Job Discussion Forums

[Ezra555]

This has probably been asked before�

I was planning on getting the CELTA this year through International House. When I contacted International House, they told me that they may not offer the CELTA during the time I am available, but rather offer an equivalent International House Certificate or something to that effect.

I�m looking to teach abroad for a length of time. I haven�t decided on where exactly I will end up. I�d like to go to Central Europe definitely, perhaps Russia, perhaps elsewhere. In Russia and Central Europe, it seems, the CELTA is � by name � preferred.

Would this IH certificate � which is taught by the same people with the same procedure as the CELTA � ultimately hamper my goals? Is not having the specific CELTA name on my certification � but being equally certified � going to make employers pass over my resume? Is IH reputable enough that it wouldn�t matter?

Thanks in advance!

[fluffyhamster]

Didn't John Haycraft, the founder of IH, help develop (indeed, almost single-handedly develop) what became the RSA Prep Certificate, which in turn fed into the RSA/UCLES CTEFLA, which was "revamped" to become the (UCLES only, it seems) CELTA? I'd think it a bit rich if diehard CELTA fans weren't prepared to see an IH certificate as being equally valid and/or weren't aware of the history.

I suppose however that the decision ultimately depends on price. If IH have basically decided to cut out the costs of being what is essentially a CELTA training franchise, but aren't passing the presumable savings (for still similar "quality" training, one would assume) on to trainees, then I would perhaps think twice about parting with my cash; then again, for all I know, a flimsy four-week certificate with the minimum of expensive required books and reading may well cost roughly the same (to run, for trainer wages etc) regardless of who offers or certifies it.

[Ezra555]

I guess what I�m really asking is:

When employers are looking at 20 applications, and 19 of those just say �CELTA�, and mine says �IH Certificate (which is just as rigorous/same amount of hours as CELTA),� will my resume be glanced at, then thrown away just because it�s not Cambridge name? I imagine (from my research) that the pecking order is MA in TESOL or teaching certification, then something like a DELTA, then CELTA/Trinity�I�m wondering if this course offering is going to put me behind those with the CELTA/Trinity bullet�

The price is indeed the same. I�m concerned because my calendar is merciless and I wouldnt be able to take it any other time�

[fluffyhamster]

Just a quick question: where are you intending to do your IHC (in TEFL?)? The reasons I ask are:

1) IH San Diego still appears to offer the CELTA*. If you live in California, this is a contradiction that you obviously should check out and resolve, if you really would prefer to do the CELTA.
http://www.ihworld.com/teachertraining/courses.asp?affid=83 (Edit: Actually the course dates are out of date, only up to Oct 2006, although the webpage has a copyright notice of 2008).

2) Following on from 1), IH Portland and Santa Monica are no longer approved to offer the CELTA, and on IH's website don't appear to be offering any TT (teacher training) courses ("not even" the IHC in TEFL) - perhaps they shut down completely, or are no longer authorized by anyone! Be wary if either of these two are still "open for business" (the quality could be good, but you'd still potentially be ending up with an "unapproved" certificate).

Basically, the only active IH TT centres that I can see offering what you want in North America are in San Diego (aforementioned CELTA-approved), or Vancouver or Toronto (for the IHC in TEFL or TYL, and a TESOL Cert respectively, but neither for the CELTA, it seems).

[arioch36]

Most schools that I know of throughout the world would not care much. If you know where you want to teach, you should post the question on that board. For example, in China, 99.5% of the time, a certificate CELTA or other, has no value in finding a job, you don't need it. In japan, a cert would not help you get a job at a uni.

[bonibaby]

Just an FYI from my own research:

BridgeTEFL in Denver is on the Cambridge list of approved CELTA centers in North America. They have an 'exchange' agreement with IH / CLIC in Seville for CELTA training. The Seville course is only offered in July when I hope to go. You can get more information by checking the BridgeTEFL website at www.bridgetefl.com. All of their contact info, including phone numbers is available there as well. I've been doing a lot of homework on this and finally got all my questions answered to my satisfaction and plan to go with them if my grant proposal is approved. Hope this helps somewhat.
bonnie

[Kootvela]

I have taken an IH cert. at Vilnius and IH London confirmed that it is equivavlent to CELTA and therefore no discrimination should take place.

[11:59]

[Kootvela]

Some companie state 'CELTA or equivalent' , IH is not the same as CELTA but I've been interviewed for positions abroad with this IH cert. no problem.

[Ezra555]

A thank you to everyone responding. Here�s another throng of questions.

My interest in the CELTA comes from my interest in working in Central Europe. Apparently, the chance of this (as I am an American-Canadian) is dwindling outside pay-before-you-go programs like CETP (which don�t require the CELTA). What countries would I be eligible for � not a comprehensive list, but just some shout outs � with a BA in English, limited experience, a CELTA, and American/Canadian passports?

I have researched Japan, Korea, China and Taiwan and know that the CELTA will get me a slightly better salary. I also get the impression the Middle East isn�t worth it unless you have a MA in TESL. What about the rest of Europe, Russia, and the other Americas? Will my qualifications land me a uni job in South Korea?

AND�

Perusing some job postings, some ask for �teacher certification in English Education.� Would this include the CELTA (�Certificate in English Language Training�)? Or is the first wording exclusively a honest-to-god teacher�s certificate?

[fluffyhamster]

[Ezra555]

Thanks again to everyone. Given that I have the time, I'd like to prepare myself as completely/as best as possible.

[Justin Trullinger]

I'm not the world's biggest CELTA fan, for a variety of reasons, but...


If it's done with the same trainers, why don't they just offer the CELTA?

If the content is quite similar....same question...?

If the hours are the same.........?



There are plenty of certs on the market that are as good as or better than the CELTA. No doubt about this, in my opinion. But the question of WHY, suddenly, some IH centers have gone to an in-house cert instead of an externally assessed one, is something I'd want an answer to before committing to doing one. Have they lost accreditation? Or is it just some kind of inter-institutional politics? How does the cost compare?


Best,
Justin

[Kootvela]

[Justin Trullinger]