Best Way To Get Started With TEFL?

Hello!

My name is Jarrett DeLorenzo, I am 22 years old, and I am NOT smarter than a fifth grader.  On a more serious not; I have been reading about TEFL and all the seemingly complicated facts on acquiring a certificate.

I feel a little overwhelmed while reading many of you’re posts, as most of you have BA'
s +.   I am sad to say I have little college experience, but I would like that to change in the future.  I have always been interested in teaching, but skeptical about a long education and not being satisfied in the end.

A friend was telling me that getting a TEFL Certificate would be a great way to get your 'feet wet'.

I have a million questions pertaining to this certificate, but I suppose the most important questions is this; What is a good way to tell if a certain program is a scam?   Does anyone know with experience or reference what a good website/program is to go through?  I saw an add on Craig’s list about TEFL Institute, and it seemed very straight forward and delightful.  I spoke with one of thier trainers about all they offer, I believe it was $995 dollars for a 120 hour, 1 month course. I had the choice of several countries to teach after I got my certificate; China being my choice.

I've been scammed in the past with something different, so I started researching and found a few complaints.   TEFL Watch had complaints against them.  (If I am not supposed to use website names, I apologize, and will edit it right away). 

If anyone has any input or feedback, it would be most appreciated.  This will be a life changing experience, and what better way to begin my journey than to have all of you to reference it.

Thank you for all your help, and I look forward to chatting with all of you!

Jarrett, firstly I can't promise you'll get a job on the back of any TEFL certificate, or that one program is any less of a ripoff than any other.
However, the Cambridge CELTA seems to be the most widely recognised of all the bits of paper out there. Its an actual bums in seats course, and involves a supervised practicum with real students. Its widely available in Western countries. Graduates, even those with degrees and, dare I say it, teaching certificates, report that its pretty tough.
Some places in China need you to be white and have a pulse. Others insist on a degree. I'm sure there's something out there for you, but it won't be a plum position in one of the popular cities.
And I'm glad you enjoy the emoticons.

Thanks for the input Gonzo.

I'm curious if anyone here has taught abroad with just a TEFL certificate, or a CELTA?

If you say CELTA is a pretty difficult course, it may not be for someone like me; who has not had previous education in teaching.

I'm not particularly worried about having the greatest position, or being in the best part of the Country.  I've been reading a lot of the job postings in China and what they require.
Some require nothing at all, while most require at least a TEFL Certificate, if not more.

So I suppose my questions still stands.  Does anyone know of a decent TEFL program, where I can get my certificate and start working as soon as possible.  Even if the jobs I may get aren't the greatest?

Thanks,

Jarrett

I used Oxford Seminars. They are in Canada and the USA.  It is a 60 hour course in a classroom, with additional modules you can do at home.  I found it helpful as I had never taught before, however I do have a Master's Degree in Engineering. 

I would recommend them as TEFL course.

For your purposes (minimal) an on-line course from i-to-i may be just the ticket.  It is simple, cheap and it gives a certificate.  Of course there is no guarantee that it will get you a job or that you will be a good teacher.  It is a peice of paper backed by a bunch of TEFL lessons.  Good luck!

If I were you, I would try to find a local course that can give actual classroom experience. 

If I were you, I would try to find a local course that can give actual classroom experience. 

Like a College course? 

Would that be more for myself, to see if I like it?

Or would you recommend it for my resume?  Or both.

Did you get a TEFL Certificate?  If so, where?

For your purposes (minimal) an on-line course from i-to-i may be just the ticket.  It is simple, cheap and it gives a certificate.  Of course there is no guarantee that it will get you a job or that you will be a good teacher.  It is a peice of paper backed by a bunch of TEFL lessons.  Good luck!

Thank you very much, I gave them a call, and got a bunch of useful information.  It seems like a decent place to start.

I realize having a peice of paper does not necessarily make me a teacher, I would just like to start teaching as soon as I can, and most likely come back and go for a degree.  I've been told China, most of South America, and a few other countrys would be my choices since I do not have a Uni Degree. They mainly look for anyone who speaks English, and has a TEFL Certificate.  Have to start somewhere I suppose.

Thanks for all your help.

I used Oxford Seminars. They are in Canada and the USA.  It is a 60 hour course in a classroom, with additional modules you can do at home.  I found it helpful as I had never taught before, however I do have a Master's Degree in Engineering. 

I would recommend them as TEFL course.

After looking at Oxford Seminars, they seemed like a nice place as well.  I don't suppose anyone would know the difference between these sites, and what the teach?  I suppose I just need to read the fine print, and find out exactly what, each one offers.

When you're applying for a job, now or when you first started, did they look at your TEFL Certificate.  Do you often find them asking for one in the job postings?

I appreciate you're input!

Like a College course? 

Would that be more for myself, to see if I like it?

Or would you recommend it for my resume?  Or both.

Did you get a TEFL Certificate?  If so, where?

Hmm, you might want to search around.  When I was in Florida, I found a local course included some hours in the classroom.  I don't think it was affiliated with a college, though. 
And it would definitely be as much for yourself as for your resume.  I imagine you don't have a crippling fear of public speaking or a stuttering problem or anything else that might severely affect your teaching career, but it is always a good idea to get your feet wet.

I actually didn't get a TEFL certificate.  I read a bunch of books on the subject, which is just as good as an online course IMO (and free, since I got them from the library) except there is no certificate at the end.  Most schools only wanted to see my degree, as an either/or kind of situation.

Can't help - I have a University teaching degree  But listen to what folks around here say. Welcome to the Saloon and good luck!

Hmm, you might want to search around.  When I was in Florida, I found a local course included some hours in the classroom.  I don't think it was affiliated with a college, though. 
And it would definitely be as much for yourself as for your resume.  I imagine you don't have a crippling fear of public speaking or a stuttering problem or anything else that might severely affect your teaching career, but it is always a good idea to get your feet wet.

I actually didn't get a TEFL certificate.  I read a bunch of books on the subject, which is just as good as an online course IMO (and free, since I got them from the library) except there is no certificate at the end.  Most schools only wanted to see my degree, as an either/or kind of situation.
[/quote]

Will do, thank you.

Which City are you located in now? 

How are the living arrangements and such?  Do most schools who hire you on provide a roof over your head, or is there rent to be paid?

Does the salary your employer provides usually cover everything you need?

Thanks for your patience/help.

I've come around to the possibility that, for someone with no degree and no experience, a TEFL cert may not be a total waste of time and/or money. As Gonzo wisely points out, a cert will not guarantee a job, and the lack of a degree will exclude you from most of the top jobs. However, a cert might help in some cases.

If you really want to learn about teaching EFL, a live butts-in-seats program is the ONLY way to go. Don't waste time or money on an online or correspondence course. I'd suggest trying the local community colleges or other colleges/unis; many of them offer TEFL programs from time to time. A lot of the private cert companies are awfully dodgy.

If you just want a piece of paper that might help you get a job, I suggest you simply buy one. An internet search will locate a number of places that will outright sell you a TEFL cert; prices start at around US$150-200.

Again, don't bother with an online, correspondence, or distance course.
In China, horseshit can be had for no money and little effort.

I have to ask...you're talking to a group of people, some of whom occasionally attempt to take this stuff serious...do YOU feel ready to be a teacher?

Jarrett,  Try out teaching by volunteering to tutor at a Youth Centre or at an Adult Education School.  It may not be ESL, but it will give you a place to start.  If you find that you do like it (teaching)....OK!!........But if it becomes a drag, think of something else to invest your time and energies into.

Yes, definitely go the volunteer stuff.  There should be a place to volunteer with new immigrants and help them with English.  The volunteer bureau's love people to help.

The Oxford Seminars and usually given at a local hotel.  They are on weekends and are approx 10 hour days for 3 weekends.  You do get practice teaching - but to the other students in the course.  I still found it very helpful and useful. The textbooks they use are very helpful, and I brought them with me to China.