Job Discussion Forums

BlkOwl1 · Joined: 14 Dec 2009 Posts: 5

Hello, I'm considering taking the above mentioned certification program and before I plunk down US$2500 I would like to hear from others who have completed this same program. What are some pros and cons about the program, from the teachers to the facilities to the syllabus to the usefulness of the CELTA certification?

I have visited the school and read any posts I was able to find on this web site.

Pros:
-Job placement assistance for life.
-Six hours teaching real language learners.
Cons:
-US$2500 (yikes!!!).
-CELTA stands for Certification in English Language Teaching to Adults. What if I want to teach kids, too?

fluffyhamster · Posted: Mon Jan 11, 2010 8:38 pm Post subject:

BlkOwl1 · Joined: 14 Dec 2009 Posts: 5

fluffyhamster, Thanks for passing on the info about the "YL" extension. I will look into it.

Anyone else have any input on my questions about the pros and cons of the CELTA certification as offered by BridgeTEFL in Denver?

By the way, I live in Denver if anyone is considering taking the same course and has questions about Denver or Colorado or the good ol' US of A. I love to help, so let me know if I can be of any service.

runthegauntlet

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

Job placement assistance for life.

You may want to clarify exactly what this is....many courses offer something like it. However, what it really amounts to is that the course providers will put you in contact with any reputable employer they know in the country where you want to go.

Sending a CV/resume, interviewing, doing a demo lesson in many cases - still your responsibility. That's OK, but 'job placement' implies that the course provider will line you up with a job - and that's a misnomer. Really.

I basically second the idea of taking a course in the country where you want to teach. As noted, courses that are CELTA or equivalent are intensive and you won't get much time to start integrating into the country while you are on a course. HOWEVER, taking a course in country does offer a lot of head starts -

Your practice teaching students will be really representative of those you'll be working with when you start (in the States, any class will most likely be people from several different native languages, for example, making for very different classroom dynamics from an overseas situation where students share one language).

An in-country course provider normally arranges for logistics for the duration of the course, including airport pick up, accomodation, and local orientation. It can be difficult to get that from a new employer, and challenging to handle it all on your own.

Good course providers in country really know which employers are reputable and which may be dodgy.

Finally, taking a course in-country allows you to make contacts with other teachers in that country by definition - you've got a ready-made support group there.

As already noted, CELTA is a name brand certification and employers will recognise it everywhere. Further, there is something to be said for taking an intensive course like this on your home terrritory in terms of less distractions/challenges. But if you haven't already committed to it, you might well consider the in-country option. It's got many advantages as well.

BlkOwl1 · Joined: 14 Dec 2009 Posts: 5

Please consider sending some monetary support to the poor Haitians!

*******

Gauntlet, you have read my mind! Just today I began to research the idea of getting the CELTA through BridgeTEFL or through International House (IH), both in Playa del Carmen, Yucatan Mexico.

So, I would like anyone's input on either the Bridge or IH CELTA programs. IH does not offer lifetime job placement assistance and the cost is just $200 less than Bridge's Playa tuition. Housing for either company for 28 nights varies from $800-$1260, bringing total cost to approx $2800-$3000 for each program not including airfare to Mexico. That's $300 more than if I take the course down the street here in Denver but the Mexico cost can include two meals a day and I would get some Spanish language immersion.

Is IH reputable, dependable, good at what they do? What do they do poorly? Same questions for BridgeTEFL.

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

BlkOwl, we're language teachers. Many of us are as poor as Haitians already!
Honestly, though, it's a terrible catastrophe and totally worth of any support any of us can send, whether monetary or simply condolences and good wishes.

IH is reputable.

norwalkesl · Joined: 22 Oct 2009 Posts: 366 Location: Ch-Ch-Ch-Ch-China

runthegauntlet

BlkOwl1 · Joined: 14 Dec 2009 Posts: 5

magpie1124 · Joined: 18 Dec 2009 Posts: 3

I took the CELTA course in Denver at Bridge Linguatec a few years ago. I have had no trouble finding work abroad. The CELTA course will be the same no matter where you take it, but the trainers will be different...I really enjoyed the trainers in Denver. At that time it was Giles and Marisa, I'm not sure who's there now.

While it's true that the course can be cheaper abroad, you would still have to fly there to take the course. Most flights abroad are a grand or more! But if the CELTA is offered in the location where you want to teach, then you should take it there!

Smile