Thread: Combined online/offline TEFL courses

Hi

Another newbie question.

After hours and hours reading and digesting this forum and a couple of others, I have figured out that any "respectable" TEFL course should have:

- 120 hours of study
- At least 6 hours observable teaching experience
- Pure online course are not worth very much

Most TEFL courses are 4 weeks in the relevant destination.

However, without naming companies, I have seen a couple of combined course i.e. 40 hours you can do online in your own time, then 2 weeks/80 hours in destination, including the observable teaching section. That would suit my current job responsibilities and available holidays very well.

Does anyone have an opinion if these combined course are worth any less in an employers eyes than the conventional 4 week in destination course? Or do they just say "looks like a TEFL qualification to me"?

Thanks

Jerry

OK, if that question was too difficult for the exp%rts on the forum

...here is another one.

I am new to this, and trying to decide which initial qualification to go for.....start with TEFL/TESOL and CELTA later, or straight into the belly of the CELTA beast? I think I have narrowed my choice down to a couple of options.

Here is my question......one of the very well%r0known course providers is offering a 2 week TESOL course. 2 weeks in Bangkok, peer teaching (not teaching in schools), 80 hours total.

I have read over and over again on this forum that the "standard" is 120 hours/4 weeks, but these guys are telling me that their course/qualification is recognized by the Thai Ministry of Education.

Any realistic feedback on that from anyone?

(They are a sponsor of this site. I am not looking for anyone to break the rules and slag any schools off by name....just looking for feedback on the concept)

Thanks

Originally Posted by JerrySingapore

are telling me that their course/qualification is recognized by the Thai Ministry of Education

IS MEANINGLESS
beyond the simple fact that they paid their license fee to the MOE this year.

It is NOT an acknowledgement or endorsement of quality nor does it guarantee any recognition by employers.
(as you are well aware, it is proffered by a company whose website looks more like a travel brochure to exotic destinations than an educational institution - AKA dream sellers).

There are no shortcuts when it comes to qualifications.
120 hours. 6 hours of observed practicum with REAL students and critical feedback.

.

Thanks Ttompatz

Actually, this is not one of the travel brochure/dream seller companies. I think I have weeded most of them out.

I want to do this properly, and not cut corners, but a little nervous of the depth of grammar required of CELTA. And 4 intense weeks on CELTA plus some existing work commitments is tricky.

Anyone else with comments?