Job Discussion Forums

[stephenmartin01]

Hi, I am a PhD student in Australia (with a British passport) thinking about taking a change of direction and moving to Berlin.

I have an undergraduate degree and some teaching experience as a sesssional tutor of undergraduate students (in politics, not English).

I want to seek out advice whether I should get the CELTA qualification or not? It seems pretty expensive and if the qualifications I have are enough to get a job anyway would I be best to keep the money and use it for living expenses whilst looking for work in Berlin?

[whya]

Hi,

Based on my own experience a CELTA qualification isn't needed in Germany. I got temporary work without any TEFL certification at a private language school with very little (ie. 1 week) teaching experience. At first I was just 'on call' for if teachers were sick etc but within about 3 months of finding my first job I could have been working full time if I had wanted to.

The one thing is that it will probably take a while to find that first job and perhaps a CELTA would make that happen quicker. As you have teaching experience though I really don't think it would get you a job that much quicker. Again from my own experience I would allow around 3 months to find a job and another 3 months to work up to something full time if thats what you want. It does also depend on what you want. Some private language schools get a bad reputation so if you don't want to risk that and go for university or state school teaching I would imagine that a CELTA or masters qualification would be more useful.

Hope this helps

[stephenmartin01]

Thanks Whya, that is a big help. Confirms what I have heard from other people. Now to book the plane ticket

[puhutes]

I did the TESOL certification before coming to Germany. As I did feel it was helpful, no one has ever asked me for any kind of certification since I've been there. It's more important for the Germans that you are a native speaker and that you can speak German Switzerland, I'm finding however, seems to be a different story