Job Discussion Forums

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

Hello everyone. . . I'm looking to take a TEFL certification course in the fall. I'm leaning towards TEFL International right now, but wondering if there are any other suggestions of better courses. Ideally, I'd like to go to Spain to take the course. Has anyone here had good experiences with TEFL International? (or bad?) I've also seen the Trinity course but they are a bit more pricey. Thanks in advance for any suggestions you may have.

Gordon · Joined: 28 Jan 2003 Posts: 5309 Location: Japan

CELTA. It's expensive, but the quality and standards are high.

migo · Joined: 04 Jul 2004 Posts: 201

IIRC CELTA costs around 1000 Eu. in Spain. I forgot the URL where I saw that at though.

Ludwig · Posted: Tue Jul 13, 2004 3:31 am Post subject:

I would have to agree with 'Gordon'; the CELTA is generally considered to be the best of the bunch as regards quality and standards for an entry-level, pre-service course. It is still ultimately the bottom rung of the ladder, however, and needs to be supplemented by a Masters as soon as possible to really make it worthwhile (academic qualifications are vastly more highly-respected and valued than professional qualifications). I would recommend the YL extension, too.

Try the location where I completed my two CELTA certificates, the British Council, HK. I think both the CELTA and the YL extension cost $25,000, but again both are well worth it as they quite literally pay for themselves in a matter of months:

http://www.britishcouncil.org/hongkong-english-teacher-training-and-development-celtyl.htm

luneaz · Posted: Tue Jul 13, 2004 5:37 am Post subject:

I would recommend the CELTA roo.

I checked a few schools for course fees:

IH Sevilla --- CELTA is around 1300 Euros, YL Extension another 600,
IH Barcelona --- CELTA around 1300 Euros, YL is also available (not sure how much it costs).

In Lisbon (Portugal), also at IH, the fee again is 1300 Euros plus 600 for YL. (All schoolsl indicate a fee increase of a 100 EUros for 2005, so better hurry with taking the course!)

I didn't check any other schools, they might be a little cheaper if they are not IH.... but I guess this is approximately the price range for the CELTA (and the YL extension if you are interested in that also) on the Iberian Peninsula.

Actually, I did check for CELTA and YL here in the Netherlands, at BLTC (British Language TEaching CEntre in Amsterdam) and the CELTA here is 1795 and the YL 1020 Euros!!! (but they don't offer the YL regularly anymore).

HTH!

luneaz

Sekhmet · Joined: 05 Apr 2004 Posts: 329 Location: Alexandria, Egypt

I did the course with TEFL International in Egypt. It was very well-run, with very good materials and a good support network. There was a good amount of observed teaching practice and the guys running the course were great!!! Very Happy

Obviously, I don't know about other TEFL Interntional courses, but I know they all run off the same handbook (with cultural differences) and that they all meet every so often for training and to share ideas.
I also didn't have any problems securing a very good job here in Egypt after the course. I'm aware that some jobs (especially in Europe) tend to expect CELTA or Trinity, but I was offered 3 summer jobs in England without it... People I know who took the TEFL International course have had no problems securing good jobs.
But as I say, it all depends on where you want to work. Generally in Europe you can find jobs without Trinity or CELTA, but it is harder. In the rest of the world, I'd guess it was more about experience than what certificate you have. Very Happy

dmb · Joined: 12 Feb 2003 Posts: 8397

The RSA CELTA costs 900 pounds in Istanbul. There is a 10 week part time course from september to November. There is also a job placement service.

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

Thanks so much for the tips. I've done some more research and it looks like IH Sevilla (CELTA) could be a good choice. Has anyone taken a cert. course with them? They seem to have a large school with tons of resources and a well established reputation. I'm looking towards a course in November, I'm assuming now is a good time to apply. Fairly certain I'm qualified as any to be accepted into the course (university educated, well spoken, well read, overall good human being with loads of passion) but has anyone had any trouble getting in? Anything I should know beforehand about the acceptance interviews?

thanks in advance for all the advice......

zaneth · Posted: Tue Jul 13, 2004 6:38 pm Post subject:

I've recently seen some positive reports of CELTA courses in Spain, here on this forum.

Don't sweat getting in. You aren't applying for Stanford. They want you on the course. You're a paying student, and then some schools get money from the guinea pig students you'll be practicing on (it's a good deal for the students, too, actually). They just need to make sure you aren't grossly unsuited, as far as I can figure. On the course, work hard but don't sweat passing. Just do what you need to do and don't spend your time partying. If you're gunning for the A or B grade that's another matter I guess. You really have to knock them out to get that A or B.

I did mine one summer in Moscow. Somehow I think November in Spain will be a tad more pleasant, weather-wise. I'm a bit jealous. Good luck.

luneaz · Posted: Tue Jul 13, 2004 6:43 pm Post subject:

Ludwig · Posted: Thu Jul 15, 2004 1:56 am Post subject:

migo · Joined: 04 Jul 2004 Posts: 201

TEAM_PAPUA · Joined: 24 May 2004 Posts: 1679 Location: HOLE

CELTA seems to be the cream of the crop. But not only is it expensive it is tough (in my opinion anyway). I did mine at Leeds Met University 4 years ago - the worst 4 weeks of my life!

Question: Do people really take the 'Mickey Mouse' EFL courses advertised on the internet? Just curious?

I agree with Ludwig that academic qualifications are becoming more important. When I first started I found that a CELTA was desirable but not necessary, I now find that a Degree + CELTA + 1-2 years overseas experience is required for the better positions. Qualifications are very important now, certainly for new teachers. Fortunately for the more experienced teachers it is the 'experience' that counts.

*when I say required I mean required by the schools themselves, rather than simply a necessity to fulfil visa regulations in Korea for example, where I believe the term 'warm body' still applies

Good luck with the CELTA.

T_P Cool

KCA420 · Joined: 08 Apr 2004 Posts: 54

TEAM_PAPUA · Joined: 24 May 2004 Posts: 1679 Location: HOLE

Interesting point regarding failure rates. Yes I do remember a few people on my course quiting mid way through (as I desperately wanted to also!) & the pre interview language tasks, then the interview process were very tough indeed - I can't imagine how many people are turned down during these stages.

OMG remember how tough the pre interview language tasks were at a time when, I'm guessing, the majority of us knew very little about grammar?? At least we can say, with hindsight, that grammar isn't the rocket science we first feared it was!

Does anyone have any statistics or general information regarding increases in people applying for these kinds of courses & people applying for teaching positions overseas. Looking at the amount of courses available it would seem that EFL/ESL has become a very popular choice.

T_P Cool