Are TEFL Certifications A Scam? Which Course SHOULD You Take?

Learn exactly what you need to know about TEFL courses for teaching English abroad.

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[cafesolo]

Of course having a TEFL qualification is necessary. However, I’ve found in life it’s who you know and how you build relationships, that gets you places.

[PuzzledOut]

"You don't need to get every job, you need a job that's good for you."
Excellent advice, keep up the great videos.

[Davman]

The answer is simple, do your research before handing over your cash. Are TEFL courses worth it? Yes, because many jobs now ask for TEFL or TESOL.

[JoanneGJohnson]

As teachers, or want-to-be tutors, it’s far more responsible and authentic to ask, “Which course certification will best prepare me to be an effective ESL teacher?” With over a decade of classroom teaching I still learned so much from CELTA. It was tough and expensive, but, in my opinion, worth it.

[themysticsupreme]

I really appreciate your videos. It's my primary source of information as I begin my transition to a new country and career. Thanks again.

[aos]

If you have any type of degree, an online tefl and if you are native english speaker you are 100% going to find a job somewhere in Asia...

[jonathanlovessportsbetting]

Hi Alex,

I was able to take an online TEFL course that made me complete an in-class practicum observation and practice teaching. I also was able to practice teaching English to ESL student as a tutor and classroom supporter with Americorps.

Today, in the middle of her lesson, the ESL teacher I work with had to leave the class. I finished the lesson and had students practicing sentences together. The hardest part for me is stopping students from speaking Spanish in class. I also need to work on noticing when my students are whispering and not paying attention.

I think the experience of actually being in the classroom gave me way more knowledge about teaching English than my TEFL. I am just getting my start in teaching abroad, and I hope to go to Asia before next school year starts. I checked out your website, and I am going to sign up for the email list soon.

Thank you so much for your channel.

[gutsquisher]

Thanks so much Ninja Teacher! From Cape Town and using lock down to do the online course :)

[hanzaw]

The main difference of in-class versus online is the practicum component. 6-8 hours of observed/critiqued teaching with real students is the most important part. It's a course on learning how to teach. You can't learn how to drive by just reading the operator's manual. Read the instructions (gas, brake, right, left..ok got it!) then hop in and go for a spin downtown with your friends... You have to practice first.

[dougfinlay]

CELTA is recognised worldwide and is the gold standard. It may cost a few thousand but it is a longer course with many practical hours of teaching actual students. It is a difficult course which sets you up for all aspects of teaching to all age groups. A 1 week TEFL will not compare to a CELTA. You owe it to yourself and your future students to aim a lot higher. Of course this guy is going to encourage online TEFL's, he provides them!

[ZONKAMANIA]

I'm just about 8 months into my first job, teaching ESL in Mexico... I don't think the scam is so much in the certificate you get, but I'm coming to the conclusion that the scam may be in the job placement. I got my TEFL certificate from Oxford Seminars, and I really appreciated the in-class portion much more than the on-line. But, what I'm getting at is, Oxford has been sending teachers to a school here in Mexico where terms in the contract are not being met, and we are barely making a living, and that's in Mexico, and in terms of the standard of living in Mexico. Oxford has been notified by many teachers, yet they keep sending teachers to this school. At Oxford they want to hear about your experience and share the highlights, yet they will not share the downside of a particular job/school. This is wrong, and misleading and not cool... That's from my personal experience. My aim is to go to China to teach and I'm not sure I will use Oxford's job placement assistance to do that... Additionally, I don't have any other degree so I'm not sure how far that will get me when pursuing jobs in China.

[prestonallbritton]

I'd like to know how people went about finding a place to teach AFTER getting the TEFL certification

[rasheedakhan]

Can I qualify to teach English online without a degree from Trindad and Tobago in the Caribbean? Thanks

[asfandimran]

I have bachelor's of degree in English Literature. Have had been teaching English for 3 years now. I'm looking forward to get a TEFL certificate in order to teach abroad. One more thing, I'm not a native English speaker. Would i still be able to get a job there? If they want I can demonstrate myself to the interviewer for I have been talking to a number of Americans and English now.

[Daniel-]

Another thing people should consider when choosing a course is whether or not you want to do this ESL teaching when you go back home to your own county.  Because if you want to make this your career to carry on when you are older, it's a good idea to invest in a proper TESL training course like CELTA, or a TESL certificate program at a reputable college or university, or a BA in Applied Linguistics.  If you just want to travel for a few years of fun overseas, any online TESL course will do.

[ESLinsider]

I have taught English in China, Korea and Taiwan and I am in agreement here. He said it doesn't matter for "most" schools if it's online, in-class, accredited or not. There's a lot of hype in the TEFL industry. I agree.

Getting a job is just the beginning and you can usually get a job without one. The real teaching starts when you are in the classroom. I took an in-class course before I started and I didn't think it really prepared me and I spent $1000.

So on paper they don't matter that much. They will generally look the same from one employer to the next, but what you get out of that course will probably be different from one course to the next. Tough to tell that at first. Maybe you could test it out.

[I-Am-Literally-Him]

Thanks for your honest opinion. Can you recommend any TEFL course website that is free or affordable for teaching in Spain.

[Crainiuss]

hi Alex, i do not have a bachelors degree. Would i have any chance getting placements?

[SleepWavezzz]

There are plenty of jobs in VietNam that will hire online TEFL certificates that cost just around $200. I'm in Viet Nam currently and I feel $1600 or so for an "in-class" TEFL course is outrageous and the real scam.

[BD-riiz]

This had helped me loads thank you Alex 👍do you think the online courses would be enough for teaching in Europe? thank you!