| Unfortunately there has never been one single | | | | discredit them claiming the certificate isn't accredited, or |
| regulatory body for the TEFL (Teach English as a | | | | something along those lines. |
| Foreign Language) industry. It can be a daunting task | | | | Any reputable organization will focus on the features |
| trying to select the right TEFL course in a minefield of | | | | benefits of their own course and won't directly criticize |
| choices. Find out what to out look for before you sign | | | | their competitors or get involved in a slanging match. |
| up. | | | | 4. The TEFL Trainers Experience - |
| Unfortunately there has never been one single | | | | A good trainer usually means a good course. Ask for |
| regulatory body for the TEFL industry. | | | | details of the trainers experience and qualifications. Get |
| Right now there are numerous TEFL schools springing | | | | some telephone numbers or email addresses of |
| up everywhere, all claiming that their course is better | | | | previous candidates and contact them for feedback. |
| than the rest or, that they offer the most accredited | | | | 5. How Many Students Attend Each TEFL Course - |
| TEFL certificate. | | | | Any more than 16 is far too many. Many international |
| It can be a daunting task trying to select the right TEFL | | | | TEFL courses have 30+ students on each course, |
| course in a minefield of choices. | | | | which is one reason why they're so cheap. You |
| So how can you tell the good from the bad? | | | | cannot possibly receive quality TEFL training in such a |
| The answer is actually quite simple. Don't overlook the | | | | large group of students. You Get What You Pay For! |
| obvious! | | | | So what about the actual TEFL certificate? |
| Here are the 5 things to look out for when choosing a | | | | A Word of Warning; Weekend TEFL certificates may |
| TEFL course...... | | | | be a good introduction to TEFL but they are no longer |
| 1. How Does The Website Look? - | | | | accepted for teaching Jobs in most countries, |
| Is it professional looking, well organised? If a TEFL | | | | especially now in Thailand. |
| organization cannot organise a website properly then | | | | The term 'Accredited' is used freely but it holds little |
| you can't really expect them to organize a four week | | | | essence. Most employers will expect you to have |
| TEFL course! | | | | around 100 hours of classroom instruction and 6 hours |
| 2. Spelling & Grammar - | | | | of observed teaching practice with real students under |
| I'm always amazed at the numerous spelling and | | | | your belt. They will prefer to see how you perform in a |
| grammar errors on many TEFL websites. Do you | | | | classroom and so the type of certificate you have isn't |
| really think these TEFL schools are capable of training | | | | always that important to them. |
| you to be an English teacher? | | | | Make sure you choose a reputable TEFL course |
| 3. Criticizing Competitors to Win Customers - | | | | which has at least 6 hours of observed teaching |
| This is common practice for many cowboy schools | | | | practice with real students This will give you the |
| who struggle to get enough students to fill their empty | | | | confidence to walk into a roomful of expectant faces |
| courses. They usually ask if you're looking at any other | | | | and not run out again screaming! |
| TEFL schools and once you mention a name, they | | | | |