Job Discussion Forums

[EvilTwin2000]

I've been accepted into a CELTA course that runs mid-June to mid-July. I have every intention of preparing, focusing and doing well in it. But is it enough to begin a job search?

I'm not looking forward to writing a cover letter that includes a sentence like "Barring injury, illness, international disturbances, natural catastrophe or finding out that I'm a nincompoop of a teacher, I should be CELTA certified by the time you hire me." And I wouldn't be suprised if many administarors have had a bad experience or two with people who were "supposed" to get their certifcation but didn't.

Would it be a good idea to contact selected schools now, just to let them know I'm interested and what my plans are, and then re-contact them--and a bunch of others--if and when I have the CELTA certification in hand? Or should I be plunging full steam ahead right now? I have a master's in English and teaching experience in community colleges in the USA--but in English composition, not ESL.

I'm primarily interested in Italy and Turkey. EU passport has been applied for--thanks for being Irish, Dad--but is not yet in hand. Another possible bone of contention, for Italy at least. Do these ducks need to be in a row before I'm likely to be considered for a position?

What should I be doing right now?

Thanks from hellish limbo.

[Chancellor]

[Glenski]

Take the course. Don't put it on your resume until you have finished it. Job hunt anytime you like. Depending on what the rest of your background looks like, I can't see that it will hurt to mention you are in the process of finishing (not taking) a CELTA, but mention this only in the cover letter.

[spiral78]

For Italy, remember that until the citizenship comes through, you've legally got only 90 days to be in the entire Schengen zone. Once you've got the citizenship and can file for visa papers, you're safe - probably even before you actually GET the papers - police are normally not going to persecute (or prosecute) someone who's filed. 90 days in, then 90 days out - eliminating the past option of border runs to stay legal.

On the CELTA and job search thing, there's no harm in making initial contact with some schools in advance - but I think you're aware you won't get any real interest until you're there on the ground.

[BenE]

Well I started my jobhunt before I even started my CELTA wrote a few letters and said on the cover letter I was doing a CELTA.

2 months later I got a nice job and had 1 week off post CELTA before I started working.

I'd say there's no harm in doing it. You probably won't get a firm offer but you'll get better insight into things

[godmachine12]

Thanks for posting this. This is, more or less anyway, the same situation I'm in, but my course begins May 25th. I've been scouting jobs for a while now, but I've not put anything out there yet. Following my interview, I was told I could start applying, but I was unsure of how to word the fact that I was only accepted on the course and hadn't completed it yet. Best of luck.

[santi84]

I'm going through a similar but different situation. I will complete my BA requirements by June (TESL certificate requirements were completed in March) but the university won't award me either one, until September! Apparently, the commitee doesn't meet until September My TESL Canada Level II application won't even be done until October or even November at that point So much for the program director stating I can still graduate with a short summer semester

I can't even apply for a job...