Question:
There are a bunch of TESL/TEFL certificate programs out there; are they
really necessary? Is it better to work with an organization that will
train you, rather than spending time and money to get certified?
Does anybody know, and can anybody help?
Answer:
Teaching English as a Second Language / Teaching English as a Foreign
Language. If you are teaching non-English speaking students in
America it is a TESL situation because they are studying English as
their second language. When they leave the classroom they have to
keep right on using it. On the other hand, teaching English in Japan
is TEFL, since the students are studying it as a foreign language, and
they revert to their native Japanese as soon as they leave the
classroom. Not surprisingly, TESL environments tend to produce better
results than TEFL.
You may also see the acronym TESOL, which covers both. It means
Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages.
Regarding certification as an TESOL instructor, there are two basic
routes, one academic and one more practical. The academic route
usually involves a multi-year Master's degree in applied linguistics
or TESOL, and is offered at many universities. The best known
practical certification is from the RSA (Royal Society of Arts), which
has two basic levels, certificate and diploma. Though the RSA
certificate only takes a few months to complete, they are VERY
strenuous months filled with constant experiments in the classroom and
rather heavy analysis and even criticism; the certificate is highly
regarded. The RSA diploma is a one year course that RSA certificate
holders can take after several years of teaching experience. I used
to teach with someone with an RSA diploma, and he was VERY good.
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