Pre-course information

Before you sign up for an ESL teacher training program in Cambodia, where AVSE-TESOL is based, or in any other country, you should gather as much pre-course information as possible. Does the provider embrace diversity? Is the program government-regulated in its country of origin? What’s included in the Service Agreement? What does the enrolment process involve? What kind of pastoral care and support will you receive — and when will it be available? How much time do you have to complete the course — one month, six months, a year?

Questions like these, and others, might seem tedious, but they’re important. You need to understand the full picture before parting with your hard-earned cash.

At AVSE-TESOL, we’re confident that the key questions prospective trainee ESL teachers should be asking are addressed on our website, but we genuinely welcome being challenged. Why? We want prospective customers to have the pre-course information they need to make an informed decision about whether our programs stack up and meet their individual needs.

Entry requirements

AVSE-TESOL offers two distinct ESL teacher training pathways: 1. an In-Class or Hybrid Australian Government-regulated TESOL qualification, and 2. the Teaching Jobs Abroad Program (TJAP). 

Here are the core entry requirements for both pathways.

In-Class or Hybrid TESOL program at AVSE

Core entry requirements include:

• a minimum age of 18 on the day the course starts (unless dispensation has been granted);
• proficiency in all aspects of English;
• the capacity to obtain an appropriate visa to enter Cambodia;
• a police/criminal record check from your home country showing that you haven’t been convicted of an offence; and
• an understanding of professional conduct, including punctuality, cultural sensitivity and the ability to get along with others.

It’s noteworthy that a university or college degree is not a core entry requirement for the In-Class or Hybrid TESOL program at AVSE. Nor is a degree a core requirement for an ESL teaching-related Work Permit and associated visa in Cambodia.

Teaching Jobs Abroad Program (TJAP)

The core entry requirements for the Teaching Jobs Abroad Program at AVSE in Phnom Penh are the same as those for the In-Class and Hybrid TESOL programs, with one important additional requirement: you must already hold government-regulated TESOL, TEFL or CELTA. 

If you don’t meet the core entry requirements for your program of choice, all is not lost. You’re welcome to contact AVSE’s Managing Director, Peter Goudge, to discuss your personal circumstances. Here is Peter’s direct email address: peter@avse.edu.vn.

Open to all-comers

As much as humanly possible, we want our ESL teacher training programs in Cambodia to be open to all-comers, regardless of background. AVSE-TESOL is an equal opportunity educational institution and we genuinely celebrate diversity.

While previous teaching experience and tertiary-level qualifications are valuable, it’s noteworthy that neither is a core requirement to enrol in a TESOL course at AVSE. Being a native English speaker is not a core entry requirement either. The same inclusive approach applies to our Teaching Jobs Abroad Program, although applicants must already hold a government-regulated TESOL, TEFL or CELTA qualification.

Interestingly, over the past 17 years, 92% of our trainee ESL teachers had no previous teaching experience before joining AVSE-TESOL, 34% were non-native English speakers and 54% did not hold a university or college degree.

There are, of course, occasions when we decline an application. When this happens, our communication is driven by honesty and delivered with sensitivity and respect.

Service Agreement

You will find a comprehensive Service Agreement displayed on the AVSE-TESOL website. It’s a ‘treasure trove’ of pre-course information.

By applying to join an ESL teacher training program at AVSE, either directly or through an agent, you acknowledge acceptance of our Service Agreement. It’s vital that you read the Service Agreement before locking in your enrolment.

Among other things, the AVSE Service Agreement represents a genuine attempt to provide prospective students with important pre-course information — in plain English. It provides guidance on course requirements, payments, cancellations, refunds, lodging a complaint, privacy matters, job assistance and a range of other topics.

Enrolment

Enrolling in a training program at AVSE is straightforward. Our Teaching English in Cambodia destination page is a good place to start. It provides an overview of the available training options and will help you identify the program that best suits your circumstances. You’ll find an enrolment form on your chosen program page.

Completed enrolment forms are typically reviewed within three business days, with applicants contacted shortly thereafter. No payment is required when submitting an enrolment form.

If your application is successful, the applicable payment must be made within seven days to secure your place in the program:

• In-Class TESOL: a deposit of US $750.00, with the balance due when the course formally commences with access to the Student Learning Portal, typically 14 days before face-to-face classes begin.
• Hybrid TESOL: the full program fee.
• Teaching Jobs Abroad Program: the full program fee.

Your enrolment will be confirmed once your payment has been received as cleared funds.

Pre-course Checklist

If you choose the In-Class or Hybrid TESOL course, or the Teaching Jobs Abroad Program, at AVSE-TESOL in Phnom Penh, there will be quite a few tasks to tick off before leaving your home country. Immediately below, you’ll find a handy checklist — in no particular order — that you can add to or subtract from based on your personal circumstances.