- What is the difference between TESOL, TESL and TEFL? What is CELTA?
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These terms refer to the same type of course.
TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages)
TEFL (Teaching English as a Foreign Language)
TESL (Teaching English as a Second Language)
CELTA (Certificate for English Language Teaching to Adults) is a TESOL course from London, and is basically a brand name.
- Can I teach in other countries?
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Upon graduation we give you 2 diploma certificates. One for job applications in China and one for other countries. Both are issued by Will-Excel Global Inc. (Canada) but the one for the Chinese job market is also certified by the Heilongjiang Education Bureau.
Our courses exceed international standards of Course Instruction and Teaching Practice. Therefore, you can use your diploma to apply for jobs around the world.
- What are the course fees?
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The total cost of the course is US$1500, with two methods of payment, either sponsored or self-funded.
Sponsored participants: The only fee that you will pay is the US$200 non-refundable registration fee. Your Sponsor school is sponsoring your
TESOL Diploma and therefore they will pay the remaining $1300 directly to us over your teaching term. The minimum salary amount listed above and
the salary amount offered to you with an offer of sponsorship are net of TESOL sponsored tuition. Therefore, the monthly salary amount you are
offered is the amount you will receive each month. You do not pay any TESOL fees from this salary amount.
Self-funded participants are responsible for paying their own tuition fees ($1500 USD). This can be done in two ways:
- Option #1: $500 registration deposit and $1000 before the course begins. You are issued a TESOL certificate upon completion of the first month of training.
- Option #2: $500 registration deposit, $250 before the course begins and 6 monthly payments of $125 once you begin teaching. You are issued a letter of completion that states that you have completed the training portion of our program. This letter is used to help you procure your first job. A certificate/diploma is issued once all tuition payments have been received.
- Where will I live?
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All of our teachers share free, furnished apartments throughout their month of training in Harbin which includes free utilities and internet. Upon
arrival, you pay a ¥50 RMB (~US$7) key deposit which is returned when you return your keys and depart to begin your teaching term.
You will have free accommodation throughout your teaching term at your sponsor school. (Details provided with sponsorship offer.)
- What will I eat?
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Throughout the month of training, we provide lunch and dinner on site, free of charge. Of course you can choose to prepare your own meals at home or
eat at local restaurants.
- What will my healthcare be?
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We do not provide medical coverage during your month of training. If you want health coverage during this month, you can arrange to either purchase
travel insurance from home or Chinese health insurance once you arrive in Harbin.
Throughout your teaching term, your sponsor school offers medical coverage. (Details provided with sponsorship offer.)
- What is the state of healthcare in China?
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Medical care is good in China but staying in hospitals for any length of time is not very comfortable. Dental and vision care are very cheap.
Several of our teachers have chosen to get a lot of dental work done, while here, for a fraction of the Western cost. Prescription glasses are
also a fraction of the Western cost.
- How do I arrange my flight?
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Harbin has direct international flights from Russia, South Korea, Japan and Los Angeles. But most other flights connect through Beijing or Shanghai.
If you`re coming from the northern hemisphere don`t bother checking Hong Kong or Shanghai flights since it costs nearly as much to get from there to
Harbin as it costs to get there from the West. Coming through the southern hemisphere, most flights connect through Singapore, Hong Kong and Shanghai.
- Which vaccinations do I need?
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Most visitors get immunizations against tetanus, typhoid and diphtheria (a common shot that people get when they travel almost anywhere) plus most
people get a Hep-B vaccination since the disease is common in China. However, Hep-B needs 3 shots spaced over time so most people get it done after
arrival in China, if they want it. The Chinese government does not require any vaccinations. However, before you can get a working visa or a work
resident permit, you must have a health check. They check your general health but are primarily checking for Hep-B, TB, HIV and Syphilis.
- How much money should I bring?
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It`s easy to live on US$200 a month. Some people spend much more than necessary because they frequently go out to western-style bars and restaurants.
We recommend that you bring at least US$500 as it may be two months before you receive your first salary. We recommend that any money you bring with
you be in US cash. Bank cards can be used to make withdrawals from your Western account but not deposits. If you bring travelers checks, you will get
a slightly lower exchange rate. Basically everything is done in cash in China. Therefore, schools pay teachers in cash as well.
- How can I get a working visa?
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You will enter China either on a tourist visa or work visa. Once you begin your teaching term, this will need to be converted into a work resident
permit. Whether you apply for a tourist or a work visa depends on your sponsor school. (Details provided with sponsorship offer.)
You can apply for a 90 day visa at the nearest Chinese consulate or embassy. If you`re not close to one, there are companies that you can find
on-line which will process your application for you.
- What should I bring?
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There are no really essential items to bring since almost everything can be bought locally. 95% of new arrivals over pack. By the time people are
ready to return home, they have bought so much that they leave most of their original belongings behind. Some Western spices cannot be found and
most Westerners notice a small food item that they can`t locate. New shoes may be a worthwhile thing to bring. Good shoes in China are no cheaper
than in the West, the quality is often a problem and large sizes may be hard to find. There are only a couple brands of Antiperspirant. It`s good
to have a few small things from home to give as gifts to friends (dollar store type things). Coins or stamps from home are also good. See Harbin
Information on our web site for more packing ideas.
- Should I bring my own computer?
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Bring a laptop if you have one. You`ll find it useful and they are more expensive here. Don`t bring a full desk-top computer. They are too bulky.
If you are planning on making China your home for an extended period, you can leave your monitor and case at home and only pack the internal cards.
A new case and used monitor will have you up and running here at little cost. You can also buy a full desktop system here for about the same price as
in the West.
- What kind of students will I teach?
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All schools value flexible teachers since they are able to effectively deal with wide ranges of student ages and levels. Therefore during your month of
training you will teach students of a variety of ages and levels.
The exact type of students that you have during your teaching term will depend on the sponsor school that sponsors your diploma. (Details provided
with sponsorship offer.)
Classes mostly focus on oral English or using oral methods to teach underlying structure. Students in China tend to learn vocabulary and grammar in
their regular classes but cannot use what they have learned. This is the primary focus of our course.
- How will I get to class?
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We provide transportation to and from off-site classes during your month of training. Transportation during your teaching term depends on your sponsor
school. (Details provided with sponsorship offer.)
- Will I have course material to teach from?
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Yes. Text books and additional materials are provided. We also encourage teachers to blend current events and appropriate activities into classes whenever
possible. Some classes have a very specific curriculum to follow. This curriculum must be completed each class before any additional materials or
activities can be added. Although not required, some teachers bring materials with them that they find are particularly useful.
- What’s your dress code?
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Teachers are expected to dress professionally. That does not mean they must wear a suit and tie or a dress. They must look appropriate for an office
environment. They are expected to wear at least “business casual / smart casual”.
- Will I have any office work to do?
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Some sponsor schools have some office duties. (Details provided with sponsorship offer.)
Typical office duties consist of small administration duties, organizing special events such as English Corners, being responsible for some aspect
of the school such as updating a bulletin board, working on designing tests, developing or distributing questionnaires, etc. They may also include
doing marketing presentations or attending outside events to promote the school. If a teacher has a special ability such as ad design, computer skills,
etc. they may be asked to use office hours on related tasks. If your sponsor school has specific office duties beyond these, they will be outlined when
we offer you a position in our program.
- What will my schedule be like?
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The first four weeks will be a full-time intensive study term and you will teach your first classes early in your course. In addition to TESOL input
sessions, you will also have 17 hours of Chinese language classes, at least 10 hours of evaluated teaching practice, 30 – 40 hours of lesson preparation
(for each hour of teaching practice, new teachers generally spend 3 – 4 hours preparing a lesson plan), 10 hours of observing experienced teachers
(you may request to observe more classes if you like), plus time spent outside of class studying, working on professional development projects and
completing Chinese language homework.
During your teaching term, your teaching schedule depends on your sponsor school. Throughout your teaching term you will have 2 hours a week of
Mandarin language classes. Some teachers have a few heavy class days and more time off the rest of the week while others teach a little each day.
- What will I do in my spare time?
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Harbin is a large city with the same conveniences and entertainment venues available in the West: pool halls, bowling alleys, gyms, swimming pools, movie
theatres that show some of the biggest blockbuster movies in English, and a few bars that are frequented by many of the local Ex-pats. For entertainment
at home, many people download western TV shows or watch movies on DVD. Every movie and syndicated TV show is available on DVD, which are quite cheap
(less than US$1). Once you have settled in at your sponsor school, you can sign up for classes in Chinese painting, calligraphy, Kung Fu, Tai Chi, etc.
When you go out with Chinese friends, you will most likely go to a restaurant where you will eat, drink, chat and sing karaoke.
- Will I have internet access?
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During the month of training, you will have internet access on your apartment computer. During your teaching term, internet access options vary depending
on the sponsor school. (Details provided with sponsorship offer.)
- What are the holidays?
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There are two 5-7 day long national holidays each year, in February and October. There are also several other single-day holidays during the year. Whether
these holidays are paid or unpaid varies by school. Some sponsor schools also include additional holidays. (Details provided with sponsorship offer.)
- What places can I travel to?
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There are many scenic locations within a few hours of Harbin including summer getaway spots and winter ski hills.
Within an overnight train ride from Harbin: Beijing, Dalian (Seaside), or BeiDaiHe (Old section of Great Wall).
China is a big and diverse country. No matter where your sponsor school is located, there will be local scenic and historical places to visit. You may
take advantage of the 2 long national holidays each year for extended trips.
- Is Harbin a safe place to live?
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Harbin is a very safe city with little violent crime. Like most places, people recommend being careful in scarcely populated areas after dark and some
bars have bad reputations. However, pickpockets are common so keeping valuables out of external pockets is the rule. Except for the pickpockets,
Harbin`s crime rate is low.
- Why should I earn my TESOL abroad?
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Living abroad is an
Living abroad is an important aspect of learning to teach abroad and teaching experience with real language learners is required to assimilate the
materials that you are studying in your input sessions.
Many school managers have told us that newly arrived teachers seem as though they have not really taken a TESOL training course because they are
not prepared to start teaching classes. This is because their courses didn`t include real teaching experience.
In fact, most elements of learning how to teach, can only be learned after you teach your first couple classes. So, if you study for weeks or months
from texts and classes but have not yet taught real language learners, your time studying TESOL will not be well spent.
Just as a rocket can only be guided after it`s launched, a TESOL teacher can only begin to really learn after he/she has started teaching.
This is why it is not only important to study TESOL abroad, but to choose a program that includes substantial teaching practice with real language
learners.
- Why should I take the Will-Excel TESOL course?
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You earn a salary while you earn your TESOL Diploma.
When you finish our course you`ll have over 500 hours teaching experience, beginner-intermediate Mandarin, and your TESOL Diploma.
You would be wasting your time and money studying a TESOL course that gives little if any real teaching experience.
Our program includes the best TESOL course available plus: free food, free accommodations, free Mandarin lessons, and a paid teaching term.
See Apply Now for more information.
- I haven’t studied grammar in a long time? Is that a problem?
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You already have a superior understanding of grammar. You use it everyday when you speak.
We`ll teach you everything you need to know in order to teach grammar to all levels of students.
- Basic grammar terminology
- Tense and Time
- How to use Timelines
- Relative Clauses, Conditionals, Modal Verbs and Voice
- The Nine Basic Parts of Speech
- Sentence Diagramming
- English Lexicon across Borders
- Anticipating and Analyzing Common Chinese Errors
- TESOL Teaching Approaches, Methods and Techniques
- Can I get a job without a degree?
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Anyone can be a great teacher. All you need is:
- A love of learning
- A playful attitude
- Interpersonal skills
- A good energy level
- And the right TESOL training
Our Diploma meets the hiring requirements of many schools, so you will have many employment opportunities. Many schools hire our graduates without a
degree. However, some schools and universities also require a degree.
- How do I know if I am suitable?
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See Apply Now for more information.
- What opportunities are there for me after the course?
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Our sponsor schools regularly ask our graduates to extend their contracts after they have completed the teaching term. With these extensions come more income and other benefits.
Or you may choose to seek a teaching position with another school in another part of China.
Some of our graduates choose to leave China to teach in other countries. Our program prepares you for a world of opportunities.
Our parent company is also active in many business areas. If you are interested in pursuing a business opportunity, we may be interested in a joint venture or cooperating with you.
- What is sponsorship?
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Many participants are sponsored by Will-Excel TESOL sponsor schools. These schools pay your tuition fees on your behalf.
If you do not qualify for sponsorship, or if apply under our self-funded option, you may still participate in our program.
- I do not qualify for sponsorship. Can I still participate in the course?
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Yes. Providing you pass the application screening process, you can participate in our program through our self-funded option.
- What are the differences between the sponsored and self-funded options?
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The self-funded option is the same as the sponsored option in that it includes a 160-hour TESOL certification course, free accommodations throughout
the course (accommodations may be shared), free meals (lunch and dinner), transportation (when applicable), 17 hours of Mandarin Chinese classes, and
additional Mandarin home study materials. We also offer job placement assistance. Our goal is to find you a job before the course finishes. The main
differences are:
- Self-funded participants are responsible for paying their own tuition fees (US$1500).
- Self-funded participants are issued a TESOL certificate upon completion of the first month of training and receipt of all tuition fees. These
teachers can upgrade this certificate to a TESOL Diploma after they have taught 500 hours for which we have received student evaluations through their
employer.
- We send these teachers` application packages to over 100 partner schools throughout China as soon as they arrive in Harbin for training. As it is
the teacher`s responsibility to choose their own employer, they may also decide to apply to other schools with which they would like to work. Our goal
is to find these participants a job before the course finishes.
- What is the difference between your TESOL certificate and your TESOL diploma?
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Will-Excel TESOL issues both government accredited certificates and diplomas. Our Diploma signifies that you have not only completed the 160-hour TESOL
training course, but also have a substantial amount of teaching practice.
A certificate is awarded once you have completed the 160-hour TESOL training in Harbin and your TESOL tuition fees have been paid in full. Diplomas
are issued once you have taught 500 hours for which we have received your student evaluations through your employer.