Frequently asked questions

Frequently Asked Questions Select one of the following faqs: Is this TOEFL? Is the certificate or diploma recognised? What is the Language Proficiency Test about? What if I fail the Language Proficiency Test? Are the fees refundable? What kind of people do your course? Will I be able to do the assignments? Can anyone teach English as a Foreign Language? Do I have to have English as my first language? I have an accent: Is that a problem? How do I pay? Can I pay by credit card? Can I pay in instalments? Will it help me get a job? How can I find work abroad? How is your course different from RSA Cambridge CELTA and Trinity TESOL? Do I have to complete the course in a set time? When can I start? How do I enrol? Can you explain the registration process? How will I receive my materials? Should I be using the British or American system of spelling? Do I need to sit for the Language Proficiency Test? Can I register through Firefish Linguistics although I am not from Southeast Asia? What is 'AO' Level English? Is this TOEFL? No. TOEFL stands for Test of English as a Foreign Language. Essentially, it is a test to gauge your standard of English and used as an entrance requirement to US colleges and universities. TEFL/TESOL/TESL are fields of studies that teach teachers how to teach English. For more information about TEFL, click here. Is the certificate or diploma recognised? Yes, they are recognised. Many of our graduates have little problems finding jobs overseas. Click here for their testimonials. What is the Language Proficiency Test about? It is a test to gauge your standard of English and whether you are suitable to be a student. It will test you on your grammar, vocabulary and essay writing. You are required to take and pass the test if you do not have a GCE 'A' or 'AO' Level pass in English. You will need to register in order to take it and pay the administrative fee as well. You will need to administer the test on your own after the test is sent to you via email. What if I fail the Language Proficiency Test? You have to retake it again until you pass. You will need to pay the administrative charges every time you reapply. Are the fees refundable? No, the fees are not refundable. What kind of people do your course? All kinds! They range in age from 18 to over 60, and come from a variety of backgrounds. Most people who do the course are at the beginning of their TEFL careers although some have a few months of experience and several have been teaching for over a year and do our course as a prelude to doing a higher qualification. Will I be able to do the assignments? The assignments are short or medium length essays and a good standard of written work is expected. However your tutor will help and make suggestions if you are having difficulties. People who have been out of education for some time may lack confidence initially but usually do well once they've taken the plunge. Your educational background is largely irrelevant although if you intend working outside your country you may need a degree in order to get a work permit. Can anyone teach English as a Foreign Language? If your spoken and written English is of average standard you should be able to teach EFL. Some people may feel they are too shy to teach but this can be overcome; indeed many people are astonished at how much more outgoing they become after a spell in the classroom. Do I have to have English as my first language? No. You need to be competent in English but it's not necessary to be a native speaker. Past students of this course include people whose first language is Japanese, Korean, Chinese, Urdu and Spanish. I have an accent: Is that a problem? No. Surprisingly most students cannot distinguish between accents. In Japan, students often assume you're American unless told otherwise. Regional accents cause few if any problems...if you can be understood by other native speakers you will be understood by your students. How do I pay? For Singaporean registrants, you can pay by local cheques drawn in Singapore dollars. For foreign registrants, please use telegraphic transfer. Please email us for details. Can I pay by credit card? Not yet. Our secure server is not ready yet for credit card transactions Can I pay in instalments? No. The fees are payable in full Will it help me get a job? People who take our course have a high success rate in interviews. Most participants find jobs shortly after completion. After completing the course you should be able to converse in an informed way about most issues relating to TEFL. However, at the end of the day, it is your teaching passion that counts. How can I find work abroad? Your tutor will advise you on this and will be able to put you into contact with potential employers. All participants on the course are notified of vacancies which might interest them. We also advise on CV's and interview techniques. The course includes a section on finding work. How is your course different from RSA Cambridge CELTA and Trinity TESOL? The RSA Cambridge CELTA and Trinity TESOL require you to have real classroom experience whereas our courses is online in nature and do not require you to have real classroom experience. Do I have to complete the course in a set time? No. Your tutor may contact you if you fail to send in assignments for a couple of months but there is no pressure and you can take as much or as little time as you need. When can I start? You can begin the course as soon as we receive your full payment. How do I enrol? Register here. Can you explain the registration process? The registration process can be summarised in the following: 1. Student registers (online or mail). 2. Student sends cheque with photostated copy of certificate (if applicable). 3. Student receives confirmation by email from Firefish Linguistics. 4. Student receives introductory unit from his/her personal UK tutor. How will I receive my materials? You will receive your materials (in Adobe Acrobat format) as email attachments which can be read onscreen or printed at your convenience. The Adobe Acrobat Reader software is required to read the email documents. The software is free and can be downloaded by clicking this link. You are required to have an email account where has sufficient space so that we can send the email attachments to you. Should I be using the British or American system of spelling? You can use either system of spelling but the system of spelling must be consistent throughout the assignment. Do I need to sit for the Language Proficiency Test? Yes, if you are from the Southeast Asian region. This is because the standard of English varies widely and to ensure a high level of standard, Norwood English requires all potential students to take and pass the Norwood English Language Proficiency Test before commencing on the courses. Those who possess a GCE 'A' or 'AO' Level or equivalent pass in English will be exempted from the Proficiency Test. Can I register through Firefish Linguistics although I am not from Southeast Asia? Yes, but we will send you to Norwood English directly. What is 'AO' Level English? 'AO' Level English is essentially General Paper taken in junior colleges in Singapore and English at Sijil Tinggi Persekolahan Malaysia (STMP) level in Malaysia.