Job Discussion Forums

[TravelTeacher83]

Hello,

I'm thinking of taking the CELTA and TrinityCERT near the end of this year. Will having both a CELTA and TrinityCERT help me become more employable in Europe or is having both certifications redundant? Instead, should I just go for one or the other? If indeed I should only do one, which one is the best for employment? Thanks for the input!

[Sashadroogie]

Sounds redundant to me. Just go with the CELTA.

Where you from, by the way? Which part of Europe are you thinking about? That may be more important than your TEFL cert.

[TravelTeacher83]

I hold US citizenship but would like to teach ideally in either Poland, Czech Republic, or Hungary.

[spiral78]

You can teach in the 'new' EU member countries legally as a US citizen. Either CELTA or Trinity will be sufficient - it won't help you much to have both.

Timing is important: the main hiring season is from the very end of August through (roughly) mid-October. As a US citizen, you have 90 days from landing in the Schengen zone (google if you're not already familiar) to get an employer to give you a contract and start the work visa process. If you don't achieve this in the time period, you will have to leave the entire zone for 90 days before returning to start over.

You say you are going to take a course(s) in the winter - but I'd advise you to delay your job search until August/September to maximize your chances of finding a job.

You might consider taking a course in the country where you want to start working. There are lots of advantages: course providers usually take care of logistics like airport pickup, housing during the course, and local orientation. Your practice teaching students will really be representative of those you'll be working with when you start, and you can be sure your cert will be recognized by local employers. Your fellow trainees can form your first social network, and a good training centre can give you invaluable information regarding reputable local employers.

You should be aware that jobs in this region aren't found from abroad in any case (with a very few exceptions for teachers with special quals or for very rural schools), and you'll need to be here ready to interview in person to get hired anyway. This is because there are lots of teachers here already, and schools simply don't need to take a chance on anyone sight-unseen. There are start-up costs, obviously - employers also don't pay or reimburse airfare.

If you plan and time it well, you should have a decent shot at a decent job that will pay you enough to enjoy where you are, though you won't save up much or be able to pay off debts back home.

Good luck!

[TravelTeacher83]

October/November is the earliest that I could do either of these. I think I'll end up missing the peak hiring period and will have to try again during the times you suggest. I shouldn't have much of a problem heading back from the US and being on location during the peak times.

Essentially though, having both certifications won't help me much and I'd be better off focusing on just one?

[Sashadroogie]

They're basically the same pre-service course. Why do two? I can't see any advantage. Go with the CELTA. Only.

[spiral78]

Having both won't help. Save your money on one.

I should say that there is usually a very small hiring window in January - to replace teachers who didn't return from winter holidays or to accomodate clients who started a contract in the New Year. You might find something in January, though it will be slim pickings. If you can financially bear the cost of hanging around until the end of January (assuming also that you are inside the 90 days from your arrival) you might get lucky. Just plan in case you do not find anything!

Also do keep in mind that there is little/no work around for July-August so that you can plan your finances to get through the unpaid months.

[coledavis]

Employers want only one or the other. (Later, you may want to study further, but neither of the qualifications you mention is a step up from the other.)

[tttompatz]

[coledavis]

I don't agree. If you look at employers' advertisements, you will find that those who specify a qualification cite the CELTA or Trinity. In terms of marketing yourself, these are the better bet.