Job Discussion Forums

Blackmaninjapan · Joined: 01 Jul 2003 Posts: 5

There seems to be a huge debate regarding certification. I think that people that pursue a Masters in TESL, Celta, rsa are serious about making Tesl their career.. Maybe they are more effective teachers because they have more training and teaching exp... But I have met many people that have a bachelors degree and no certification that a pulling the basic 250 a month and picking up some privates on the side.. So my question is how much will a RSA, Celta or Master degree make you in comparison to the person without the certification....

Peace in the east...

Gordon · Joined: 28 Jan 2003 Posts: 5309 Location: Japan

In Japan, a Masters or CELTA will equate to nothing over the next guy, when it comes to an eikaiwa job.

Glenski · Joined: 15 Jan 2003 Posts: 12844 Location: Hokkaido, JAPAN

I agree with Gordon. I think NOVA pays you a whopping 5000 yen more per month if you have one of those, but that's really small potatoes.

I have a certificate in TESL, and at my language school, my 2 co-workers did not. Our faces were advertised in the brochures with some mention made of our hobbies, countries of origin, and teaching experience/qualifications. A few people admitted that they took my classes when they saw the certificate advertised, but 99.9% chose teachers (if it was at all possible) based on the other stuff they saw. I certainly didn't get paid any more than my co-workers.

shmooj · Joined: 11 Sep 2003 Posts: 1758 Location: Seoul, ROK

Gordon: true, unless you work for The British Council who will not consider you without a qualification that includes teaching experience. IOW, a CELTA teacher (only certificate) level will be better off than a teacher with an MA that included no teaching experience and may not even get the job on that basis.

Not saying that The British Council aren't the only ones but there are different schools out there and not all have the same requirements. By and large though, what you say is perfectly true.

Gordon · Joined: 28 Jan 2003 Posts: 5309 Location: Japan

The poster didn't ask if a TEFL cert. would be beneficial for teaching, just if he'd make more money with one. I do, however, think a good cert like a CELTA makes you a better teacher. I know it made me better and more marketable, not just in Japan, but anywhere.

Spike · Joined: 12 Dec 2003 Posts: 9 Location: Fukuoka, Japan

Years ago after I got an eikaiwa job the boss told me after I started that the reason he selected me over the others was because of my Japan Times TEFL certificate - the other candidates had nothing.

At the university level it seems you now need a doctorate to be competitive...

Sherri · Posted: Fri Jan 02, 2004 2:10 am Post subject:

I think having the cert opens more doors for you. The private language school where I have been working in Tokyo will not even interview you unless you have a cert (or other TEFL-related qualification) and experience. If you have a cert, you will be able to work at the better private schools which often have better pay and conditions than Nova and others like it. If all you want to do it work at one of the big three schools for a year or two it probably isn't worth doing, but if you want more options and intend to teach for a few years, you should do it