FAQ - TEFL Course, TESOL Course

1. There are so many certificate courses advertised out there. How do I know which to apply for?

There are many good schools out there. Many are professionally managed and have qualified, competent teachers. Unfortunately, there is no law to prevent anyone from setting up as a teacher-training center and there is nothing to prevent you from being "ripped off" by a company offering so-called recognized certificates. Important criteria that you need to look for in a TESOL Certificate course includes: 

• At least 100 hours of time spent in the classroom studying how to be a teacher.

• At least 6 hours spent actually teaching real students under the direction and supervision of a trained, experienced teacher.

• Some kind of overseeing body (a university or examining board) that externally controls quality Most employers are looking for certificates that meet or exceed these three criteria. Courses that do not meet these criteria will not be recognized as certificates.

• Continuing effort committed to job guidance and opportunities

2. What is the difference between TESOL and TEFL? What is CELTA?

For all intents and purposes the terms mean the same with TESOL being more common in America and with large state sector colleges in Britain (e.g. the Institute of Education in London) while TEFL is more common in U.K. Language Schools and in the U.K. press. There is a slight technical difference since TESOL refers to all learners whose first language is not English, including ethnic minorities living in this country, whereas TEFL refers only to "foreign" students. Potentially, therefore, a TESOL course encompasses more than a more narrowly defined TEFL course.

The CELTA (Certificate for English Language Teaching to Adults) is a TESOL certificate course. It was actually the first course of this type of teacher-training course and was originally an in-house training course for teachers at International House (a large chain of language schools based in London). Because it was the first, it is very widely recognized by name.

3. What about Distance Learning or Short courses? There are a lot of them and they are really cheap!

Remember that most employers are looking for certificates that meet the general criteria listed in point number 1. And, lets face it, any course that does not allow you multiple opportunities to put you in real-life teaching situations will have limited benefit. Like learning to swim by reading a book or learning to drive by reading the drivers manual.

4. Are there regional/national differences in Teacher Training?

Certainly. The four-week TESOL certificate courses were first developed in England. They are widely accepted as initial teacher training courses in most of the world. In fact, the vast majority of organizations offering these courses are British and the overseeing bodies are also British. In North America, four-week courses are not generally accepted as teaching qualifications at government schools. They are generally accepted at private language schools. TEFL International is unique in this regard. We are based upon the British four-week system, we exceed all of their basic criteria, yet we also work with several well respected US universities. In fact, many US universities can offer up to 12 credits (full-time status and financial aide) for completion of our course and an internship. So we give you the best of both worlds—a TESOL certificate that exceeds the British standards yet that is recognized for quality in the US.

5. Will my TEFL International certificate be recognized around the world?

Certainly! Here are some important things to remember about TEFL International:

• TEFL International is the largest TESOL course provider in the world, with locations literally in every continent except Antarctica. 

• TEFL International is also the world’s second largest TESOL Certificate provider and the largest that gives instruction of teaching both Adults and Children.

• Our courses meet or exceed international standards of 120 hours of instruction and 6+ hours of Observed Teaching Practice.

• An explanation of the course is printed on the back of each certificate in TWELVE different languages.

• Each course is moderated by our Board of Academic Advisors.

• With nearly a decade of experience and literally thousands of graduates working all over the world, our global contacts in the field that have employed TEFL International graduates attest to the quality of our teachers and our programs.

6. I've heard that these courses are really tough

Before you choose a course you should carefully consider the teaching style of the instructors. Many (American) students have found the British courses to be culturally difficult to deal with and have complained of unsympathetic and overly-critical teachers.

We feel this is another reason why TEFL International is an excellent choice. While we have based our curriculum on the generally-accepted British model, we have adapted this model to be more international. We have brought in many Peace Corps and US training techniques to balance and compliment the original model.

7. Can I get undergraduate or graduate credit for taking the TEFL International Certificate course?

Yes! If you are a current university student we would be happy to work with your university to arrange credit. If you want university credit for your participation, it is best to contact us in advance. We can work with your university to arrange credit, if possible. 

Our course has been fully evaluated for credit by Dr. Bill Leon, an instructor of Program Evaluation at the University of Washington. 

For more information please Email us.

8. Can I get a job without a degree?

Yes. Some countries will allow you to work without a degree. Examples of these are China and Thailand, but even there you may have difficulty competing against teachers who do have a degree. Other countries will not allow but often times people without degrees work illegally.
Working as an ESL teacher without a degree is possible. You should choose your destination carefully and be prepared for some hardships. Email, chat or call our help-line for more advice on the criteria often necessary for the country of your choice.

9. My grammar stinks! I really don’t think I could make it through your course.

Nonsense! As a native speaker, you know grammar quite well. You just don’t know the terminology! Our job is to teach you the terminology in an enjoyable and easy way. We assume you know nothing about grammar terminology when you arrive, but leave with the basics you need to teach.

10. Do you provide Job Placement Assistance?

TEFL International is much more involved in your job search than almost all other course providers. With locations all over the world, each center is an area expert, with extensive contacts within the country. We will work closely with you to find a job in the location of your choice. And, in a few years, when you decide to move from Thailand to Spain (just as an example), our Spain center will be there to help you.

11. What are the requirements for getting on to the Certificate course? How do I know if I am suitable? What kind of people will be on the course besides myself? Am I too old? What is the success rate and how many people fail?

A lot of questions but all interrelated. We find that courses tend to be taken up by a "mixed bag" of people. For example, we get a lot of people in their early twenties who are recent graduates and want to travel overseas but we also have people in their thirties and forties who either want a career switch, have been made redundant or are moving overseas with their spouse. In addition, we have people either approaching or in retirement and who are looking for something to do in their free time or who have got property on the continent to which they are going to move. Finally, we sometimes have people from other English speaking countries in our courses as well as good non-native speakers from other countries.
As far as entrance requirements are concerned, if you are to be a teacher of English, a high standard of both spoken and written English is demanded. By this we mean your use of English, not necessarily your knowledge of grammatical terminology: you will be given an introduction to language awareness on the course
itself.

As the four week course is very intensive, you should be prepared to work very hard indeed, have no other distractions, and be mentally/emotionally completely fit and well, including having no current domestic worries. You should also be presentable in appearance. Finally, you should be able to teach! Not TESOL, of course, but anything. Do you have the confidence and personal presence to stand up in front of a group of students and teach them for, say, 45 minutes?

If you are a person of "more mature years" or a senior citizen, do not let this in itself put you off from applying. Providing you are receptive to training you should have no problems. If, however, you are rigid in your ways of thinking and are unwilling to shake off past ways of thinking and behavior (regardless of age), you may have a problem.

12. Last chance! Why should I take the TEFL International course. Give me some good

1. We meet or exceed all International criteria with 120+ hours of classroom time and up to 9 hours of Observed Teaching Practice;

2. We work with many universities to allow you to obtain undergraduate or even graduate credit;

3. We work hard to develop a nurturing, supportive learning environment;

4. Our courses all have affordable housing included in one affordable price;

5. Our courses are all located in fun, interesting locations;

6. Our courses include One-to-one meetings with learners of English as well as with full classes;

7. Our courses include Experience learning an unfamiliar language in order to make you think about the problems of teaching beginners;

8. Our courses include Opportunity to create your own teaching material as a form of practical project which you can take away and use in your future teaching career;

9. Our courses include training for younger learners as well as with adults

For course registration queries please contact admin@teflintl.com 

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