i'M INTERESTED IN HEARING FROM TEACHERS TEACHING ENGLISH IN CHINA. WHAT SCHOOL DID YOU GO TO TO EARN YOUR TEFL CERTIFICATE/DIPLOMA? WOULD YOU RECOMMEND THEM?

I did some research and decided to get my TEFL online ( @ Bridge-TEFL). At first I was skeptical but I did some research and the course seemed to be very legit.I really wanted to try an online courses for a change and was VERY pleased with it. With the course I was given an online tutor who was very experienced and extremely helpful. I think for some it is hard to keep motivated taking an online course being that you are tempted to surf the net constantly; but if you think it is for you it is definitely worth it.

As far as a TEFL Certificate is concerned just make sure it is internationally recognized. The certificate is received is endorsed by some rather well know education programs.

Quite frankly all you really need is to be a native english speaker and have a Bachelors Degree (in anything). Without a Bachelors Degree you can't legally teach in a PUBLIC college/high school; it's a government rule. You CAN however work for any private school or organization.If you don't have a bachelors you should certainly get a TEFL or CELTA, it will make you a better teacher, help you get a better job (in private schools), and looks good on your resume.

Hope this helps : )

but what if I'm not a native speaker?

I am thinking of enrolling in a TEFL course here in Kunming and I am looking for feedbacks.
I know one training center have done a kind of contest on this forum and two people earned a free TEFL training there. How was it ?
And how long are those courses usually?

I attended the TEFL in Zhuhai, Guangdong for a 1 month course. I liked it very much and the staff was very well trained. The TEFL in Kunming is fairly new so I would not trust them.

thailand one month course full time and most evenings TP. CELTA learned lots. my online tefl was no where near as rigourous and online won't give you TP.

I got an online TEFL. I guess it is kind of informative for new teachers, but I had already been teaching for two years so I found it almost useless. The only reason I got it was because it made getting the Z visa easier.

I did my TEFL in London, but I know a couple of teachers who highly recommend a China-specific TEFL course based in Beijing. Not cheap, but very legit. I can get more info if anyone wants it.

Private Schools which arrange a work visa for their teachers DO need the applicants to have a "relevant degree, TEFL-type qualification and experience". Government rules, which have become much stricter of late.

@Ocean
I didn't think the degree had to be relevant? Most adverts state 'a degree in any field'

degree sbuject not relevant for efl teachers but needed for subject teachers e.g. maths economics sceince teachers.