However, I am wondering if the location in which I choose to do the Trinity certesol matters. I don't want to do it online and am thinking of doing it in Thailand or India, since it is affordable in terms of accommodation, travel etc and fits my budget as compared to the U.K. or elsewhere. But since they are non native eng speaking countries, would some potential employers worldwide disregard it or would doing the course from a native eng speaking country just be better for me as a non native? I know native speakers are generally preferred in the Esl job market and it is harder to find jobs as a non native eng speaker, that is why I am thinking if I should do it in the U.K. or Europe if it would make a difference to potential employers. If it doesn't matter though, I'd rather do it in the countries I mentioned. Please help, I appreciate any advice. Confused:(
Hi :) I am a non native English speaker and would like to do the Trinity Cert Tesol course?
- Posted:
- 3+ months ago by borntoteach
- Topics:
- trinity, english, teaching
Responses (1)
It makes no difference whatsoever where you do it. The course is marked independently of the location the test occurs in and the certificate awarded is recognized globally. You are correct in that native speakers are preferred but most are, and pardon my honesty, crap, at teaching English. Being a native speaker does not automatically mean that you are better at teaching the language. Most of the time it means the opposite.
Avoid the UK, it is hells own pit for EFL teachers, it's where the ones who can't cut it as EFL teachers go to work, go abroad instead. I speak as an EFL/TESOL teacher myself with 20 years experience who employes 3 non-natives EFL teachers and one, yup one, native teacher, the only one of 47 applicants who could actually do the job required and she is amazing at her job simply because she has the qualifications and travelled unlike most people who do the TEFL exam as a University side course and then expect to be treated as English gods wherever they go. Yes, I hate them, they make the rest of us look bad.... anyway... do the exam and don't worry about where you're doing it and if you do well, get some experience and feel like visiting Hungary drop me a line. We might have some work for you. :)
The precourse interview is simply to determine if you have the apptitude to do the course. It is not cheap, they do fail people and you cannot get the money back. It would be an excellent idea to brush up on your grammar and consider your reasons for wanting to do the course. They are looking for upbeat, enthusiastic people with a calm, confident attitude. They may ask you grammar questions to judge your basic level of understanding such as, "When would I use present simple instead of present continuous?" or "Can you explain what an idiom is?".
Another piece of advice would be for you to consider doing the IH (International House) TESL/EFL course instead. IH is internationally recognized and probably the most well known qualification you can get if you are thinking of teaching English abroad. The basic course takes 3 months to complete and is intensive. Once you have experience you can do further courses with them up to and including a masters program in TEFL/TESL (DELTA). I did the basic course and then, with experience, did a few of the others. With my certificate from the basic course (CELTA) is found work easily in Hungary, Austria, Turkey, Morrocco, etc. The web site is: ihworld.com/about
Feel free to ask me anything else and I'll do my best to help
Thank you SO SOOO SOOOO much :)
:)
Thank you so much for your response, I really appreciate it. Is it okay if I ask you another question, since obviously you have a lot of experience with teaching Esl? I have read that before acceptance into any of the Trinity cert tesol courses, they usually have a pre course interview. What kind of interview would that be, just a general one or will they ask me technical stuff with regard to language, grammar etc...I have no prior experience teaching English, so would it be a good idea to just brush up on some of my grammar terms etc before the initial interview?