Job Discussion Forums

[futureshock]

Hi guys, I've been reading the boards and learned a lot from the advice here. This seems like a really helpful community.

I just wanted to summarize what I've learned here and run it past you guys to make sure I have this stuff figured out, and then ask a few pertinent questions.

I just received my BA in Anthropology with a minor in Lit. From what I can tell, that combined with the CELTA training should be able to help me land a decent job. I hope to take the CELTA course in Feb or March and be ready to leave the country by June/July, which seems to be a prime hiring season.

The question I have in regards to that is related to the CELTA training or just training in general. I will have to travel from Texas (where there is no CELTA course) to another state to take the course. I'm not exactly happy about leaving my campus, job, and apartment to take the class somewhere else. If anyone has any experience with other options (like online courses with volunteer teaching ESL or similar) and has had positive experiences, I'd like to hear about it. Or if anyone knows a good on-site school in Texas with a good reputation, I'd like to hear about that as well.

Additionally I will be getting married in June. My fianc�e is planning on taking the same I course I choose, but she does not have a college degree. However she does have a (small) guaranteed monthly income and would be willing to volunteer or teach for free. Will we have trouble finding work/volunteer opportunities together in the same country? Is this the sort of thing that young couples can do together?

My next question involves the application/interview process. I understand that CELTA provides job placement assistance, but my concern is the interview. As a young couple just out of college, paying for this all on our own is a bit of a burden. Will I have to pay to fly all over the world to interview for jobs I may or may not get? How does that work?

And last but not least, we both speak basic Spanish pretty well and are interested in living in Central or South America before moving on to the more lucrative markets in Asia a few years down the road. Does this sound like a good career arc?

Thanks in advance for any info you kind folks may provide.

[mozzar]

I can't help with all the questions. But:

Normally, June and July are the end of the season with September being the start of the new school year. Depends on the country you want to go to so ask a question or two in the South American forums.

Online courses are generally not as well respected as an onsite course. Needs to be at least 120 hours with 6 hours of teaching with real ESL students. Don't waste money on a crappy online certificate.

No idea about the young couple working together thing. I imagine you might be able to get jobs in the same cities but it wouldn't be an ideal way to start married life.

The job placement part of a CELTA course means them sending out your CV to places instead of you. Nothing more. You won't have to fly to any interviews - it'll all be on Skype. Although for some countries (and I think South America as a whole is included in this) you have to be there in person. That means choosing a city you want to live in, flying there and hoping you get a decent gig.

I can't help with the last question I'm afraid. A good career means constant teacher development, so start off well with a quality teaching qualification.

[mimi_intheworld]

A couple of things - there ARE CELTA courses in Texas. One through...Lone Star College in Cypress northwestish of Houston, and another through the Harris County Community College system (also Greater Houston Area). I know this because I used to live in Houston and was debating taking the course in Cypress. Last I checked it cost $1200 for a 4-week course. I think it was 4 weeks. I don't remember. But I googled CELTA Texas and those are the two that come up.

Second, I think it depends on where you want to go in Asia, or why, when planning your career arc. Some places (China? Vietnam?) it might be better to go there and (possibly) save up some money before going to less lucrative Central or South America. Other places (Middle East) you NEED the experience before you'll even get a look in.

[Glenski]

[futureshock]

I'll just clear up some confusion here, apparently I could have been more explicit in my first post.

We wish to start teaching in Central or South America. The information I have received from several programs I have contacted indicate that June/July is a good hiring season in South America particularly. The better half does not need a paying job, volunteering is fine. She has a guaranteed monthly income - if anything, I'd be dependent on her if things went bad, money wise.

A "decent" job runs the gamut from anything that will pay my cost of living all the way up to University teaching positions in English or Anthropology. (I hope to continue my education as well to MA or PHD eventually). I'm not picky. But lets be honest, I have a liberal arts degree and in this economy I'm doomed to flipping burgers if I stay in the USA.

As for Asia, I am particularly interested in Korea as my future brother-in-law has a lucrative teaching position there already and he is loving it. But that is in the future, after I have had a chance to explore the Americas to my heart's content.

And thank you mimi for the info on Houston area CELTA courses. That, in particular, was exactly what I was looking for.

[futureshock]

Just an update: I have located several colleges in Texas that offer CELTA and Oxford seminars, some close to me. Thanks for that tip mimi. It hadn't occured to me that colleges might offer these courses. I guess since mine doesn't I assumed none of them did.

I have read that Oxford seminars on-line was not really the best way to go. Anyone know anything about their on site classes? One is at a really nice private university just a few miles away (St. Edwards University in Austin).

[spanglish]

I kind of think it'd be a better idea to start out in Asia, especially if you have interest whatsoever in the region. That way you'd be able to live well and save while getting the first couple years of experience. But, if you can handle living very modestly for a while....welcome to Latin America! By the way, just get a name brand cert - CELTA, Trinity or SIT. I don't see much reason in doing any other.

[mimi_intheworld]

Following on what Spanglish said - Oxford Seminar seems to be kind of a certificate factory. Maybe stay away? (Again, I didn't actually end up doing the course, or any course, as I'm already a certified ELA teacher w/ESL training & experience.)

[spiral78]

I have read that Oxford seminars on-line was not really the best way to go. Anyone know anything about their on site classes? One is at a really nice private university just a few miles away (St. Edwards University in Austin).

The problem with this course is the lack of supervised teaching practice with actual students. Oxford substitutes teaching 'practice' on peer trainees. The real student element is a key that reputable employers look for.

Oxford (and other courses) may be offered AT universities (they rent rooms) but aren't offered BY universities - don't be fooled into thinking that the location of the course increases its reputability.

Good newbie course: 120 hours on-site with at least 6 hours supervised practice teaching on real students, with feedback from experienced teacher trainers. CELTA, SIT, and Trinity all offer name brand versions. There are some generics out there that fit the bill, but I've never heard of one in the US.

[Justin Trullinger]

You might consider going to a Latin American country where you'd like to work, and doing a course there the first month before you start working. Tends to be cheaper than doing one at home. (Because TExas rent is usually higher than Nicaragua rent, or wherever.

If you'd like to know more about the SIT TESOL course in Ecuador, feel free to ask me. (I've left, but was there for a long time.)


Best,
Justin