Job Discussion Forums

godmachine12 · Joined: 06 Feb 2009 Posts: 62

Hello all. I'll try and make this as short and concise as possible. I've been seriously looking at obtaining a CELTA for a while now. I've been browsing these forums and scouring the Internet for a while. I'm located in the US and am looking to apply to one of the centers here. There are three I'm looking at specifically: one in Denver; one in New York; and one in San Diego. Can anyone recommend one over the other? Can anyone give me any feedback on their experience there if they happened to attend one of these�or any other center in the US for that matter? Thanks a lot!

http://www.bridgetefl.com/

http://www.teachinghouse.com/

http://www.ih-sandiego.com/

nstick13 · Posted: Mon Feb 09, 2009 3:31 pm Post subject:

I'm not sure where in the US you are, but it's just as affordable to go to the UK this summer to get your certificate, flight and accommodation included.

godmachine12 · Joined: 06 Feb 2009 Posts: 62

I live in East TN, so even the ones in the US aren't really close. I'll need airfare and accommodation either in the country or out. I was thinking the US so I wouldn't have to deal with currency exchange and the like while I was taking the course, but I'm definitely not opposed to doing it elsewhere. I know there are numerous places to take the course in the UK, so would you recommend one over another? Thank you!

nstick13 · Posted: Mon Feb 09, 2009 9:15 pm Post subject:

I cannot recommend one over the other, as I'm only just ahead where you are. I've just realized that London seems to be the best option, and most of the UK is as good as the states and better than other foreign countries.

godmachine12 · Joined: 06 Feb 2009 Posts: 62

There are so many in the UK as well. I can't decide whether to narrow it down to England or what. Maybe someone else can chime in and give us some advice? Since we're at about the same point, I'll keep you abreast of what I find out about the UK centers.

nstick13 · Posted: Tue Feb 10, 2009 2:02 am Post subject:

And, for the record, by "best option" I mean "most affordable".

Madame J · Posted: Sat Feb 14, 2009 11:59 pm Post subject:

nstick13 · Posted: Fri Feb 20, 2009 12:06 am Post subject:

Yes, however, the programs cost significantly more outside of London.

Finding a one-month accommodation is going to be pretty consistent price-wise where ever one is. Especially the half-board type home-stays.

GambateBingBangBOOM · Joined: 04 Nov 2003 Posts: 2021 Location: Japan

have you thought about doing it in a cheap country instead?

You can do the entire thing including room and board for just under $2500US in Thailand.

http://www.ihbangkok.com/dates_fees.html

nstick13 · Posted: Sat Feb 21, 2009 1:51 am Post subject:

spiral78 · Joined: 05 Apr 2004 Posts: 11534 Location: On a Short Leash

The ideal place to get a CELTA (or any other starter course) is in the country where you want to start teaching, if at all possible.

There are lots of advantages: you can get your feet wet in the country/culture while you still have a support system - training centres generally offer things like airport pickup, arranged housing during the course, and local orientation and basic langauge training.
Your practice teaching students will really represent those you'll be working with when you start. You can be certain that your cert will be recognized by local employers - and your training centre can give you invaluable information concerning the most reputable and reliable local employers.

mlomker · Joined: 24 Mar 2005 Posts: 378

Chancellor · Posted: Mon Mar 16, 2009 7:41 pm Post subject:

brillig · Joined: 21 Feb 2009 Posts: 6

From my own research, it seems that a quality 120-hour program with the required teaching practice cost around $4000 wherever you take it when you include airfare, accommodations, food, etc. The cheap CELTA programs tend to be in countries where airfare can be up to $2000 roundtrip from the US. So I've decided to stick with a CELTA program in the country in which I plan to teach, or ITTO if I decide to teach in Mexico.

johnson430 · Joined: 17 Mar 2009 Posts: 33 Location: Texas, USA

Hola brillig,

As far as traveling to your destination...
Why don't you take the cheap route and bus it?

You will get a better appreciation for the culture and land if you travel through it instead of over it.

A bus from TN to Dallas should be very inexpensive.
Once in Dallas you can take a bus (called El Conejo, I think) right to a bus terminal at a border town; most likely Laredo.
Once you get to the border you will have to take a bus to Monterrey or Durango and then take another bus south from there to the DF or Guadalajara.

It is easy to get tickets and the buses run often.
Spend the few extra dollars and take a 1st class bus if you have the opportunity to upgrade: Movies, reclining chairs and sometimes a snack bar at the back of the bus.
Me gusta mucho!!

Good luck and let me know what you come up with,
Johnson