Job Discussion Forums

mpalazuelos · Joined: 14 Oct 2015 Posts: 52

Yes, I've read the thread. I already have the online TEFL cert. I'm going to Korea soon and I noticed the CELTA course is really pricey. I was hoping Rusty could provide me with the recruiter that accepted his online cert...

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

Do you have the related MA? Even if yes, Rusty indicates that it may well have been a fluke that his online TEFL cert was accepted. The same recruiter isn't guaranteed to take another one, particularly if no MA is involved.

In some areas, it's just not feasible to count on getting around the required qualifications.....

RustyShackleford · Joined: 13 May 2013 Posts: 449

The employer did know of my MA. Judging from my colleagues, it seems this was used to cut the mustard.

HOWEVER, the MA was NOT considered or even looked at by the US SACM, which, as I understand, has the final say in whether my documents get accepted or not.

The long and short of it is to do the most you can to get the best qualifications you can muster. I'm not going to say that you have no shot, but I also cannot in good conscience say that you have a good shot either.

Here is what I will say - when the employer(s) and the agency are saying it's okay and they pass the smell test (i.e. the employer is an established body and the agency is on the Saudi embassy website and they both take the time to reply to your e-mail queries) - you're probably 90% in the clear provided you got your other documents in order.

For now, why not put just your resume up on the usual English teaching sites at least to scope any potential job offers. My job, in fact, is still putting out calls for more teachers, so anything is possible.

I'm going to repeat my advice - get an onsite cert if you can afford the time and money to do so. Bump up your qualifications in any way you can.

An Online cert has gotten me pretty damn far and, despite the naysayers, I found the course useful for what it was - although the lack of an in-class practicum was indeed a flaw for a newbie teacher. On the other hand, a CELTA is bulletproof - it's an internationally recognized known quantity. You get in-class training and, from all accounts, it's really not that hard - just demanding for the month they have you do it.

I could give you all the recruiters in the Kingdom, but the fact of the matter is that things could change next year. Enjoy your time in Korea, save some money, take a CELTA in Thailand or Vietnam if you can muster a month's vacation and start your Saudi jobhunt in earnest. Just keep in mind that if you're looking to swim in money, you may be disappointed by the entry-level salaries...

scot47 · Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Posts: 15343

"The race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong ; for time and chance happeneth to them all."

mpalazuelos · Joined: 14 Oct 2015 Posts: 52

Rusty...could you provide the name of the recruiter that accepted your online degree.

Also do you think they would accept an online certification with an added in class 20 hour teaching practicum?

And what if the online certification was a 250 TESOL certificate?

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

mpalazuelos · Joined: 14 Oct 2015 Posts: 52

Such an abuse of the word trolling...

Ok well when deciding on an in class TEFL course, what should one look for? Does it need to be accredited by a certain body or will any in class TEFL do? I've seen some that are 2 weeks, 3 weeks and I know the most common ones are 4 weeks. Would like to invest in something I know I'm going to be able to use...

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

In the heat of the moment · Joined: 22 May 2015 Posts: 393 Location: Italy

mpalazuelos, as condescending as this sounds, please take into account the course you do - which is one month long - will be on your C.V. for the rest of your career. Are one or two weeks and a few doubloons fewer spent now worth many years of sending out details of a substandard qualification to dozens of employers?

I appreciate you already have the online certificate which would give you a small advantage if you take a fully accredited CELTA, but won't be accepted by many of the better schools worldwide; you'll be in competition with thousands who do have the accredited CELTA.

mpalazuelos · Joined: 14 Oct 2015 Posts: 52

Of course. The CELTA is bullet proof. That's what I would like to aim for.

Does anyone know when they typically hire teachers in SA? When do the Fall and Spring seasons usually begin?

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