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caco00
Joined: 13 Jul 2010
Posts: 5
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 Posted: Wed Aug 18, 2010 11:48 am Post subject: CELTA: Now is the time? |
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Hello
I am in a bit of a crossroads. My idea is to spend the next few years travelling and working abroad. I have seriously considered a ESL teaching "career", but I don't think it is my only option.
I have the opportunity to take the CELTA course now, in Buenos Aires (where I live), but I don't think I would start applying for teaching jobs for almost a year. The other option would be to get the CELTA "on the road" if I really feel I will use it. This would probably get me an internship (or more chances of a placement abroad through the school) and, besides, the contents of the course will be fresh in my mind to start teaching.
What option would you recommend?
a) Go for it now that I have the chance,
b) Wait untill I'm sure and do it elsewhere (best job prospect and fresh contents?)
Thanks!!!  |
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Hindi2610
Joined: 08 Aug 2010
Posts: 25
Location: Mumbai
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| Posted: Wed Aug 18, 2010 3:16 pm Post subject: |
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| Absolutely not necessray! |
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nickpellatt
Joined: 08 Dec 2006
Posts: 1522
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| Posted: Wed Aug 18, 2010 3:43 pm Post subject: |
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Ignore the above post. If you are even slightly serious about being a decent teacher, or serious about giving your students what they need, some sort of training is essential, and CELTA/Trinity etc are the best and most valued entry level courses available.
I did my course in my hometown. I liked the convenience, and the comfort. I would recommend the same although there are some advantages to doing it abroad too. Each to their own.
You could take it now and do some volunteer work? Even a few hours a week will help you long term I think?
(Ive edited to add something as I had to dash mid post)
If you take a course abroad the course provider may not be in a position to offer you any work. Some places may have limited teaching positions, and run a course several times a year which means lots of graduates for few jobs. The 'in-country' job search may also require more start up cash. Perhaps you will need to pay for accomodation for a few months before you find the job. Also bear in mind some countries have regulations about visas that may mean leaving the country again before you can get the right working visa. These things would sway me toward getting the course at home.
People do often say that you stand a better chance of finding a better job 'in-country', this may be true, but for a first job / entry level work, I think you are just as likely to find something from your home country. Lots of the big training school employers will hire you via Skype interviews etc. |
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Iceman33
Joined: 08 Nov 2009
Posts: 91
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| Posted: Thu Aug 19, 2010 1:05 am Post subject: |
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| nickpellatt wrote: |
Ignore the above post. If you are even slightly serious about being a decent teacher, or serious about giving your students what they need, some sort of training is essential, and CELTA/Trinity etc are the best and most valued entry level courses available.
I did my course in my hometown. I liked the convenience, and the comfort. I would recommend the same although there are some advantages to doing it abroad too. Each to their own.
You could take it now and do some volunteer work? Even a few hours a week will help you long term I think?
(Ive edited to add something as I had to dash mid post)
If you take a course abroad the course provider may not be in a position to offer you any work. Some places may have limited teaching positions, and run a course several times a year which means lots of graduates for few jobs. The 'in-country' job search may also require more start up cash. Perhaps you will need to pay for accomodation for a few months before you find the job. Also bear in mind some countries have regulations about visas that may mean leaving the country again before you can get the right working visa. These things would sway me toward getting the course at home.
People do often say that you stand a better chance of finding a better job 'in-country', this may be true, but for a first job / entry level work, I think you are just as likely to find something from your home country. Lots of the big training school employers will hire you via Skype interviews etc. |
Although I respect Celta certificates, they aren't the be-all, end-all in TESOL certification. Many folks, in fact, have gotten decent jobs from online certjficates in many parts of the world (perhaps not generally-speaking in Western Europe or North America).
Interestingly, my sister has a Celta, and she cannot be an ESL instructor at any university in America where the Master's in TESOL is the norm.
Usually most schools require some certification or advanced degree to teach at their school or university. And there is so much variation between hiring requirements, depending on the region of the world you want to teach in, as well the specific school you're applying to. |
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GambateBingBangBOOM
Joined: 04 Nov 2003
Posts: 2021
Location: Japan
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| Posted: Thu Aug 19, 2010 10:17 am Post subject: |
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| Iceman33 wrote: |
Although I respect Celta certificates, they aren't the be-all, end-all in TESOL certification. Many folks, in fact, have gotten decent jobs from online certjficates in many parts of the world (perhaps not generally-speaking in Western Europe or North America). |
It is the most well-known private language school initial (newbie) certificate, which really just says that its got a big marketing machine behind it. But it is also standardized (though there are reports of varying quality).
| Quote: |
Interestingly, my sister has a Celta, and she cannot be an ESL instructor at any university in America where the Master's in TESOL is the norm.
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The CELTA is a newbie qualification. People commonly get a newbie certificate (so they aren't totally lost), then teach for a few years to get experience, and then get professional qualifications. What people do for that 'newbie' certificate varies greatly, though. Teaching at university is not a newbie position. She wouldn't be able to teach immigrant classes outside of the university or college level where I'm from anymore [you used to be able to with that qualification, and so some teachers have no other training than that] either. You need a university or college certificate that takes the same length of time as a consecutive B.Ed or a masters degree from the UK, Australia etc. as your newbie certificate (and THEN another year and a half for a masters degree- though in reality people who already have a masters degree in another area and then spend the year getting the certificate can and do get jobs at universities teaching ESL, at the university where they do the TESL certificate. You need to have at least a masters to teach at university. You need to have significant training- a full-time academic year. A certificate that is the equivalent to a masters degree from other countries is significant training). That leaves private language schools for people with a CELTA. |
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Chancellor
Joined: 31 Oct 2005
Posts: 1337
Location: Ji'an, China - if you're willing to send me cigars, I accept donations :)
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| Posted: Fri Aug 20, 2010 1:14 pm Post subject: Re: CELTA: Now is the time? |
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| caco00 wrote: |
Hello
I am in a bit of a crossroads. My idea is to spend the next few years travelling and working abroad. I have seriously considered a ESL teaching "career", but I don't think it is my only option.
I have the opportunity to take the CELTA course now, in Buenos Aires (where I live), but I don't think I would start applying for teaching jobs for almost a year. The other option would be to get the CELTA "on the road" if I really feel I will use it. This would probably get me an internship (or more chances of a placement abroad through the school) and, besides, the contents of the course will be fresh in my mind to start teaching.
What option would you recommend?
a) Go for it now that I have the chance,
b) Wait untill I'm sure and do it elsewhere (best job prospect and fresh contents?)
Thanks!!! |
You have the opportunity to take the CELTA course there at home: take it.
Some here will suggest taking a course in a country where you most want to teach, and there are certainly good reasons to do that (if you know where you want to teach); but you have an opportunity now to take a CELTA course at home and this will help you see if this is something you actually want to do without you having to deal with the additional costs of airfare, etc.
Keep in mind that CELTA (and other such courses) are entry-level certificate courses. They're not graduate certificates or masters degrees. |
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caco00
Joined: 13 Jul 2010
Posts: 5
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| Posted: Fri Aug 20, 2010 1:43 pm Post subject: |
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Hi again
Please stick to the subject. I appreciete participation and help but there are many threads concenring CELTA already, and that was not my question. (Where's your Reading comprehension ?  )
Only nickpellatt helped me out with his suggestion. Thanks. for the trouble.
I still haven't made my decision.
Nick: The reason I won't be using (and can't volunteer) my CELTA certificate in action is that I will be working on a cruise ship. That is why I will only start applying for ESL teaching jobs in a years' time. Plus, as you said, "in-country" job-seeking wouldn't be a big problem as I intend to travel quite a bit with the money earned at sea.
Thanks everyone |
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Chancellor
Joined: 31 Oct 2005
Posts: 1337
Location: Ji'an, China - if you're willing to send me cigars, I accept donations :)
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| Posted: Fri Aug 20, 2010 4:00 pm Post subject: |
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| caco00 wrote: |
Hi again
Please stick to the subject. I appreciete participation and help but there are many threads concenring CELTA already, and that was not my question. (Where's your Reading comprehension ? )
Only nickpellatt helped me out with his suggestion. Thanks. for the trouble.
I still haven't made my decision.
Nick: The reason I won't be using (and can't volunteer) my CELTA certificate in action is that I will be working on a cruise ship. That is why I will only start applying for ESL teaching jobs in a years' time. Plus, as you said, "in-country" job-seeking wouldn't be a big problem as I intend to travel quite a bit with the money earned at sea.
Thanks everyone |
Maybe you should brush up on your reading comprehension!
You asked:
| Quote: |
What option would you recommend?
a) Go for it now that I have the chance,
b) Wait untill I'm sure and do it elsewhere (best job prospect and fresh contents?) |
I responded:
| Quote: |
You have the opportunity to take the CELTA course there at home: take it.
Some here will suggest taking a course in a country where you most want to teach, and there are certainly good reasons to do that (if you know where you want to teach); but you have an opportunity now to take a CELTA course at home and this will help you see if this is something you actually want to do without you having to deal with the additional costs of airfare, etc. |
I directly answered both a) and b). |
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AGoodStory
Joined: 26 Feb 2010
Posts: 738
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| Posted: Fri Aug 20, 2010 4:05 pm Post subject: Re: CELTA: Now is the time? |
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| Chancellor wrote: |
You have the opportunity to take the CELTA course there at home: take it.
Some here will suggest taking a course in a country where you most want to teach, and there are certainly good reasons to do that (if you know where you want to teach); but you have an opportunity now to take a CELTA course at home and this will help you see if this is something you actually want to do without you having to deal with the additional costs of airfare, etc.
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Not quite sure how this is off topic, caco00. Seems to answer the question you posed pretty directly. |
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AGoodStory
Joined: 26 Feb 2010
Posts: 738
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| Posted: Fri Aug 20, 2010 4:09 pm Post subject: |
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| Oops! I didn't spot that last post of Chancellor's until after I had already sent mine along its merry way. |
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caco00
Joined: 13 Jul 2010
Posts: 5
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| Posted: Fri Aug 20, 2010 7:23 pm Post subject: |
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Sorry chancellor, I had missed youer post.
Thanks for the reply.
Maybe I ommitted some vital info in OP.
1) I have taught many subjects and worked in "informal" education.I have taught English. So I know its something I like and are willing to do.
2) I won't be back into "education" for at least one whole year.
3) I will be on the road after that so no need to worry about airfares and living expenses
Thanks! and sorry again.... |
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