Job Discussion Forums

[backtothefront]

I am a teacher with nearly 5 years experience, a CELTA and post graduate qualifications in Applied Linguistics. I have taught in Korea, the UK and now China.

Despite all the hard work gaining these qualifications they simply were not worth the effort. Employers simply don't recognise their value. Having spend thousands gaining a CELTA, attempting the Delta one exam and doing MA modules in Education and linguistics it all seems like a huge waste of time.
In terms of value for money I think the CELTA was worth it.
My aim was to gain a qualification which would give me full-time work in the UK, stability. The only ESL qualification which seems to offer this, is the Delta as the CELTA is too common now. I hear stories that some Delta qualified teachers are working for 12k a year in the UK?! It seems like a whole load of work for nothing.
I attempted the Delta exam twice. My tutor told me point blank I don't have enough experience in ESL to pass indicating that I had to work in Europe where standards are higher, smaller classes and defined levels.
Also during the Exam another candidate told me that a Delta tutor he knew seen the exam as a huge cash cow to make money from students. Much like the university and housing ponzi schemes..all a big con.

The UK market just seems too seasonal to make it viable. I returned a few years ago and got summer camp work. This is the best I could get a few weeks here and there.

My take on ESL now. Don't bother with anything more than a CELTA. This will qualify you for most jobs out there providing you have a BA. Get an MA in something you enjoy not TEFL (your career will be a joke in ESL)
A pgce done in the UK is worth it. The PGCEi seems like a waste of time.
Experience in good schools is more important than most of these qualifications.
Privates are the best way to make money in China so focus on them. ESL teachers are just ten a penny no one cares what qualifications you have or where you work.
North Americans seem to do better here for the simple reason their accent is more in demand. Qualified teachers are valued much higher than qualified ESL teachers in China at least.

[suphanburi]

While I can sympathize with the OP ...

- an incomplete DELTA is nothing.
- "units" in an MA are NOTHING.

You are still just a BA holder with a CELTA.

Complete either one of them and the picture changes.
Complete both and it changes a lot (those "better" schools actually want to have you instead of taking you by default).

.

[mitsui]

For Korea you have to have a MA.
In Korea there is competition for the good jobs. The days where you could get a job at a university with just a BA are probably over.
In Japan it looks like merely a MA is not enough.
So of course China looks good by contrast.

Of course in the UK there isn`t much teaching available. Why do so many people teach abroad? They only go back for their holiday.
In 18 years abroad I have yet to meet a British teacher who ever returned to work in the UK.

Only do TEFL if you enjoy it. Otherwise it is not fun.

[spiral78]

[nomad soul]

[backtothefront]

I'd like to know how many people have MAs now? how many have Deltas and how many have distance learning MAs who get jobs they otherwise would not have attained without these qualifications. Exactly how competitive our labor market has become by country. And how many of these coveted positions exist? The reason I want to know this is because I felt short-changed after my BA. Like loads of other graduates who completed there studies to find they were massively over qualified for the jobs available. I don't want to make the same mistake again.

Here is the jobs market as I see it:-

If you go to the Middle East by definition, you are going to make more money. Saudi will take people with a CELTA and BA. This is where everyone says the big money is but you have to live like a monk to realise it. The trade off to me is not worth it. So gaining a MA or Delta to go here is not worth it for me at least.

If you come to China you have the potential of making lots of money teaching privates regardless of your qualifications. So qualifications do not matter after the basic BA. It is a country full of clown teachers pertaining to be experts. Teaching privates is not without risk though as teaching privates in China is outside your basic contract under the new immigration laws.

In Korea you need qualifications- fair enough. I had my full of Korea working there for three years. It would be tough going back. I also heard they don't take distance degrees now.

In the UK it has become beyond competitive so you do need a MA or Delta. You are basically competing with half of Europe in the UK and proficiency in a second European language is expected. The Delta is also required for DOS positions.
Why go back you ask? Are you sure you can life abroad for the rest of your life? I'm not.

So when you ultimately stop teaching at some point you have problems! The thought of being basically unskilled outside of ESL scares the hell out of me (been there and done it) but ESL only offers a future abroad. I wish I knew the answer to this one. What else can we offer as teachers in our own countries? Language skills? Plenty already offer this. I guess it would be a problem whatever industry you worked in, if you are forced to change jobs.

The path of least resistance for me is it complete my distance MA. But for the reasons above I am still skeptical.

[nomad soul]

[Sashadroogie]

There's only one solution!

Come to the Motherland! Peace, stability, job satisfaction! All can be yours.

Come to Russia! Live the dream!

[fat_chris]

[Sashadroogie]

Fat_chris!

The Motherland calls!!!!!

[Neutrino Girl]

[suphanburi]

[fat_chris]

[johntpartee]

The Motherland calls but once; kinda like "opportunity".

[johnslat]

Dear johntpartee,

"The Motherland calls but once; kinda like "opportunity".

Kinda like The Grim Reaper, too.

Regards,
John