Job Discussion Forums

claudek · Joined: 02 May 2006 Posts: 7

Hi,
I once tried to take the Celta and dropped out after about two weeks during a summer intensive course. I kind of found it a bit too much for me. I could not keep up with the pace. I learned a lot either way and found it interesting. I know it is important to have some ESL certification in order to teach professionally and it also benefits my teaching as well. So, I am thinking of maybe trying this course offered during 6 months on Saturdays. If you know or have done either, what can you advise me? I am looking for some qualifications to make my resume look stronger and enrich myself as well.
Thanks in advance Smile

william wallace · Joined: 14 May 2003 Posts: 2869 Location: in between

Figure out your CELTA cost; divide it in half, then just send the cheque/check to Cambridge(you could give 10-15% to the British Council), and ask one of the English profs a few .....better yet ! After sending the money, make up your own. I know that worked for me at McUniversity when I wanted the BIGMC diploma.
Facetious ? Partly, but also practical. If you are like the 80% that come into ESL for the world(pick your fancy;China, I guess?) tour of 12-36 months- Why pay for this play ? Just play ! Your serious ? Then you'll need a heck of a lot more than a CELTA or DELTA; IF, you want to play in the big leagues.
Just testing the waters ? I never went for a diploma to be a waiter, or busboy, why for a standard ESL gig ?
Here here! That you want to play by the rules, but the rules don't jive well in China. Wink

lozwich · Joined: 25 May 2003 Posts: 1536

I did the CELTA part time: 3 nights a week for 3 months while working full time in a pretty busy job. Lots of coffee, vitamin b and chocolate helped me get through, but what I did like is that I had the opportunity to digest the information, rather than cramming it all into 5 weeks intensive, where I know I would have forgotten a great deal of the stuff.

I know what William Wallace is getting at, but if you're looking for a long term life in ESL, I'd suggest getting some kind of qualification under your belt. If nothing else it'll get you better jobs, and hopefully a few more pennies. Wink

claudek · Joined: 02 May 2006 Posts: 7

maybe I just buy this book to get a head start

http://www.eflbooks.co.uk/book.php?isbn=0521692067

sheeba · Joined: 17 Jun 2004 Posts: 1123

I'd say CELTA/DELTA or DIp are suitable for Europe more than Asia so it depends where you are.

I did my CELTA part time(6 months , 2 nights a week) and I think I absorbed a lot more that way. I was working full time in accounts and found that hard. When I changed to part time everything was much easier.

The Dip done over a year for me seemed much better than cramming that in in 2 or 3 months. I think I learnt a lot more by spreading out the study. I would spread out the study if you can.

You could buy a book but who have you got to guide you? motivate you?

Some of the Cambridge/Trinity guys will pish you off but for me it was an excuse to get off my ash and do something. Book reading on your own only helps so much IMHO.

TheLongWayHome · Joined: 07 Jun 2006 Posts: 1016 Location: San Luis Piojosi

Yes, why kill yourself doing the CELTA in 4 weeks when you can do it at a much more leisurely pace and save your sanity? Seems logical but most still go for the 4 week baptism of fire route.

Cognition · Joined: 22 Mar 2007 Posts: 62

Geez, personally I found the 'intensive' CELTA joke: an absolute laughable doddle.

sheeba · Joined: 17 Jun 2004 Posts: 1123

The reason cognition MIGHT be that the quality varies between centres that offer the CELTA course. I've met some who have done the CELTA but seem to still be completely clueless as to what that course should provide. They still had no idea how to plan a lesson. No one on the course I did who passed would be in that state.

arioch36 · Joined: 21 Jan 2003 Posts: 3589

Llamalicious · Posted: Thu Sep 13, 2007 3:56 pm Post subject:

FuzzX · Joined: 14 Oct 2004 Posts: 122

CELTA, biggest waste of money ever.

If you need a quick certificate get the TESOL, at least its a fun class. My CELTA class was made up of 2 hideously obese women. 2 Academics who liked to discuss theatre and english vs latin verb tenses, a guy who could hardly speak english without his accent interfering and a person who referred to himself as a grammarian. My TESOL class was a bunch of 20/30 something working class joes, no boring discussions. They teach you more about what you'll need at street level to get a job, how to sell yourself and how to be a fun POPULAR teacher. CELTA will teach you how to bore students and get yelled at by the DOS. Christ I hate working with CELTA people.

Don't listen to all the Celtainians who are about to jump up in defense of the program.. I've taken both and CELTA wasted more time on theory and bullshit than PRACTICAL teaching methods. The only thing of any use in that course was the 'communicative method'.

Put it this way: CELTA is full of the geeks of the ESL world, people who really get off on talking about school and their degree. TESOL pumps out the cowboy teachers, usually the dancing monkey see the world crowd. Personally I'd rather be a dancing monkey, they seem to have more fun.

SF21 · Joined: 05 Jun 2007 Posts: 72 Location: California

Mr. Kalgukshi · Posted: Fri Sep 28, 2007 9:00 pm Post subject:

Several inappropriate or off-topic postings have been deleted. If and when this thread is unlocked, repeats of such behavior will earn members appropriate sanctions.