Job Discussion Forums

monti · Joined: 02 Sep 2007 Posts: 7

I am looking into taking a TEFL course in BA in January or February 2008. I've found it interesting that these courses are around the same price regardless of where in the world you take them ($1500 USD). Considering the strength of the dollar versus the peso I imagine they are making a nice little profit in BA. With that being said I am looking to negotiate with some of these institutions. My bargaining chip hopefully will be at least 4 potential TEFL students. If you are interested in taking a TEFL course in BA during either of these months please let me know.

yogarina · Joined: 04 Sep 2007 Posts: 7

Monti - I'm traveling to BA in March/April 2008 for a TEFL certificate and have been doing similar research. I too noticed how cleverly the schools have priced the certificate courses: EBC International is $1099 Euros (or $1500 US), Bridge Lingua just happens to be $1500 US. It's like they've pegged the course prices to the exchange rate (annoying).

I did find a CELTA course that runs earlier in the year that's cheaper and fits the dates you're in BA. It's at International House and is around US $1000. Here's the link:

http://www.international-house.com.ar/celta3.htm

Good luck!

matttheboy · Joined: 01 Jul 2003 Posts: 854 Location: Valparaiso, Chile

do the CELTA, it's an internationally recognised cert, BLT isn't.

yogarina · Joined: 04 Sep 2007 Posts: 7

I wish I could take the CELTA but the dates don't fit my travel plan. Isn't EBC also internationally recognized?

As an aside, I looked into CELTA here in NYC and it costs $2500(!)

monti · Joined: 02 Sep 2007 Posts: 7

Thanks for both of your responses. I have read that CELTA is internationally recognized which would be beneficial. EBC is 150 hours which breaks down to $10 an hour. IH is 120 hours and breaks down to $8.33 so it is cheaper.....and yes, I am over-analyzing Very Happy

.

Thanks - Monty

JimRoss · Joined: 22 Oct 2004 Posts: 31

The EBC course meets British Council requirements for teachers in it's accredited schools just like the CELTA and Trinity certificates, http://www.ebc-tefl-course.com/documents/british_council.htm

Regards,

Jim Ross, EBC.

matttheboy · Joined: 01 Jul 2003 Posts: 854 Location: Valparaiso, Chile

JimRoss · Joined: 22 Oct 2004 Posts: 31

Contracted versus possessive! Oh well, there goes another typo. Laughing

Jim

monti · Joined: 02 Sep 2007 Posts: 7

I thought I would provide an update. IH BA total cost is USD $1313 ($113) for the registration fee.

yogarina · Joined: 04 Sep 2007 Posts: 7

$1313? I emailed them this June and was quoted a price of US $900. Does the $1313 include the fee? Maybe they raised the prices?

monti · Joined: 02 Sep 2007 Posts: 7

There were two IH locations. The one I heard from was Belgrano. I haven't heard anything back yet from Recoleta. Its possible they raised the price and didn't include the registration fee. If your interested I can forward you the email response they sent to me.

yogarina · Joined: 04 Sep 2007 Posts: 7

Yes Belgrano quoted me $900. Sure you can send me the email. I'll send you the one I got.

I'm not sure that the Recoleta location teaches the CELTA.

yogarina · Joined: 04 Sep 2007 Posts: 7

Just found another CELTA course in BA. Apparently it's a school in Denver that has certification courses in BA and other int'l locations. It's priced at $2,500 which seems insane for a course in BA where the cost of living is lower.

http://www.studyabroadinternational.com/CELTA/US/CO/Denver_CELTA_dates_and_fees.html

MattieBoi11 · Joined: 06 Sep 2007 Posts: 3 Location: Altoona, PA

I'm also planning on making the trip to BA in February. I'm pretty much set on the CELTA program at IH Belgrano (the only CELTA course in all of Argentina) and as of one week ago I was told the price is U$S1313. The price of the course is U$S1200 and there is a registration fee of U$S113 from the people at Cambridge. When I originally contacted them I was thinking about doing the January program and they told me they would begin looking at applications this month (September) so I'm assuming it won't be long before they start considering applications for the February program that runs February 4th-29th.

Monti, have you had any luck or attempted to bargain with them?

monti · Joined: 02 Sep 2007 Posts: 7

Glad to hear we are getting the same story MB11. Although I've never gone through this process before, I did stay at a Holiday Inn Express last night (sorry...just saw the commercial and no, they don't compensate me for reiterating their corporate punchline Very Happy

). I've been combing through these discussion forums for years....granted...people can say anything but here are some things to keep in mind.

1. These agencies want to fill up their programs as soon as possible and will tell you to hurry and get your application/money in. Given there might be some that fill up very quickly....I've spoken with a few people that showed up the day the class started, got in, and were given a discount.
2. Find out the cancellation policy. If you need to back out how much money do you lose? Do you have the option to take the class at a later date if you need to cancel? Is there a penalty?
3. Make the minimum payments and use a credit card. With a good credit card company if your unhappy with a product/service provided you can cancel the payment. This can be good leverage if your unhappy with the quality of the program or were promised things that aren't being delivered.

You may have already gotten some of the info above....if so, your a step ahead of me!

At this point I haven't begun any negotiations. I'm hoping to get some more responses of people that are interested to use as leverage. I'll keep you in the loop!

Monty