Job Discussion Forums

[BinneySK]

Could anyone tell me, jobs wise, what is the difference between doing a CELTA and a MATESOL.

I am aware that the MA is a masters degree and opens more doors, what I'm specifically looking for is...
Would I be able to get a job that specifies they want a CELTA if you have a MATESOL?

Thank you

[spiral78]

CELTA is a 30-day entry-level qualification.
An MA is a much bigger step.

Normally, it's a good idea to start with a CELTA or equivalent, and then get a few years of teaching behind you before starting an MA. An MA holder without experience isn't always at the top of a hiring list...

The job market for holders of a CELTA tends to be lower-paid jobs, such as in private language schools, teaching small kids, etc.

MA holders generally compete for university positions.

Many MA holders earned a CELTA when they started their careers - there are many 'older' teachers who have both, obviously.

[tttompatz]

[BinneySK]

Thank you so much for the information.

I love teaching at the public elementary school I'm at but I don't want to limit myself to doing this forever ie, I want to have the option of teaching at universities or doing teacher training later.

If I had the MATESOL and up to 3 yrs experience, in Korean public school, would I still need a CELTA? Sorry if I'm being a bit dim, just trying to figure out which is the best way to make myself more marketable.

[Perilla]

As Spiral says, doing the CELTA first makes much more sense - otherwise it's a bit like putting the cart before the horse. And actually, even with an MATESOL many employers would expect that you have CELTA. The MA is (usually) not a teaching qualification, whereas CELTA is.

[BinneySK]

Thank you. I understand now Really appreciate the help

[Chancellor]

This topic has been discussed in other threads.

CELTA, Trinity, SIT, the generics, they're all mere entry-level certificates in teaching English primarily to adult speakers of other languages. It cannot be compared to a master of arts degree in teaching English to speakers of other languages (for that matter, even the DELTA can't be compared to a graduate degree). Depending on which MATESOL program you go through, the program may lead to government teaching certification in ESL (as an add-on or supplemental to a general education teaching licensure) in the government primary and secondary schools.

Do you want to teach adults or teach children? The answer to that question will have significant bearing on which way you go toward TESL certification. Again, these entry-level certifications like CELTA are for teaching adults (though people have taught children with those certs) - there's a separate certification for teaching young learners (like the CETYL). And if you want to teach in the U. S., certs like CELTA are largely worthless, though there occasionally are language schools or other private organizations that will hire you to do adult ESL classes.

Do you want to do this as a career or just try it out for a few years? If the latter, would you really need to go through all the work of getting a MATESOL?

As others have said, CELTA and the like are entry-level qualifications. If you want to get your feet wet in TESOL then maybe this would be the way to go. Then, if you decide you want to do this as a career, go on to get the MATESOL. If you want to teach children, go fir a CETYL or equivalent or go get government teacher certification.

[BinneySK]

Thank you Chancellor. I most definitely want to do this as a career.

I love teaching at the elementary school I teach at at the moment, however I am a co-teacher (assistant to the real teacher) and I sometimes find it frustrating not being in charge of the class, ie having to share. I feel there is so much more I could be doing if I had the freedom to add to the curriculum. I may write in ignorance, but most of the ESL jobs I have seen advertised are of a similar nature, ie co-teaching.

That is one of the reasons I am thinking of doing the MA, so that I don't get stuck in roles like this but have the option to teach adults, at universities, colleges or business schools. My experience of teaching adults has been in a corporate setting, which I enjoyed very much.

I have been toying with this idea of getting certification, but the more I teach esl the more I'm inclined to think that teaching Eng as a first lang is not what I want to do.

The MA or CELTA are rather costly so I just want to make sure I'm as well informed as I can be regarding where each one could take me.
I really appreciate your input I realise it's rather difficult to answer.