Are Tefl Courses A Complete Joke, Or What?

[LarryBird]

Does anyone doing the hiring really care that someone has a TEFL? I know when I was in a position to hire people I didn't care. Is it just a scam where these course operators

may know a few places where they can get people hired, and make students go through their first course so they can get some $$ from them?

[aidenai]

Does anyone doing the hiring really care that someone has a TEFL? I know when I was in a position to hire people I didn't care. Is it just a scam where these course operators

may know a few places where they can get people hired, and make students go through their first course so they can get some $$ from them?

It's advised not to post on a teacher forum when you had a fight with your partner and lost it.

[Scott]

Much of this depends on the pool of applicants and the urgency in getting a teacher.

The first things I look for are the papers that are going to expedite the process of making the person completely 'legal'. This doesn't include the TEFL.

A TEFL doesn't impress me as far as a teaching qualification, however, and this is a big however, I have found that those with the qualification can be turned lose in a classroom with a minimum of supervision. They usually know what to do and how to do it. They have some teaching techniques that will get them up and running quickly. This is especially true if it's a mid-year vacancy.

I've also seen a few teachers who are already employed, but decided they want to get a TEFL. They demonstrate a bit of commitment to the profession.

The good TEFL programs don't appear to be particularly easy and those who have completed them take great pride in having done so.

[LarryBird]

Scott, good answer, I appreciate your time to respond.

[backsoon]

Does anyone doing the hiring really care that someone has a TEFL? I know when I was in a position to hire people I didn't care. Is it just a scam where these course operators

may know a few places where they can get people hired, and make students go through their first course so they can get some $$ from them?

It's advised not to post on a teacher forum when you had a fight with your partner and lost it.

A good question deserves a good answer.

Any course in any country can be classed as 'good' or 'bad'. In my opinion the only valid appraisal is whether the course in question is recognised by the potential employers around the world.

Now, if you think the TEFL diploma from Thailand will land you a job anywhere, except cheap local school, and on conditions not satisfactory to any respectable employee around the same world, - you are deluded.

... Why do I get the feeling that you are not happy with this answer?....

[housepainter]

I agree with the last post.

I was sceptical when I saw such qualifications being offered in Thailand, especially when Pattaya also provided them.

It is a joke.

People should plan ahead and not end up here and find the only work available is teaching and then think of getting qualified.

I've actually some people who have been through varying types of courses here and you wouldn't let them clean a class room let alone stand at the front waving chalk around.

In the wrong hands it's dangerous.

[chiangmaicharlies]

Absolutely a complete joke in Thailand. I had to have a Master's degree and two year TEFL course to teach elementary level in Arabia

[jingjoe8]

What are your thoughts on the three year ba tesol course offered by thongsook college.Do you think employers will be more impressed in these credentials considering the length of course compared to other tefl/tesol offered in thailand.