Job Discussion Forums

davechile · Joined: 17 Mar 2006 Posts: 87 Location: San Francisco, CA

Hi there everyone

I am just beginning my research to teach in Chile in maybe 12-18 months from now. I know I need to get a TEFL certificate. But, is it worth spending $2,000 to get a CELTA over a $300 weekend course? That is alot of money! How much of a return will I get in salary when I go down to Chile?
Dave from San Francisco

Guy Courchesne · Joined: 10 Mar 2003 Posts: 9650 Location: Mexico City

"Where' won't matter as much as 'how' when it comes to employment. You'll be asked about your experience teaching when job seeking. I'll guess that you've never taught before - and that's no problem - but when you discuss your training, the difference will be saying that you had X amount of hours in observed practice vs zero hours practice.

The difference in salary won't be an issue. The difference in being employed and not being employed will, however.

davechile · Joined: 17 Mar 2006 Posts: 87 Location: San Francisco, CA

Can I observe classes in the US that teach english to non english speakers and get credit for that?

Guy Courchesne · Joined: 10 Mar 2003 Posts: 9650 Location: Mexico City

Most certainly you can. And that is very good experience. But, Chilean employers will be most interested in Chilean experience, or experience with Spanish speakers. I was posting with the idea of the difference between no experience and some experience....that is more important.

denise · Joined: 23 Apr 2003 Posts: 3419 Location: finally home-ish

A four-week intensive course (with 100+ hours of class time and six-ish hours of teaching practice) is the standard minimum requirement. If you cut corners and only do a weekend course, you are hurting your chances of employment, as Guy said. You are also potentially hurting yourself by not getting the proper basic training--wouldn't you rather be prepared for your first teaching job?

They don't all cost $2000. You can shop around and cut a least a few hundred dollars.

d

Sgt Killjoy · Joined: 26 Jun 2004 Posts: 438

Dave, on another thread, you are talking about wanting to earn $2000 a month in Chile. My suggestion is to get as much training with observed teaching practice as possible. I am not big on certificates for someone with some experience and the ability to learn on their own, but with your plans, you need as much paper as you can get.

Frank1980 · Joined: 13 Feb 2006 Posts: 31

The Celta is great. If you want to become a great teacher - the Celta is the way to go. Weekend courses are not respectable and will not prepare you with the skills you need to teach. Most schools in Chile don't care. The best do!