Job Discussion Forums

[Chancellor]

[Jeanii]

Hehe, perhaps not, but I HAVE just spent the last seven years working in an inner-city low-socioeconomic area. The last year I've spent teaching physics and chemistry despite not being qualified so I'm a tad knackered...

[Cal_Ger]

To the original 'poster', Jeannii.

I have been here in China for 7 years now, to the month! In that time there have been a number of changes. Where once a degree or CELTA was not a requirement, now they are, if you want to get into the 'best' schools or universities.

Listen to me carefully. What most 'posters' have said is generally OK, one comment not much better than the other in terms of 'advantage'.

However, what I have personally experience is this:

1. Your degree will satisfied government requirements for a 'Work Visa'.

2. ESL is a business, about business and only for business. IT HAS NOTHING to do with education

3. CELTA, is unchallenged in terms of ESL teaching, (as a business) by most ESL schools. (it not only opens doors; it blows them down!)

So, Jeanii, do a CELTA in Australia, either part-time or in a month. Get that piece of GOLD PAPER into your hand; 140 hours theory and practical combined.

The thing is, most Asian are 'blinded' by symbols, flags or other signs! CELTA, albeit a basic 140 hour introduction to teaching Adults, has taken on a reputation far and beyond 'basic' amongst Asian schools. It has become 'symbolic' in terms of ESL teaching.

On the other hand, an endorsement on your degree is just that; an endorsement, with no separate reputation or anything to signify it as an independent ESL qualification.

I am not downgrading an ESL 'endorsement', or saying it is less, I am simply saying that the 'monster' CELTA has an independent image that has grown exponentially over the past 15 years.

Basic or not, it has an 'Aura' about itself that goes far beyond an endorsement that at best, is buried in a degree.

Please don't confuse CELTA with TOEFL, a US 'would be' celta'; it pales in comparison.

CELTA is pure British, pure English, endorsed by a pure UK Cambridge University, plus, the British Council and last but not least, the IDP of Australia.

So there you go girl, Go for it!

Have CELTA will Travel.

Best regards

[spiral78]

2. ESL is a business, about business and only for business. IT HAS NOTHING to do with education

I beg to differ. This is certainly NOT true in all teaching contexts.

Please don't confuse CELTA with TOEFL, a US 'would be' celta'; it pales in comparison.

TOEFL is not a teaching qualification - it is certainly NOT a US 'would be CELTA.'
This comment would appear to demonstrate a relatively low knowledge of the field.....

"The Test of English as a Foreign Language (or TOEFL, pronounced "toe-full") evaluates the ability of an individual to use and understand English in an academic setting. It sometimes is an admission requirement for non-native English speakers at many English-speaking colleges and universities."

Generic certification courses sometimes use the acronym TEFL - Teaching English as a Foreign Language. This does not relate to any specific course - it is used by quite a few course providers, as is the acronym TESL - Teaching English as a Second Language.

[Sashadroogie]

Oopps! TOEFL isn't the only area of confusion there...