FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
 
 
What’s the difference?
* TESOL? TEFL? TESL? TEAL? ELT? TESL?
   
Benefits of INTESOL International Singapore…
* Why INTESOL International Singapore and not one of the other numerous certification courses?
* Can I get a job without a TESOL certificate?
* Does INTESOL International Singapore provide trainees with an internationally recognized qualification upon successful completion of the course?
   
Do I need to…
* have a university degree?
* know the language of the country planning to teach in?
* be a native English speaker to take the course?
* have previous teaching experience?
* have knowledge of grammar?
* have a visa or work permit?
   
During the course…
* How much is the cost of living in Singapore?
* How much work is involved with the course?
* Who are the practice students?
* Who are the trainers?
* How will I be assessed?
   
After the Course...
* What will I receive after the course?
* When do schools hire?
* Will I get a job?
   
Apply for the Course...
* How do I apply?

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What’s the difference?

TESOL? TEFL? TESL? TEAL? ELT? TESL?

These acronyms are essentially all the same. They are terms used to describe the teaching of the English Language by English speakers to those that do not speak the language. The main difference is the country where the teaching takes place. TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Second or Other Languages) and TEFL (Teaching English as a Foreign Language) are standard terms for English language teaching in non-English speaking countries. TESL (Teaching English as a Second Language) and TEAL (Teaching English as an Additional Language) are normally related to English teaching among immigrant and refugee communities in English-speaking countries. TEFL and TESL are more frequently used in Europe as acronyms while TESOL and TEAL are more commonly used in North America.

Benefits of INTESOL International Singapore…

Why INTESOL International Singapore and not one of the other numerous certification courses?
If you want to teach English abroad, this is the program to choose. INTESOL International Singapore offers an accredited certification upon successful completion of the course.
The certificate awarded on successful completion of the course is recognized by the largest TEFL organization in the world; the British Council. INTESOL International Singapore's family of trainers hold high qualifications in TEFL training and years of experience. The course provides candidates with plenty of practical teaching hours teaching real students. The course is competitively priced and each student receives personalized attention.

Can I get a job without a TESOL certificate?
It is possible in a few countries to secure teaching jobs without the certificate, but this is becoming difficult, as people expect an acquired certification. Teachers who have accreditation with The College of Teachers are paid more.

Does INTESOL International Singapore provide trainees with an internationally recognized qualification upon successful completion of the course?
Yes, INTESOL International Singapore is accredited and recognized by the College of Teachers. Therefore, each trainee will be awarded the INTESOL Certificate in TESOL and the College of Teachers Certificate of Educational Studies in TESOL.

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Do I need to…?

have a university degree?

It is not required, but it is recommended to teach abroad. You should, however, hold qualifications for entry to higher education (tertiary level) in your home country. The course will accurately prepare you for teaching English, but due to the competitive nature of the business, a bachelor’s degree is looked upon favourably.

know the language of the country planning to teach in?
No. The INTESOL program trains teachers with the universally accepted Communicative Approach. Within this approach, English is spoken while taught in the classroom at all levels.

be a native English speaker to take the course?
No. Those applicants for whom English is a second language or foreign language must demonstrate competence in all skills in order to attend the course. There are some schools that prefer native English speakers, but not all.

have previous teaching experience?
No. INTESOL International Singapore provides each trainee with multiple chances to teach in front of real students and gain experience throughout the training.

have knowledge of grammar?
The course does cater to those that lack knowledge of grammar. There are grammar books that are recommended reading as well as a pre-course task. During the course we offer a high number of grammar input sessions.

have a visa or work permit?
INTESOL International Singapore encourages those that plan to teach abroad to check with the Embassy or Consulate of the country they wish to work in. The following website is recommended: www.embassyworld.com.

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During the Course …

How much is the cost of living in Singapore?
In Singapore, the cost of living is roughly 75% of the US.
Here are some typical prices listed in S$ (S$1 is approximately US$0.62)
One month rent in a shared flat, including utility bills: S$500
Lunch out: S$5.00
Public Transport per day: S$5.00

How much work is involved with the course?
The course is very intensive and requires a strong commitment by the student. One can expect to be in class for about eight hours a day along with a few hours of work at home. INTESOL recommends that trainees have no other personal or professional commitments outside the course during those four weeks of training.

Who are the practice students?
The students are normally Chinese speakers that attend these free classes of English with complete awareness that they will be taught by novice teachers. The class sizes vary, but will never exceed 14.

Who are the trainers?
A team of 2 – 3 trainers will support your course director. They will be responsible for leading input sessions and observing and supporting you through teaching practice. Trainers are all qualified to at least Diploma level and with experience in teaching and teacher training. Click here for more information on our team.

How will I be assessed?
The theoretical side of the course is module-based, each of which is graded and returned with comments. The modules submitted are continually assessed; there are no written examinations. Assessment on teaching practice is also continuous. On completion of the course, successful candidates are awarded certificates graded as follows:

A1 - Distinction
A2 - Excellent
B1 - Very good
B2 - Good
C - Pass

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After the Course...

What will I receive after the course?
After successful completion of the course, each applicant will receive the Certificate of Educational Studies in TESOL. The candidate also earns the INTESOL certificate. On top of that, a letter of recommendation is included with details of the candidate’s performance and achievement during the course.

When do schools hire?
Language schools hire teachers on an as-needed basis. This means that many schools hire year round. There are certain periods of time that many schools have vacancies to fill such as just after Christmas and New Years when some teachers do not return from holiday. Countries that are below the equator do a lot of hiring in February and March, which is when their autumn begins. In the Northern Hemisphere, September and March are the main times.

INTESOL International Singapore has a school that hires graduates as teachers.

Will I get a job?
Yes. Although the job search sometimes takes longer in Western Europe, graduates are successful finding jobs there. There are literally hundreds of language schools in most major cities abroad, as well as schools located in smaller towns, that are constantly looking for TEFL certificate qualified English teachers. Within two to three weeks of conducting a serious job search the majority of students secure work. Prior to graduation we conduct job workshops to prepare you for your job search. Job guidance is a service we offer to our graduates for a lifetime. So, when you are ready to move onto another teaching position in another country, simply contact us for assistance.

Apply for the Course

How do I apply?
You will need to fill up the application form which could be downloaded here.

Unanswered Questions
Write to us at: js@poweract.com.sg

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INTESOL is a Centre of the College of Teachers that provides accredited courses and abides by its Code of Practice.

 


BEWARE! There are many organisations worldwide offering unaccredited courses. Invest your money wisely and do not register for an unaccredited course.
Read our note on accreditation.

 
   
   
   
   
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