Job Discussion Forums

[burngirl]

I'd like to train in the Czech Republic (Prague or elsewhere) to obtain either a CELTA or other TEFL/TESOL certification. With all of the options available, I'm not sure where to focus! I have done some research but it hasn't helped me to define which schools might be a better choice. So on that note, if any of you have trained in the Czech Republic and have (reasonably) glowing reviews of the school you chose, please share!

[AnnMouse]

Hi there,

Surprised you haven't had an answer to this but it is a tricky business so here goes.
I know that in Prague and elsewhere in the CZ a lot of places offer TEFL/CTEFL/TESOL/CELTA etc. qualifications.
Basically you need to make sure that you stick to the 'big two', either the Cambridge CELTA or the Trinity TESOL. These are the most widely recognized.

In any case, you need to make sure that you do one of the full 4-5 week intensive courses which are approximatley 120-150 hours in length.
This should include about 20-30 hours a week of input sessions, plus written assignments, an end of course grammar test and, most importantly a 6-10 hour observed teaching practice component.

Don't bother going the cheap route and doing one of those introductory weekend courses or online study courses. Most schools and governments who require teachers to have a certain level of qualification before issuing work permits etc. don't recognize them, so you'll be falling into a trap if you go go down that route. You can still get work, but employers really want to see the CELTA/TESOL/equivalent on your CV.

I know PLC (Prague Language Centre) in Prague offers/used to offer the TESOL but I don't know specifically of any others. There's probably a Bell school too but am sure there are loads to choose from. As long as you stick to the schools that offer Trinity or Cambridge, you can't go too far wrong as they have to submit to regular checks from the examining body to make sure they are maintaining standards.
Hope that helps

[Frizzie Lizzie]

IH Akcent are the only ones offering the CELTA.

Prague Schools and Oxford TEFL are Trinity-validated and, consequently, offer the Trinity TESOL certificate.

Good luck!

[naturegirl321]

Though not a CELTA course, I did my TEFL training at the Boland School. I opted for a non-CELTA course because of the personal attention and wanted to get outside of the capital. The Boland School's in Brno. They gave us 148 hours of teaching, 8 of students, lots of practice teaching, plus helped with job placement.
They're not a fly-by-night operation. They're recognised by the IATEFL board and have been training for ten years and also have a teacher training course for those who want to train the teachers.
DId the course five years ago and don't regret it. Helps you get your feet wet into teaching TEFL.

[burngirl]

Do you think that there might be benefits (other than monetary) to taking a non-CELTA or Trinity type course? I was thinking that perhaps they might be less rigid, and thus able to adapt to the needs of the present. Specifically, I suppose, I am worried that the CELTA might be a bit more theoretically-based and also directed at teaching adults, whereas I'd hope to find a course that would be very practical and include information on teaching children.

Any additional advice on whether I should opt for the CELTA or just a recognized TEFL course?

[naturegirl321]

Mine followed the syllabus, but there was time for the trainee to ask the trainer questions. Also they gave apersonal touch, I think. in addition, graduates from the course worked at the school, so they made us feel welcome. The Boland school also has arranged transfer credits towards an MA in TEFL with some unis, they have arrangements with many langauge schools, unis, etc so you know that you will be working for a good school.

[spiral78]

So long as the course is 100+ hours on-site and includes a teaching practicuum, you'll be all right. I have a generic cert from a Prague training centre from ten years ago, and it's been accepted everywhere, including in Canada, as an acceptable certification.

I don't know about which courses cover teaching children to any extent, but I'm sure they'd all be happy to tell you explicitly, if you contact them directly.

[leavingonajetplane]

I did my Trinity Cert Tesol in Prague last year and the 'young learners' part of the course was no more than a 2 hour session. It was basically common sense that you could figure out for yourself!.

Perhaps you could do your Trinty or Celta then maybe do one of their Young learners courses afterwards.

You could contact the schools that you are interested in and ask them for a copy of their timetable for the course. That way you can see how much time is dedicated to each part of the syllabus and choose a course that best fits your needs.

Like to other posters have said, make sure the school is accredited and go for the one you feel suits your needs.

As long as you do your work and don't spend too much time partying you should pass anyway, at the end of the day it's only 4 weeks of your life so i wouldn't worry too much about finding the perfect school, some people loved the school i went to and others hate it with a passion. Its the same with all schools you will hear good and bad reviews, i suggest you speak to the schools and go with your instincts.

If you really need a review, have a look on www.expats.cz just take anything you read with a pinch of salt!.

[xiaoge]

Hello
Look I just want to say something about the Boland Course in Brno and wish well the lady who did the course and went on to better things.
The course is a rip-off! There is no reputable course in the world that would train the trainees to correct their students speaking errors 100% of the time. That's just plain crazy. I've found this out since the course. To continuously interrupt a student to fix their errors destroys their confidence and any decent attempt at fluency.
And the focus on grammar is just b/stupid. All that grammar to teach students who were schooled in the traditional method and usually know more grammar than their English teachers anyway!
If you're looking for a course, spend your money on CELTA or Trinity based courses - they're the ones recruiters look for on the CVs.

[naturegirl321]

[fancynan]

I was trying to decide between a CELTA course or a more generic TEFL or TESOL course. After researching the courses available in France (which is where I am going), I then did a side-by-side comparison of the specific courses through www.whichcourse.com . I found that the generic courses better fit what I was looking for while meeting all minimum standards at the least. The cost is a little less, but not significantly, so that was not the main factor.
While in France last fall, I visited the school, spoke to an instructor and a couple of students and liked what I saw. Months later I corresponded by email with one of those students and he had secured employment in Paris and had praised the overall course.
In the meantime, I have been checking ads on FUSAC (ads in Paris) for English teachers to see what the requirements tend to be. I found that most say "CELTA or Equivalent TEFL" so as long as you are taking at least a 4 week intensive course with teaching practice, you should be fine.

[xiaoge]

Perhaps you could explain the relevance of 'your first post' and 'face value'. Does one have to be an avid 'poster' to be schooled in the ways of TESOL?
I think if you read my post carefully you will indeed see that I referred to fluency.
Of course a teacher needs to have a knowledge of the language, you need to read my post carefully. It is the extent of grammar on the Boland course that is self-defeating. So little time allocated to the nuts and bolts of evaluating lessons - 10 minutes following the class is ludicrous - that is a key skill for the developing teacher - who cares how gerunds relate to infinitives - how many times have you had to teach something as obscure as that?
And that is exactly what these affiliation boards to which you refer have agreed to. What does that tell you?
As for credits to universities - credits for what? A first degree? A Master's - hardly - you still need a first degree.
Look, don't get me wrong and certainly no disrespect to you, but the Bolands of the world, and there are plenty like'em, are just not good operators -their prime concern is to get your money and if you suggest more time is needed e.g. to evaluate classes, forget it, that would cost her extra money.

[naturegirl321]

The credits are towards as MA in TEFL at Anaheim Uni. I agree that the grammar is difficult, but it IS an intensive course and you do need to konw grammr in order to teach English.
To each their own, I still think that the Boland school is a great school, it's time in the TEFL industry, backing by languague schools, unis and schools, credit transfer by accreditated uni and backing by IATEFL and the TEFL board all prove this.

[xiaoge]

OK, we've each made our points, ad nauseam, and I'm not here to pick a fight with you.
Are you in Lima? Sounds terrific, what's it like? Would a non-Spanish speaker get by?
I'm in Zhuhai, next to Hong Kong.
Love to hear from you.

[naturegirl321]

I'm in Lima, a non-Spanish speaker could get by. It's ok, right now it's winter, which'll last for about another three months so all my students are sick and got me sick. I had a friend in Zhuhai, he liked the heat. CHina's nice, I'd like to go back to the north in a few years with my husband to raise a family.