Job Discussion Forums

lozwich · Joined: 25 May 2003 Posts: 1536

To be honest, I've never understood the "do the CELTA in country because you'll be able to meet contacts" thing. The participants I've seen spend their whole time working their behinds off trying to get through the course. I don't know if you get a magical list of contacts at the end of the course, but the 5 weeks is pretty much taken up with studying.

naturegirl321 · Joined: 04 May 2003 Posts: 9041 Location: home sweet home

dixie · Joined: 23 Apr 2006 Posts: 644 Location: D.F

I thought the point of doing such courses in-country also had to do with the fact that your course would be geared more towards the type of learner that you will face. Thus, if you do it in LA, you will learn more about how Spanish speakers learn English - the trouble spots, etc. - while if you did it in China, you would learn about the learning habits of Chinese speakers.

naturegirl321 · Joined: 04 May 2003 Posts: 9041 Location: home sweet home

Possibly, buit not too much so. I think my course only spent an hour or two on that.

The majority of it is teaching in general, vocab, games, grammar, etc.

MO39 · Posted: Fri Jul 11, 2008 1:24 am Post subject:

lozwich · Joined: 25 May 2003 Posts: 1536

Gee, I knew I was completely overloaded during my CELTA, but I didn't realise that much! I was so busy just trying to get through, I didn't have a moment to think about how culture was affecting learning. That didn't happen until I was well into my first teaching job.

I didn't have a choice about where I did my CELTA, I had to work at the same time, otherwise I would have never been able to afford to do it.

Hawko79 · Joined: 15 Jun 2007 Posts: 7

I am looking into doing a TEFL at the International Student Services Org. in Bogota.

Does anyone know if this is a good place to do my TEFL course (well reputed and reliable)?

I have asked a few questions already and they seem to be very professional and helpful.

Thanks again.

lozwich · Joined: 25 May 2003 Posts: 1536

I've never heard of them, but that could be more a statement about me than them. Been a bit busy for the past few years... Smile

Just make sure its more than 100 hours (I forget exactly how long a "good" TEFL course should be) and has some obersved teaching practice component.

Good luck!
Lozwich.

naturegirl321 · Joined: 04 May 2003 Posts: 9041 Location: home sweet home

I htink that 120 and 6 hours of teaching is the norm

Hawko79 · Joined: 15 Jun 2007 Posts: 7

Hi guys,

I am currently in Bogota about to commence the search for a job. I have a lot of friends here that are able to help me out, but I am still unsure whether I should take that ISSO TEFL course here in Bogota (one starts on the 18th March), or if I should just try and find work and possibly work illegally.

It costs about $1100 USD, which I can afford. If any of you guys have teaching experience in Colombia with or without a TEFL certificate, please let me know.

Thanks for your help.

sistaray · Joined: 25 Apr 2007 Posts: 82 Location: trumpland

I suppose if you can afford it, I'd say do it, if only because you'll be the better teacher for it. But if it's only getting jobs you're worried about, at least test the waters first. Pleeenty of my colleagues in Lima, when I worked there, were cert-less. In fact the majority were. Perhaps Bogota is substantially different though...

naturegirl321 · Joined: 04 May 2003 Posts: 9041 Location: home sweet home

Atlan Training · Joined: 02 Apr 2009 Posts: 76 Location: Spain

You should consider your employability from the certification. There are a few CELTA centers in South America. Bogota has one through the British Council. There is also Southern Cross Teacher Training in Ecuador. It is an excellent center and the cost of the course is very low. CELTA is by far the most recognized certification globally. I don't recommend any certification other than CELTA, or TESOL through Trinity or SIT if you plan to travel outside of the local area. Most TEFL certifications do not "travel" despite what their promotions may say. With a CELTA or TESOL, you can work anywhere in the world and your salary and conditions are likely to be significantly better. This is definitely the case in Ecuador, where I train at Southern Cross.

The visa situation is more straightforward now in Ecuador for qualified teachers. You needn't work illegally. You can ask about the job placement program at Southern Cross. Check the website.

Good luck!

Justin Trullinger · Posted: Thu Apr 09, 2009 2:40 pm Post subject:

I'd add to what's been said; the ability to work legally is dependent on qualifications and preparation.

Here in Ecuador, if you turn up on a tourist visa, you may be able to get legal work and a legal visa, but it's hard. (And is a legal grey area- the law says you can't do it, but sometimes people find loopholes.) Basically, if you enter on a tourist visa, you'll only turn legal if an employer REALLY wants you, and if you're pretty lucky.

If you arrange beforehand, though, it's not really that hard. I've been here (legally) for 6 years. But you have to look into it, and look out for yourself!

Best,
Justin

PS- I agree with Atlan, that reputable training centers aren't exactly growing on trees round here. THe other one in Ecuador is the SIT TESOL center in Quito, from a not entirely unbiased source. (I'm a trainer there.)