The Truth About Cheap Online TEFL Courses - What SHOULD You Look For In A TEFL Certification?

In this video we discuss the truth about cheap online TEFL courses and how it will impact your ability to secure employment as an ESL teacher, whether it's teaching abroad or online and what you should be looking for in a TEFL certification:
0:00 Start
0:13 Why this video needs to be made
2:43 Types of TEFLs & price ranges
4:38 Important TEFL course features
9:04 Why they can't be good
10:32 Are they okay for online teaching?
12:58 And in-person teaching jobs?
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Пікірлер: 135

  • @charlottemkhize
    @charlottemkhize Жыл бұрын

    wow I really didn't know all the things involved in tefl prep great great video thank you

  • @Millen_Lamas82
    @Millen_Lamas82 Жыл бұрын

    I am still struggling with my TESOL under Coursera/ASU and I did apply for financial aid. Simply take it for additional knowledge...I learned a lot from it though.

  • @VietnamTravelGuide.
    @VietnamTravelGuide.2 жыл бұрын

    Oh, I like your share, it's very helpful

  • @quirkytravelswithjess7080
    @quirkytravelswithjess70802 жыл бұрын

    Definitely a CELTA opens doors for new teachers, at least that was my experience in Thailand and later in Saudi Arabia and China. Kinda suprised you didn't mention the CELTA as the best type of TEFL certification going, if your intentions are truly to help people create skills in teaching and have opportunities. In your particular case, I'd focus on the connections that your business likely offers teachers in Vietnam- I assume you help them after their certification to actually find a viable role in Vietnam- that is your key selling point and how you differ from other more internationally focused programs.

  • @josef2158

    @josef2158

    2 жыл бұрын

    Certificates have no value in Vietnam. Teachers now need a degree in a relevant discipline and at least 3 years of experience to qualify for legal employment.

  • @nineseven420empire3

    @nineseven420empire3

    2 жыл бұрын

    @@josef2158 lol

  • @dethamdiddler8723

    @dethamdiddler8723

    2 жыл бұрын

    Of course he's not going to mention the CELTA. Anyone who isn't clueless would get an internationally recognized CELTA over a "Ninja Teacher" certificate that costs about the same.

  • @thepowerman8952

    @thepowerman8952

    2 жыл бұрын

    @@dethamdiddler8723 Why the snotty attitude? They've been around 7 years now, have a good training setup, good reviews, and find their graduates jobs. And I've read CELTA (adults) is not so good in certain countries, where most of the jobs are with young learners.

  • @ktowniecity7269

    @ktowniecity7269

    9 ай бұрын

    bahaha. there are russians that speak barely any english that get teaching jobs cause they are white and decent looking while there without a degree that came from the army and their only experience is carrying a rifle@@josef2158

  • @adambiggs1691
    @adambiggs16912 жыл бұрын

    Is a 140h online TEFL course worth it? After such I will be looking for an internship to Vietnam in order to learn practically how to teach.

  • @hamzatariq8
    @hamzatariq82 жыл бұрын

    Hello! I have done master in English i want to get a job in a school of UAE i have 4 year experience in my home country but UAE must required b.ed for Asian people to get a job in school if we have done TEFL course the UAE school accept the course or not???

  • @TuwanaVining
    @TuwanaVining2 жыл бұрын

    The online TEFL offered by Ninja Teacher covers most, if not all of the points you mentioned in your video. From what I've seen so far, it's very organized and thorough. I'm sure I'll still want to invest in the in-class TEFL in the future since I have social anxiety. Thank you for the informative video, Alex!

  • @NIPU6
    @NIPU62 жыл бұрын

    I am a non-native speaker. can I get an English teaching job in china /Vietnam through this course?

  • @jamiefox3205
    @jamiefox320511 ай бұрын

    Hi Alex! I recently signed up to the Irish Tefl Academy's Level 5 course. Are you familiar with this course, and if so, how legitimate or good is it? Have you accepted people with this course or have you encountered people who have done the course and gone on to get good teaching jobs abroad? Thank you!

  • @yanas5394

    @yanas5394

    5 ай бұрын

    I am a poor englsh teacher ftom india.i can pay you after getting salary in virtnam or anyother country.kevin

  • @MylesGmail
    @MylesGmail Жыл бұрын

    Thank u!!!

  • @TerryFreak389
    @TerryFreak3892 жыл бұрын

    In my own experience, the online certificate that i took last year was merely theory and nothing else. I just finished a four week + practicals programme and though it was hectic, it was in-depth and discussed all the important aspects of a TEFL certificate. And the Lesson Plan! oh my, that is hectic but very beneficial i must be honest. Thank you for all this Alex...

  • @alltruth881

    @alltruth881

    Жыл бұрын

    Can you share a link of the course you completed? Thanks in advance

  • @zoubiryasmina6570

    @zoubiryasmina6570

    Жыл бұрын

    Can you please tell me how much did you pay for your course and share more details about it??

  • @nolanaug

    @nolanaug

    Жыл бұрын

    Where did you do the practicals?

  • @ktowniecity7269

    @ktowniecity7269

    9 ай бұрын

    Its going to be at least 2,000$-3,000$ like the celta which givers you a chance teaching to volunteers a few times a week for 6 weeks.@@zoubiryasmina6570

  • @misosouperman

    @misosouperman

    8 ай бұрын

    This is so frustrating please tell the course you took, also since it's be awhile please tell how it's been going.

  • @allan9936
    @allan99362 жыл бұрын

    Hi I do not hve a degree plse advise on this fr online teaching english

  • @breathe8214
    @breathe82145 ай бұрын

    Do you have a teaching English to young learners course?

  • @ferrynice1976
    @ferrynice19762 жыл бұрын

    I´m a non native english speaker no experience in teaching and I want to start a TEFL course. I have been looking at a lot of tefl course providers. After watching this video I took a look at your website to see the course because the things you stated all sounds very logical to me. If I decide to take your 120 hours TEFL course, is there a time limit to finish the course?

  • @BowlerTheHatGuy

    @BowlerTheHatGuy

    2 жыл бұрын

    Take the one provided by official Cambridge website.

  • @aarushichachra5970

    @aarushichachra5970

    Жыл бұрын

    @@BowlerTheHatGuy Could you share the link please?

  • @ktowniecity7269

    @ktowniecity7269

    9 ай бұрын

    CELTA@@aarushichachra5970

  • @Malini108
    @Malini1082 жыл бұрын

    Does the TEFL certification hold weight even if one doesn't have a BA for online or in person in Thailand jobs?

  • @nothingbutcash

    @nothingbutcash

    2 жыл бұрын

    Yes . It can mean getting hired at Thai private school instead of government which means more money, nicer schools, and higher proficient students. But no difference for international schools. :)

  • @abdulghafar4314
    @abdulghafar4314 Жыл бұрын

    sir which cost on TEFL cource from pakistan I am in pakistan i like the tefl cource

  • @Roseanng57
    @Roseanng572 жыл бұрын

    Do I need to speak the students’ language (ex Spanish) in order to teach English? And do I need a bachelors degree? Thanks

  • @Lucy-ny4gs

    @Lucy-ny4gs

    Жыл бұрын

    You don't need to know the language and most countries expect a degree but you'd have to check with the specific country you want to go to

  • @humerahumera8842
    @humerahumera88427 ай бұрын

    Which one is better CELTA or TEFL?

  • @naseermak4357
    @naseermak4357 Жыл бұрын

    Hi Ninja Teacher, I am an English teacher from India. I have 8 years of offline teaching experience and 2 years of online teaching experience. I was to get TEFL certificied so that I can teach on online teaching platforms. Kindly suggest me some best platforms for this.

  • @daphne3631

    @daphne3631

    8 ай бұрын

    Same here. I am also an English teacher who is looking for a TEFL certificate

  • @am7677
    @am76772 жыл бұрын

    Bro tefl universal is fake?

  • @thebestofthebest7220
    @thebestofthebest72202 жыл бұрын

    Hello, do you know anything about international TEFL and TESOL Ltd? Their courses are surprisingly very cheap ($95). I'm questioning their credibility ..

  • @ninja.teacher

    @ninja.teacher

    2 жыл бұрын

    There are probably hundreds of budget TEFL companies out there nowadays. Refer to the points in the video on why you might want to consider a higher quality training. Up to you!

  • @aarushichachra5970
    @aarushichachra5970 Жыл бұрын

    Hello How can I get in touch with you?

  • @jamesrimes2870
    @jamesrimes28702 жыл бұрын

    well, to be honest non of those courses will guarantee you a job. And I also know quite a lot of teachers that never got certified, while making $4-5k a month.

  • @ninja.teacher

    @ninja.teacher

    2 жыл бұрын

    Nothing is guaranteed in life. :) But it sure as hell will increase your ability as a teacher which schools can recognize. I guess those people managed to get their foot in the door somehow and then got paid higher over time due to having experience. Everyone has to start somewhere and a good quality TEFL cert is the right place for a lot of people.

  • @easyrecipesanddeliciousfoo2954
    @easyrecipesanddeliciousfoo29542 жыл бұрын

    👍👍👍Nice video!

  • @markshaw1629
    @markshaw16292 жыл бұрын

    I know several people who got work using the cheap courses. It wasn't hard at all.

  • @ktowniecity7269

    @ktowniecity7269

    2 жыл бұрын

    ...and who aren't native speakers. Lots of Russians teach in Vietnam, and have passable, at best, English

  • @donjuan3524

    @donjuan3524

    2 жыл бұрын

    Interesting, do you know which course they chose?

  • @unreal0bsession

    @unreal0bsession

    7 ай бұрын

    I also know someone that took an online course based in the UK and she got the job in Italy. I think she paid 450 euro.

  • @zeldagamer77777

    @zeldagamer77777

    6 ай бұрын

    can you tell us which course did they choose plz ?

  • @zeldagamer77777

    @zeldagamer77777

    6 ай бұрын

    ​@@unreal0bsessionwhat kind of online courses did she take plz 🙏

  • @thereal_ja_family
    @thereal_ja_family2 жыл бұрын

    I am from Nigeria and English is my official language (lingua franca) and I studied English language education in my first and second degree can a 120TEFL certificate suffice? I want to begin an online teaching ?

  • @ninja.teacher

    @ninja.teacher

    2 жыл бұрын

    Most Asian governments only designate countries like US, UK, Canada, Australia etc as Native English Speaking countries. It's usually a lot more difficult to secure a job if you're not from one of these countries (especially online jobs).

  • @ahmednassar7386

    @ahmednassar7386

    2 жыл бұрын

    you can start teaching for Cambly . they dont require certificate . jut to be a native .

  • @neoninomofokeng3184

    @neoninomofokeng3184

    Жыл бұрын

    @@ninja.teacher and South Africa.

  • @loumac9312

    @loumac9312

    3 ай бұрын

    Preply!

  • @loumac9312

    @loumac9312

    3 ай бұрын

    You will definitely get work online once you know how to market yourself well!

  • @dianneroy3208
    @dianneroy32082 жыл бұрын

    Are the cheaper ones ok if you are only going to teach online since you have no degree?

  • @ninja.teacher

    @ninja.teacher

    2 жыл бұрын

    Watch the section on online teaching. I think it's going to be even more important to have effective skills moving forward with tall the changes happening in the online teaching market.

  • @JD-hb5zc

    @JD-hb5zc

    2 жыл бұрын

    That's what I do. I have no degree plus my disability prevents me from teaching in class. It works.

  • @XcottBoicalledxcott

    @XcottBoicalledxcott

    2 жыл бұрын

    @@JD-hb5zc do you get paid enough from teaching online ?

  • @alwayslearning7672
    @alwayslearning76722 жыл бұрын

    I think is stupid that countries need a Degree to start teaching English. Why? I mean, how does a degree in fashion design help or some other Degree in a non related topic?

  • @lpoolfc4879

    @lpoolfc4879

    2 жыл бұрын

    I have a degree, but I agree. Unfortunately we live in a stupid world where money is the currency, not common sense. Don't ever let not having a degree stop you from becoming an English teacher abroad. There's always a way around it.

  • @sabinarodgersseifert8236

    @sabinarodgersseifert8236

    Жыл бұрын

    Exactly. Germany, where I live, is so degree focused that they’d rather hire someone with an unrelated degree than someone with relevant experience or talent but no degree 😢

  • @lpoolfc4879
    @lpoolfc48792 жыл бұрын

    Why do the in-person courses cost so much, Alex? Especially when accommodation is not even included.

  • @ninja.teacher

    @ninja.teacher

    2 жыл бұрын

    It takes a lot of resources to pay for office space, a full-time teacher trainer to run 4 weeks of full day training, pay support staff and cover other overhead expenses. What you get, though, is invaluable immersive practical training and come out feeling confident to be an effective ESL teacher. That's very hard to achieve with an online course.

  • @MyLifeThai371

    @MyLifeThai371

    Жыл бұрын

    I've noticed that too. I had originally been planning on getting my TEFL in person in Bangkok, but they wanted $1400. I thought that was very expensive for a low cost country. My friends just did their TEFL at their local University in Canada and only paid $1000.

  • @MyLifeThai371

    @MyLifeThai371

    Жыл бұрын

    I'm leaning toward the $479 168 hour TEFL online and sometimes they have a discount that drops it down to $200. $200 seems the most practical to me, since they said there is no guarantee they will pass you. You would be out of $1400 if you fail the class.

  • @alwayslearning7672
    @alwayslearning76722 жыл бұрын

    I've seen Groupon Tefl discounted from $315 to $39. I personally would see such an offer as a scam.Why would they reduce their price so much? Seriously, anyone who thinks that such a big discount is valid is fooling themselves. You pay for what you get!

  • @naseermak4357

    @naseermak4357

    Жыл бұрын

    I enrollrd for 39$ TEFL COURSE but realized later on that it was a scam

  • @gregnak07

    @gregnak07

    6 ай бұрын

    Not sure you understand how software works. You create the course one time and sell it as many times as you can. 39 dollars is better than 0 dollars.

  • @daywalker3735
    @daywalker3735 Жыл бұрын

    I just saw an ad for this TEFL course that was 20 dollars....whereas most of the ones I have seen are $150-$300 for the 120 hour course....so it really struck me as odd and kind of scammy.

  • @micahkim7443

    @micahkim7443

    Жыл бұрын

    I seen this one too, I thought it has to be too good to be true. I didn't click on it, but I was tempted lol

  • @daywalker3735

    @daywalker3735

    Жыл бұрын

    @@micahkim7443 yea just looking at the ad it seems legit, but......yea it's crazy how the cheapness is a big part of why I didn't buy it

  • @MyLifeThai371

    @MyLifeThai371

    Жыл бұрын

    People are saying that many places are no longer accepting the 120 hour TEFL which is level 3. They want the level 5 TEFL nowadays that is the 168 hour TEFL.

  • @Rachid-El-Bakkali
    @Rachid-El-Bakkali5 ай бұрын

    is this Certificate for free??

  • @Ayd2222
    @Ayd22222 жыл бұрын

    CIFA TEFL is the best by far! All the teachers are all native English 140h accredited course.

  • @m_lomby1972
    @m_lomby19724 ай бұрын

    how do i sign up for one of your tefl courses

  • @ninja.teacher

    @ninja.teacher

    4 ай бұрын

    On our website: ninjateacher.com 🙂

  • @shayb3853
    @shayb38532 жыл бұрын

    Would you say tefl universal is a good tefl to do?

  • @am7677

    @am7677

    2 жыл бұрын

    Hi. Tefl universal is fake?

  • @sweetness.shongwe6612

    @sweetness.shongwe6612

    2 жыл бұрын

    @@am7677 hey, did you manage to find out if TEFL universal is fake ?

  • @brandyandcoke6518

    @brandyandcoke6518

    Жыл бұрын

    @@sweetness.shongwe6612 hey man, is TEFL Universal fake?

  • @sheepshearer2705

    @sheepshearer2705

    7 ай бұрын

    Tefl Universal looks legit to me. Seems accredited by a British teaching board and I saw multiple positive reviews online

  • @brerrabbit4265
    @brerrabbit4265 Жыл бұрын

    Why is there not a single independent review on Ninja Teacher Academy. Shady..

  • @ninja.teacher

    @ninja.teacher

    Жыл бұрын

    Where are you looking? lol. We have over 100 five star reviews on independent review websites.

  • @brerrabbit4265

    @brerrabbit4265

    Жыл бұрын

    @@ninja.teacher But not one on KZread. Anyone can make a bunch of individual sites and give themselves great reviews. Don't be thick and don't think I am. I am trying to ascertain reliable, unbiased information about your course prior to enrollment and YT is my primary source for reviews. There is a review of every single TEFL course on KZread except yours. I would be a fool as to not wonder why that is.

  • @natashagilbert3
    @natashagilbert32 жыл бұрын

    Is it worth it getting a certificate if I don’t have a degree? Thanks

  • @ninja.teacher

    @ninja.teacher

    2 жыл бұрын

    You can teach in Cambodia, and some countries in South America, as well as some online teaching companies without a degree.

  • @natashagilbert3

    @natashagilbert3

    2 жыл бұрын

    @@ninja.teacher thanks I’ll check it out!

  • @lpoolfc4879

    @lpoolfc4879

    2 жыл бұрын

    @@ninja.teacher can also teach in Vietnam without degree. Maybe nit officially, but definitely possible.

  • @MyLifeThai371

    @MyLifeThai371

    Жыл бұрын

    "preply" is where people have been working as online ESL teachers with no bachelors degree.

  • @alien4422
    @alien44222 жыл бұрын

    Any TEFL course is cheap in comparison to the prices you charge! You're robbing people blind. My UK based course was certified and a fraction of what you're charging. Also, you're based in Vietnam which means that your running costs have got to be cheaper than if you had been based in the UK.

  • @stefanmansukhani8797

    @stefanmansukhani8797

    2 жыл бұрын

    Which one?

  • @davman115

    @davman115

    2 жыл бұрын

    @@stefanmansukhani8797 Use your brain and Google.

  • @stefanmansukhani8797

    @stefanmansukhani8797

    2 жыл бұрын

    @@davman115 @Alien did not mention which UK based course he had taken. I was just asking and of course I've google searched (with my brain in control).

  • @alien4422

    @alien4422

    2 жыл бұрын

    @@stefanmansukhani8797 I posted a link and it was deleted. I also posted the name of the company and it was also deleted.

  • @davman115

    @davman115

    2 жыл бұрын

    @@stefanmansukhani8797 Alien is my other account. I can't tell you the company name without it being deleted. But the company has an office in Newcastle and most of these companies have TEFL in their name. It's not rocket science. I'm limited in what I can post because it obvious that they don't want me to name the competition. So you need to do your own home work.

  • @JorgeLourenco000
    @JorgeLourenco000 Жыл бұрын

    I was looking for help on Tefl courses, and if I was mad about all these online scams, your video sure didn't help. It checks all the boxes on the marketing scale of selling a product online. I'm out.

  • @meenakshys6224
    @meenakshys62243 ай бұрын

    Is TEFL Xpert legit??

  • @tytraulich4987
    @tytraulich49872 жыл бұрын

    Is it best to start tutoring then teaching either online or in class? Hows it usually go? Ty

  • @ninja.teacher

    @ninja.teacher

    2 жыл бұрын

    If you mean getting some experience to add to your resume then yes, that is helpful when it comes to getting employment.

  • @tytraulich4987

    @tytraulich4987

    2 жыл бұрын

    @@ninja.teacher I mean is it better to get your certification overseas or online? US / Peru

  • @ninja.teacher

    @ninja.teacher

    2 жыл бұрын

    @@tytraulich4987 If you can afford it I'd always recommend a fully in-class course in the country you plan to teach in. It's the best training and gives you support and a community in the country.

  • @X-FILESCHILE
    @X-FILESCHILE6 ай бұрын

    CELTA is definitely overpriced....

  • @sabinnah11

    @sabinnah11

    6 ай бұрын

    I agree.

  • @dethamdiddler8723
    @dethamdiddler87232 жыл бұрын

    The TEFL certificate is merely a requirement to check a box to obtain a work permit. If you are a native speaker, have a degree and have ANY type of TEFL certificate (including these $20 Groupon ones or a napkin with "TEFL certificate" written on it in pen), then that is all you need. It is not rocket science to teach English to kids in Asia. If you actually care about learning how to teach, you can get a CELTA that is internationally recognized unlike your "Ninja Teacher Academy." However, with the implementation of Decree 152 in Vietnam, you now need a degree in education + three years of teaching experience outside of Vietnam in order to get a work permit as an English teacher. Perhaps some big English center chains are able to use their government connections to get around this, but this is the law now in Vietnam -- and as you likely know, the government can go after any of these English centers if they decide not to play by the written and/or unwritten rules. You need to stop being misleading and instead be honest about the situation in Vietnam. The TEFL industry in Vietnam is basically dead and it's not automatically/rapidly better as soon as COVID subsides. Anyone who is teaching in Vietnam now or plans to do so in the near future is at risk of becoming a begpacker.

  • @ninja.teacher

    @ninja.teacher

    2 жыл бұрын

    It is definitely not just a box to tick for employers in Vietnam. We've trained and placed over 1000 people in jobs in Vietnam so we know a thing or two about what employers want and they know the quality of a TEFL certification makes a big difference in the teacher's ability. As for directive 152 we keep in close contact with our network of schools and they still hiring teachers with a degree in any subject plus a TEFL. Laws and implementation of laws change regularly in Vietnam. Regardless, we're a TEFL training company. The English language learning market is a multi billion dollar industry and there will always be a demand for good ESL teachers around the world. That's the point of this video and while Vietnam and many other countries are going through a tough time, we will all adapt and find ways to move forward.

  • @ninja.teacher

    @ninja.teacher

    2 жыл бұрын

    Also, Vietnam is resilient. I don't buy into what you're saying about private English education being dead. It's continuing online and we're confident it will bounce back once the situation in Vietnam improves.

  • @elizabethrivera4320

    @elizabethrivera4320

    2 жыл бұрын

    That is correct!

  • @elizabethrivera4320

    @elizabethrivera4320

    2 жыл бұрын

    I also worked as a teacher in Vietnam for years and they literally don’t care whatsoever about your TEFL. There are even people using fake TEFLs that’s how much they don’t care.

  • @dethamdiddler8723

    @dethamdiddler8723

    2 жыл бұрын

    @@elizabethrivera4320 exactly. There are even people using fake degrees. That's how much they don't care.

  • @MyLifeThai371
    @MyLifeThai371 Жыл бұрын

    I just looked on "italki" platform to see if they are hiring ESL teachers. They have no openings.

  • @ESL-O.G.
    @ESL-O.G.2 жыл бұрын

    I'm a native speaker and I took a 140 hr online TEFL course. It took a couple months to finish and involved a lot of work! I would say it definitely helped me find work and become a serviceable teacher. Either take The Ninja Teacher's class or get a high quality TEFL!!! You're going to need it

  • @Katka_art

    @Katka_art

    11 ай бұрын

    Tefl Definitely is goid bit of work true.

  • @alihamzahdar
    @alihamzahdarАй бұрын

    Why can't cheap courses have good content. You are out of your mind. If you study in a British University it costs thousands of dollars but in china that Price is not even half. Chinese have better research.

  • @Ogre2011
    @Ogre20112 жыл бұрын

    First

  • @wtzan
    @wtzan2 жыл бұрын

    when you marry a vietnamese, you marry the family, so do I get to sleep with all the sisters??? teach them that Alex

  • @MyLifeThai371

    @MyLifeThai371

    Жыл бұрын

    I was just talking to one of my buddies that was born and raised in Thailand. He said Thai men do not send money home to support their wife's family. He also said that Thai men do not pay a dowry when they marry a woman who has already been married, because the dowry was already paid once. He said if you wouldn't do it in your home country, why would you do it here???

  • @washingtonrabsonpsalmist4832
    @washingtonrabsonpsalmist48326 ай бұрын

    i write TEFL exams for people...inbox so imbox i assist @everyone