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animalsanimals · Joined: 15 Jan 2014 Posts: 1 Location: United States

I'm a recent US college grad with a degree in a reading/writing intensive area (not an English or linguistics major, though), currently in the first year of a combined MA/PhD program in the same field of study. But I am considering leaving for various reasons, and teaching ESL is one of my alternative options.

I have about 6 months of experience volunteer teaching ESL on a weekly basis (this was years ago) and a year working as a computer instructor to English learners at a school in the US for immigrants and refugees. Both of these experiences were teaching adults. I have not had any teaching responsibilities yet as a grad student.

1. Could there be any advantage to continuing my grad studies for a second year to get a Master's degree, even if it's unrelated to ESL? Or for that matter, any disadvantage for my resume to leaving a grad program without getting a degree, for teaching ESL or for any other kind of work? (I have a fellowship covering all my tuition/living expenses right now, so I wouldn't accrue any more student debt by staying.)

2. I want to get certified with TEFL or CELTA before I start. I'm aware I could teach in South Korea or China right now just with a BA, but I definitely would not feel prepared without some real instruction and more hands-on experience. I'm not sure whether a TEFL or CELTA is better for me. I've only taught adults before, but I'm not opposed to teaching kids either. Right now I feel like I would like to teach in Vietnam or in Latin America, but I have particular commitments yet.

3. I haven't done much research but I found these programs in locations that I like, and was wondering if they are any good:

Dunham Institute TEFL certificate in Chiapas, Mexico
International House CELTA in Bogotá or Medellin, Colombia
Cambridge CELTA in Bogotá

Any other good programs in Bogotá, Medellin, or Mexico City?

4. I'd also like to improve my Spanish from very, very bad to okay. Are there programs for getting a TEFL/CELTA while learning Spanish as well?

Thanks!

nomad soul · Joined: 31 Jan 2010 Posts: 11454 Location: The real world

coledavis · Joined: 21 Jun 2003 Posts: 1838

You want your degree. Both for TEFL and for the possibility that your career may change in the future.

TEFL is a generic term for this type of training. The brands with the most international recognition are CELTA and Trinity TESOL.

seattlechaz · Joined: 13 Feb 2012 Posts: 5

Given your background, you might consider getting a Cambridge DELTA or Trinity DipTESOL.

nomad soul · Joined: 31 Jan 2010 Posts: 11454 Location: The real world

The Morphodite · Joined: 05 Mar 2014 Posts: 1

Don't leave your degree, no matter what. I was in the same position as you a number of years ago. I ended up completing my degree, and then getting a CELTA. This was the best move I ever made. The post-grad. qualifications, while not directly related to teaching English, give me considerable 'pull' and credibility in my school. The CELTA gave me a great start in my teaching career, as well as a lot more confidence standing in front of a class than I had before I did it.

sparks · Joined: 20 Feb 2008 Posts: 632

I'll join the chorus of members telling you to finish your degree first and light-heartedly pose the question: Are you mad? You have your degree paid for, finish it. You have the rest of your life to fiddle about in the world of Tefl if that's what you want. Do the Ph.D. in a few years you'll have a significant qualification which could open unknown doors to you. Tefl will be here.

MotherF · Posted: Tue Mar 11, 2014 2:05 am Post subject:

In Mexico you might want to also look into the SIT TESOL cert.

http://www.sit.edu/graduate/tesol_loc_la_oaxaca.cfm