Why I took up TESOL, though reluctantly

I didn’t take up TESOL until I felt it was all that’s left for me to do to finally get an employment abroad. In other words, napilitan na lang ako. And here are my honest reasons for not taking up TESOL earlier than I did :

1. I don’t want taking certifications just for the sake of….

When I study something, it’s always because I know so little and that there is so much more to know about it that will add value to my life. If I get a certification or an award for it, then that would be a cherry on top but never the goal. Well, clearly, the goal was to land a job abroad and while it’s no guarantee, having a TESOL certificate will definitely be an advantage. So that brings me to now “taking certifications just for the sake of” probably landing a job which has always been against my principles, if I may say.

2. I am a licensed teacher.

I studied education and passed the LET and so, why would I need another certificate? I have studied all of those teaching strategies and techniques. I know how to write good lesson plans and effectively execute them. I already know the principles of classroom management and philosophies of education. I don’t need this TESOL course.

3. I am already good at both using and teaching the English language.

I have been teaching English for the longest time. I may be even more experienced than some TESOL certified teachers or TESOL trainers. Just because I don’t have a TESOL certificate doesn’t mean I cannot teach English or that I am not doing it right. In the very same way, just because one has a TESOL certificate doesn’t mean he is a better teacher, let alone, a good teacher.

4. I don’t believe it would add any more value to my life.

Considering my education and experience, what else would I learn from this TESOL Programme aside from it being a nice decoration on my resume? Learn from other teachers, maybe. But, the last time I joined some training, I ended up as one of the resource people! Ako na nagbayad, ako pa nag-train!

5. It’s just another way of commercializing education.

Let’s face it! Requiring, preferring, and offering this certificate are nothing but a few more ways to commercialize education! It just doesn’t make sense why even a degree holder in English or Education or both needs to take this certificate! Not to mention, it’s Php18,000 – Php20,000!
I can’t be the only one with this kind of sentiment. I am quite certain of that because I have spoken with some friends and other ESL teachers. And so, I completely refused the idea of taking up TESOL. I focused on applying for ESL teaching job posts that did not require TESOL, though very clearly they, too, prefer TESOL certified teachers.
So, okay, I thought, “Let me try to convince myself.” Over and over again, I thought of my own reasons for not taking it. Then, I realized, “SYET! Ta@&^%*!a, ang YABANG ko!”
So, humble myself I did and guess what? I wasn’t any better than any of the trainers at all nor was I the best among my class. Most of the topics covered, I had already studied but forgotten so, it served as a refresher for me. Though not as much as someone who doesn’t have any background in teaching, there were still a lot for me to learn. Was it worth it? For a refresher, honestly, no. But, for that chance to land a job abroad, yes. Did I need TESOL to qualify for the job that I have now? No. But, undeniably, it is going to be an advantage in the event I decide to apply and teach at an eikaiwa or a school here in Japan.
If you do not have any background in education and you want to have a career in the ESL industry, Php18,000-Php20,000 for all there is to learn and that sought-after TESOL certificate that may land you a job abroad, it is worth every single penny. But I hope you bank not only on that certificate alone. You’ve got to continue learning. If you are already an experienced ESL teacher and you also share my old arrogant sentiments, it pays to be humble, you know. Consider it as another investment in yourself. To invest in yourself is the best investment of all.

Where did I take up my TESOL? At Claret. If anyone of you is interested, please fill out the form below. Cheers! 😉

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