Is a TOEFL preparation course a must?

[Simca24]

Hi, my name is Simona (Canadian) and I am currently living in Japan teaching English.  I would like to go to Spain to teach English, by the time I go to Spain I will have had 14 months teaching experience (at both public schools and conversation schools).  I don't have a TOEFL or any other kind of certification, but am aware it is easier to get a job in Europe with some kind of certification.  I have just recently found out you can do the preparation for the exam online and then take the test rather than taking a preparation course for the exam in an actual classroom.  My question is, does it make a difference to the employers whether or not you took the actual preparation course in a classroom, or do they only want to know your exam score?  Whether you do the preparation online or in a classroom, do you take the same exam?  Does the classroom prep course provide any other benefits to finding a job besides maybe a higher score?  I don't really have time to take the course, and would like to move to Spain and start working straight away as I don't have enough money to take the course there first.  Also, which certification would you recommend - TOEFL, TESOL, etc. for teaching in Spain?  Thanks!

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[SRedw]

Dear Simona,

I am going to get straight to the point.  Many academies here are desperate to find teachers and will accept people who don't have a TEFL, but who do have experience.  I don't ave aTEFL and I am turning down jobs, due to hectic schedule and my years of language teaching and tutoring experience.  A lot of academies are asking for TEFL and it wouldn't hurt to have it before you come over.  Exactly what they are looking for as far as the cerftificate or the score, I do not know.

Suerte,

Shawn

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[Simca24]

Thanks Shawn for your reply.  Where are you from?  I'm Canadian, and heard it's harder to get a job in Spain without an EU passport, so I thought the TEFL would help, but if the job demand is that high then that's great!

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[SRedw]

Simona,

I am from the USA, but I am doing the North American Language and Culture Assitant program and I have a student visa.  You should think about doing this program too.  It means that you will be here legally and not have to worry about working under the table.   

Shawn

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[RebeccaG]

Hello Simona,

Welcome to the café.

Just thought I would pop in here a moment to clarify something.

The TOEFL is not a certification for teachers.

It stands for Test Of English as a Foreign Language and is an exam required of foreign students wishing to enter an American University. It is produced by ETS (Educational Testing Services). I just got finished meeting with a rep from the ETS office here in Madrid. Actually nowadays it is used for entry by many international universities which require their students to have a certain level of English.

The certification that you are thinking about is the TEFL. Teaching English as a Foreign Language. There is also the TESOL .. Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages and the TESL Teaching English as a Second Language.

I know it's all confusing because in this industry there are so many acronyms!

Good luck with your job search! Shawn is right on the money with what he says and you should check out the program that he mentions.

Feel free to post any other questions to the Café faithful! Surely someone will jump in and answer them!

Saludos,
-R

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[Simca24]

Thank you both so much!  I looked at the program and it looks great!  Sorry I did mean TEFL it's so confusing with all these short forms.  I noticed that with the program you mentioned that there is only a certain number of people who get in, and it is for 8 months, my Spanish isn't at an intermediate level either.  I was hoping to maybe just teach in Spain for the summer, so in this case, or if I don't get into the program is it worth getting my TEFL online?  Thanks again!

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[SRedw]

I noticed that with the program you mentioned that there is only a certain number of people who get in, and it is for 8 months, my Spanish isn't at an intermediate level either.

I know of quite a few people who got into the program this year and don't  speak ANY Spanish, so that shouldn't be a factor.

As far as an online TEFL is concerned, we really can't answer that question because in the end, you have to do what's best for you.  But, as always, look into the program and see if, on their webpage, they have a place for comments from past students.  That should help you to make a decision.

Suerte,

Shawn

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