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Advice urgently needed on CELTA/TEFL

 
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kirby42



Joined: 14 Nov 2014
Posts: 55

PostPosted: Tue Jan 27, 2015 8:40 pm    Post subject: Advice urgently needed on CELTA/TEFL Reply with quote

This is kinda continuing on from a thread I put up a few days ago but anyways...

I'm in the process of applying for a CELTA course. I've passed the interview and been offered a place. The fees have to be paid by tomorrow. As I'm sure most of you already know, it isn't cheap; especially when travel and a month of renting accommodation in the city where the course is (very expensive) are taken into consideration.

I'm very worried that it won't be worth it in the long run. I would like to teach abroad for a few years (maybe 5) in mainland Europe and experience new languages and cultures. But the wages for the majority of jobs seem quite poor. Most of the jobs I've seen advertised were offering between €400 - €800 a month. It doesn't really seem all that sustainable and with the cost of getting qualified; I could be making a bad financial mistake. Opinions?
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santi84



Joined: 14 Mar 2008
Posts: 1317
Location: under da sea

PostPosted: Tue Jan 27, 2015 8:46 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Do you want to teach abroad?

If the answer is yes, then go for it. Here's the thing - even though you don't need the basic certificate to get a job abroad, it can make a difference in the type of school you will work in. Consider, aside from money, working conditions, administration support, quality of students, and all that. Certification will never guarantee those things, but at least you will have better options to choose from.
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spiral78



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

PostPosted: Tue Jan 27, 2015 8:52 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Quote:
Here's the thing - even though you don't need the basic certificate to get a job abroad,


If the OP wants even entry-level jobs in Europe, the CELTA is necessary. 95% of candidates on this competitive job market have one, so anything less simply means your CV won't get a second look, and you won't find a job.

So far as the European job market in general - you can expect to make enough to live well enough not to have to sweat every day (unless you need luxuries), and to enjoy the region. Most travel, events, many restaurants, and basic types of fun are relatively cheap (especially compared to the UK). This is more true in Central Europe, and somewhat less so in the West, but still generally holds.

Important note: regardless of quals, jobs here aren't usually found from abroad. You need to pick a city, come over in the peak hiring period (September, usually) and interview in person. Most contracts are Sept/Oct through June, and there will be little/nothing going in Feb/March. Don't get discouraged if you don't find anything before September.

Send out your CV when you've done the CELTA to language schools in the cities where you might like to work, but don't get discouraged if you get no/few responses. Come over in the end of August with a list of schools in hand, and do the walk around. You should find something reasonable.

Second/third and subsequent years in one city open doors to the 'better' jobs out there, which take local contacts, reputation, and language skills to land.
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Sashadroogie



Joined: 17 Apr 2007
Posts: 11061
Location: Moskva, The Workers' Paradise

PostPosted: Tue Jan 27, 2015 8:55 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

If you want to teach even for a few years, then get the Celta. If you are worried that the jobs you get won't pay much, then don't enter the EFL sector.

But most of all, don't enter EFL without any training - especially in Europe.
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spiral78



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

PostPosted: Tue Jan 27, 2015 9:23 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

By the way, I am assuming you are an EU citizen; if not, there are serious restrictions on the countries you can possibly teach in, and the job search becomes much more difficult logistically.
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kirby42



Joined: 14 Nov 2014
Posts: 55

PostPosted: Tue Jan 27, 2015 9:24 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Some solid advice there folks, cheers.

So the general rule of thumb for newly qualified English teachers is; that they will be cutting their teeth on a low enough paid entry job for a year or two so they can get the experience and contacts to move on to greener pastures?
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kirby42



Joined: 14 Nov 2014
Posts: 55

PostPosted: Tue Jan 27, 2015 9:26 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

spiral78 wrote:
By the way, I am assuming you are an EU citizen; if not, there are serious restrictions on the countries you can possibly teach in, and the job search becomes much more difficult logistically.


Yup, I'm an EU citizen. I know there may be problems if I wanted to teach in Russia (which is definitely somewhere that I would like to) but I won't worry about that for now.
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spiral78



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

PostPosted: Tue Jan 27, 2015 9:38 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Yes. Expect to pay some dues while making local contacts and building reputation in first and possibly second year. If you stick around and do a professional job, reasonably likely to get somewhat better jobs, pay, benefits.
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Hod



Joined: 28 Apr 2003
Posts: 1613
Location: Home

PostPosted: Tue Jan 27, 2015 9:42 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

CELTA courses are offered all over the UK and Europe starting virtually every week. If you're unsure, wait a week before paying and think it through first. If this school can't wait a week for their money, and I'm sure they can, pick another place.

Don't hand over £1000+ if you're not sure yet.
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spiral78



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

PostPosted: Tue Jan 27, 2015 9:55 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Like what Hod said. There's no serious pressure. If this school closed the doors on you (it won't, most likely), there are plenty of competitors.
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kirby42



Joined: 14 Nov 2014
Posts: 55

PostPosted: Tue Jan 27, 2015 10:09 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

The course starts next week. I applied a bit late for it; someone dropped out and I got offered their place.

Thanks everyone for your advice; I will pay for the course. My real concern now is getting accommodation and paying for it. Another dent in the savings.
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