| Courses, courses, everywhere! | | | | teaching, and help you to master the intricacies of |
| Today, if you searched for a TEFL course, you would | | | | English grammar. However, I guarantee you will learn |
| be faced with a bewildering array of choices. Many | | | | much more from a TEFL tutor, and if this is your first |
| companies advertise a variety of TEFL courses: online | | | | foray into teaching TEFL, I recommend an online |
| courses, weekend courses, a combination of online | | | | course as an 'extra', rather than a sole method of |
| and weekend, not to mention the 4-week intensive | | | | study. Contact with an online tutor can't compare to |
| courses held in local and exotic locations around the | | | | the immediacy and interaction of a real 'live' qualified |
| world. In fact, search for too long on the Internet and | | | | tutor. |
| you can be forgiven for feeling like a small child that's | | | | But will I get a job at the end of the course? |
| stumbled upon Willy Wonka's chocolate factory! | | | | Worried about financial security? Then consider |
| Think carefully about the type of course you choose... | | | | studying with a company that guarantees you a job on |
| Before committing yourself financially to a course of | | | | successful completion of their course. These courses |
| any kind, you'll need to consider your options carefully. | | | | usually combine a weekend with an online study |
| Factors such as the country you want to teach English | | | | program, and the companies offer support and help in |
| abroad in, how far you wish to pursue a TEFL | | | | finding accommodation, relieving you of some of the |
| teaching career, the financial resources you have at | | | | stress of moving to a new country. |
| your disposal, time, and preference of study, will all | | | | What about TESOL/CELTA qualification or |
| influence your final decision. If you want to teach for a | | | | 'equivalent'? |
| year or less in an exotic location, you may not need | | | | You may have seen jobs online or in the newspaper |
| the full 4-week course; a weekend certificate could be | | | | requiring these qualifications as a minimum. The Trinity |
| enough. So do some research: email or ring up local | | | | TESOL, and the Cambridge CELTA, are the two |
| language schools or ask on Internet forums! | | | | 'standard' internationally recognised qualifications, and |
| I'm broke, and I've already booked my plane ticket! | | | | are usually taken as a 4-week intensive course, |
| If time or money is an issue, or you just want an inkling | | | | although it is possible to do the course part-time over |
| of what TEFL teaching involves, then weekend | | | | three months. These courses will set you back at least |
| courses are a good option, and do not tax the pocket | | | | £900; so if you are cash-strapped check first |
| too heavily. Starting at around £200, these | | | | whether you'll require this qualification. Be aware that |
| courses offer a taster of the full TEFL course, and | | | | some organisations such as the British Council, and |
| cover the main core skills you'll need as a TEFL | | | | certain countries require these qualifications as a |
| teacher. | | | | minimum, plus a first degree to boot. There are |
| The TEFL tutors on these courses are experienced | | | | 'equivalent' accredited courses of around 120 hours, but |
| teachers, and should be able to answer most | | | | you should make sure these are accepted by |
| questions or concerns you may have. Weekend | | | | language schools in the country you intend to teach in. |
| courses are around 20 hrs long, and provide a valuable | | | | A long-term investment |
| forum for gaining and sharing ideas, and you may find, | | | | If you intend to spend a few years abroad, then the |
| they give a much-needed boost to your confidence. | | | | weightier courses are often a worthwhile investment. |
| Don't chance the cowboys! | | | | Having one of these qualifications looks impressive on |
| Be careful; there are cowboy operations, so | | | | your cv, and coupled with a year's experience |
| whichever course you choose, make sure it is | | | | teaching, you will be viewed by potential employers, as |
| independently accredited or the certificate you receive | | | | a good candidate. |
| at the end of the course may not be worth the paper | | | | Where can I do these courses? |
| it's written on. I would advise sticking to established | | | | There are Cambridge and Trinity approved centres in |
| companies, as these offer good support and are well | | | | many towns and cities across the UK, and worldwide. |
| organised. Weekend courses are held at least once a | | | | The 'equivalent' accredited courses are often cheaper, |
| month in most cities all over the UK, so you'll have no | | | | and some private companies run good quality courses. |
| problems booking a course near you. | | | | If you are undecided whether or not it is worth taking |
| Home study, or tutor? | | | | this qualification, or do not have the time or money, |
| If you're self-motivated and prefer studying in the | | | | consider taking this qualification abroad when you are |
| privacy of your own home, then online courses are an | | | | already teaching. There are approved CELTA and |
| efficient and inexpensive way of brushing up on your | | | | TESOL centres in most major cities across Europe; |
| grammar. Online courses can be completed in your | | | | also in India, Russia, Thailand, Japan, and China. |
| own time, cover theoretical aspects of English | | | | |