Job Discussion Forums

[MDDude]

Hello,

I was wondering if anyone has taken the CELTA+TEYL combination offered by ECC (http://www.eccthai.com/training/schedule.asp). I found it curious that the cost for both of them is the same as the cost for the CELTA alone. In my mind, it seems to make sense to take both (of course, one would have to pay for an extra week of living arrangements). As someone who doesn't have a lot of experience teaching children, I think it would be a good idea for me. Any thoughts?

[fordrml]

I am also curious about this program. Anyone have any experience?

Also, I am new at this, and am wondering if I should expect a school to pay for such things as flight, visa, living expenses, etc. I've been looking at this school (ECC), and it looks reputable, but it does not pay most of these things. I also cannot find if they pay you while you are in the training/certification "Train then Teach" program. I know I would have to pay $1,600 (reimbursed $800 by ECC), but how am I supposed to support myself in Thailand during this period?

Cheers!

[oidar]

As one who is also looking into various TEFL courses around the globe, I can offer you this much information. This applies to almost any course.

1. You need at least enough money to support yourself for three months, plus other various expenses. Flat deposits, visa runs, physicals, etc. It's going to be at least 2 months before you get a check in almost any country.

2. Air Fare- Most of the Japan and South Korean jobs which offer air fare are going to deduct it out of your first couple of pay checks. They will probably offer you a bonus after one year. ECC offers the $800 tuition refund after teaching one year.

3. Job Guarantees- If something is to good to be true, it usually is. ECC for example states on the website they have around 10 job openings per month. You have to assume almost everyone who chooses ECC wants to be in the "Train then Teach" program. A more realistic number is they hire 4 or 5 new teachers, plus that is for all over Thailand. They also do not promise a job in Bangkok or Chaing Mai. Every month there will be people who take the course and do not have a job waiting on them. Schools in Prague and Madrid make the same offers, but every month they are only going to take the cream of the crop.

In my opinion if you are interested in making a career out of TEFL getting a Celta at ECC is not a bad option, just be prepared for the fact after the course you might have to fend for yourself. Also, never trust any website blogs or forums that have glowing reviews of some school. There are two types of people on these boards, newbies and TEFL school administrators. Sucessful teachers are busy with thier new lives, they are not going to be on these boards offering good advice just for fun.

Finally, if you are just interested in teaching abroad for a short time dont bother. All the money you will spend on courses, books, visas, etc is enough to survive in a place like Thailand or the Czech Republic for three months easy. You would be better off just saving up or getting a few credit cards and dont worry about working or teaching.

[MDDude]

Thanks for the information, oidar. I am not expecting to find a job immediately after getting my CELTA, and have saved funds to last me a good while.

[fordrml]

yeah, thanks. good advice!

[Carll101]

The ECC train and teach program isn't something I would recommend. They will send you in a crappy gov high school where nobody else wants to work and pay you less money than teachers working on their own in a private high school. Worst, they will give you no support at all. With a Celta, I'm sure you can find something else better.

[keymistress]

Reviving this thread...

My friend and I are applying for ECC Thai's CELTA + TEYL programme, start date 31st August.

Is there anyone who took CELTA at ECC Thai at all? I wonder if their application process is stringent and what they'll ask in their phone interview. Feel a little stressed up on what to write for the pre-application essay too.

Apart from that, I've only narrowed down to Wendy House for accomodation (read: breakfast and Wifi + 25% discount for ECC students). Will explore renting an apartment instead, any recommendations?

[MDDude]

Keymistress,

I'm a newbie too, but I can provide a comment on the ECC phone interview when applying for the course. It is not something to be worried about. The main thing they'll do is ask you to clarify parts of your application exercises and make sure you really, really, REALLY understand how much work the course is.

That's cool that you're taking it on August 31. I almost took that one, but chose the Oct 5 one instead.

[keymistress]

MDDude, guess I'll be there sooner than you do! Haha!
Thanks for the note! Did they get back to you soon after you submitted your application? And did you have to call them or did they call you for the phone interview?

I'm reaaally excited!

[Carll101]

[keymistress]

May I ask what did you guys wrote for your pre-application essay? Just a gist of it? Am wondering if you'd angle it to your passion for teaching. My friend intends to learn Japanese in Japan while teaching English there and we were wondering if it'd be "appropriate" to write that or to have a more politically correct answer.

We need to make reservations online because we're not traveling down to source for accomodation so I'm worried if those places may be full. Thanks, though!

[MDDude]

[Carll101]

I stayed in a place call Bed and Breakfast. You have a bed and a breakfast for 350 B /day... It's a good place if you are on a budget. Otherwise Wendy is far better, but more expensive. If you just go down the street you can check the other hotels, lot of them are cheaper than wendy... But again, pick wendy if money isn't a problem.

You can also check lonely planet thorn tree for help

http://www.lonelyplanet.com/thorntree/forum.jspa?forumID=51

[emmac82]

hey

i'm going to do my CELTA in Phuket next year, please keep us updating on how you get on etc.

[keymistress]

Thanks, Carl101!

I've got accepted to ECC Thai and will be joining the CELTA+TEYL course commencing 31st August! Really excited!