Job Discussion Forums

[Baggio]

Hi everyone,

I am currently living in Beijing with my girlfriend working for a school, been here for a year now and staying for another six months, we have mickey mouse TEFL certs and as most of you know in Asia you can get away without having a CELTA.

However this summer we are considering doing a CELTA course in Beijing as eventually we would like to move back to Europe to teach, but from reading what some people have said on here, it would be better to do a CELTA in Europe as teaching european students would be more beneficial than their asian counterparts.

Is this true or just speculation? If and when eventually we move to Europe, would potential employers look down their nose at our CELTA because it was done in China and not in say Italy or Spain?

Thanks for any advice, greatly appreciated

Emmet

[nomad soul]

[spiral78]

Going to disagree somewhat, though usually agree with nomad (and don't entirely disagree this time, just somewhat).

Yes, the CELTA is standardized, and it will be considered the standard regardless of where you take it.

However, I've been on hiring committees on and off in Europe for over a decade, and if I am considering a job candidate with (only) experience in Asia, including the practice teaching on his/her cert, I will prefer someone with some experience teaching European students, even if that is 'only' on the CELTA course.

If you're aiming at Europe (and I assume you have the right to work there, as you say 'returning to'), I suggest taking the CELTA in Europe, just to have some experience with European students under your belt before applying.

[Baggio]

We are both Irish so returning to Europe is no problem Visa wise.

So you guys recommend taking the CELTA in Europe? Would it be the worst thing in the world to do it in Beijing?

[spiral78]

[rtm]

Disregarding any gross generalizations about students' continent of origin and the teachers that teach there, many people on many threads advise taking the CELTA in whatever place you intend to teach. Doing so will give you experience teaching students from the local population, which will help you understand the needs of local students as well as feel more comfortable teaching them, and also will look good to potential employers.

[coledavis]

Unless there is a specific country that you hope to be employed in, I would do it at home. (a) Cheaper, assuming you can save on rent and food. (b) You get to teach multilingual classes, giving a wider range of skills than if you use your knowledge of a country's language to allow short cuts.

[ttxor1]

[coledavis]

In case Spiral doesn't answer this: Yes, it almost always makes a difference. If your English is good enough (generally CPE or the equivalent) then you can get on the course, but getting employment is by no means guaranteed. Rightly or wrongly, most employers (and students) consider a native speaker to be more valuable.

Perhaps if you tell us your precise situation, we can advise you on your chances. (E.g. a foreign passport holder who has lived in an English-speaking country since they were three years old may do well as long as there is not a visa requirement relating to nationality. A similar situation pertains to somebody who has taken a degree in a university in the UK/US/etc.)

[spiral78]

[coledavis]

Fair comment. Actually, to agree, lower level students often find it easier to work with their compatriots.

[Sashadroogie]

That's certainly a belief in Russia. Though, I question the idea that only locals can teach beginners, and that only native speakers can teach advanced classes. Falsely describing both types of teachers, I think.

[spiral78]

Yes, I wouldn't confine either type of teacher to one end of the spectrum. Though I think that happens to some degree.

[Sashadroogie]

I don't think you need CPE to get on a Celta. IELTS 6 or 7 seems to be enough. Not sure if this is decided in local Celta courses or not, though.

[coledavis]

My comments about whether or not non-native speakers are employable do not apply to whether or not their presence is desirable, merely to the attitudes of many students and employers (cf Sashadroogie's commentary on Russia).