Picking A Tefl Certified School

[vbsuch]

Looking at the many schools in (or at least the many websites) Thailand has to offer for International TEFL certification.

How do I know what's legit and which one is the best?

[aussiebebe]

There is really no 'best' place to train; it depends on your intended line of work. If there really is or ever was a best place, it may offer the CELTA qualification, the original 'TEFL' course. You can't go wrong with that, if you're looking for pointers. Previously known as the CTEFLA, the CELTA is currently offered at over 280 centres in over 50 countries worldwide; it's a four or five week course or you might choose to do a CELTYL—the Certificate in English Language Teaching to Young Learners if that's the area you intend to focus on.

The 'best' institutions will offer courses that are validated and certificates are issued by the University of Cambridge Local Examinations Syndicate (UCLES), a part of the University of Cambridge. Asking to look at examples of the school's certificates when you visit the language center (or view on the website) is the best way to tell which school is legit as the UCLES accreditation is clearly marked. Each course is audited by an external assessor.

I don't know which language centers offer CELTA in Thailand, maybe there's some information on Cambridge ESOL: Certificate in English Language Teaching to Adults (CELTA) regarding course providers.

[mopenyang]

There is really no 'best' place to train; it depends on your intended line of work. If there really is or ever was a best place, it may offer the CELTA qualification, the original 'TEFL' course. You can't go wrong with that, if you're looking for pointers. Previously known as the CTEFLA, the CELTA is currently offered at over 280 centres in over 50 countries worldwide; it's a four or five week course or you might choose to do a CELTYL—the Certificate in English Language Teaching to Young Learners if that's the area you intend to focus on.

The 'best' institutions will offer courses that are validated and certificates are issued by the University of Cambridge Local Examinations Syndicate (UCLES), a part of the University of Cambridge. Asking to look at examples of the school's certificates when you visit the language center (or view on the website) is the best way to tell which school is legit as the UCLES accreditation is clearly marked. Each course is audited by an external assessor.

I don't know which language centers offer CELTA in Thailand, maybe there's some information on Cambridge ESOL: Certificate in English Language Teaching to Adults (CELTA) regarding course providers.

Are you saying then that all other institutions are ipso facto excluded from being included among the "best" simply because they do not have the one seal of approval that you obviously prefer?

[aussiebebe]

Are you saying then that all other institutions are ipso facto excluded from being included among the "best" simply because they do not have the one seal of approval that you obviously prefer?

I didn't really have time to enter into a full discussion of the 'best' place to train, so I just wrote that there isn't a best place. I wouldn't exclude other institutions but to address the OP's question about ascertaining an institution's legitimacy I would reiterate the usefulness of accreditation and audit by external assessor. Trying to be helpful, the OP can ask to look at examples (either physically or a scan) of the school's certificate, as issued.

A fuller answer about the 'best' place may have nothing to do with education; it may depend on time, money, opportunity and resources.

For example;

1) you may choose to work at a certain school/uni which requires a TEFL from 'XYZ' school, in which case that would be the best for your situation.

2) you may only have time and money for a $1000 four-week course plus living expenses, in which case that would be the best, not a $2000 6-week one

3) you may choose the language school because it helps you find work in your intended area or location.

I only mentioned the CELTA as it was the original and TEFL has become an umbrella term. In fairness, just because something was first doesn't mean it's the best. After all, Cambridge University itself was founded in 1209 by Oxford scholars who clearly didn't hold Oxford to be the best for whatever reason.

[mopenyang]

Are you saying then that all other institutions are ipso facto excluded from being included among the "best" simply because they do not have the one seal of approval that you obviously prefer?

I didn't really have time to enter into a full discussion of the 'best' place to train, so I just wrote that there isn't a best place. I wouldn't exclude other institutions but to address the OP's question about ascertaining an institution's legitimacy I would reiterate the usefulness of accreditation and audit by external assessor. Trying to be helpful, the OP can ask to look at examples (either physically or a scan) of the school's certificate, as issued.

A fuller answer about the 'best' place may have nothing to do with education; it may depend on time, money, opportunity and resources.

For example;

1) you may choose to work at a certain school/uni which requires a TEFL from 'XYZ' school, in which case that would be the best for your situation.

2) you may only have time and money for a $1000 four-week course plus living expenses, in which case that would be the best, not a $2000 6-week one

3) you may choose the language school because it helps you find work in your intended area or location.

I only mentioned the CELTA as it was the original and TEFL has become an umbrella term. In fairness, just because something was first doesn't mean it's the best. After all, Cambridge University itself was founded in 1209 by Oxford scholars who clearly didn't hold Oxford to be the best for whatever reason.

Well said. Thanks.