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Teaching English as a Foreign Language

TEFL in Ireland:

The Advisory Council for English Language Schools (ACELS) controls standards in EFL schools and organisations through an inspection/recognition scheme. ACELS administers the scheme which leads to School Recognition by the Department of Education & Science.
There is a list of recognised schools for learning English on their website http://www.acels.ie/search.htm

According to the ACELS: for employment in the recognised ELT sector in Ireland, you need:

• a Level 7 qualification, normally an Ordinary Bachelor degree
• a ELT certificate from one of the following categories:
1. ELT programmes leading to an ACELS Initial Certificate for the Teaching of English as a Foreign Language.
2. ELT programmes of a minimum 115 hours duration leading to awards which are validated by the Higher Education and Training Awards Council (HETAC), the Dublin Institute of Technology, Institutes of Technology, the National University of Ireland and universities recognised under the Universities Act 1997.
3. ELT programmes leading to awards which have national recognition in their host jurisdiction (e.g. recognised universities, the British Council in the UK etc) e.g., Cambridge ESOL CELTA http://www.cambridge-efl.org.uk/, Trinity College London CertTESOL http://www.trinitycollege.co.uk/

To work in a primary or secondary school: you must be a qualified teacher with either:
one of the above ELT qualifications or ACELS Preparatory Certificate for the Teaching of English as a Foreign Language (awarded to state-qualified teachers).
 

where can I study?

1. ELT programmes leading to an ACELS Initial Certificate for the Teaching of English as a Foreign Language.
   ACELS' remit includes recognition of teacher training (TEFL) courses and their website has a listing of courses in Irelnad that they recognise http://www.acels.ie/acelselt.htm 
   
2. ELT programmes of a minimum 115 hours duration leading to awards which are validated by the Higher Education and Training Awards Council (HETAC), the Dublin Institute of Technology, Institutes of Technology, the National University of Ireland and universities recognised under the Universities Act 1997.
   NUI Galway have TEFL programmes on offer to graduates.
   You can search for other universities programmes at Postgradireland.com
   
3. ELT programmes leading to awards which have national recognition in their host jurisdiction (e.g. recognised universities, the British Council in the UK etc)
   e.g., Cambridge ESOL CELTA http://www.cambridge-efl.org.uk/, Trinity College London CertTESOL http://www.trinitycollege.co.uk/
   www.cactusteachers.com/ also has a searchable database of courses for the UK.

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What other options are available for study?

There are other online or short courses available.

These, while giving an introduction to TEFL, may not be accepted by official language schools (who usually require the same standard as Irish schools outlined above).

However, these short courses can lead to a place on a particular programme abroad. Some examples are found on our social bookmarking page: delicious.com/careersinfo

Please note that the Career Development Centre does not endorse any of these programmes.

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Where can I get a TEFL job abroad?

Europe

English Language Assistant (ELA) Scheme in Austria / France / Germany / Italy / Spain.
Opportunities in Primary, Secondary and Higher Education.
Closing date for applications is usually March. See website for details and application forms.
http://www.education.ie/home/home.jsp?pcategory="10900&ecategory="32241&language=EN"

Korea:

Sponored by the Korean Ministry of Education, Science and Technology the TALK scholarship invites undergraduate and graduate students to teach English in the Republic of Korea.

TALK: open to individuals who have completed 2 or more years of education at an accredited college or university. Participants also have the opportunity to learn the Korean language and participate in cultural programs. Term: 6 months or 1 year. Apply by June for Fall placement & December for Spring placement.

EPIK: Successful applicants conduct English conversation classes for Korean primary and secondary public school students. Applicants must: have completed a bachelors degree in any discipline; Be a citizen of a country where the national language is English.(i.e. Australia, Canada, New Zealand, U.K., U.S.A., Ireland, and South Africa); be fluent and proficient in the English language (Korean fluency is not required). Application form and details online.

Japan:

The JET Programme: Assistant Language Teacher (ALT): ALTs are placed mainly in publicly run schools or local boards of education, and engage in language instruction under the guidance of Japanese teachers of the foreign language. ALTs must be interested in the Japanese education system and in the Japanese way of teaching foreign languages, and must be interested in working actively with students.Irish applicants must hold a Bachelor’s degree in any subject by the July before departure. Download an application form here also contains further details. Application deadline usually November/December.

Vietnam:

ILA Vietnam take on CELTA qualified teachers. Also offer a Study and Teach programme which begins with a 4 week CELTA course followed by a 9-12 month teaching contract.

Other countries:

Check out our social bookmarking page: delicious.com/careersinfo for more links.

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Where can I find out more?

The Career Development Centre has resources available to reference in the Information Room (just call in between 9-5 Mon-Thurs or 11-5 Friday):

• Teaching English Abroad (book - details English schools by country along with requirements for teaching).
• Guide to English Language Teaching (book)
• Working in English Language Teaching (book)
• Teach Abroad (file - with advertising brochures from groups offering teaching opportunities or short courses)

For country specific help including CV advice see http://www.goinglobal.com/ 

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Details were correct at time of writing - November 2011. The Career Development Centre offers advice and information in good faith and based on the best information available to it. The Service does not accept any responsibility for any decisions made by individuals based on such advice or information. The Career Development Centre does not take responsibility for the contents of any sites linked to from its pages.
Please check with individual universities before applying for courses.

 

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