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This is how our TEFL graduates feel they have gained from their course, and how they plan to put into action what they learned:
Online tefl courses vs onsite TEFL coursesOnline tefl courses and onsite tefl courses have the same goal in mind; training the students of the course to be most effective and most qualified English language teachers. The main difference is in the way the courses are taught.
As the name suggests, online courses are taught by way of distance learning through the use of internet. All the course materials are provided through online. All the assignments are submitted online. Any kind of communication is done through online. There is no physical presence of anything. There are many online tefl courses from many different organizations and companies. Some courses are certificate courses and others are diploma courses. Many courses are differentiated by the number of required hours and some are offered with tutor services as well.
On the other hand, onsite classes refer to teaching and learning in person, through physical presence. Just like online courses, there are many educational institutes worldwide offering onsite courses. There are weekend intensive courses, courses involving four consecutive weekends, and courses that are a month long. Many career colleges teach tefl courses which are often a semester long.
For both online and onsite courses, the length of the courses is directly related to the degree of in-depth coverage of the material, hands on experiences, and accreditation awarded, and of course, the cost.
There are advantages and disadvantages to these courses. However, what is perceived to be an advantage to one person may turn out to be a disadvantage to another. Both courses provide all of the basic theoretical and practical knowledge required to become a good TEFL instructor. We cannot say one is profoundly better than the other. Rather, the choice to take one course over the other depends on student?s personal needs and preferences and professional goals.
Onsite classes do have some tangible benefits that cannot be acquired from online classes. Many onsite class curriculums include actual teaching session of varying degrees as well as observed teaching practice sessions. The students have immediate responses and feedback from the instructors on the learning points. They can also collaborate with other students and make learning experience more effective. Onsite classes are often intensive courses. This means the students can complete the course within relatively short time frame.
These benefits, however, come at a higher cost in both time and money. The students have to be away from their work to take these onsite courses. As well, the courses are often quite expensive, considered a downside for many but can be a great motivating factor.
online courses on the other hand offer great flexibility. They are designed for busy people who may not be able to travel away from home or work. The courses can be taken at one?s own pace at any time and any place where there is internet access. The cost is much less expensive than that of onsite courses.
However, there are quite a few downsides associated with online courses. The online courses are more theory and no actual teaching in a classroom environment. There is no immediate feedback from instructors and no collaboration between students is available. Often, it is difficult to imagine a real situation from a theory.
So, what makes someone take online courses whereas others may take onsite courses? There are several factors that need to be considered. The primary reason for choosing online courses over onsite courses for most people is the cost factor. Then, there is a time factor, whether someone is able to get away from work or family obligation to study for a specific time. In other cases, there might be a definitive need to take an onsite courses. It may be a requirement of the institute that is doing the hiring. Or, one might just need to have hands on experience because he/or she is a novice teacher.
In conclusion, there is no best way to learn how to be a teacher. What is important is that there are different courses available for anyone to choose from. All that the student has to do is find one that is most suitable for him and his situation.
