Why international TEFL TESOL job support matters.
Almost every international TEFL/TESOL online certification course program advertises ‘international job support’ as part of their post-course services, and the teaching English world community of TEFL newbies would be a much happier place if this were, in reality, true.
However, it often isn’t and is simply an opaque ruse to capture a new client’s course fee.
We have noticed, among the reviews listed on Trusted TEFL Reviews, quite a few examples of reviewers complaining of little or no help once they completed their online TEFL/TESOL studies; despite reading contrary claims on the school websites which happily took their money with such promises strongly worded in their manifests.
It isn’t exactly a switch-and-bait scam, but it does seem to be the case that certain online TEFL schools (they shall go unnamed) promise the earth while a new student is deciding whether to make their payment for a course and that once the payment for the said course has been made and processed, the level of customer service plummets.
We have received complaints of schools not honoring their promises of providing help with finding work after course graduation and this raises an important point.
Why do people take TEFL courses?
Primarily, they take them to find teaching English jobs abroad after course completion.
I mean, a course could be the Holy Grail of online TEFL instruction, but if no job materializes afterward then it kind of debunks the whole point of taking the course in the first place.
Post-course, international job support ranges from zilch to moderate, to excellent. You should be aiming for excellence. Why? Because you WILL need help finding the right type of teaching job after your course is all finished.
There are thousands of teaching English abroad jobs available worldwide – a very good reason not to accept a job placement btw – but not all teaching English abroad jobs are created equal.
Think about it. Would you travel across the Atlantic Ocean without a guide to steer you clear of possible dangers and ensure you chose the right route for your adventure journey? Well, the answer is probably no.
The same is true of Online TEFL/TESOL courses.
Once you have graduated, you will need the right type of support; assisting with your resume, honing your interview skills, making certain that your choice of teaching location is the right fit for you, and giving professional advice regarding what you should be earning, which schools to avoid and basically how you can land the perfect TEFL job.
So our advice at Trusted TEFL Reviews is to completely ignore what schools write on their websites about post-course support. Ever lied on a resume? Well, companies do the same.
Instead, read through the verified reviews listed on Trusted TEFL Reviews, written by course graduates, and see what they have to say about their experience of their post-course support was like.
Written by Mia Williams for Trusted TEFL Reviews (TTR) | Best Featured TEFL Articles
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“Why do people take TEFL courses?
Primarily, they take them to find teaching English jobs abroad after course completion.”
Really? I thought the primary reason was to be able to teach well/better.
Hi there Kim! 🙂
One the main reasons for taking a TEFL/TESOL course is to be able to teach well/better, but that alone isn’t the primary reason. I mean, I could take a driving course to learn to be able to drive well/better, but my main objective would be to receive my driver’s license and be able to start driving.
Perhaps some people do take TEFL courses to improve their teaching skills, but most who take these courses have never taught before and their driving (excuse the pun) passion behind enrolling on a TEFL course is to gain certification and go work and live abroad.
Btw, on an unrelated note, I’m very happy that you seem to have sorted everything out regarding your issue which you raised last week with regards to your TEFL school. And I agree, it was a very considerate response from them.
Have a wonderful day!
Mia Williams.
Thank you! I think a lot of companies consider sending a weekly job posting alert as sufficient job seeking support after completing a course. Needless to say, it isn’t…
You’re welcome! 🙂
Yes, we completely agree with you Kirstin.
Mia.
Oh, and apologies for taking so long to reply to you. I must have missed the notification of your comment and stumbled across it just now.
Mia.
Each year, Trusted TEFL Reviews asks language schools, universities, current English teachers, and recent Online TEFL/TESOL course graduates to take part in the Online TEFL/TESOL international certification course Teachers’ Choice Award, by voting for their favorite Online TEFL/TESOL international certification course program.
Last year’s winner, in 2020, was teflonlinepro.com. It is the second year in a row that tefl online pro has won this coveted award.
Further information on the Teachers’ Choice Award, in 2021, can be read here: https://trustedteflreviews.com/2021/03/29/teachers-choice-award-2021/