Job Discussion Forums

[kazpat]

First a little background is most likely necessary.

I am 34 and soon to begin my second year teaching in Kazakhstan at a private language center. I have a BA in History and did a graduate year abroad in Ankara, Turkey following university. I returned to the USA and worked for 5 years as the "Education Coordinator" at a government run reintegration program for recently released prisoners. My main function was to teach ESL.

I worked in Turkey when I returned to live there in my late twenties.

It offers an online option and the credits can be put towards a MA in TESOL should I ever find myself back home in the USA. However, I do have some questions about whether or not this is a good investment.

Due to the fact that it is online, even from a university will it just be viewed as another worthless online cert since there is no face time with students?

If anyone here could look at the curriculum, do you think it is beneficial?



KP

[tttompatz]

It really does depend on what you want to do after.

If you are only going to work in (or eventually own/run/manage) a language academy (geared toward adults) then a CELTA would be the best choice.

If you plan to try to get into tertiary programs (university teacher) then you need to work toward an MA that you can actually complete.

If you want to work with kids, then look at post grad options in PGCE, PGDE, B.Ed, the CELTA + YL program, etc.

Pick a direction then we can suggest a map to follow.

.

[kazpat]

Thanks for the reply,

I think that with the exception of NU or KIMEP, university positions in Kazakhstan are not well paid. At this time I hope to continue to stay at a private language center in some capacity. I should note that my current language center does have young learners during the day.

Of course my short term goal (1-2 years) is to improve as a classroom teacher in my current position. I did well enough to be asked back but I want to evolve professionally.

[smithrn1983]

I agree with tttompatz, except on the CELTA. It's an entry-level qualification, and you seem to have a few years experience behind you already, even if some of it is on a part-time basis. Because of that, I think the DELTA might be a better qualification for you. You can complete it intensively, like a CELTA, or do part of it online, and part of it in the classroom. It contains both practical and theoretical elements, and you can choose to focus on particular areas, like business English, which would be useful since your goal seems to be getting an in-house teaching position. Some UK universities will also count the course as credit towards an MA should you choose to get one in the future.

[spiral78]

I second smithrn's idea about the DELTA. It can be done by distance (entirely or mostly, I think). It can support a teacher who wants to get into teacher training or a DOS position - or to combine some of these kinds of activities with regular classroom teaching eventually. Further, there are some excellent MA programmes in the UK which can be done entirely by distance and which are recognised in the US. Edinborough, Birmingham, and others come to mind. They usually do recognise a DELTA as partial credit towards an MA.

[kazpat]

Thanks for the replies and guidance. I downloaded a DELTA informational packet and will read it carefully. At first glance it appears they are a bit weary of non CELTA qualified people taking it, primarily since they think it may set one up for failure. However, I do have the requisite experience.

The Bell DELTA packet says some employers may be skeptical of seeing DELTA on a CV but no CELTA? Has anyone experienced that?

It mentions having anywhere from 14 to 20+ hours a week available to devote to the first Module of the course. Is this an accurate number?

Thanks,