Is a TEFL course worth it?

[QuintessentialShadow]

What can I do with it?

Or Tesol?

I have a BA Ancient World Degree, and an MA Classics. I have been working in accounting and finance the last 10 years. I need to move on to something else.

In the last year I have been teaching Norwegian to speakers of other languages, in English. I did this for my local chamber of commerce in Norway. They were short and intensive fast track courses. I devised much of the curriculum my self, planned the lessons, wrote the course compendiums, and made the exercises, and planned conversation topics, etc.

I am thinking of setting myself up as a Norwegian tutor, or see if I can find work at a college, or for some organization teaching Norwegian in a business environment.

Will a TEFL be any helpful at all? (Aside from the fact that the language is English)

[Firefly2]

I went on a 2 day TEFL course and believe me it was next to useless!! Good fun I suppose and a CV booster but that's about it!! I think there are longer courses available and I would recommend looking into these because the 2 day courses aren't worth alot!! Good luck x

[QuintessentialShadow]

Thanks for replying, the one I am thinking about is 120 hours and have accreditations and university unit recognition.

[Acinonyx]

I did a TEFL RSA Prep Cert over 20 years ago and I did use it quite a bit - I taught English overseas and in the UK (when at a loose end). You get better TEFL jobs with a Cert - better yet with a diploma. Don't do anything shorter.

Are you thinking that you can apply the same techniques to teaching Norwegian? That's probably partly true - but there is probably a Norwegian equivalent in Norway and maybe there is even something at a distance? I have occasionally used my TEFL Cert as a an all-purpose teaching qualification - I even used it to teach science at a private school in Turkey - they just needed something to show I had any sort of teaching qualification - so in that sense - it might be useful.

[3littlefrogs]

My ds did a short course before his gap year, and had a great time teaching in a primary school in the far east. It was worthwhile for him, but I suppose it depends what you want to do.

[QuintessentialShadow]

I am hoping to apply the same techniques, but I also think that it might be easier to explain Norwegian grammar with a proper English framework, seeing as I am comparing it to English most of the time, in that I am explaining in English.

But I am also hoping that it will help in terms of having a teaching qualification. Better than nothing!

There is no equivalent that I know of in Norway, bar a one year full time course in Norwegian phonetics, syntax and linguistics course, coupled with a 2 year full time teaching qualification.

[sandripples]

I also did the Prep Cert in TEFL about 22 years ago! I found it gave a good frameowrk for teaching concepts (and the approach would work for any target language) and some good basic language techniques (again applicable more widely). So I think it might be useful for you, yes. NOt really from a grammar angle but from the techniques.

[QuintessentialShadow]

Ok, I have just applied to do a 4 week full time TESOL with this provider They seem serious enough, and are around the corner from my old Uni....

[Acinonyx]

The Trinity Cert TESOL should be fine - most places (most importantly, including the British Council) will take it as equivalent to the Prep Cert (CELTA). Enjoy {smile]