Job Discussion Forums

MikeySaid · Joined: 10 Nov 2004 Posts: 509 Location: Torreon, Mexico

I have a BA in World Languages and Cultures (Latino/Spanish Concentration) and I am looking for a place to get a CELTA or TESOL or TEFL certificate in Northern California. I already work for a .com, and don't really want to do the course online.

Anybody got any recommendations?

Should I maybe go work in Japan or Taiwan for a year and decide if I like the field? I've thought about an MA in Applied Linguistics, but am undecided.

Gregor · Joined: 06 Jan 2005 Posts: 842 Location: Jakarta, Indonesia

St. Giles Language Center in downtown San Francisco offers a good, face-to-face CELTA course.
http://www.stgiles-usa.com/

As for CELTA vs MA, well, the MA is certainly good. You'll have the CELTA faster, though, and with the CELTA and BA will get you into a decent job. After you've done it for a year or so (it takes some time to get used to it before you decide that you like it - living as a foreigner alone takes a LOT of getting used to), decide about the MA.

My two bits' worth.

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

I agree with Gregor. Do the TEFL before you go, then get your year of experience to see if you like the field. (During which time you can think about MAs!)

It is possible to get jobs without a TEFL certificate, but how prepared do you feel now, pre-TEFL, to prepare your own lesson and then walk into a classroom and deliver it? If you are not prepared, you might not enjoy your experience as much as you should.

Good luck,
d

natsume · Joined: 24 Apr 2006 Posts: 409 Location: Chongqing, China

I just finished mine at Berkeley Extension. Probably a bit of a drive from Monterey, but we had people commuting from as far away as Sacramento, San Jose, Davis, and Sonoma County.

Feel free to PM me, if you wish. Overall, I found it to be an excellent program.

http://www.unex.berkeley.edu/cert/tesl.html