Job Discussion Forums

van_6000 · Joined: 07 Feb 2012 Posts: 35

I'd appreciate some info on two types of certification in Taiwan: (1) DELTA/CELTA, and (2) any prestigious teaching certificate for secondary education (e.g., PGCE, or American equivalent, or any such certification). Many thanks.

van_6000 · Joined: 07 Feb 2012 Posts: 35

I forgot to say that I have found this center through the Cambridge English website

Y M C A Education Centre,Taipei (Platinum Centre) (TW007)290 Kunming StreetTaipei10850TAIWAN

I am not sure if anyone has heard of it.
Thanks again.

Ferfichkin · Joined: 07 Jul 2005 Posts: 140

I don't think you can get a DELTA/CELTA or a PGCE in Taiwan. At least, I've never heard of anyone doing one.

van_6000 · Joined: 07 Feb 2012 Posts: 35

Thanks Ferfichkin. Is that true of any English teaching certification?

I was thinking of going for an ESL (TESOL, TEFL, or any such) qualification program here in Taiwan, now that I returned from my three year hell in Europe. I would also like to pursue a teacher training certification like the one at Pacific American School, on Kuang Fu Road in Hsinchu. I have heard that it has, or at least used to have, a partnership with the College of New Jersey (USA).

I have been teaching for many years in Taipei but I have been working on a spouse - based residence (ARC) which enabled me to work as an ESL teacher even though I am considered officially non-native (because of passport). My experience, familiarity with Taiwan, and mostly my spouse-based ARC have thus far been what keeps giving me a job here, but I feel that things are getting tougher and that I will never be able to work in any other country as an ESL teacher without at least some qualifications. (I have tried applying to the Middle East and Turkey, but also Prague and Sweden, and I got no luck whatsoever)

My Ph.D. is in US History and unfortunately Taiwanese colleges and universities are going through hard times these days, with the result that there is no hiring any more (especially someone with a non-relevant Ph.D. and an absence of teaching qualifications)

So, I guess a good summary of my inquiry here would be : What can I or should I do here while teaching in Taiwan (buxibans currently) in order to make myself more marketable, seeing how I am getting old (48 ) and with only 30 hours of TEFL, a Ph.D. in US History, and a non-native speaker's passport (Greek -- never mind that my English is actually better than my Greek, for many reasons). Should I look for part time MA in TESOL, a 120 hour-TEFL/TESOL/DELTA, and / or a teacher training qualification? I would ideally prefer to get something that could make me marketable elsewhere, in addition to Taiwan.

Ferfichkin · Joined: 07 Jul 2005 Posts: 140

LifterMan · Joined: 26 Nov 2013 Posts: 28

van_6000 · Joined: 07 Feb 2012 Posts: 35

Thank you, guys, Ferfichkin and Lifterman. I agree. I really really wish I could find a way to know which is a reputable teaching license AND ESL certification (and where). I would definitely go for it. Especially the teaching license.

Someone I knew some time ago was doing a teaching certificate course in Bangkok, while working here in Taipei full time (he was required to appear in Bangkok something like three weekends or four weekends per year or something, a a lot of portfolio-building at home). Does anyone know anything about this? I am sure it is a good program but I am not sure if it would be recognized by , say, Thai or Korean or (eventually, my goal, Turkish and Middle East employers) schools.

Would anyone be able to point me to some sort of direction or website? I'd really appreciate it. But thanks for your very appreciated and helpful input guys.