Job Discussion Forums

[Michael1710]

Hello Everyone,

Where can I find a list of CELTA schools in Mexico? I checked the Cambridge website. The two listed were Universidad IberoAmericana in Puebla and International House in Playa del Carmen. I tried emailing UIA and the email was returned.

Is International House in Playa del Carmen the only CELTA school in Mexico? There is a lot of TEFL-TESOL schools and information, but not much on CELTA in Mexico.

Any information is greatly appreciated.

Cheers,

Michael

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[Guy Courchesne]

[lozwich]

Not sure about this, but also try the British Council in Mexico City.

[miss_betty]

Hi
I ran into the same thing as you last year when I was trying to find a CELTA school. Yes, those are the only schools in Mexico.

I ended up staying in the states completing my CELTA..... for me, the availability dates were more important than the location. However, you definately have an advantage to do the celta in the city you want to stay in.more contact etc.....especially if you get a pass b or pass a, places will snap you up right away!

good luck to you

[New Haven]

I just finished CELTA in Playa del Carmen. Great program, but still recovering from the intensity. Of 12 accepted, 1 didn�t make it and one opted out. If you have a lap top bring it; the place is under-resourced.

Sharon

[Fatcat]

"1 didn�t make it and one opted out"

Do you know why the one person didn't make it? I'm going to be taking the course in May (it keeps getting pushed back) so if you want to expand on your experiences, feel free! please! I've heard others talk about the intensity and the teaching style there being hard to adjust to. What did you think about these things??

[Michael1710]

New Haven,

Thanks for the info. Like FatCat, please expand on your experience for us. I plan to enroll in the May class as well and would like to know what to expect.

Can you answer some questions:

1. Describe "Intensity"?
2. Did you practice teach with genuine EFL students or with classmates?
3. What about job placement?
4. How was the interview? Any tips?

I was actually working on the essay portion of the Pre-Interview task when I decided to take a break and check out this forum. Glad I did.

Great post!

Michael

[snorklequeen]

yes, New Haven, details please! inquiring minds want to know

why didn't the one person make it?

i'm 59 and that is the training program i'm planning to take; however, if i can't cut it, i'd like to know that up front before i spend the $$$

maybe i need to "train" for it, like for a sporting event?



thanks,

Queenie

[miss_betty]

i thought i would jump in here too.

I just finished Celta in June.... I am a type A personality.
I am definately an acheiver and did not find this overly stressful but I did keep busy....

Can you answer some questions:

1. Describe "Intensity"?
It is super intense ( if you are a person who enjoys a challenge, then this is the right program) Expect to go to class for 8 hours a day and spend another 4 hours each night or more on the weekends working on the assignments they give you. ALso, you are in a room with your other class mates .... so there can be a personality dynamic that may add to the intensity of the class. We had six people. We all got along for the most part. There was one man who was a wee bit older ( 55+) and a wee bit on the unique side....so he was a handful at times...but as in real life.... you do your best to accept others.

2. Did you practice teach with genuine EFL students or with classmates?

You will start student teaching your first week with real students. They offer free classes in the afternoon...so it does not matter if you give a terrible lesson, becuase no one has paid for it. Our student classes ranged from 3 to 16 people. There was also no way of knowing how many students were coming...so you always had to plan for the maximum and adjust accordingly. In the first week, you are expected to make lesson plans. Also, YOU need to fully understand the material to be able to teach it...that can add a few more hours to your evening so you know you are totally prepared.
You will start with a 15 minute class the first weekand end up with a 60 minute class the last week. You have a lot of guidance along the way from the CELTA tutors...but you have to be willing and motivated to do the work.


3.What about job placement?
there really is no formal job placement. I was looking for a school that offered this.but really no one does. I completed by CELTA at International House..they have a website of job postings........your best bet is to serch the web. If you do end up getting a Pass A or Pass B.....you will have an extra bonus of being in the top 15% of students..good for marketing yourself.

also, if you take CELTA in the city you want to work....companies may be coming to that facility looking for teachers. That was my biggest regret.i did mine in the states and not where I wanted to live.

4. How was the interview? Any tips?
Well, be prepared.....know your tenses...present perfect, present continuous etc. I interviewed over the phone so I had my cheat notes in from of me. They will go through some of the grammar you did for the preliminary interview...know why you answered the question the way you did.
Ask what the average class size is ( for people getting the CELTA) and how many students on average come for english lessons ( your potential students)
Know why you want to do this....what is your motivation and your goals.


Best of wishes to all of you.............I am really happy I completed the CELTA. I would do the exactly same thing if I ahd to do it again.!!!!!

Saludos!