Job Discussion Forums

spoyneer · Joined: 02 Jan 2009 Posts: 5

Hi,

I want to take a month-long certificate course in Mexico this summer and am trying to make a final decision on schools.

The course at the Vancouver English Center was recommended to me by someone at U Guanajuato, but ITTO's website makes that school look more inviting. Is it just better marketing?

If you know anything about either of these schools (or a better one in MX), I'd appreciate your advice.

Thanx

MO39 · Posted: Tue Jan 06, 2009 6:55 pm Post subject: Re: ITTO Versus Vancouver

silvertonguedcavalier · Joined: 04 Dec 2008 Posts: 27 Location: Toronto

Having never taken any TEFL course, I cannot provide any qualified opinions on any schools, but if you want to take a course in Mexico, I would recommend you study here as there are a number of reasons to get the CELTA over other TEFL certificates. Granted, the reasons for doing so are not as strong in Central/Latin America from what I understand, but why limit yourself?

I'm sure ITTO in Guadlajara is a good school as well, since one of the members here works there, and even though I don't know him at all, based on his posts, he seems like a stand up guy. But again, I think you would benefit more from having a CELTA.

Good luck.

spoyneer · Joined: 02 Jan 2009 Posts: 5

Thanks for your input. I had read an earlier posting recommending CELTA but decided that it wasn't worth the extra money for me.

I am a teacher with a couple graduate degrees, so I'm not looking for a door opener as much as I'm looking for techniques.

Thanks again!

silvertonguedcavalier · Joined: 04 Dec 2008 Posts: 27 Location: Toronto

If you're already a teacher, as in, you have the appropriate certification(s) from your country, and experience, you're better off than most and don't need a TEFL certificate, although they could, be helpful in terms of helping you learn specifically how to teach English.

But, the internet has everything. I'm sure there is a glut of lesson plans, ideas, etc available that would be useful.

rafomania · Joined: 25 Mar 2005 Posts: 95 Location: Guadalajara

I did ITTO a few years ago. It helped to get me familiar with teaching as I had never done it before. But I teach differently now to how I was taught there. They can hook you up with jobs in Mexico. They are quite a good bunch there. The course did enough to give me the confidence to teach. Cant compare it to vancuver though. Not sure how much you know about tefl teaching. what did you teach?

spoyneer · Joined: 02 Jan 2009 Posts: 5

Thanks for the advice!

I teach entrepreneurship, small business management, green and sustainable business and futures studies. I've taught a few semesters of Business English but, obviously, from the business, not language, perspective.

I probably could get by without a certificate, but would like to feel stronger on the language side.

I just attended a workshop where someone else recommended CELTA, but it just doesn't seem worth the price for me.

I still can't make up my mind!

Thanks!

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

MO39 · Posted: Tue Jan 13, 2009 10:32 pm Post subject:

When people without TEFL experience post on Dave's about "getting by" in the classroom without some relevant training, it really gets my goat! Just think about it this way - would you want to spend your hard-earned money learning Spanish from a native speaker with no training in language teaching?

spoyneer · Joined: 02 Jan 2009 Posts: 5

Yep, that's what I've found teaching Business English. The fact that I can use the language well doesn't mean that I can explain it!

In one class I had students from 15 different countries -- all very advanced ESL students. Most of them could explain the grammar (often better than I could), but using it was a different matter.

I definitely want more help in learning how to explain, etc. That's my motivation behind wanting to do a certificate.

I really appreciate your comments. I still haven't made up my mind about which program to take, but I'm getting closer.

Thanks!

spoyneer · Joined: 02 Jan 2009 Posts: 5

I FINALLY made up my mind and am going to ITTO. They've been really responsive and always provided me with even more information than I requested.

Vancouver replied with a form email followed by one more personal. But....the personal one didn't answer my questions. When they did provide references they gave me two email addresses -- one was no longer functioning. The other responded but since she now works for them....

Thanks again for your input!