Job Discussion Forums

Ziggy45 · Joined: 17 Jun 2014 Posts: 2

Hi,

I am interested in teaching ESL from the beginning of next year. I am a qualified primary school teacher and will have 2 years experience under my belt at the end of 2014.
I have a BSc.(not education related) obtained in Ireland and a Grad Dip in Primary Education obtained in Australia.
I have tried to find out information of what I need / may not need but can't find a concrete answer if I require an ESL related qualification to go with my teaching qualifications?
From reading on the internet - I see that a lot of people advise that online courses are not considered to be great as they do not include classroom hours, however, as I am in the classroom everyday I am wondering if an online course would be suitable?
I have looked at a local CELTA course and that seems quite expensive?
I am happy to pursue extra qualifications if required but just need to know what I should be looking at?

By the way....I am leaning towards Taiwan as a place to teach.
Any advice would be much appreciated.

Many Thanks
Ziggy

MuscatGary · Posted: Sat Jun 28, 2014 12:05 pm Post subject:

What will be accepted in one country may not be accepted in another. As you're interested in Taiwan maybe best to post in that forum and see what the teachers on the ground say. Remember that the skill set needed for teaching tefl is different than the skill set for primary education in the student's first language. Maybe also think about the future, if you ever want to teach in the ME where the money is good then online just isn't accepted.

nomad soul · Joined: 31 Jan 2010 Posts: 11454 Location: The real world

spiral78 · Joined: 05 Apr 2004 Posts: 11534 Location: On a Short Leash

The methods and approaches used to teach language are very different from those applied in core-subject classrooms in many ways. A CELTA or equivalent course will introduce you to some of those approaches/methods which are considered effective for language learning, and give you a little concrete practice in their use. It's not redundant for certified core subject teachers.

suphanburi · Joined: 20 Mar 2014 Posts: 916

Ziggy45 · Joined: 17 Jun 2014 Posts: 2

Hi,

thanks to everyone for the feedback and information - I really appreciate it.

nomad soul - I would like to continue to teach children as this something I really enjoy.

suphanburi - thanks for the information. You mention a "Young Learners" focused TEFL course, is this something that I could find online?
Also, when you mention licensure - is this a work permit within the country I am teaching in?

Thanks again for all the info and feedback.

nomad soul · Joined: 31 Jan 2010 Posts: 11454 Location: The real world

suphanburi · Joined: 20 Mar 2014 Posts: 916

golsa · Joined: 20 Nov 2011 Posts: 185

International House and British Council both offer post-CELTA certificates in teaching EFL to Young Learners. Either one would be well worth your time to obtain if you want to teach EFL long term outside of Asia. Within Asia, I doubt that many employers would be familiar with either of these certificates and the value they offer.

Chancellor

golsa · Joined: 20 Nov 2011 Posts: 185

[quote="Chancellor"]So, I have the training necessary to teach English to speakers of other languages regardless of whether they're adults or children. I suspect it was the eligibility to teach ESL to children in Texas that helped land me my upcoming middle school position in China./quote]

I suspect that your skin color was a bigger factor than your qualifications had greater weight in this hiring decision :lol:

baa_baa · Joined: 04 Dec 2011 Posts: 265

So far all ads say either MA in TESOL or BA+CELTA.

Im assuming DELTA will be required soon.

SO if you find yourself a partime CELTA from British council close by do take the time and do it.

It will teach you to be a better teacher and it will help. Dont do 1 month. its too intensive. you loose your nerves. goodluck.