Whether your thinking of signing on to teach ESL/EFL in Asia or your looking to experience Europe in the heart of Spain, Greece or even Ireland you may find that not having the appropriate qualifications may limit your choices of locations. The demand for higher standards in qualifications means that it may not be enough anymore to simply hold a university degree. Nor is it enough to simply hold a standard TEFL or TESL certificate.
Standards are rising and you may find yourself for a rude awakening when applying for a position overseas as certificates that are less than 80 hours are often refuted for not being comprehensive enough. As well, more and more classroom experience is becoming key to getting that job that is just right for you. A 40 hour certificate course simply can not give you the practical experience necessary to accomplish these requirements.
Of course, South Korea still hires graduates without insisting on these certification courses. Japan, Taiwan and China do as well. The schools in Asia, like their counterparts elsewhere, often have a set curriculum in place for new teachers to fall into. However, it is logical to assume that with the demand for suitable ESL/EFL teachers there will also come higher expectations as competition for many of these jobs are stifling.
In Ireland, Spain and Greece for instance, anyone without a TEFL or CELTA certificate simply will not be given the time of day most of the time. Practical experience may make up for the lack of a proper qualification in either or of these certificates, however, employers often request that you undertake a certification course prior to beginning a position.
Think long and hard before forking out a lot of money for a course. The average TEFL or CELTA course costs between 400 and 800 dollars and usually offer a set program of between 80 to 120 hours. This package includes classroom teaching experience, teaching methodologies, lesson planning strategies and basic tools on how to communicate effectively to non-native English learners. Many of these schools have job placement services for up to a year afterwards and allow new graduates to return as many times as they want.
Of course, there are some courses that offer 40 hour courses for considerably less money. However, the quality of such courses is also less effective. These programs are often conducted over weekends and simply do not have the resources to hold practical teaching experience in classrooms.
Like any career, investing in the right school may make or break employment opportunities. After all, a proper certification course in TEFL/TESL can only help make you a better and more effective teacher at the end of the day.
