Job Discussion Forums

[moonshine]

Hi,

I'm planning on doing my CELTA later this year in the UAE. First thought was Ab Dhabi but I see there are several locations to choose from.

Any comments on this from someone who did theirs in UAE?

How would it be to do it during the summer? or is it better to wait until cooler weather - my idea is we'd be inside all day anyway - or is that not correct? is it still too hot?

How about accommodations - do we plan our own pretty much? and what documents should I bring along if I'd like to plan on finding a contract afterwards - that's sort of the point -

thanks for responding!

((fyi, I've spent some time in the ME, just not the UAE, am quite well-traveled so please keep your comments to the subject at hand, if it's not too much to ask. Thanks again!))

[Tom Le Seelleur]

Moonshine
The british Council in Abu Dhabi is your best choice. They are very professional and the trainers are top notch. I know many people who have passed the course and got decent jobs afterwards. Abu Dhabi has plenty of opportunities for work. I recommend that before you take the course, you read a book written by Caroline Brandt
"Success on your Certificate Course in English Language Teaching" it really helps those embarking on a course like CELTA and is a must read. (it is published by Sage)

email me if you would like any more information

Tom

[nowasta]

University of Wollongong in Dubai and several HCT campuses also have excellent programs.

[veralynn]

Have to disagree with TLS. Have heard bad things about the British Council, both from people who did their CELTA there and from someone who used to work there!
I did mine at the Men's College (HCT). The guy who organised it was a bit useless but all the other instructors I thought were excellent.
Not sure how you would go about getting accommodation here if you were just on a visit visa. And not sure if the courses actually run during the summer as things tend to close down a bit then as it's so hot.

[moonshine]

thanks for the replies - I especially appreciate the different opinions.

as for the British Council, I'm American and am not sure I'd fit in there.

HCT seems the best fit - I'm female and would really like to teach at a women's college.

what exactly are the regular terms there - that is, when do unis start their fall schedule and end ? and about when does the really hot weather come when people "shut down" as I keep reading about?

thanks again!

[moonshine]

TLS - I forgot to ask - can you offer more specifics about this book and why you think it's a "must read?" I've been teaching ESL for a few years and actually working in curriculum development now which sort of spurred me to go out and get my CELTA - so I'm well aware of the need for it and what it's supposed to do - but am curious about this book you recommend so highly.

care to share here?

[veralynn]

Most Fall semesters start late August and finish around end Dec/early January. Most Spring semesters start end Jan and finish end May.
Kind of depends on your own personal definition of 'really hot', but I kind of think of it this way: 4 months are usually perfect but can get a little cold - Dec-Mar, 4 months are usually perfect but can get a little hot - Oct & Nov, Apr & May, and 4 months are just horrible - June-Sept.

[veiledsentiments]

[Tom Le Seelleur]

The book tells you how to prepare for the course, the pitfalls you face during the course and how to deal with the disappointments and frustrations you might feel. The CELTA is very hard work but within a short period of time you are better qualified and more attractive to employers. You can then decide whether to do a much longer Diploma, MA or PGCE

[moonshine]

[veiledsentiments]

Good planning!!

VS

[Jolie_V]

Are you familiar with the TKT? ( teaching knowledge test) Read a reviewer for TKT. You don't have to take the exam, but the review will give you the advantage of knowing & understanding the coverage of the course, as opposed to the information overload that takes place.

I wish I had come across the TKT prior to my CELTA!

[mishmumkin]

[773]

When I did the CELTA about 7 years ago in the UK, I was the only American in the group. I think that made it more interesting for me. Don't worry about not "fitting in," as English varies incredibly even within the UK and I know on my course, different grammatical styles, pronunciation, etc. were compared between those students who were from all over the UK as well as myself. This made the sessions interesting and sometimes hilarious.

For instance, they asked me how I say 'merry,' Mary,' and 'marry.' I pronounce them all identically, but Brits have distinct pronunciation for each word. I had no idea that they were pronounced differently by some, and I am married to a Brit!!! Those kinds of little discoveries are a lot of fun (how geeky do I sound! ).

[johnslat]

Dear 773,
I take it you're from the "Midwest" then ("Mary, merry, marry all sounding the same.) I'm pretty sure that's regional in the USA. I'm originally from Boston, and people there have distinctly different pronunciations of the three words.
Regards,
John