UK - TEFL Review by Ryna, April 25, 2010

Having recently completed a weekend TEFL course through UK-TEFL, I would just like to say it was an absoloutely worthwhile and great experience! The course was structured very well, the tutor was friendly, informative and very helpful! There were approximately 19 students on this particular course, they were absoloutely wonderful, friendly, talkative and we all worked very well together.

I am now in the process of applying for jobs abroad. I contacted UK-TEFL after the course in order to be placed in a teaching post abroad (hopefully). They are prompt in replying and most friendly! Hopefullyy through this, I shall be able to find a job abroad, fingers crossed.

For anyone wanting to complete this course, i’d definitely recommend it! It was great and I met some lovely people :o)

UK - TEFL Review by Andy Irving, July 7, 2010

The Course was amazing the trainers name was Steve and i think he was brilliant in every way. Made all feel wlecome and i am from a totally non teaching background.

If you want my advice go for it

UK - TEFL Review by Maddies, March 24, 2011

Recently completed the three day course in Cambridge. There was 20 in the group, of varying abilities. Some of the group had never taught before or even thought they would have the courage to stand in front of a class of peers and present a short teaching practice, but they did.

This was due to the excellent tutor, she made sure she reached every learner to get the most out of them.

I highly recommend this course to anyone that wants to gain confidence, friends and most of all how to Teach English as a Foreign Language.

UK - TEFL Review by BarbaraF, October 4, 2011

The course is interesting but it doesn’t lead to any job opportunity.
I applied for many vacancies they had on their website but after requesting some documents they never came back to me.

From last month they also started this VIP JOBS CLUB VACANCY, you have to pay to actually be able to apply for the vacancies they advertise.

If you really want to teach abroad better choose a more reliable and professional company.

UK - TEFL Review by lowe, December 5, 2011

If you are completely new to teaching then a weekend course will offer just about a rudimentary ‘taster’ session before taking a recognised qualification. However, weekend course will hardly scratch the surface of English Language Teaching and in my opinion will not properly prepare you for teaching. You may be better off saving your £££ put this towards an internationally recognized qualification (see below).

Cambridge CELTA or Trinity CertTESOL both cover the basics of what you need to become a teacher of English as a Second Language. Both are Level 4, externally validated and include teaching practice with real students from different backgrounds (you get to teach 2 different levels, e.g. Intermediate and Advanced) Most other courses do not cover all these and are not recognised by the British Council.

I enrolled on a UK - TEFL weekend course a year ago and completed it gaining an alleged internationally recognised Certificate (which I do not believe is the case).

That said I recently completed the Cambridge CELTA and would thoroughly recommend it without hesitation!

In short my advice is if you are serious about gaining an an internationally recognised teaching English qualification only consider either the Cambridge CELTA or Trinity CertTESOL. DONT WASTE YOUR MONEY ON ANY OTHER COURSE!

Good luck!

UK - TEFL Review by Ms. M., January 4, 2012

I did a 2-day Advanced UK TEFL course in November 2011. I already have some TEFL experience and basic training, and a PGCE too - but my skills are quite rusty. I wanted a refresher course, and to see what was new in the TEFL world. I was very impressed with the tutor’s enthusiasm, and with how much she packed into two days.

You need to know what you want to get out of these short TEFL courses. Do your research! Some countries don’t require CELTA-level qualifications. Some employers will train you on the job (especially if they have their own preferred ‘method’) but doing a 2 or 3-day course will give you some idea of what’s in store, and it might make your CV a bit more attractive. If you’re already a qualified school teacher, you should know about classroom management already, so you might only need to get up to speed with basic TEFL principles in order to find a job. You might want to concentrate on giving private lessons, or volunteering, which don’t require extensive qualifications.

Obviously, if you want to get a paid TEFL job anywhere in the world, and have the pick of the best jobs, or you want a long term career in TEFL, a CELTA is the best thing. But CELTAs are very expensive, so you need to be quite committed, and have a clear plan of action.