TEFL and TESOL: AN OVERVIEW

What is a TEFL/TESOL certificate?

A TEFL (Teaching English as a Foreign Language) certificate is an internationally recognized qualification which allows you teach English abroad in most private and public schools, language centers and universities worldwide. You will also hear it referred to as a TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages) or TESL (Teaching English as a Second Language) certification course. Our program is the International TEFL/TESOL Certificate Program.

Our program is offered in association with ILAC – International Language Academy of Canada with centers in Toronto and Vancouver. ILAC is Canada’s largest language center. Our program is accredited and registered at Canadian Language Council, CAPLS, and TEFL board.

Why should I take a TEFL/TESOL certification course?

English is now the language of the world. Across the internet, in business, in tourism, in any situation where two people do not share another first language, in every country and corner of the world, you will hear English spoken. Consequently, you have a skill which is in enormous demand. It’s a skill that you’ve developed unthinkingly over the course of your life and now use every day without even considering it. It’s also a skill that billions of other people worldwide lack and are desperate to possess. Whether you’re a schoolboy in Colombia, China, Mexico or Argentina or a student in Greece, a banker in Berlin, a secretary in St. Petersburg, an accountant in Brazil, a hotel owner in Morocco, a travel agent in Prague or even a pensioner in rural Spain or Portugal, the chances are you’re looking for someone to teach you English. Colombia is the process of signing a Free Trade Agreement with the USA and the demand for English speakers will be greater than it is now.

If you are a teacher who is already working in the field and want to certify your knowledge to the ELT field or whether you believe that teaching English to non-native speakers of the language whilst living in different surroundings and a foreign environment is going to be a long-term career for you, or whether you’re simply eager to travel the world for two or three years and are considering this option as the best means of funding your travels, you’ll find it very hard to get any decent job abroad without this certificate.  Even more important that this, however: it’s important to remember that just being able to speak a language is not the same as being able to impart that knowledge to someone else.

What will I learn?

You are not required to have had any previous teaching experience. During the four weeks or seven weeks of a TEFL course, we teach you the techniques of classroom management and teaching skills. We study the intricacies of English Grammar and phonology. You’ll be put into the position of the student and taught an unknown language by a native speaker of that tongue who won’t speak English. You’ll study and discuss every aspect of teaching with highly qualified and experienced trainers. Most important of all, you’ll teach real classes of local adult students or children. Detailed post-lesson feedback and analysis is given and problems dealt with individually in a thorough and professional way.

You cannot and will not emerge from a course as a person with nothing more to learn about the teaching of the English Language. What we will do is impart to you the necessary skills and confidence to start you out successfully along what many find to be a highly rewarding and fascinating new road or improve your knowledge and skills in teaching if you are already doing it. More information about our program at www.estudiosexterior.com.

Is one kind of TEFL/TESOL certificate better than another?

Many companies worldwide offer TEFL certification courses. Whilst there isn’t just one international moderating or validating body for the issue of TEFL certificates, there are certain strict internationally accepted guidelines (laid down by such bodies as BATQI, Canadian Language Council, Ministries of Education etc..) which regulate the industry. In order to fulfill these guidelines, any TEFL course MUST include the following:

1. At least 100 hours of tuition, usually over a period of 4-8 weeks.
2. At least 10 hours of classroom teaching practice.
3. At least 10 hours of class observation

The course at ISSO / ILAC significantly exceeds these standards (120 hours of tuition and 10 hours of teaching practice). We obviously believe that the program we have developed over a period of many years and now offer is the very best of its kind in the world today. The course is tough and intensive in nature and whatever your background, you’ll need to work hard, be prepared for possible setbacks and a wide range of new challenges – as well as attend classes. Our program is accredited and registered internationally.

Where and with whom you choose to take your certification course is obviously a very important choice. Don’t rush into a decision. It is of course an advantage to take your course in or near to the location where you plan on first working afterwards. It’s important to remember that employers will want you to have had as much practical face-to-face teaching experience as possible in the country of choice.

Why should I choose ISSO - ILAC?

ISSO is one of the largest and most well established TEFL/TESOL certification providers in Colombia. With offices and branches in 3 different cities in the country, we’re well placed to offer the most suitable location for you and, through our enormous network of national and international contacts, to be able to help you find a job in your chosen destination after completing the course.  All of our courses are constantly moderated to ensure the highest standards and we take great pride in our professional reputation amongst both teachers and employers around the country and the world.

You will also receive a comprehensive job guidance and placement service during and after the course. This includes training in writing a TEFL CV/resume, information on the TEFL world and job market in general, interview techniques, and individual job guidance sessions with our on-site job guidance counselor, and lifelong job assistance on request. Once you are a ISSO/ILAC graduate, you are always a ISSO/ILAC graduate. We hope to continue to be both informed of and involved in all aspects of your future teaching career.

Where can I teach with a TEFL/TESOL certificate?

Anywhere in the world! In Colombia it is mandatory to have a teaching certificate to be able to receive a work visa. In certain countries a university/college degree is also a standard requirement in order to obtain a work visa, and in many more, it is regarded as a distinct advantage. For this reason we do normally expect you to either have or be in the process of obtaining such a degree. At the very least, you should have a sufficient level of education (A levels, High School, etc) to enable you to attend a university/college course if you so wished.

How much can I earn?

In Colombia, teachers are paid well. A teacher can earn up to $1,200 USD a month (bilingual schools), some Universities and language centers pay per hour and the going rate is about $10 USD an hour (average). Wages vary enormously from country to country, though in general, the standard of living you can expect as a teacher of English is a good one. Throughout the relatively cheap countries of Eastern Europe, wages are well above the national average and usually between USD/EUR 500 and 1000 net monthly. In pricier Western European countries such as France or Germany, they will be double or even treble this figure, though you may find that your standard of living remains the same. In many countries in Asia, it’s possible to earn much higher wages (up to EUR/USD 3000 per month) or in lucrative markets such as Saudi Arabia, even more still.

Many schools will also help you out with accommodation and either pay your air-fare or a further month’s salary as bonus on completion of your contract. Full and more specific details of any country or area which particularly appeals to you will be discussed with you in detail during your TEFL/TESOL course at the ISSO/ILAC center you choose.

Which countries am I likely to be able to find work in?

Exactly which opportunities are open to you at the beginning of your TEFL/TESOL teaching career can depend on a number of factors. Our TEFL/TESOL certification program is accepted anywhere around the world, so finding a job will not be very difficult.

If you are a UK (or other EU) passport holder, you will of course have an advantage whilst looking for teaching work inside the EU. No work visa or red-tape is involved and in most cases the school simply employs you through a similar process to any of their local employees. As an American, Canadian, Australian or New Zealand teacher, the opportunities vary enormously from country to country. Greece is the biggest TEFL-teaching market in the world. In Germany, Italy or Portugal, finding work is generally easier than in Spain or France. Many non-EU (also many British) teachers elect to first gain some valuable experience by teaching in Eastern Europe for 6-12 months before trying to break into the EU market – Prague is a favourite starting location. Once you have one or two decent references on your CV/resume, many more doors will open up.

Teachers of all nationalities are able to find employment with our help.

In the Far East, opportunities are almost boundless. Japan, Korea, Taiwan and China all have burgeoning and increasingly lucrative markets for newly-qualified English language teachers. In South East Asia also there are numerous schools willing to take on native English-speaking teachers on both long and short-term contracts. In the Middle East, highly paid jobs are available for more experienced teachers and those who are prepared to accept the cultural differences of living and working in a very different (but fascinating) society such as Morocco. In Sub-Saharan Africa, numerous volunteer positions are also available.

As you gain experience, your world opens up even more. With a year or two’s teaching behind you and some decent references on your file, there really is almost no country in the world to which you cannot travel and expect to find yourself employable. 

Why should I choose Colombia?

Colombia abounds with experiences that will forever change your life. It is a very diverse country full of nature, mountains, the Amazon jungle, rain forest, modern cities, two oceans (Caribbean sea in the North and The Pacific Ocean in the West), shopping centers, sports venues and much more. Bogota, our capital, with almost 7 million inhabitants. Cali, in the south, with almost 3 million people. Medellin, in the North, with almost the same number in population and Barranquilla with almost 2 million people in the north coast of the country. Colombia grows one of the finest coffees in the world. For more information and a promotional video about Colombia, please visit our web site at www.estudiosexterior.com – teacher training – Colombia.

What if I have more questions?
 
Write, email or telephone ISSO – International Student Services Org.: 57-2-680-2001 / 57-2-660-1798 or e mail at tefl@estudiosexterior.com