GREAT, INEXPENSIVE TEFL Training course

[Tracy]

For all those who were interested, i-to-i TEFL training course (out of England) has a really comprehensive, inexpensive (under $500), online TEFL training course.

I spoke to one of the tutors and the program seems pretty cool. Here\\\'s their contact info:

Priyanthi Fonseka
TEFL Manager/e-Venture Programme Manager

i-to-i
One Cottage Road
Headingley, Leeds
LS6 4DD England

Telephone ++44 (0) 870 333 2332
Fax ++44 (0) 113 274 6923
E-mail [!-- BBcode auto-mailto start --][a href=\"mailto:pfonseka@i-to-i.com\"]pfonseka@i-to-i.com[/a][!-- BBCode auto-mailto end --]

[!-- BBCode auto-link start --][a href=\"http://www.i-to-i.com\" target=\"_blank\"]http://www.i-to-i.com[/a][!-- BBCode auto-link end --]  Volunteer Travel & TEFL Training
[!-- BBCode auto-link start --][a href=\"http://www.onlineTEFL.com\" target=\"_blank\"]http://www.onlineTEFL.com[/a][!-- BBCode auto-link end --]
[!-- BBCode u2 Start --][A HREF=\"http://www.onlineTEFL.com\" TARGET=\"_blank\"]i-to-i TEFL TRAINING[/A][!-- BBCode u2 End --]

[font size=-1][ Edited by Tracy On Date 10/01/2002 ][/font]

• Tweet

[Vieve]

just wanted to put my 2 cents in on this...
i signed up for the online course ($295!!!)
and i\\\'m working through it right now...
i\\\'m not an expert by any means on TEFL courses, but they seem pretty thorough so far... they give you lots of little practice exercises to do as you\\\'re going through each module...
i\\\'ll let you know how it ends!

Vieve [IMG SRC=\"images/forum/smilies/icon_nod.gif\"]

• Tweet

[Vieve]

sorry, sorry, sorry!!!!
when i first submitted that reply it told me there was an error, so i tried again (3 times!)
ooooopppsss!!!
 [IMG SRC=\"images/forum/smilies/icon_eek.gif\"]ops:

• Tweet

[TelmoX]

Don\\\'t worry Vieve there seems to be a random bug with the forums software that I am trying to track down not your fault, at least now you know not to post more if you see that error  [IMG SRC=\"images/forum/smilies/icon_lol.gif\"] next time you see it (or anyone) can you send me the error to [!-- BBcode auto-mailto start --][a href=\"mailto:cafe@expatriatecafe.com?\"]cafe@expatriatecafe.com?[/a][!-- BBCode auto-mailto end --]

Thank you very much  [IMG SRC=\"images/forum/smilies/icon_biggrin.gif\"]


[font size=-1][ Edited by Telmo On Date 13/01/2002 ][/font]

• Tweet

[Mags]

Hello,
Is the i-to-i online TESL certification accredited?

Maggie


[!-- BBCode Quote Start --][TABLE BORDER=0 ALIGN=CENTER WIDTH=85%][TR][TD][font size=-1]Quote:[/font][/TD][/TR][TR][TD][FONT SIZE=-1][BLOCKQUOTE]
On 2002-01-10 15:28, Tracy wrote:
For all those who were interested, i-to-i TEFL training course (out of England) has a really comprehensive, inexpensive (under $500), online TEFL training course.

I spoke to one of the tutors and the program seems pretty cool. Here\\\'s their contact info:

Priyanthi Fonseka
TEFL Manager/e-Venture Programme Manager

i-to-i
One Cottage Road
Headingley, Leeds
LS6 4DD England

Telephone ++44 (0) 870 333 2332
Fax ++44 (0) 113 274 6923
E-mail [!-- BBcode auto-mailto start --][a href=\"mailto:pfonseka@i-to-i.com\"]pfonseka@i-to-i.com[/a][!-- BBCode auto-mailto end --]

[!-- BBCode auto-link start --][a href=\"http://www.i-to-i.com\" target=\"_blank\"]http://www.i-to-i.com[/a][!-- BBCode auto-link end --]  Volunteer Travel & TEFL Training
[!-- BBCode auto-link start --][a href=\"http://www.onlineTEFL.com\" target=\"_blank\"]http://www.onlineTEFL.com[/a][!-- BBCode auto-link end --]
[!-- BBCode u2 Start --][A HREF=\"http://www.onlineTEFL.com\" TARGET=\"_blank\"]i-to-i TEFL TRAINING[/A][!-- BBCode u2 End --]

[font size=-1][ Edited by Tracy On Date 10/01/2002 ][/font]
[/BLOCKQUOTE][/FONT][/TD][/TR][TR][TD][/TD][/TR][/TABLE][!-- BBCode Quote End --] :-)  :-) [!-- BBCode u2 Start --][A HREF=\"http://null\" TARGET=\"_blank\"]null[/A][!-- BBCode u2 End --]

• Tweet

[Mags]

Also, if online courses are not accredited, does this effect my chances of getting a job?

Thanks,
Maggie :-D

• Tweet

[Tracy]

Hi Mags...

TEFL and TESL certification courses are never accredited.

See i-to-i\\\'s
[!-- BBCode u2 Start --][A HREF=\"http://www.onlinetefl.com/accred01.htm\" TARGET=\"_blank\"]accredation[/A][!-- BBCode u2 End --] page.

I have heard good reports from this online course though...

And to answer your second question, no. Since no school or program is accredited, then it would not hurt your chances.

Good Luck!

Tracy

 :-)

[font size=-1][ Edited by Tracy On Date 03/05/2002 ][/font]

• Tweet

[Zaragoza1986]

I was wondering if anyone might know what is the one certification employers are looking for in order to get hired.  I will be retiring from the USAF in a few years and have an Occupational Instructional Certificate (OIC) from the military and a degree from Southern Illinois University (SIU) in Workforce Education.  Should I still work on getting a TESL Certification from i-to-i?  Is that something the schools look for?

• Tweet

[Tracy]

More than anything, Zaragosa, they tend to look for hands-on teaching experience. I\\\'m not quite sure what experience you\\\'ve had, but if it was in teaching for x-amount of years, you\\\'ll have no problem finding something.

As I usually explain it, TEFL certifications are for people with little experience, who need the knowledge base.

Hope this helps!

Tracy

• Tweet

[Zaragoza1986]

Thanks Tracy,
I am going to need all sorts of information in the next few years.  I\\\'ve been goofing around on the \\\'net alot lately and it seems that very few jobs are offered in Zaragoza, any ideas as to why?  Also, since I will have four years of \\\"podium time\\\" do you believe it advisable for me to take any specific type of classes to prepare for the transition?   Thanks once again...

• Tweet

[Zaragoza1986]

I do have one other question...I just got off the phone with the local \\\"International School\\\" the individual there seemed to feel that a TESL certification would be a minimum requirement. They recommended the Celta certification, what are your thoughts. Do you know of a reputable schoolhouse that offers their courses on-line? :-D

• Tweet

[Tracy]

Hey Z,



Sorry it\'s taken so long for me to respond. I must have missed your post. CELTA is one of the best certifications as well as Cambridge/RSA CELTA or Trinity. FOr a thorough explanation please read the following letter in our

[!-- BBCode Start --][A HREF=\"http://www.expatriatecafe.com/letters.php\" TARGET=\"_blank\"]Letters[/A][!-- BBCode End --] section (it\'s the last letter).



You can also be certified in TEFL (this is more the American version). Again, I say to you that certification is essential if you have NO EXPERIENCE teaching. But it is worhtless if you have 5-10 years hands on experience actually teaching English.



Let me know via a post if you\'ve gotten this reply, and again, sorry for the wait!



Tracy[addsig]

• Tweet

[RLartigue]

First of all, great site. Tons of useful information that I\'ll put to good use. Thank you for making this resource available.  



I have one question, though, that I\'m hoping someone can answer as it seems to nearly be a taboo subject. I understand that the CELTA is considered the "best" certificate available. Having never tought ESL in the past, I am planning on getting "certified". But I have yet to get a concrete understanding of the benefits the CELTA offers over a generic course.



Specifically, the i-to-i course mentioned above cost $250 (or so); a CELTA course in Madrid costs approx $1100 plus accomodations (that\'s cheap compared to the $2,500 they\'re asking for here in San Francisco!). So what am I getting for the extra $900+ I\'d be spending on the CELTA? Does is allow me to command a greater salary? If so how much ? Does it allow me to get jobs easier? If so, how much easier (anecdotal, guesstimates, etc.) How much "better" (in terms of return to me, the teacher) is the CELTA over a generic TEFL/TESL certificate?



A little background... I\'ve been working "professionally" in marketing/IT for 6 yrs but am itching to move to Spain (or France).  I see this as a 12 to 24 month opportunity to try out something different, but am not averse to this becoming my career. Any help, suggestions, comments are appreciated.



I would be forever endebted to anyone who can answer these questions.



Roberto[addsig]

• Tweet

[Tracy]

Hey Roberto,



I\'ll be quite honest, I do not know ALL the benefits. I will say, more so than the TEFL, a CELTA certification is much more widely "recognized" and "respected." Those are probably abstract words, but when you consider the fact that certification, in itself, is abstract, then you\'ll understand what I mean. The difference between the two is that, for the most part, TEFL certification is a made-in-America thing, whereas CELTA is British. That doesn\'t mean you can\'t be certified in Celta in the States, but it\'s harder to come by.



And taken from the British COuncil\'s website, CELTA "centres are approved to run CELTA and there is a strict external assessment system to guarantee standards both of the course and of assessment...and CELTA is the only international award that has a placement service for every successful candidate."



When you recognize those benefits and realize, too, that there is no accredation for TEFL certification courses or schools, then you can easily see why CELTA is a more beneficial choice.



Again, it\'s up to the individual. I ALWAYS find myself saying that if you are an experienced teacher of English, don\'t bother with the certification (even CELTA because it\'s for beginners). OR if you aren\'t SERIOUS about teaching English as a career and don\'t have a lot of money to spend, go with a TEFL certificate.



Important to note too, just because you are certified in CELTA, for example, that doesn\'t mean you will be placed in a teaching position in Spain. Certifying institutes are MUCH MORE strict regarding the laws of Spain and probably will NOT place someone who doesn\'t have permission to work in Spain.



Hope this helps.



Tracy



 



[addsig]

• Tweet

[dasein47]

OK.  Tracy\'s last post is insightful and what i\'ve been looking for.  The ambiguity for me lies in hearing "CELTA is the only international award that has a placement service for every successful candidate," and a bit later, "Certifying institutes are MUCH MORE strict regarding the laws of Spain and probably will NOT place someone who doesn\'t have permission to work in Spain."  



This seems to indicate that only Europeans are truly permitted to teach in Spain - whereas Americans have to scramble around for jobs and take what we can get.  Am i correct?



As for me, with no experience, I would like some degree of certainty in knowing that if I obtain the CELTA cert, I would at least get some fingers pointing in the right direction for jobs.  Should I assume that to be true?



If not, then I would think simply getting an online TEFL cert would be worth as much as a CELTA one.



As far as teaching outside of SPAIN, i would guess this CELTA cert holds weight in the rest of the European countries, but with the same implied restrictions.



Kip



[addsig]

• Tweet

[Tracy]

Getting the CELTA of course make you very much more marketable. And employers will definitely be impressed. But, unfortunately, once you take the CELTA, if don\'t already have the legal right to work in SPain, they CANNOT place you. They may, however, be able to refer you to a company or school that would be interested in possibly hiring you. And yes, sadly you are right. Americans are left to scramble.[addsig]

• Tweet