Are TEFL Courses a Scam? (Full Tier List)

[@siphesihlebradbuthelezi2265]

You actually were my teacher/instructor for CELTA years ago in South Africa

[@FergusFadden]

So nice to hear from a formed trainee! I have the best memories of my time in South Africa! What a beautiful country and so many happy memories from training teachers in Durban! Are you still teaching English? In South Africa?

[@jackfetherstonhaugh9608]

Thanks for the content! My honda civic has been doing the job for the last couple of years but I will be doing the CELTA soon :D

[@FergusFadden]

haha, your excellent response prompted me to post in the community tab here and on my Instagram: instagram.com/integratedskillsesl/ Where are you thinking of taking CELTA?

[@jackfetherstonhaugh9608]

@@FergusFadden considering the Oxford TEFL course in Barcelona!

[@dann547]

Thank you for the very thoughtful and valuable video. I'm hoping to teach in Cambodia via The TEFL Academy. My only quibble with your video was regarding your savage takedown of The World TESOL Academy. Have mercy; it must have at least one redeeming quality. Not saying, just sayin'.

[@justwritenow.]

Thank you for this!

[@verenaoliveira4321]

Good Evening.Thanks for explaiing

[@ryank2740]

where would you put Canadian university TESOL certifications on the list?

[@FergusFadden]

If they are TESL Canada certifications I would put them on a par with the QQI awards generally. Are you considering taking one of these or have you already taken one?

[@your_english_pal]

As far as I have investigated, the classical CELTA course by Cambridge is the most recognized certificate in the world and, which I aim for, in Asia, yet I've seen some employers prefer the TrinityTESOL one. Do I get it right that there is no big difference between the two and the two are can be recognized interchangeably? I plan to get a CELTA certificate in Thailand, Bangkok - do you have any thoughts about this destination of completing a CELTA course in? Thank you so much in advance!

[@FergusFadden]

Hi there! Yes, you can vert much treat Trinity and CELTA as interchangeable. There are a few minor differences in course content/structure but overall you come out with the same training. I've never had the pleasure of training a course in Bangkok but I have heard many good things about that centre! Having said that, no matter where you take the course in the world you will come out with the same qualification!

[@FergusFadden]

Also, if you're interested I'd like to invite you to a free weekly group call all about CELTA/TEFL. You can join here: calendly.com/integratedskillsacademy/join-the-wait-list-cfg-free

[@bluerainbow11]

Where would TEFL institute rank? From what I can tell it appears to be somewhat similar to PremierTEFL so would it rank the same or similar?

[@antoniaapaixao807]

Fergus, what do you think of Bridge Educational TEFL?

[@FergusFadden]

Some good reviews out there and the syllabus is quite fleshed out. Definitely not the worst course out there. However, without a teaching practicum that includes observations and feedback, I wouldn't put it any higher than a B on the tier list. Have you taken that course?

[@antoniaapaixao807]

@@FergusFadden Yes, I have taken some courses at Bridge Education. They provided feedback on lesson plans and observations, although the observations were recorded rather than live. My head tutor was Terry McLean, and she was quite demanding, which made the experience rigorous but rewarding.

[@FergusFadden]

Recorded observations are definitely a positive addition to any course. And, if I could update my thoughts based on your experience I would say that in some cases the recorded version can allow for more thoughtful feedback, rather than trying to catch everything in the moment! I'm really happy that you have had such a positive experience and that your tutor, Terry was so professional!

[@realworldtefl]

There's a lot of conventional wisdom that seems to be taught the same way across different TEFL certificate courses. So I would be curious to know if there's an outlier that has a different take on teaching and learning methods?

[@FergusFadden]

This is a very apt observation and also a great question. To be honest I am not aware of a course that does something quite "out there". The only thing that really occurs is Scott Thornbury and Luke Medding's "Teaching Unplugged" or "Dogme" method. However, that is pretty well known at this stage and isn't actually a course in and of itself. Interesting question - food for thought!

[@FergusFadden]

Also, if you're interested I'd like to invite you to a free weekly group call all about CELTA/TEFL. You can join here: calendly.com/integratedskillsacademy/join-the-wait-list-cfg-free

[@MyNameIsOzymandias]

Nice video. I want to work in Asia. Have you ever heard about SEE TEFL in Thailand/Chiang Mai? I don't know if it's legit or not. I have a bachelor's degree, but I have no teaching experience. I'm non-native speaker but I can speak English fluently like a native speaker. What's the best choice for me? Money is an issue for me and I don't want to get scammed in a country I'm not familiar with.

[@verenaoliveira4321]

Fantastic your Speech 😅

[@kulwinder7564]

Are online courses valued as much as offline

[@FergusFadden]

When it comes to CELTA, the online and offline course results in exactly the same certificate - so in that sense they have the same 'value'. Where it comes to the question "are they valued" the same, I would say there is a large degree of subjectivity to that question. However, from my own perspective I would say they are mostly (but not always) seen as pretty much equivalent especially in a world where a lot of teaching happens online.

[@TornadoDIgitals]

Thank you VEEEEEEEEERY VERY MUCH for this video :)

[@FergusFadden]

I'm glad you liked it! If you're interested I also run a free call all about CELTA and TEFL on Saturdays. Feel free to sign up for session here: calendly.com/integratedskillsacademy/join-the-wait-list-cfg-free

[@jacksonm2729]

This is pretty neat. Thanks pal!

[@FergusFadden]

Glad you liked it! Are you currently considering taking a TEFL or CELTA?

[@FergusFadden]

Also, if you're interested I'd like to invite you to a free weekly group call all about CELTA/TEFL. You can join here: calendly.com/integratedskillsacademy/join-the-wait-list-cfg-free

[@jacksonm2729]

@@FergusFadden I'm currently enrolled in TTA (S tier!), i'm a few modules away from completing the program.

[@maybeangie9536]

What about AVSE?

[@FergusFadden]

Hi there! I can't say I am very familiar with that course! However, if you have a link to the syllabus I would be happy to review it :)

[@verenaoliveira4321]

Night ! Oh.it seams very Interesting.

[@nasirchnasir6970]

I know International TEFL academy is the best center ❤❤❤❤

[@FergusFadden]

they are indeed highly recommended :)

[@nasirchnasir6970]

@@FergusFadden Thank you my best teacher

[@stanbily9416]

S A+ A B C ?

[@FergusFadden]

It's just a grading system from this thing called a "tier list". Tier lists have been popular on the internet over the past few years. The grading is nothing official, they really just mean "best" to "worst". Are you thinking about taking a TEFL course?

[@silvergold4579]

ITTT?

[@josealejandrosalzarmirabal4623]

The Telf Academy is recommendable to look for jobs abroad?

[@FergusFadden]

The TEFL Academy is a highly reputable course. Where are you based? and where are you thinking about teaching?

[@josealejandrosalzarmirabal4623]

@@FergusFadden I'm in Venezuela, and Teach English either online or on-site

[@RafiullahLangove]

I'm given a TEFL certificate without test isn't it scame? It's from china

[@verenaoliveira4321]

😅❤😮