Job Discussion Forums

[While I was out]

How important would you say, business qualifications are? For example from the London Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
http://www.lccieb.com/Web/lccieb/index.aspx

Has anyone completed any of their qualifications, or business tefl certificates from another provider? How did it help you in your teaching and did it ever get you a job?

[Kootvela]

I took the certificate from London Chamber of Commerce and Industry a couple of years ago.

It comes in two parts: the preparation course and the exam, you can do both or only one of them. I did both.

Before coming to the course I had already had about three years of experience teaching Business English but still it was a challenge for me because of all those business terms pouring on me every second sentence. The course was intensive, informative and fun, I personally found it very useful for my personal development as a teacher.

The naked truth is, I don't get paid more just because I have the certificate. It's not that I can't sell myself, it's because the market is full of aprt-time teachers and students who take the job with lower rates and leaves the experienced and certified teachers a) doing the same b) taking own private students.

[While I was out]

Thanks for the info. I think then that I will put this on the back burner for a year or 2.

[Kootvela]

Well, if you pass the exam, the certificate is yours forever and can supplement any CV. The course is also a highlitener on business English teaching, so it won't do any harm. And since it's a short one, places fill up quickly. My major concern was the price.

[While I was out]

The price was a concern of mine too. I'm thinking about my MA, and might do the certificate at a later date.