Online TEFL i-to-i

[kellie]

I am considering an online TEFL course through i-to-i to be used in conjunction with Diploma in Children's Services. Can anyone give me some details about their experiences with online courses and outcomes?

[Geriatric]

One thing that these online tefl course providers don't tell you is the dropout rate. Initially, students are highly motivated when undertaking their course. But think about it, will you be able to continue the motivation and finish your course? Or are you the type that will say "I'll do it tomorrow".

Completing an online TEFL course requires committment and drive. A different type of drive than attending classes. If you don't have this drive, then I suggest enrolling in a classroom based course.

As to the course content, have heard good things about i-to-i and have even taken a close look at the syllabus. They seem to be the leader and a professional mob. And yes, you would benefit from an online course even though some teachers would agree otherwise.

[kellie]

Thank you for the advice. I have completed a Diploma by correspondence so I should be O.K.

[teflking]

I am currently enrolled in the i-to-i course. In many respects I agree with the answer below your question - motivation. The last thing I want to do after teaching is go online and start doing some work.

The truth is that TEFL is probably a waste of time and CELTA is about to be dropped (poor Cambridge didn't want their name removed so that course will cease to exist). Why? The questions asked are usual poorly written and can be interpreted in may ways. If you can write a lot of waffle then you should do OK.

The grammar courses are difficult, but the reality in the real world is that the local teachers do that and you add to the pronunciation. In fact I'm having a devil of a time with the grammar - even asking PhD students or the like - produces a look of 'what the hell are they trying to ask you'.

i-to-i is OK but will not prepare you for the real world or the travel and their customer service response is generally 4-7 days rather than the 8 hours they post.

If not motivated, I agree as below. Do the course in a classroom.

[LeslieW]

Online Tesol/Tefl courses have a lot of negatives. No practice time in a classroom with other new teachers or the experienced teacher would be the biggest one. You dont have the motivation to work at it every day, its easier to find an excuse not to do the work.

Oxford Seminars offer a terrific program and course days/times that fit most schedules.

You benefit more from inperson courses, hearing the ideas/approaches from others including teachers that have taught all over the world. Most employers want to know that the certificate is from an inperson course, then they know the work was done by that person and marked by experienced teachers. That the name on the cert. actually did the work. Online courses are easily manipulated.

Inperson has the most benefits and least amount of negatives.

[Janen]

Hi,
The Institute of TEFL Teaching run a great course. Find them at Certificate TEFL Course. They also run a Diploma in Childcare. Not sure if this is what you're looking for but it might help.

[ICAL_Pete]

I've been in the business of online training for almost 9 years now and have seen a dramatic change in attitude towards online Certification. More and more schools around the world recognize the value of online certificates issued by professional organizations and employers no longer discriminate between Certificates obtained through traditional institutes and those online. Just be careful who you choose as your course provider (and this applies whether they are online or not) and make sure what they offer is of good standard.

Just to reset the balance in this discussion on onsite vs online, as it were here are some of the advantages online courses offer.

• Online courses offer a great training opportunity at entry level. They can provide a thorough grounding in a new career and the right tools to approach a new profession within a manageable amount of time and finances.

• Online courses offer a convenient way to test the water and allow you to see if teaching is indeed for you. People’s motivations to become a teacher are manifolds. What often happens is that of those who trained, some will find after a couple of years’ teaching that they don't like it at all and will move into an entirely new direction, whilst others will stay with the profession and go on to a Diploma course and further professional development.

• Online courses allow you to study while holding onto your daytime job or taking care of your family, or fulfilling prior study commitments. An online student can usually take the course any time during the day or week, so essay writing and researching assignments for example can be carried out whenever it suits you.

• Online courses allow you to correspond with qualified teacher trainers from wherever you are in the world. Even if you are in a remote area of the planet, as long as you have an Internet connection you can have access to top teacher trainers and benefit from their knowledge and experience.

• Online courses allow you to choose your personal tutor. How many traditional courses have more than one or two teacher trainers available at any one time? And how many will allow you to switch onto another tutor if you are not happy with your current one?

• Online courses give flexibility. Many students work on their course during the middle of the night or early in the morning. The flexibility of the course makes it possible for them to complete their course, while attending in house courses might be impossible due to their work schedules.

• Online courses are very affordable and can be undertaken without breaking the bank. Working online allows online course providers to cut down considerably on overheads. This saving can then be passed on to their students resulting in low course fees.

• Online courses allow one-on-one interaction with your personal tutor 24/7. The Internet makes it possible for you to ask questions and receive the answer back almost immediately.

[ndgndg]

Thanks, ICAL Pete, that was encouraging. I have heard so much snobby gloom about online courses.