Job Discussion Forums

simplekid · Joined: 06 May 2005 Posts: 3 Location: ireland

Hi guys,
I have a couple of years teaching experience in Asia. I went there on the strength of a degree and a 40hr preliminary tefl certificate. I want to try teaching in Spain for a while. Do I need to get a CELTA (it's expensive in Ireland ...where I am now).
If I should do a CELTA do you have any recommendations where to do one? A CELTA costs 1,600 euros in Ireland and a DELTA costs 3,000 euros...... aaaarggh. Is it true that some schools in Spain will guarantee you work if you do the CELTA with them? Are these the best schools to work for?
A lot of questions but I'd be grateful for replies!

Moore · Joined: 25 Aug 2004 Posts: 730 Location: Madrid

You can get a job in Spain without a CELTA if you have experience: to be honest, you can get a job in Spain if you have a pulse. The CELTA would allow you to work at the two or three schools here that insist on it, and would also allow you to go to the UK over summer and teacher foreign kids there for summer camps. Spain can be a tough place to get enough hours at the beginning, so maybe the 1600 euros could be more useful in your pocket to spend on flat deposits/mobile phone bills/beer. Long term a CELTA is a good idea as it opens more doors to you, but you can get a perfectly good job anywhere without one.

simplekid · Joined: 06 May 2005 Posts: 3 Location: ireland

Ha ha ...well I have a pulse so I know that's in my favour. Thanks for the advice I have some savings from Asia so I may aaarggh invest in my future although I wonder if it would be more useful to do a DELTA ...if I was qualified to do one.
Thanks

grahamb · Joined: 30 Apr 2003 Posts: 1945

It would be a miracle if you were accepted on a DELTA course with only 2 years' experience and no CELTA, so bite the bullet and get the CELTA and some more experience under your belt first. Look at it as an investment in your future.

simplekid · Joined: 06 May 2005 Posts: 3 Location: ireland

Okay, that sounds like reasonable advice. Shortcuts be damned I'll do the CELTA ! But man Ireland is a pricey country 1,600 euros for a month long course is a joke....and the joke's on me!

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

Yes. Do the celta.

VanGuy · Joined: 29 Apr 2005 Posts: 3

Further to the posts already written....I just have a similar question about my own position. I have 1 year teaching experience in Asia and also a Bachelor of Education obtained in Auckland, New Zealand. Do you recommend that I get a CELTA or similar certification to have a future teaching in Europe, in particular Spain? I know I can get a perfectly good job without one, but for career purposes would it be much more of a benefit to have this qualification? Or would the education degree be just as highly viewed? I have an EU passport too.

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

I'm not sure the CETLA will do much for you in terms of career advancement. The only thing I think it helps with is getting accepted into a DELTA program. If you're serious about language teaching I'd get some more experience and then go straight for an advanced degree, not a certificate.

Other than that, I think CELTA is good for a refresher if you've been out of the teaching ring for a long time --- if you've never taught language at all --- if you are new to teaching in Europe and aren't EU --- and.....if you want to stress out for a month but meet a lot of nice people and feel stimulated.

Seekeroflight · Joined: 19 Apr 2005 Posts: 12 Location: Muncie, IN

EBC is offering a CELTA program in Madrid with excellent placement afterward, and you can never have enough education!

JimRoss · Joined: 22 Oct 2004 Posts: 31

Just a minor correction. EBC offers the accredited "Advanced Certificate in TESOL", we do not work with CELTA. Thanks for your input about our job placement assistance programme.

Regards,

Jim Ross,
Director,
EBC Servicios Ling��sticos,
[email protected]