Bridge TEFL - International Diploma in English Language Teaching TESOL ($1,000)

[KSoul]

rachel83azFor a cheap but good TEFL, I would recommend instead going to Coursera and doing ASU's TEFL certificate. ASU is a legitimate university. These Groupon TEFLs need people to stop giving them legitimacy.

Do you know what the hours are for the ASU TEFL coursera cert? I am ashamed to admit that I also completed a TESOL cert from a groupon? HOWEVER, I do also have a TEFL cert from an actual accredited institute, so I think that cross-cancels my groupon sins. xD. I did them well over a year ago though so I might consider doing another one before applying to jobs, just to refresh my memory a bit. Is the ASU one a 120-hour/180-hour/etc certificate, or how would I list that on my CV?

Thank you all I appreciate it! 
-An embarrassed groupon user...

There are a couple of good options for TEFL/TESOL certificates on Groupon. Most, of course, are not good. For instance, Global TEFL seems to be pretty legit (as far as non-university TEFL courses go). They have some minor independent accreditation. But their best 250-hour diploma isn't on Groupon. https://globaltefl.uk.com/tefl-courses/c...efl-course

Another good non-university TEFL/TESOL appears to be the TEFL Institute. It costs a bit more than Global TEFL, but less than Bridge. TEFL Institute has a Halloween sale right now, too. https://teflinstitute.com/ The 180 and 300-hour courses are OFQUAL-regulated level-5 diplomas. As an American, I'm not 100% sure what that means, but it appears to be a very good thing.

And, of course, there is ASU's TESOL certification on Coursera. That one appears to be a 150-hour qualification, though there are scant few examples online to confirm. At $50/mo, the ASU certificate can either be one of the cheapest options (assuming you can work through it quickly) or one of the most expensive options (if it takes you 3+ months to complete). From what I can see, the 2 Coursera certificates are automatic and you will get them as soon as you have finished the course(s). The actual 150-hour certificate from ASU takes a few weeks to arrive. IMO, this isn't a huge issue, but it's something to bear in mind if you're left wondering where your "real" certificate is.

If you know that a 150-hour cert is going to be good enough, I would go with ASU. If you're going to need more than that, I would probably go with TEFL Institute or Global TEFL.

I wouldn't go with Bridge, unless you're really wanting the alt-credit. It's way too expensive for an otherwise no-name TEFL certificate.

I have a good relationship with an HR hiring manager of one of the largest online education companies in Asia;  I would implore most to stay clear from spending 1k (or hundreds of dollars) for a TESOL cert. Per my friend, they are the definition of a check box, and the lion's share of the Groupon 150-hour (sub $100) check the box just fine. If you want to stand out, get an English degree at UMPI for $1400. An example of where a TESOL program may be worth it is if they have an excellent job placement program; however, earning a subject degree trumps that for teaching opportunities, so stay with my initial suggestion.

This is awesome news. That's why I wanted to add English as a major to my TESU degree. While you can become an English teacher abroad with just about any degree, I've heard of a lot of agencies, programs and consulting agencies do prefer someone with a degree relevant to Education/TESOL/English. I think for practicality it will make my job placement and job search much easier.

I have a friend from South Africa who teaches Science in Shanghai with a degree in Digital Arts, so anything is possible (still one of the more surprising and funny gigs one of my friends has secured). However, having an English degree, or Subject Degree (STEM) elevates your value and makes a recruiter's job easier placing you. 

Best of luck.

[PrettyFlyforaChiGuy]

[quote pid='381039' dateline='1667242653']
I have a friend from South Africa who teaches Science in Shanghai with a degree in Digital Arts, so anything is possible (still one of the more surprising and funny gigs one of my friends has secured). However, having an English degree, or Subject Degree (STEM) elevates your value and makes a recruiter's job easier placing you. 

Best of luck.
[/quote]

I'm based in an international school in Shanghai now; many are simply bleeding foreign talent and are increasingly lenient to meet local demand. It's not easy to get into this lovely hellscape, but you'll make plenty if you want to come here and put up with the nonsense.

For typical English teaching roles at training centers, I think I mentioned a few posts ago that even the checkmark certs on Groupon would have elevated your application when I was on hiring committees. That's still true, but most stable positions are looking for deeper experience, same as most any other career path.

[KSoul]

[quote pid='381039' dateline='1667242653']
I have a friend from South Africa who teaches Science in Shanghai with a degree in Digital Arts, so anything is possible (still one of the more surprising and funny gigs one of my friends has secured). However, having an English degree, or Subject Degree (STEM) elevates your value and makes a recruiter's job easier placing you. 

Best of luck.

I'm based in an international school in Shanghai now; many are simply bleeding foreign talent and are increasingly lenient to meet local demand. It's not easy to get into this lovely hellscape, but you'll make plenty if you want to come here and put up with the nonsense.

For typical English teaching roles at training centers, I think I mentioned a few posts ago that even the checkmark certs on Groupon would have elevated your application when I was on hiring committees. That's still true, but most stable positions are looking for deeper experience, same as most any other career path.
[/quote]

Hellscape gave me a chuckle. Our family loved living in Shanghai. We also lived in Beijing, our first entry into China, so it holds a deeper appreciation; however, we suggest others explore Chengdu, Shenzhen, Shanghai, and Hong Kong or *Wuhan.

*just testing if you were reading 

[Sdmj33]

Would you recommend a groupon TEFL course for someone wanting to apply for a Czech visa as a freelance english teacher?

The candidate requirements are a bachelors degree and a TEFL cert

[KSoul]

Would you recommend a groupon TEFL course for someone wanting to apply for a Czech visa as a freelance english teacher?

The candidate requirements are a bachelors degree and a TEFL cert

Ones that are in connection with ICOES should have zero pushback. Several colleagues have used Groupon for Asia and South America, with them checking the box just fine. The 150-hour threshold seems to be the hot duration at the moment (the previous was 120).

I have zero relation, so please do your research; I know it has succeeded for those with your interests in teaching overseas.

[rachel83az]

Would you recommend a groupon TEFL course for someone wanting to apply for a Czech visa as a freelance english teacher?

The candidate requirements are a bachelors degree and a TEFL cert

Right now, the TEFL Institute has a Black Friday sale going on. The 240-hour course is only $129 right now. https://teflinstitute.com/black-friday-c...mega-sale/ It's OFQUAL regulated, which probably carries slightly more weight in Europe than a random Groupon certificate. They also include Zoom classes, which might be more useful than the standard "Groupon" certificate where you're only reading the material and maybe watching videos. 

I am not affiliated with any TEFL site, I just think this one looks good.