TESOL for Teaching

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cozza
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TESOL for Teaching

Post by cozza »

Hi,

I have been looking into teaching English in Thailand and the qualifications I need to do so.

I have spoken to a consultant on the phone about the TESOL Advanced Dip (350hrs).

He mentioned Thailand is quite strict on the level of education needed ie, a degree, compared to such places as China & Vietnam where this course is guaranteed to get me a placement through them (no guarantee for Thailand).

I also asked about CELTA and TEFL, which he said was outdated and for "voluntary work".

I would like to hear opinions from people that work/worked in education in Thailand and get their thoughts on this, if the TESOL is worth the effort without a degree (I have a Diploma in Graphic Design) and if anyone thinks that I could find work with this qualification?

Thanks in advance!
bapak
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Re: TESOL for Teaching

Post by bapak »

Where are you located at present? If in HH, I can give you an earful... otherwise can email.
mabubba
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Re: TESOL for Teaching

Post by mabubba »

Hi Bapak,

I am also interested in hearing your viewpoint. I spent a month in HH in Sept/Oct and am now hooked. I plan on coming back to LOS and taking a CELTA course next year and then finding some work.

All thoughts and comments appreciated!
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chopsticks
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Re: TESOL for Teaching

Post by chopsticks »

Can't think why he was so dismissive of a CELTA qualification which is hard work to achieve and well recognised.

UK government website states : TEFL qualifications
A TEFL qualification gives you a knowledge of English grammar and the classroom skills you need to teach effectively. Look for courses that lead to a recognised qualification. A known qualification is the Cambridge/RSA Certificate in English Language Teaching to Adults (CELTA). Or there's the Trinity CertTESOL (Certificate in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages).
cozza
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Re: TESOL for Teaching

Post by cozza »

chopsticks,

No idea...could be that the course he was recommending was an advanced diploma...just a thought.

I mentioned I had no degree and he said it would make it difficult, but not impossible to find work.
bapak
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Re: TESOL for Teaching

Post by bapak »

In practice, a government require a degree (any major) and TEFL.
Private schools only require TEFL. The onus is on the private school to vet credentials.

An approved TEFL from a school in Thailand is one where the school is licenced, the curriculum is approved by MoE and consist of a minimum of 120 hours of study.
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Spitfire
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Re: TESOL for Teaching

Post by Spitfire »

chopsticks wrote:Can't think why he was so dismissive of a CELTA qualification which is hard work to achieve and well recognised.
There's probably a conflict of interests somewhere with him or he simply hasn't got a clue what he's talking about, "consultant" is always a very vague/ambiguous title.

The CELTA/DELTA far outstrips the others mentioned. Talk to someone who work for the British Council here, or anywhere else for that matter, and they'll tell you.
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cozza
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Re: TESOL for Teaching

Post by cozza »

Just read some job classifieds...

Seems that it depends on who is doing the hiring but consistently they ask for a degree and TEFL or CELTA.

It seems to most doing the hiring that CELTA & TEFL are considered the same...

I saw one ad that said "no online or correspondence"
bapak
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Re: TESOL for Teaching

Post by bapak »

cozza wrote:Just read some job classifieds...

Seems that it depends on who is doing the hiring but consistently they ask for a degree and TEFL or CELTA.

It seems to most doing the hiring that CELTA & TEFL are considered the same...

I saw one ad that said "no online or correspondence"
You are right.. most here consider TEFL. TESOL, CELTA and so on, as being the same. In fact I recently saw an approved (MoE) TESOL course changed to an approved TEFL course by no other change except the name.

Like I said previously, government schools require a degree (any major) plus "TEFL"... However, I have seen on occasions when a government school accept just "TEFL".

With language schools, and the like, they are able to obtain a WP for the teachers solely on a "TEFL".

A lot depend on the locality and the local need... and always remember, TIT.
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johnnyk
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Re: TESOL for Teaching

Post by johnnyk »

Methinks there is no money for this guy in recommending CELTA. Trashing a world standard quailification is not a good way to do business. I'm always wary of those types.
Difficult to find work in Thailand with a CELTA? 555! Half the ESL teachers in the country can barely construct a grammatical sentence or tie their tie straight in the morning.
Stay away from this guy.
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johnnyk
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Re: TESOL for Teaching

Post by johnnyk »

mabubba wrote:Hi Bapak,

I am also interested in hearing your viewpoint. I spent a month in HH in Sept/Oct and am now hooked. I plan on coming back to LOS and taking a CELTA course next year and then finding some work.

All thoughts and comments appreciated!
:cheers: :cheers:
You won't go wrong getting a CELTA. Be prepared to work very hard for it though.
Happiness can't buy money
mabubba
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Re: TESOL for Teaching

Post by mabubba »

I am looking at the CELTA course beginning the end of Jan 2011. Is it worth taking a CELTA course over a TEFL course?
bapak
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Re: TESOL for Teaching

Post by bapak »

mabubba wrote:I am looking at the CELTA course beginning the end of Jan 2011. Is it worth taking a CELTA course over a TEFL course?
I will not deny that CELTA is superior to TEFL... However, CELTA is primarily for teacher English to adults, whereas TEFL (in my opinion) is directed more towards children.

The majority of farang teachers in Thailand teach children.

Only you can make a decision of which direction you wish to follow.
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Re: TESOL for Teaching

Post by chopsticks »

Is TEFL just a generic name for the many different English teaching courses and certificates available or is it referring to a recognised award from one examining body as with CELTA ?
I have seen 'TEFL' courses advertised that can be completed in one weekend or just by signing up to do some on-line lessons.
bapak
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Re: TESOL for Teaching

Post by bapak »

chopsticks wrote:Is TEFL just a generic name for the many different English teaching courses and certificates available or is it referring to a recognised award from one examining body as with CELTA ?
I have seen 'TEFL' courses advertised that can be completed in one weekend or just by signing up to do some on-line lessons.
TEFL/TESOL, if offered as a course approved by the MoE, must consist of 120 hours of study, followed by an exam.. Most institutions, I would suggest, are aware of "phony" courses, and treat them as such.
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