Oxford Seminars tesol course

[fokaine]

any info on Oxford Seminars tesol course?

[gfell]

You have to be a bit more specific in your question.

Have you in fact read their website's details at Oxford Seminars - TESOL/TESL Teacher Training Certification Courses

[fokaine]

More specifically, does anyone have any information on the 60 hour TESOL course offered by Oxford Seminars. I have attended the orientation and am considering the course as an option. However, I am concerned that the information provided in a 60 hour course may not be sufficient. Another example, the course is ofered as a 60 hour course, but in fact is only 54 hours. Has anyone had any results from the Oxford Seminar Tesol course or any problems?

[congo]

What gives you the idea it's a 53-hour course? Nowhere on their site is it listed as a 53-hour TESOL course.

An in-class TESL course is always a good option if you can afford the time and added expense. Everyone has different levels of confidence when teaching. For me, I headed straight into a classroom without any course nor training. Sure, I had a buddy teacher with me for a few days. After that I was fine though.

If you have no previous teaching experience, then 1 course would be fine. 60 hours should do the trick. Many schools do offer training and assistance when you first start a job. Just hurry up and complete your course and get into the world of teaching.

Schools need you NOW!
I got too many hours now and have to start rejecting jobs.

[Nadia_nj]

Hi I actually finished the TESOL certificate with Oxford and it was of great use...I recommend it to everyone

[eric_canada]

This oxford seminars thing seems like a fly-by-night operation. They sound like they offer something good, but it's rather shady sounding.

From the looks of some ads I've seen, a 60-hour course with no practice doesn't sound like it will fit the bill. Especially compared to the 4-week Cambridge CELTA course.

[ESL for me]

Oh, boy. I hate to inform you guys (and girls) that this a very Oxford Seminars tactic...

1. Sign in as a new user...
2. Pretend to want feedback about Oxford Seminars' TESOL courses..."Does anybody know about...?" or "Where is their Web site?"
3. Someone else, a new user also, responds by saying "they're great...", or something along those lines.

Check out a few other sites to verify what I am talking about (they love doing this on Dave's ESL Cafe). The owner and supervisors at Oxford Seminars have their student workers continually go onto sites like this and write B.S. statements all in the name of free advertising. Desperate? Maybe...Annoying? Definitely...

Before any OS employee tries to discredit my claims here, beware...I have several friends who have either worked for or are STILL working at Oxford Seminars. I would be more than willing to prove what I am saying it correct...But that might be really embarassing for ya.

[ESL for me]

Eric: You are right...OS does not include a real teaching practicum. They just have their students "teach" in front of their large classes for 5 minutes. And the classes are large...up to 25 people!!!

I am currently looking up some other 60-hour courses offered in Ontario that might be more worthwhile. I will post them once I get them...

Found two that look to be legit and have real practicums. You should always find a course with a real practicum, no matter how long it is.

TESL - EFLS for those in the Ottawa area

www.TestandLearn.ca for those in any city in Ontario

[eric_canada]

Originally Posted by ESL for me

Eric: You are right...OS does not include a real teaching practicum. They just have their students "teach" in front of their large classes for 5 minutes. And the classes are large...up to 25 people!!!

I am currently looking up some other 60-hour courses offered in Ontario that might be more worthwhile. I will post them once I get them...

Found two that look to be legit and have real practicums. You should always find a course with a real practicum, no matter how long it is.

TESL - EFLS for those in the Ottawa area

www.TestandLearn.ca for those in any city in Ontario

I'm not actually concerned about the insturction experience (as I have PLENTY! I've been an instructor on a photography course the past three summers, and more). But I'm thinking that compared to the Cambridge CELTA course, this seriously looks like a joke.

I'm really interested in going to the Czech Republic, and I found this one school that teaches the CELTA course AND guarantees you a job at the school if you pass. Caledonian School - International TEFL course It looks reasonable, and the price is reasonable too for 4 weeks including accomodations. I'm not really in it for the money, so it isn't a big issue.

The "money back guarantee" through Oxford Seminars sounds a little dodgy. Like you have to apply to 4 countries, 5 schools in each, and be rejected. From the looks of some job listings they'll take you out of desperation as long as you have something. I want to be able to choose within reason where I go so I don't have to settle. Not to sound like a pretentious weenie or anything, but I have loads of experience and I don't want it wasted on an inferior course. I'm not sure what I want to do though. I'm not looking to have a "career" in this, but I'm looking to gain more instructional experience and experience something different.

[ESL for me]

Hello Eric

Have you received any info from the two I mentioned. It easy to pass judgement on courses, especially when you have heard bad things (I have heard Oxofrd is pretty bad, but haven't actually taken it). Why not get some info from the providers and go from there.

I think (find out for sure) the TestandLearn.ca course offers a guaranteed job upon successful completion. You wouldn't have to waste so much $$$ on the course you mentioned if this one does have one also. I think they only have small classes and only accept those with degrees, so maybe that is why they can do this. I am not totally sure about the Ottawa one (guaranteed job, or not), but it is with an established ESL school.

As for all of your teaching experience, it doesn't hurt to have a little more. Especially if it is more focused (ESL related). CELTA is pretty teaching practice intensive, so if you do not need more practice it is definitely not the course for you. I think ESL schools like ESL teaching experience...