TEFL certification in the US?

Question

I have a college degree (liberal arts) and am considering getting a TEFL certificate also, so I'd like to get some opinions on it from people who have one or teach EFL. I know that you can use it when working in other countries, but can it also help you to get jobs in the United States? Do you think it's a worthwhile certification to pursue and what kind of experiences have you had with it? Thanks for any ideas you can give me about it.

Answer 1

TEFL = Teaching English as a FOREIGN Language
TESL = Teaching English as a SECOND Language

The strategies used in TEFL and TESL are different because the immediate needs of the learners are different.

I have a TESL certificate. I did the CELTA, which is the Certificate in English Language Teaching to Adults. I did it through International House in Barcelona. It was a four-week full time program that included six hours of supervised teaching practice. Whatever program you take, ensure that it includes supervised teaching practice. The person below me says the CELTA is "INTENSE", but I didn't find it any more stressful than my undergrad degree, and it's certainly MUCH less stressful than your average month of graduate studies (which I'm doing now).

In terms of working in the US, a TESL/TEFL certificate won't allow you to work in public schools or universities. Most people with these certificates work in private language schools. If you have a lot of well-paid immigrants in your area you may be able to make a living teaching ESL. If you live somewhere with few non-Native speakers you probably won't be able to support yourself teaching ESL.

I live in an area that is EXTREMELY popular with international students. We have about 4,000 students studying English in my city at any given time. I used my TESL certificate (and 18 months of overseas experience) to get a job at a community college teaching English to visiting university students. Every teacher at that school had some overseas experience; that's the easiest way to get your foot in the door. My suggestion would be to do a year or two in Korea (or another Asian country that accepts a lot of American teachers) and then come back to the USA.

Answer 2

Most reputable certification courses are offered at the graduate level. That means you have to graduate from college first. Frankly, you'd do far better to get a master's degree. You can do it in a year and a half. Some colleges even have accelerated programs where you can get the bachelor's and master's in 5 years. Most good TESL jobs require a master's- it's required now in Mexico for teaching in university programs. Your other options are to teach part time for a private language school, or teach in the k-12 system, which requires being fluent in Spanish.

Answer 3

First just let me say that experience is going to be important if this is what you want to pursue. There are schools that will hire you abroad without training but there are many many horror stories for ESL teachers who go abroad without proper training if that is your intent.

I did a month long study INTENSE program through St Giles in San Francisco (the Celta course) which teaches the most widely recognized and reputable short term study program available - this program is endorsed by Cambridge University in England. The director of the program is a master of the trade with many years of experience. I highly recommend this school and their training program. You will get a certificate and job placement help from them if you wish. There are jobs available both in the US and abroad if this is work that you are interested in. There are many people in this country who wish to learn English.

If you wish to know more, you should contac them and speak to Carrie Priestly, the director. I am certain that she would be of help to answer any question s you have. Best of luck to you.