Wednesday, March 25, 2020

Teaching Online...Qualifications (Pt.3)

DISCLAIMER: Before continuing to the original post, please read this recent and disrupting message from QKids' Class Coordination Team:



Hey Folks,

When applying with Qkids, there are some restrictions to who they take...I know form some of the folk you might meet online who do this, you might think they will take anyone...to be honest-I think they would if they could however the Chinese Government has imposed (however minimal) restrictions on the hiring process.

YOU CAN APPLY BEFORE YOU ARE HOLDING YOUR TESOL CERTIFICATE!

Do I really need a TESOL?

For resources that the students could basically use to teach themselves or as some contractors have asked "why don't the parents just teach them?" its because there is an expectation that the students are working with "Foreign Experts". Now you are likely thinking well foreign expert in English...would have an English BA or MA, etc? You might be right in a country that uses English as a First Language. In a country where the first language is Mandarin Chinese, the second language is Cantonese Chinese and the third unofficial language is...English? (I only say that because English is seemingly an international language).

Do I need a Teaching Certificate?

No, but having one will often permit you to work with QKids without a TESOL.

Do I need a University Degree?

No, that is why we aren't paid what we would like to be paid when doing this full-time and not just as a side gig. Having university degree may permit you to not need a TESOL...in select circumstances...its something you would want to talk to your interviewer about.

_________________________________________________________________________________

After seeing the situation for what it is, I decided to investigate if a TEFL certificate was really worth it, I spoke with teachers from Ontario (that applies specifically to my own situation),

I spoke with the Ontario College of Teachers (again specifically pertaining to my personal situation)

My TELL Instructor from Trent University

I also spoke with TEFL.org, this is what they were willing to admit in regards to the reveled 168 hr. Online Course as advertised,

"Dear Carmelo

Thank you for getting in touch with us.

I understand it must be frustrating to have to take a TEFL qualification, but that is what many schools ask for. As you say below, you may be able to find work without one. As for the course being worth your while, I can only say that it is great course with tutor support all the way through and it is the standard qualification in the TEFL industry.

Regarding your other enquiry, I would recommend the 120-hour course rather than the 168-hour course, The difference between our 120-hour Premier Online TEFL course and the 168-hour Level 5 TEFL course comes down to accreditation. The 168-hour is an Ofqual regulated course, which has been assessed as a level 5 qualification according to their framework. Most employers abroad and online require teachers to have a 120-hour TEFL qualification, so both the 120-hour online and 168-hour meet this requirement. Ofqual is widely known in the UK, but less so abroad, so many employers would regard the 168-hour as the same as a 120-hour course.

We are also offering a 50% discount on the 120-hour course, you would just need to enter the discount code TEACHONLINE when you check out.

Please let me know if you have any further questions.

Kind regards
Joe"

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