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| Accreditation TEFL |
TEFL is an acronym that stands for teaching English as a foreign language. It is not to be confused with TESL, which means teaching English as a secondary language and is for instructors who teach English to people in English speaking countries. Many people enroll in TEFL courses so they can become teachers overseas and live abroad. While not every employer requires it, it is highly recommended that all teachers enroll in a course that is accredited under a TEFL accrediting organisation.
Receiving a TEFL certification is not too difficult especially if English is already your native language. There are in fact many TEFL courses throughout the world that offer accreditation. There are also TEFL courses that can be completed completely online. This may be a suitable option for those with a limited budget or want a more flexible schedule when taking the course. A TEFL accrediting organisation may also provide students with leads on where they can submit their application when looking for work as a teacher.
Some students may question whether TEFL certification is really necessary. While there are some employers who may not require certification, it will certainly make you a more attracted candidate, which is really important given that teaching English as a profession is a highly competitive field. Having credentials from a TEFL accrediting organisation makes you stand out a lot more as a viable person who has the qualification for the job. The only scenario where you may not need certification is if you plan on teaching English online as an independent contractor or freelancer.
Taking a certification course will also sharpen your own skills that you may have forgotten or have not utilized since grade school. This may include basic grammar skills and vocabulary and even the order of the alphabet. A course will show you how to develop lesson plans and how to work individually with students who may be struggling with common problems like pronunciation.
Most parents are willing to pay lots of money to give their children a head start in learning English. As a teacher, you will have the role of passing on your expertise to students who wish to immerse themselves in a language that is completely foreign to them. It is a job with a lot of responsibilities but also comes with many rewards. If becoming a TEFL instructor is something you really want to do, then look for a TEFL Accrediting Organisation. Being able to include that you are a certified practitioner from an accredited institution on your resume will give you a huge advantage when trying to appeal to employers.
Students considering enrollment in the TEFL Institute of Chicago (www.teflinstitute.com) which CLAIMS to be accredited by WTEFLAC should proceed with greatest caution. Careful research on-line will reveal countless negative reviews on this organization. (YELP, www.glassdoor.com, www.goOverseas.com, www.facebook.com/TheTruthAboutTEFLInstitute). Fraudulent business practices are obviously the hallmark of this organization.
ReplyDeleteIndividuals who HAVE been defrauded by TEFL Institute should IMMEDIATELY contact their Credit Card company or issuing bank/credit union and DISPUTE the charges made to one's credit card. The key word is DISPUTE, and it is your legal right. FRAUD or failure to deliver promised services are LEGITIMATE reasons for initiating this FREE dispute resolution process which is guaranteed by Federal Law. While the investigation is underway, charges are reversed in your favour.
DO NOT register or pay money to TEFL Institute without doing your homework. You along with hundreds of students (and dozens of unpaid teachers) will regret your decision!