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coledavis
Joined: 21 Jun 2003
Posts: 1838
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 Posted: Sun Aug 26, 2012 4:27 pm Post subject: |
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| Another factor is marketability to employers. It may well be that a given course is very good, but as most employers are only sure of CELTA and Trinity as regulated initial qualifications, you will be more widely employable with one of these. (Not fair on other good courses, I would be inclined to agree, but the way of the world.) |
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nomad soul
Joined: 31 Jan 2010
Posts: 11454
Location: The real world
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| Posted: Sun Aug 26, 2012 6:54 pm Post subject: |
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| coledavis wrote: |
| Another factor is marketability to employers. It may well be that a given course is very good, but as most employers are only sure of CELTA and Trinity as regulated initial qualifications, you will be more widely employable with one of these. (Not fair on other good courses, I would be inclined to agree, but the way of the world.) |
I disagree about the CELTA /Trinity making one more employable; it's not realistic to limit TEFL cert requirements to just these two. For example, I'm an American presently teaching in the Middle East, which is known for its high salaries. Based on the qualifications indicated in job ads, ME employers generally accept a (CELTA) equivalent TEFL cert. That is, they're not locked into a CELTA or Trinity cert. because they realize these certificate training programs aren't widely offered in, say, the US, where many EFL teachers hail from. Understandably, there are no Trinity cert providers in the US, and according to the Cambridge website, CELTA training centers exist in only 10 out of 50 states. However, there does seem to be a fair number of university TEFL cert programs available---my state has three----although not all uni certs include that critical practical component. And then there's the SIT TESOL certificate.
So, yes, I agree that if there's a CELTA or Trinity provider in your area or target country, then go for it. If not, then look at valid, alternative qualifications which are at least 120 hours of instruction and offer a similar content and level of instruction. More importantly, in your cover letter and resume/CV and during interviews, show employers you know your stuff by using TEFL jargon and giving industry-specific explanations and examples. This will certainly enhance your employability more than relying solely on the pedigree of a TEFL cert. |
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coledavis
Joined: 21 Jun 2003
Posts: 1838
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| Posted: Sun Aug 26, 2012 7:50 pm Post subject: |
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| Sure, if it is completely impractical to get CELTA/Trinity, then go for an alternative (with proper practice, not just online). However, while you may provide exceptions, the majority of employers in the world, where they cite desired qualifications, cite those I have indicated. That makes you more employable, in terms of more employers considering you. SIT - this may be good, but once again, do you see many employers asking for it? Again, do it if the others are not available, but.. |
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nomad soul
Joined: 31 Jan 2010
Posts: 11454
Location: The real world
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| Posted: Sun Aug 26, 2012 8:43 pm Post subject: |
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| coledavis wrote: |
| Sure, if it is completely impractical to get CELTA/Trinity, then go for an alternative (with proper practice, not just online). However, while you may provide exceptions, the majority of employers in the world, where they cite desired qualifications, cite those I have indicated. That makes you more employable, in terms of more employers considering you. SIT - this may be good, but once again, do you see many employers asking for it? Again, do it if the others are not available, but.. |
Of course, European employers---or other employers seeking UK teachers only---are very likely to specify CELTA/Trinity/DELTA and so on. But for other parts of the world that are open to EFL teachers of various nationalities, the quals indicated on many job ads simply state "CELTA or similar qualification" or "CELTA/DELTA/TEFL/TESOL cert." I've rarely seen Trinity or SIT explicitly stated, probably because they're basically TEFL certs---no need for employers to be so specific; they certainly don't want to limit their pool of otherwise qualified applicants. Anyway, newbies should let their common sense, along with the posted qualifications for their target country, be their guide. |
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coledavis
Joined: 21 Jun 2003
Posts: 1838
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| Posted: Sun Aug 26, 2012 10:44 pm Post subject: |
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| nomad soul wrote: |
| coledavis wrote: |
| Sure, if it is completely impractical to get CELTA/Trinity, then go for an alternative (with proper practice, not just online). However, while you may provide exceptions, the majority of employers in the world, where they cite desired qualifications, cite those I have indicated. That makes you more employable, in terms of more employers considering you. SIT - this may be good, but once again, do you see many employers asking for it? Again, do it if the others are not available, but.. |
Of course, European employers---or other employers seeking UK teachers only---are very likely to specify CELTA/Trinity/DELTA and so on. But for other parts of the world that are open to EFL teachers of various nationalities, the quals indicated on many job ads simply state "CELTA or similar qualification" or "CELTA/DELTA/TEFL/TESOL cert." I've rarely seen Trinity or SIT explicitly stated, probably because they're basically TEFL certs---no need for employers to be so specific; they certainly don't want to limit their pool of otherwise qualified applicants. Anyway, newbies should let their common sense, along with the posted qualifications for their target country, be their guide. |
I'm sorry, but I really don't agree with this. Firstly, few employers seek only teachers from the UK. Secondly, those asking for equivalent qualifications are only a subset; some really do ask for CELTA/Trinity only. Thirdly, given the large number of applicants, employers generally do wish to limit their applicant pool. Fourth, newbies by definition do not have the common sense that is otherwise known as know-how. Sure, the advertisements for a specific country are the most important thing, but I was talking about the widest marketability of the teacher. If your qualification only applies to jobs in Xstan and Ybania, then it isn't the widest marketability. |
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spiral78
Joined: 05 Apr 2004
Posts: 11534
Location: On a Short Leash
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| Posted: Mon Aug 27, 2012 1:38 am Post subject: |
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| The new OP in this case aspires to Costa Rica and then to the EU. I was personally confining TEFL course advice to what will be accepted in the EU, as I don't know what Costa Rica may require. |
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UnkleBuk
Joined: 30 Nov 2011
Posts: 5
Location: Denver, CO
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| Posted: Mon Aug 27, 2012 3:55 am Post subject: |
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Thanks for the feedback. The continuing conversation since is why I didn't ask which course would be better, just the reason behind the hours of teaching in each. Although only a few posts, I've been lurking and reading for quite some time now on these boards and other forums, and have seen the same pro/con substantiation toward the diffent courses.
Thanks again, and once I take a course....most likely the CELTA, I'll give my own feedback here. |
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