Job Discussion Forums

BrotherTaff · Joined: 19 Jun 2009 Posts: 4

I'm thinking of getting an i-to-i weekend English certificate. However, there's a chance that I'll be in the UK for a while and I don't want to get this certificate if isn't worth much in the UK. Am I better off trying to find some way to pay for a CELTA course? If so, do you know of any way that British citizens can get a hook up or a discount on a CELTA course?

SueH · Joined: 01 Feb 2003 Posts: 1022 Location: Northern Italy

I managed to get the CELTA paid for as I was on benefits at the time, and it was regarded as professional re-training. Not sure whether that is still the case but worth investigating.

As for the i-to-i certificate, it might be useful as an entry to a desperate summer school but no more, I'd say. I did a similar course when I was unemployed just for interest and fell in to a summer job two days later.

roywebcafe · Joined: 13 Jan 2006 Posts: 259

It was enough to get me in to a primary school in China followed by Shane Taiwan (YUK!) them anothe primary school in Thailand. options are more limited in Europe though

coledavis · Joined: 21 Jun 2003 Posts: 1838

Last time I met the graduate of a weekend course, he tried to teach a class and, in spite of considerable support from me, and some support from a manager, he ran off half way through. So, I would say, if you want to get some useful experience, do the CELTA or Trinity, something that gives you a few weeks observing, practising and getting some idea of what you ought to be doing.

Tom_Colby · Joined: 03 Jun 2009 Posts: 5

I did the 80hr course with them, including the weekend part. It was very useful as an intro to TEFL (the weekend course was very well run, very intensive and I learnt a lot). At the end I was able to land jobs in Asia if I wanted (and others on the course did) but nothing in Europe.

I used it more as a 'taster' to see if I liked the subject, and then went on to do a CELTA the month after. They just aren't comparable, you learn SO much more on a CELTA and the observations and teaching practice are invaluable.

If you want to do TEFL as a long-term thing and you only have enough money for i-to-i OR CELTA, just do CELTA, no question.

Hope that helps but feel free to PM me if you want any other info Smile

coledavis · Joined: 21 Jun 2003 Posts: 1838

Yes, using a weekend course as a taster is fine. In fact, I think it's sensible. My problem is with courses that sell it as a training course suitable for starting work with, and with students who delude themselves into believing that.

livinginkorea · Joined: 11 Jun 2004 Posts: 22 Location: South Korea

I did the i-to-i weekend course back in 2003 (I think) and it was a great taster for me. If you are unsure of what to expect from teaching English or spending a fairly large amount of cash on teaching courses then an intensive weekend is the way to go. Also a useful way to network and i-to-i always offer extra courses that you can add on to to up your training hours if you want to continue on.

Best of luck