEFL. I would say my lose plan would be to work in Asia (ideally Tokyo) for 6 months-1 year and then apply to places in Spain or Germany etc.

Thanks for the reply bud!

 

[hackneyslim]

Check out eslcafe.com for a lot of information from teachers working around the world. Also, tefl.com is the main job site in the world. I would say use these resources to be sure that your qualification is accepted where-ever you wish to work. You will learn more in your first week at work than in 120 on any course. You do not need to speak the local language at all; if you are teaching above elementary level and kids older than say 8, the students will have enough English. The tricky bit at first is controlling the level of your own English to allow them to understand. But this will become clear very quickly in the classroom. Best of luck to you.

 

[nomorethaksintimes]

There's a 100% legit online course which you can smash through in a few days and give you the required certification needed.

<a class="postlink" href="http://www.i-to-i.com/tefl-courses/online-tefl-course-40.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;">http://www.i-to-i.com/tefl-courses/onli ... se-40.html</a>

It says 40 hours but the way it's set up means you should be able to do it in 20 hours.

 

[Innsbruckblue]

There's a 100% legit online course which you can smash through in a few days and give you the required certification needed.

<a class="postlink" href="http://www.i-to-i.com/tefl-courses/online-tefl-course-40.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;">http://www.i-to-i.com/tefl-courses/onli ... se-40.html</a>

It says 40 hours but the way it's set up means you should be able to do it in 20 hours.

I did this one 10 years ago and it did me no harm (60 hours). However, things have changed now and a lot of places no longer accept the online TEFLs due to the lack of classroom practice. But I got in before that door closed.
As an earlier poster said, a CELTA is seen as better nowadays. But you may also need a first degree, depending on where you want to teach. The rules in Europe are much stricter than in China or Malaysia, for example, and I boosted my job security by getting an MA in TESOL last year (stick your DELTA!).
Basically, if you want to teach in western society, you won't earn much with just a TEFL. If you want to do the job just to see the world and explore far-flung cultures, then a TEFL will open a few doors. If you want a career out of it, forget TEFL and CELTA, a DELTA will do, or get a Masters in TESOL.