ESL Jobs Forum

[HINNA]

Hi everyone, im a 23 year old female, living in the UK.

I've been working as an interpreter for the NHS (National health service) for over a year now, as i speak URDU fluently as a second language, but i want to get on the ladder for TEFL.

I'm in the early stages of research and to be honest have lost myself already......i've got my head around what the different titles mean but what i want to know is what would be the best and most recognised road to take to get me started in TEFL as a career.

I have no teaching experience at all, but am willing to work as a teachers helper in the TEFL classes that currently go on in my local area, just to gain some experience.

Some local universities have the TEFL course on offer but it means studying for over 1 year part time and paying about £800....is that the norm? Can i not gain a qualification any sooner. And lastly can anyone give me guidance of which institute in the UK offers one of these courses....i know there are hundreds.....but i've heard all of them are not accredited!

Thanks

Hinna

[HenryTeach]

Where do you want to work?

If it's in the UK then choose the kind of school you'd like to work at and go and ask them. If it's overseas then it could be a lot different and a lot simpler.
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[HINNA]

I'd like to start working in the UK, i have contacted a number of schools in my local area and they all require a degree......which i do not have.

English language house in Milton keynes has a CELTA course but even they will be giving preference to degree holders....

I have roots in Pakistan so i wouldn't mind doing a course that gets me started abroad, but then i haven't come across many jobs in Pakistan for EFL teachers.

I'd like to do the best course to keep my options open for home and away posts.

[HenryTeach]

A degree is pretty much a prerequisite for any teaching post and just a CELTA on its own isn't likely to get you work in the UK at a reputable school.

The alternative is to look at working overseas and without a degree you'll be looking at the lower end of the market where they might even accept you without any qualifications but purely because you're a native speaker.

But you should bear in mind that any training is better than no training. I personally wouldn't spend a £1,000 or more for a CELTA when a cheaper course would suffice to get the job and I'm a newcomer to the profession anyway (if you like it after a year or so then certainly move on to CELTA, but it's jumping in at the financial deep end if you haven't taught before).
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[HINNA]

Thanks i appreciate the advice.

ITC are advertising weekend TEFL courses quite local to me and the full cost is around £330 this includes 60 hours of home study......does this sound like a good starting ground?

another company has a weekend course, followed by 60 hours home study and then an option to practise for a week in one of their schools and you also recieve a TP certificate at the end along with TEFL........i'm just bouncing ideas around now.......