Job Discussion Forums

[sharter]

In the 90s it was really common to find teachers in Poland who had no EFL certification whatsoever, even at the tertiary level. A few of my buddies are such people, but have been there for years and noone seems to mind. It's difficult for them to go anywhere else.

Just out of interest, how many people who post on this forum have no certification at all?

By the way, I have a CTEFLA and B.SC. degree and 14 years experience. I looked into the MA and DELTA many moons ago and decided that the former was far too theoretical and the latter far too inflexible, but don't deny that it could be useful. I've always found workshops to be beneficial and have attended and given them. Practical learning suits me.

I've also observed many MA qualified people who are simply rotten teachers:when I recruit, the DELTA has much more pulling power. A CELTA is essential.

[dynow]

i simply don't understand the demand for a CELTA, or any other equivalent certification to teach english in this country.

sure it would exclude you from certain schools that require one, but there are always a dozen schools around the corner that do not require one.

i came to Poland with a TESOL certification and two specialization courses, Teaching Children and Tutoring, either of which would have made any difference in me getting a job here.

half the time I'm in class, especially with 1 to 1's or simply advanced classes, I'm just talking about this and that, and it's not that it's my style, it's what the students often want. you can say what you want about how conversation classes are ineffective, you will get no argument from me, but if you took a look at how your time is actually spent in class, it's a lot of BS'ing, and a degree/certification doesn't help you with that, a personality does.

in Poland, once your foot is in the door, you're on your way to making enough money to live. I read about the earnings of various people on this forum with CELTA's, along with whatever other certifications they have, and their earnings are no better than mine.

as far as being stuck in Poland? I don't feel that way. If i left Poland, I would go back to America and probably do something completely unrelated to ESL, but would of course have the option of teaching english in some way or another. there are honestly no other countries in Europe i would be interested in living in anyway. if i leave poland, it's back to the states for me.

[Jack Walker]

I understand Mr.Sharter.....I edited my post.Sorry.

[sharter]

Jack the thread isn't really for the qualified it's more for those who've been in Poland ages and can't leave because they don't have the quals, even though they might have many years experience.

I'd be horrified if I was in my 30s, newly married, with an expectant wife living on the earnings of 1 in Poland in 2008/9.

And...for what it's worth, I agree with most, if not all, of the things you've said recently.