certification to teach Chinese: TCFL issued by IATCSOL

[bailing]

hi!

I am interested in earning a certificate as teacher of Chinese.

Anybody knowing about TCFL issued by IATCSOL (http://www.tcsol.us/)?

They run training programmes in several Chinese cities and abroad; their certification is recognized by EDI.

Is this organization reliable?

I have heard of several certifications which are actually fake (IPA, ICA etc)

Any feedback would be really appreciated!

Thank you!

Bai Ling

[sammiekong]

This is an old post already, but i have been looking for information about TCFL also and would like to share with those who are interested in this.

 

I learnt also many of the certificates are actually just expensive paper. (For information: http://chinesecertificates.com/teaching/work-in-usa)

 

For TCFL, i didn't get any reliable information so far. But i check WHOIS RECORD of the website:

http://whois.domaintools.com/tcsol.us

 

We can see registrant of this  .us website (looks like something from U.S.A.)  is a Chinese, from Taiwan, hosting server is in Malaysia, but this website works for "IATCSOL is a non-profit organization registered with the Division of Corporations under the State Department of Delaware, USA.".

 

It doesn't smell good for me. But i don't know whether there other TCFL issued by other organization. I have found TCFL mentioned here:

 

http://www.moe.gov.cn/publicfiles/business/htmlfiles/moe/s3917/201007/91583.html

I don't think something "official" in/from China means anything bcs this certificated is mostly used overseas finally. But at least we can see from here "TCFL" is kind of official. Whether this is TCFL is the same one as from  IATCSOL is the question.

 

http://www.sheffield.ac.uk/postgraduate/taught/courses/sscience/eastasian/teaching-chinese-foreign-language-tcfl

If TCFL is a course from university, then the certificate should be issued by the university, rather than a non-profit organization, i supposed.

 

As for EDI, i checked and didn't find TCFL certificate is listed. But TEFL is listed...

http://www.ediplc.com/Qualifications_Search.asp

 

 

[jinshui]

 

I am a 15+ year experienced bilingual (native English and Mandarin) language teacher. I am looking at TCSOL as an endorsement to my experience, chiefly for the certification than the course itself. I am currently in Shanghai, have visited several language schools. The standards of teaching, in general low, is here, and foreign students report bad experiences due to either school's rigid system or the unqualified/ unmotivated teachers. It is sad and so i was encouraged some sort of standardized testing when i learnt about TCSOL. 

 

i did some extensive research, made many calls including and excluding the list on the TCSOL website, visited the schools, checked out the course material. Overall, it looked ok but the exorbitant rate and quality of training (i sat in a class and interviewed the teacher) is so-so. Many students also came from non teaching background which makes this course a "how to teach"  + "how to teach a foreign language" course.  i understand this is a new profession and an "open door" for a lot of Chinese nationals but unfortunately, the way the course is being promoted seems like a "money making" opportunity rather the stress on an occupation for someone who truly has a passion in going into this field.  Teachers are once the most revered in the Chinese society, more than doctors, judges, and other highly respected jobs. It is a shame to see how institutions are attracting students to enroll in TCSOL as a means to make big money or travel and NO emphasis on the true reasons that a Chinese language teacher ought to possess.  In addition, there are three level of TCSOL certification. When i inquired about the basic level, none of the schools could explain why they do not recommend it except dismiss that it is "not useful".  Maybe those who have no background in teaching should explore this level without investing 8000rmb on a course which they may or may not end up finding it useful?  just an idea.

 

Part of the high course fees go toward the certification.  I learnt that however, the double certification has since ceased beginning of 2015. Many of the schools i called have stopped offering this course since 1 or 2 years ago because of lack of response. Those who are still offering the course now only award the TCSOL cert (without Pearson EDI's endorsement  so no more TCFL certificate) upon graduation. the course fees remain the same.  This created a uproar especially for those students who enrolled toward the end of 2014 whose double certs are now in jeopardy as they will likely be graduating with only one cert.

 

 

After extensive research, one of the schools admin who was honest to inform me that a reason for the Pearson EDI cert no longer available is because TCSOL past the deadline to "renew their licence with Pearson".  I have no way to verify this. Does anyone has any more information about this?

In addition, the same person told me that China ministry of education is planning to start a brand new certification (HanBan has stopped for 6 years?). If that happens, according to this person, the TCSOL will not be as recognised as the new cert.

Again, does anyone have any info on this news?

[sammiekong]

Late, but for reference:

http://mp.weixin.qq.com/s?__biz=MjM5NDI1MDI0MA==&mid=212031991&idx=1&sn=4d37d320443272dc2a83bfb0dde80b59#rd