Job Discussion Forums

Andrewjmarino · Joined: 24 Feb 2004 Posts: 1

I posted this message on the BootsnAll website and I was hoping for some more feeback here. I'm new to this and I apologize if this specific topic has been covered before.
Has anyone received their CELTA certificate through the International House organization? There is a local office here in Portland, Oregon and I am considering it as a means of living/working abroad. I have many questions...

It's an expensive program - is it worth it and comparable in price ($2350) to other teaching certificates?
Is it easy or hard to get accepted into the program?
Does it "virtually" guarantee a teaching job?
How much do they help with job placement?
Does it matter that I'm "older" (40) when it comes to getting a job abroad? I do have a college degree and management/training experience.
What can I do with a CELTA certificate if I'm back in the United States?

I have many other questions about actually moving abroad (can you survive financially?) but I'll save those for later.
Thank you so much for any help!

Andrew Marino

ls650 · Joined: 10 May 2003 Posts: 3484 Location: British Columbia

bayabule · Joined: 05 Feb 2004 Posts: 82 Location: East Java Indonesia

Hi Andrew, I did a 4 week intensive CELTA with IH Seville (CLIC) back in 1999 and although it was hard work (which I believe any of these 4 week courses are) I thoroughly enjoyed it, learned a lot and made lots of friends. I found it was not only fun but professionally run. Of course I have only done the one so have nothing to compare it with. I have friends who've done all sorts of certs and said the same. These courses never turn you into an amazing teacher overnight but do help to give you the basics for that first terrifying day on the job.
I think that any of the EFL courses (CELTA, TESOL or whatever) have their pros and cons and as long as they're legitimate certs you'll have no problems finding work. One thing I have heard is that if you do your cert through a well known organization, schools look favourably on it as it is easier for them to verify your credentials, but I don't know how true that is.
At the time IH Seville were offering the cheapest CELTA courses of all the IH schools. However that was before the Euro and I hear everything's got more expensive.
Out of 12 of us all were Brits except for 2 Americans who had decided to use the opportunity of a cheaper course to spend some time in Spain rather than pay more to do it in the States. I'm still in touch with both of them and they're still teaching in Europe.
I doubt your age will matter, in fact it may be an advantage, and give you more credibility with some schools.
I do remember that they offered some help findng jobs but you're not guaranteed a job with IH. I think we were given forms to fill in for some kind of IH recruitment scheme, but I already had things lined up so didn't need it . I seem to recall they only offered one girl a job and she got a B pass. (no one got an A)
It really depends on where you want to work. Your management backround would be useful in Europe (I taught in Germany straight off my course and it was mostly Business English. The Germans really like people with "business experience") But you'll have no problem finding work in Asia with any kind of cert and no experience.
As for when you're back in US I have no idea, I'm afraid.
I hope this helps Andrew! I just read over it and it seems a bit jumbled. Please forgive as I've had a couple of glasses of wine. If you have any more questions please ask. Good luck

wordgirl · Posted: Tue Mar 02, 2004 4:27 pm Post subject: IH CELTA

Hi Andrew!

I'm going to take that very course in a few weeks. It will be down here in L.A., but it is run by the Portland office. I'll keep you posted on how it goes, if you'd like.

As for what CELTA does for you in the U.S., from what I've been able to learn it's not much. If you want any kind of decent job here you need a masters.

Good luck!

luneaz

funk_delilah · Joined: 29 May 2004 Posts: 11 Location: Seattle

Well, I am currently in the CELTA program in Portland. I have just completed my first week. The pre-interview task was challenging, but managable. After your interview where you discuss your application and task, they tell you right away if you have been accepted. After this, you are mailed a pre-course task which takes a while to complete (They say it should take 25-30 hours).

As for the course, it is difficult and challenging. I am learning a tremendous amount, and I am thankful that it lasts only for one month.

Good luck...

funk delilah

rosie1973 · Joined: 11 Jul 2004 Posts: 33 Location: Chicago

I'm glad I ran across this post because I'm thinking of taking my CELTA in November through IH Seville. I would say that you're gonna end up paying about the same amount if you take it in the states or in Europe. In Europe it's cheaper but by the time you add in accomidations and airfare and food it's about the same as just taking it in the US. However. . . . why not take a little vacation and get out of the states and do it?

kamlesh · Joined: 25 Jun 2004 Posts: 13 Location: South Africa

Hi
This CELTA qualification must be worthwhile, because it seems difficult to get accepted onto the course. Yesterday I went for the test & interview stage, but I was told I'm not ready for the demands of the course & that I should try again in 6 months. The process was ok. Since I work as a journalist I thought I wouldn't have a problem getting accepted here at IH in Durban, South Africa (www.ihdurban.co.za).
But I've got to brush up on my grammar and knowledge of teaching methodology before I can convince them I'm ready for the demands of the course. From my experience then, I think the course must be worthwhile if it's got such a stringent pre-admission procedure.
Has anyone else been rejected from the course? If so, what books could you suggest I use to brush up my knowledge of grammar & teaching methodology? Admittedly I did not know certain grammatical terminology, but I thought the course would cover stuff like that.
Kamlesh

funk_delilah · Joined: 29 May 2004 Posts: 11 Location: Seattle

The 'Practical English Usage' guide by Michael Swan is great. I am currently taking the class and I find that it has the answers to all of my questions.

As far as admission goes, I think every location is different in regards to what they look for. I know of a few people in my class now that are having a lot of difficulties with teaching grammar and such.

Keep studying and you will make it.

funk
delilah Smile

bobber46 · Joined: 16 Sep 2004 Posts: 3

If you would be so kind, would any of the folks above who took the CELTA at IH Portland please give me/us an update on their experiences there? Question

Thanks.

Buraimi · Joined: 06 Sep 2004 Posts: 24 Location: Canada

I did my CELTA in Hastings a few years ago. It was an International House then; it's now an Embassy school, I think. The teaching staff were really outstanding. I think many of them are probably still there. The town itself was a bit gritty, but close enough to London to be handy. (There wasn't time during the course to get out much, anyway.) I'd be interested in hearing whether the Pig in Paradise is still next door. Smile

stillnosheep · Joined: 01 Mar 2004 Posts: 2068 Location: eslcafe

International House is OK. A Celta costs about 700 pound (UK).　Try Leeds Metropolitan University.

ContemporaryDog · Joined: 21 May 2003 Posts: 1477 Location: Wuhan, China

I did my CELTA at International House in London. It was seriously hard work (I did it part time over 3 months while working, it was basically 3 hours on both tuesday and thursday nights, and all day saturdays) and very stressful.

I( think it was worth it. Having said that I'm teaching children in China and its totally different to what I expected from doing hte CELTA. Plus my school takes people with just a degree.

Chris_Crossley · Posted: Sun Oct 10, 2004 11:55 am Post subject: Degree or no degree?

Ackerley81 · Joined: 20 Oct 2004 Posts: 49

anyone done CELTA in poland?