Editing Barefoot Consultants Freelancing - Pros and Cons of Online Certification
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Online TEFL certification courses can be a good option for some people. While these courses are usually cheaper and can be done at your own pace, they can't, by their very nature, offer some critical training. TEFL courses are designed to teach you how to teach. We all know English and how to speak it, but teaching English can be much, much easier if you take a certification course. Because distance courses are 100% online, they don't offer training on in-classroom teaching. If you don't have any previous classroom experience, this is a critical skill to have before you begin. Believe me, the anxiety you experience on your first day in front of your own class, will be nerve racking. You will want to have had some previous experience before that day comes. For this reason, I usually don't recommend taking an online course, unless you already have experience teaching. How to Get Hands-on Experience If your timeline and budget for getting your certificate don't allow for a hands-on course, then online may be your only option. In that case, I recommend getting some in-classroom experience in other ways. There are a lot of other options for getting that experience and gaining those skills. Volunteer Volunteering is a wonderful option. There are usually countless opportunities in your community. Public schools are almost always looking for volunteers. Ask around your local area and find out where there are opportunities to sit in on classes and observe. Many cities and towns now have English as a Second Language classes for immigrants to your home country. This is an ideal place to volunteer your time. However, it doesn't have to be in an English as a Second Language classroom. You will gain valuable skills in any classroom setting. Accreditation One thing you want to keep in mind when choosing a certification program is accreditation. Whether it's online or ‘on-the-ground', make sure the program you choose is accredited. Accreditation means a third party has evaluated the program. They have examined the curriculum and given their approval and endorsement to the certificate you receive. Keep in mind, that online programs are sometimes accredited by different organizations than on-site courses. Who to Look For There are several accrediting bodies that can put their stamp of approval on an English Certificate, but here are 4 that are widely recognized: NCFE Accrediting Council for Continuing Education and Training (ACCET) University of Cambridge Trinity Collage Online certificates aren't always accredited by the same independent bodies as programs that offer a practical teaching component. If you don't find online certifications accredited by any of the above bodies, look for one of these: Distance Education and Training Council (DETC) U.S. Distance Learning Association (USDLA) Accreditation Council for TESOL Distance Education Courses (ACTDEC) Open and Distance Learning Quality Council (ODLQC) The practical component of a certification course is probably the most important thing a hiring manager is looking for. Online courses don't offer that, and unless you have previous experience similar to teaching in a formal setting, consider spending the extra time and money it takes to get a hands-on certification. If that is still not an option for you, look for opportunities in your area where you can observe teachers in action and maybe teach a lesson or two. You will learn valuable skills and be able to put that on your resume when you apply to start teaching your own classes! Article by Kary Vanice For more helpful tips on how to become an English teacher abroad, check out our English Teaching Tips at: <a href = "http://www.barefootconsultants.com/public/Teach-English-Articles-and-Tips.cfm">http://www.barefootconsultants.com/public/Teach-English-Articles-and-Tips.cfm</a>
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