1. Why bother with a TEFL certificate? 2. Trinity, Cambridge or some other qualification? 3. How much will I pay? 4. What about TEFL MA? 5. What about TEFL PhD? 6. What about TEFL PGCE or Diploma? We will try and cover these questions on this page, but we are still learning so if you know something more than us, then share with others and use the 'contact us' page to keep the content accurate and useful. Visit the 'super links' page for websites of trainers (keyword=training).

************************************************** 1. Getting a TEFL qualification will not only make you more employable, but for many schools (UK and abroad) it is the absolute minimum needed to get a job. Conditions will improve with qualifications as will pay and benefits, because any self-respecting school will ask for qualified staff. Furthermore, it is a requirement of many accrediting agencies such as ARELS and the British Council that teachers are properly qualified. Apart from these facts, completing a TEFL course will introduce you to at least the basic workings of the classroom. You will feel more confident knowing how to approach classroom discipline, questions from your students and how to structure a lesson at all. There are so many basic points to teaching that should be covered in a good course that you are at a serious disadvantage if you do not know them.

************************************************** 2. TEFL courses vary enormously from one day to six months. The most widely recognised of these courses are the Trinity (TESOL) and Cambridge (CELTA)certificates, and although the latter is slightly better known, either will help to secure a good job at a worthy institution. The training they offer can be quite intense, so consider this before deciding to do the 4/5 week courses on offer. If you are in a hurry to gain the qualification then it is a viable option, but longer courses offer more of an oppurtunity to assimilate the large quantity of information over time. Many longer courses also allow for more teaching practice (TP) hours. Having said this the short courses are extremely popular, so if you are truly motivated, go for it! click here for info on the TESOL click here for info on the CELTA Certificates offered by boards other than Cambridge and Trinity can be useful, especially outside of the West. They can also be considerably cheaper than the aforementioned boards, although you must recognise that this is for a reason. Your job prospects will be limited by a 'short-cut' qualification, but if you have secured a job on the basis of your degree or having English as your native tongue, then a course such as this could give you the boost you need before facing the students. Use noticeboards and websites to check the validity and reputation of any awarding bodies. The best way to decide which certificate you need is to visit a jobsite (eg TEFL.COM) and note what potential employers are asking for. Here are some examples of ways to get qualified but there are hundreds more... click here for info on the i-to-i weekend course (UK) click here for info on an online TEFL course click here for info on 'earn & learn' in Italy summer camps

************************************************** 3. Courses from Trinity and Cambridge start around £650 to £1300, some including board and some not. Savings can be made by travelling abroad to gain your certificate - many go to Spain or Poland for this reason. There are a few UK community colleges that will offer free/subsidised courses to the unemployed, but these are rare. Don't expect to get funding for your course as it is pretty much unheard of. (Please note that the ILA scheme from the UK has now ceased). Doing a 'short-cut' certificate which can be anything from one afternoon to the equivalent of the two main courses, can save you money. Prices vary but you can expect to get a one-day course for about £30-50, and a weekend course for £60 upwards. If you are serious about TEFL as a career then it is best to save up the cash and do a full-length course. Graduates have the option of a Career Development Loan, which can be repaid on securing employment, but as always beware the interest rates.

************************************************** 4. Masters in TEFL are taught courses run over a period of 1-2 years, depending on whether you opt for full or part-time study. They offer an insight into new ideas in the EFL world as well as teacher development. You are expected to produce a dissertation on a chosen topic of 10-20 thousand words, usually after a period of research. An MA is particularly recommended for those seeking a position of Director of Studies (DoS) or any appointments above this rank. At various times Ameracad offers a free Master of Education over 2 years, to be earned while teaching in Poland. For further information visit www.ameracad.com, or contact Terry Pitner, Human Resource Director Ul. Slowackiego 16 Katowice Silesia 40-094 Poland Telephone 011 48 32 253 02 72 Fax 011 48 32 253 02 72 Another option is to study through the Open University which allows flexible self-study courses with online support and a dedicated tutor. The beauty of this distance-learning course is that it can be taken almost anywhere in the world and the fees can be paid by monthly installments through an Open Univeristy Student Budget Account (OUSBA). For further info on this option click here

************************************************** 5. PhD and EdD courses are completed on a full-time basis over two or three years, or up to six years if completed part-time. Universities are becoming more and more flexible regarding students who have to work intermittently while studying. The EdD is offered at more than thirty academic institutions in Britain and the aim is to improve practice standards by encouraging research in a professional context.

************************************************** 6. The PGCE ESOL is for those wishing to teach in the state sector and stands on the same level as the Diploma, although the focus is slightly different. It would be wise to consider your career path before deciding which qualification is better for you - do the research and it will pay off. The new PGCE ESOL is still in its infancy and information regarding it is difficult to come by. FENTO is the body which sets the standards for this area in the UK and their website can be found here For those looking for a course in the UK the University of London's Insitute of Education offers the course and details can be found here The Diploma can be taken at many insitutions as per the CELTA/TESOL courses and information on these can be found at the respective websites of Cambridge or Trinity (see above). If you wish to study via distance learning click here to learn more about the distance DELTA

 

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