I have some questions about getting TESOL or TEFL certification. I was thinking of applying to the Japanese Exchange Teaching Program. They do not require TESOL or TEFL but it is suggested (CELTA is not mentioned on the application). I have a degree and 4 years of working experience in engineering. I have tutored for middle school math and taught an adult computer class in the past and I will start this month tutoring at the adult literacy coalition. I am hoping that just an online TEFL or TESOL or combo might be okay if I have the experience in tutoring. Is this realistic? The application is due this month however but I will have a few months experience before I get to the interview (if I get to the interview).

I cannot seem to find a good online program though. Some of them claim to be certified by this or that but if you look up the organization its really mostly a marketing ploy by a group of organization. I do not know what the preferred quals or certs for Japan are, if they have them, does anyone have experience teaching in Japan or the JET program. Also if I do not get into JET I still plan on traveling and a good program could still help me a lot. I am certainly not spending the equivalent of several semesters worth of tuition on a TEFL or TESOL certificate though, that seems ridiculous as you are not going to necessarily make much money. I can volunteer teaching and get real experience and maybe even get paid peanuts or perks here while having a solid set of income and get real experience.

Thanks!